Kavarna — the stage on the rocks
A fishing pier, medieval fortresses and an open-air rock festival — the small town where the wild northern coast begins.
A town between rocks and rock music
Kavarna is a town on the North Black Sea Coast, set on the rocky shore north of Balchik. The small port town is known for its great open-air stage and for the fortress that has kept watch over the sea for centuries.
Kavarna's history begins with the ancient fortress on Cape Chirakman, and today the town lives at a sea rhythm — a fishing pier, cosy restaurants serving seafood and a seaside promenade with views as far as Cape Kaliakra.
Kavarna through the centuries
On Cape Chirakman the remains of the ancient and medieval fortress of Kavarna are preserved — it once controlled the sea route along the Western Black Sea. The fortress walls are among the best preserved on the Bulgarian coast.
A few kilometres from the town rises the Hrisosotira fortress, dedicated to the Mother of God — one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in the area, with double walls and imposing towers looking out to sea.
Chirakman fortress
An ancient and medieval fortress in the town centre.
Hrisosotira
A medieval fortress named after the Mother of God — near the town.
Museums and collections
An ethnographic museum and art collections in the town.
The stage on the rocks
Kavarna is known as the capital of Bulgarian rock. Since the early 2000s the town has hosted a major rock festival, where world rock legends have performed on a stage by the sea.
The festival's atmosphere is unique — open-air concerts with the sea as a backdrop. The rest of the year the town is quiet and calm; in summer it comes alive with music, tourists and summer events.
🎸 Tip
Coming in July, check the rock festival programme — the stage by the sea is among the most atmospheric in Europe.
Cliffs, beaches and dolphins
The surroundings of Kavarna are part of the rocky northern coast, where the Dobrudzha plateau meets the Black Sea. Small beaches hide between the cliffs, and the water is crystal clear.
From the seaside promenade dolphins are often seen, and the Via Pontica bird migration route runs along the shore. Kavarna is a great base for trips to Cape Kaliakra, Yailata and Kamen Bryag.
Crystal sea
Some of the cleanest waters on our Black Sea coast.
Dolphins
Often seen from the town's seaside promenade.
Via Pontica
Migrating birds off the coast every spring and autumn.
| Location | 12 km northeast of Balchik, 60 km from Dobrich |
|---|---|
| Getting there | By car or bus along the Varna–Kavarna road |
| Nearest sites | Cape Kaliakra, Yailata, Kamen Bryag |
| Summer events | Rock festival and sea celebrations |
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