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Travel Destination Guide - Albena
Albena (Bulgaria) 
Albena Information
Slideshow of Photos
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The resort of Albena with its 5 km long and 150 m wide beach is lying in a picturesque bay only 30 km from Varna and 502km north-east of Sofia. Albena is an ecological resort with a rare combination of fresh air, crystal clear sea and mineral water, remedial herbs, various natural products and perfectly organised Medical and Spa Centre make Albena a perfect location for family holidays.
Albena is reasonably flat in the centre and beside the beach, the town rises into lush and thickly wooded hills beyond the coastal bypass at the back of town. Albena is the most northerly of Bulgaria's beach resorts, facing E out to sea. 4 mls N of Golden Sands 25 mls NE of Varna and its airport.
Most of the hotels have a terraceline structure with well-projected stories. The concept of this architecture is getting more sun in summer days. The resort has three camping sites -Albena, International and Ekzotika, which offer great opportunities for housing tourists and holidaymakers. The river of Batov is interesting with its location in a natural forest. To the north the shore is steep, formed of the yellow sandstone and limestone typical of the area. It is these stone slopes that gave the material for building the resort.
The centre is compact, stretching ½ ml along the coast, and it's easy to get about on foot, with the splendid beach never that far from the central hotels. The demise of the old Communist regime has caused, among other things, much unemployment and Albena, like other holiday spots, is now seen by many Bulgarians as a haven for making money from the increasing numbers of "rich" Western tourists. Evidence of this varies from benign stalls, kiosks and beachside snack bars in hot competition with one another to black-market currency exchange and prostitution. Unfortunately for a resort billed as being family orientated, the latter is a sad addition to an otherwise lovely man made resort.
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Albena is a popular destination amongst budget to middlemarket visitors not seeking Western-style sophistication or standards.
Good value attracts mature couples and younger families, although there is little for children to do. Many will not wish to endure the sleazier side of Albena that unfortuately is present in the area.
The resort's jewel in the crown is a 4 mile stretch of broad golden sand bordered, where it counts, by a promenade ostensibly closed to public vehicles and lined with a variety of snack bars and ice-cream stalls.
Parasols and sunbeds are available for daily hire. There is also a wide choice of water sports including motorised 2-man hang-gliders and paragliding. Sea is child friendly, and there is an ever-watchful army of lifeguards on the beach.
Accommodation here is mostly mid-range 3-star offerings, but mediocre by Western standards in both design and quality, with many properties mass produced in almost identical slab-like concrete fashion. There is a 17-storey, 4-star Hotel Dobrudja, dominating the centre which is easily the largest and best equipped in hotel in the town.
Shoppers will be somewhat dissapointed as the town is severely lacking in quality and choice. Limited to locally produced handicrafts, linen, bootleg CDs and paintings-while-u-wait from a motley collection of stalls and kiosks that line both sides of the pedestrianised main street, promenade and footpaths to the beach. The small Bazaar shopping precinct offers little more than a few shops selling local souvenirs and alcohol, with 1 department store.
Popular excursions (although recommended to be booked through a travel agent) include: Full day trips to Varna and its dolphinarium. 2 days plus: Sofia; Istanbul by air; Cairo by air.
General facilities in the area include:
. 8 football fields
. 17 tennis courts (4 indoor)
. 25 swimming pools with mineral water (4 indoor)
. 12-alley bowling hall
. 9 beach volleyball grounds
. A modern horse riding club
. A modern multifunctional sports hall, where 11 different sports can be exercised at one and the same time.
. Bars, casinos, restaurants with entertainment performed by famous actors and actress
. Playgrounds for children
. Bicycles and riding horses, stunts with horses and cascade tricks
. Rented automobiles, cutters, sail-boats, yachts, waterwheels and jets
There has been developed a whole range of water sports with the assistance of coaches and equipment.
Albena has a Congress Centre, which provides the preparation, organization and holding of congress and business events in Albena Resort and coordinates all activities associated with these events within the resort area.
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Population: 7.450.300
Languages: Bulgarian 85%, Turkish 10%, Roma 4%
Currency: lev
Currency code: BGL
Local Times:
Bulgaria - Sofia
Country Dialling Code: +359
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
 
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Situated in southeastern Europe, Bulgaria occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the North, via the Danube River, it borders on Romania, to the West - on Serbia and Montenegro and on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. To the South its neighbours are Greece and Turkey. To the East Bulgaria touches the Black Sea, which links it also to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. The Black Sea borderline is 378 km (240 miles) long. The country's total territory is 111 000 sq. km (43 000 sq. miles).
Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country, small in size but rich in ancient culture, scenic splendour, friendly people and old-fashioned warmth and hospitality.
Situated in south-eastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, Bulgaria is less heavily touristed than its Greek and Turkish neighbours to the south, despite the popularity of its Black Sea resorts, which are attractive not only for their fine sandy beaches, sunny climate and safe seas, but also for their low prices.
Although better known for its sea resorts, the essential character of the country is to be found in its spectacular mountainous regions. The six very different ranges vary from high, snow-covered peaks to gentle green slopes and forests, harbouring thermal springs and mineral spas, and valleys where the air bears the fragrance of flowers and herbs. The Valley of Roses lies in the heart of Bulgaria and is the largest producer of rose oil in the world, giving root to Bulgaria's soubriquet, 'Land of Roses'. At the foot of the Vitosha Mountains lies the laid back capital city, Sofia, boasting a great number of architectural monuments and museums. The rugged heights of the Rila and Pirin mountains form a spectacular setting for ski resorts, as well as the famous Rila Monastery and the majestic landscape of the Pirin National Park, a World Cultural and National Heritage site. Crossing the entire country is the Balkan Range, a 435-mile (700km) chain that offers some of the best hiking in Europe.
As varied as the different mountain ranges are the people who dwell in them, with distinctive customs, crafts and colourful festivals, folklore, religious beliefs and speech. Small picturesque villages welcome guests with typical warm-hearted Bulgarian hospitality, sharing age-old traditions and traditional cooking, and a delight in their pastoral environment.
Bulgaria's history is displayed across the country in its old towns, ancient Thracian relics and treasures, decorated churches and monasteries, and in the rustic settlements that have preserved the traditional beliefs of its people. One of the country's biggest assets for visitors is its variety, but whatever aspect one chooses to explore, there is always the assurance of a warm welcome. |
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Local Area Weather
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