Balchik Palace (Dvoreca) Tours and Activities
Also known as the Summer Palace of Queen Marie, Balchik Palace (Dvoreca) sits along Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, together with a popular botanical garden. The palace was built for Queen Marie of Romania between 1926 and 1937, when Romania controlled the region. Designed by an Italian architect, the palace is part of a complex that includes several villas, a wine cellar, a monastery, a chapel and several other buildings. Buildings within the complex feature architectural elements inspired by a variety of cultures and religions, including a minaret, a Christian chapel, Thracian, Greek and Roman symbols, and a mix of Bulgarian, Gothic and Islamic designs. The palace rooms open to the public display original furnishings, as well as some local ancient artifacts and photographs of Queen Marie. The nearby botanical garden was established in 1940 and covers 65,000 square meters. It is home to 2000 plant species, including a collection of large cactus species, only the second of its kind in Europe.
Practical Info
Balchik Palace is located about two kilometers south of the town of Balchik, 40 kilometers northwest of Varna. It is open all year round, but the best time to visit is between May and October. It is accessible by bus from other coastal towns and there is a bus stop opposite the palace – evident from the mass of tour buses and souvenir stalls nearby.
Address: Balchik, Bulgaria
Hours: May to mid-October, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; mid-October to April, open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Admission: 10 lev
3 Tours and Activities to Experience Balchik Palace (Dvoreca)
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Private Cape Kaliakra & the Balchik Botanical Gardens from Varna
1
Explore Bulgaria’s spectacular Black Sea coast and countryside on a full-day trip to Cape Kaliakra and Balchik from Varna. Travel by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to craggy Kaliakra, a peninsula nature reserve renowned for its wild beauty. Take a stroll to witness the steep cliffs and wave-lashed coast, and explore the remnants of the cape’s ancient fortress. Then, after lunch and time at a snail farm, explore the beautiful botanical gardens at Balchik, pausing to enjoy a delicious wine tasting. Finally, stop at a fascinating medieval monastery before returning to Varna.
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From
$93.74
Price varies by group size
From
$93.74
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna
This is a full day private tour that takes you to the north of Varna to explore a region with exceptional natural beauty, very rich in birdlife, archaeological and historical landmarks. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will reach the northernmost point of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, Durankulak Lake, home to one of the most ancient civilizations in Europe. You will explore the rugged beauty of Cape Kaliakra and hear the legends it has inspired. A visit to the charming bohemian residence of a Romanian queen and the adjacent botanic garden in Balchik, is another highlight of this tour. The garden is famous for its unique collection of big cacti, second biggest of its kind in Europe, exotic trees and seasonal flower collection. You will be treated to a free wine tasting in the Queen's cellar, while enjoying the story of her turbulent life.
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From
$226.41
From
$226.41
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Discover cliffs and myths of Bulgarian Northern Black Sea coast
7
This 1 day tour offers a customer oriented experience and features main points of interest along its itenerary. The tour is unique as travellers can choose what they would like to visit and can define the stops and activities themselves. The privacy of the tour is waranty for pleasant journey with no tight timeframes and schedules.
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From
$60.87
Price varies by group size
From
$60.87
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
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