History: Kavarna was probably founded by the Mesebrians in order to challenge the importance of the harbour at bearby Krounoi. A predominantly Greek and Gagaus town in the nineteenth century, Kavarna was burned to the ground by marauding Circassians (Turkic Muslims from Caucasus) in July 1877, and at least 1000 of its townsfolk murdered. Nowadays it is a quiet place, lying a couple of kilpmetres inland from the seafront, where there is a small beach resort, and a port used for the export of Dobrudzhan grain. It is a good spot from which to explore the coastal cliffs just to the east which culminate in the dramatic Cape Kaliakra.

Places to go: The high hill of Chirakman keeps the remains of Roman villas and walls, medieval buildings and churches. There is a town museum hosting interesting exhibits of the town's history, including an impressive Thracian collection, and also an Art Gallery and an Archeological Museum. Old buildings dating back to the Ottoman era, as well as remains from Greek and Roman times, are also preserved. Six kilometres away from the city to the east is the Kaliakra cape, where an ancient fortress called Tirisis was located. According to legends the fortress was guarding the treasuries of Lyzimah, successor of Alexander the Great. Today there are quite many remains of those ancient settlements. One can also reads there a legend telling the story of several Bulgarian girls who chose to jump from the high cape into the sea but not to be captured and converted to Islam by the Turks.   

Accommodation: Besides the higher-class Siana Hotel and Dobrotitsa Hotel, a less picky holidaymaker can also get a good bargain at private lodgings. Besides, close to the town is the camping resort of Morska Zvezda (Sea Star), which offers reasonable prices for rented bungalows, own tents and caravans.  Check our catalog:

Catering: There are several big restaurants offering seafood and traditional Bulgarian cuisine in the centre of the town and close to the port. The small restaurants offer local dishes, pizzas, spaghetti, etc. The prices in the town are moderate and the products in the grocers' shops are cheap. The local producers sell fresh, fruits and vegetables. There are enough small snack-bars and pavilions in the town.

Transport: Kavarna is connected to Varna with a road passing through Balchik. Regular bus transport is complemented by private minibuses and taxis. One can also negotiate low-fare sea transport from the town to the nearby town of Balchik, the Kaliakra cape, nearby villages or camping sites with local boat owners.