Location 

Similarly to Kavarna, the town of  Balchik is also a relatively large settlement along the Northern seaside with its population numbering 13,766 people and a harbour used for medium-sized passenger and commercial vessels. It is situated 31 km north of  Varna in a beautiful inlet. 

History

 The place was first inhabited by lonians in the 5th century BC. At that time, the settlement was called Kmuni or Krounoi after the Greek word for springs, due to the abundance of karst springs in the area. Later on it was renamed Dionisopolis after the name of  Dionisius, the Greek god of wine and feasts. According to one of the most popular explanations, the town received this name after a statute of Dionisius was dragged there by the sea. The god's image appeared also on the coins minted there. Noteworthy, the town was a rather important centre on the northern Black Sea coast till the beginning of the new era and it was second in significance after Varna (named Odessos at that time). Later on the town was included in the territory of Bulgaria. Around the 13th - 14th century AC it was moved to a natural fortification, called Dzhina Bair. Following the rule of the Boyar Balik, it received its present-day name Balchik. The town flourished and grew into a big corn-trading centre after the Crimean War (1853-1856). Yet, after the Balkan War which ended in 1913, it was annexed to the territory of Romania. Struck by the natural beauty of the place, The Romanian Queen Maria built a summer palace and a botanical garden there. The royal complex also included a chapel and a villa for Romanian aristocrats. The town turned into a luxurious resort at the time. After 1940 Balchik was again included in Bulgarian territory. 

Places of Interest 

Apart from the palace complex and the botanical garden which is the biggest and most diverse on the Balkans, the town also appeals to tourists with its ancient spirit, reflected into steep pebbled streets and houses made of stone and adobe. The palace complex consists of a central palace with a high tower, numerous buildings, a terraced park, summer houses made of stone and propped up on marvelous columns facing the sea, a throne under an old tree where Queen Maria loved to watch the sunset, and a small chapel where her heart is preserved. There are more than 3,000 rare and exotic species of plants in the botanical garden, which has made it a part of the teaching facilities of Sofia University. The whole complex was called Tenha Yuva (Quiet Nest). Besides the palace and the botanical garden, the Art Gallery of the town, which houses also the town's museum is also an interesting place to visit. There is also a small ethnographic museum and a beautiful old church called St. Nikola Church. A Renaissance complex with the old school, which is quite well preserved, can be another possible destination to walk. The coastal alley which is about 4km long, is also a nice place to stroll, the same way as the harbor and the small streets of the town are. Outside the city, the area of Touzlata is located 4 km east of the town. It is well known for its curative mud, which was the main reason to build a balneological center there beside two lakes, formed by old landslides. A large recreational complex, a lot of villas, bungalows, golf playground and a camping site can be also found there. There is a mineral spring with water temperature of above 30 C degrees. Two big camping sites - Sandrino Camping and Beliyat Bryag Camping are also located near Balchik. They offer various opportunities for rest and water sports, clubs, bars, numerous bungalows for tourists having no camping equipment, small restaurants and snack bars for sea and continental food. Fifteen kilometers away from the town in southwest direction is the village of Obrochishte. It has a well-preserved fortress dating back to the early Ottoman rule, which travelers of that time used to compare with the beauty of Baghdad.

 Accommodation 

The most popular hotels in the town are Dionlsopolis Hotel, Balchik Hotel and Elite Hotel. One can reserve rooms in the palace as well. There are bungalows near the shore in the Tihiya Kut Resort (The Quiet Corner) and many private lodgings offered in the town with their prices depending on the comfort and the distance to the beach or the center. Not far from the town is the Bisser Camping offering bungalows and space for caravans to park and tents to put up. Check our catalogue: Catering Apart from several big restaurants in the palace, in the hotels and downtown, there are a number of small private restaurants and coastal stalls offering seafood, pizzas, spaghetti and other kinds of European cuisine. Groceries can be also an alternative for tourists who prefer to cook for themselves. 

Transport

 There is regular bus transport to the nearby town of Dobrich, Varna and the Albena resort. Apart from buses, there are numerous route taxis and private minibuses, taxis and water transport to Varna and Albena.

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