Albena is one of the most beautiful sea resorts on the Bulgarian seaside. Albena is the place where the sea meets the sand. The resort is a delight to people of all ages.
     Albena is situated approximately 32 km north of Varna and just 20 km south-west of Balchik on a long sand stretch in the open northern part of Varna Bay. The resort was established in 1968. For its time it was considered as one of the most modern Bulgarian resorts along the Black Sea coast. The complex lies beneath a relatively high hill and is given particular charm by the nearby forest of Baltata, a part of which is a protected area. The resort's architecture resembles one of Walter Gropius' urban models as most of the hotels have a terraced structure letting in as much sun as possible. To the north, the coastline is steep, featuring yellow sandstone and limestone typical for the area. In fact, this kind of stone was used to build the resort.
     Albena is an ecological resort. The rare combination of fresh air and crystal clear sea water, and mineral water, medicinal herbs, various natural products and well established Medical and Spa Centre makes the resort the perfect location for family holidays. The resort is remarkable for its 6 km long, 150 m wide beach with very fine and clean sand; the sea water is usually crystal clear, calm and warm. Sea depth does not exceed 1.6 metres at a distance up to 100-150 metres from the beach.
     

Climate

     Unique Sea climate, clean air, rich in salts, ozone, iodine, bromine, calcium. The average annual temperature is around +12°C. Air temperature in the summer is over 25°C and often reaches 29-32°C. In May and September the day time temperature is 20-25°C, and in April and October around 15-19°C. Optimum humidity of the air 63-65%; There are typical light refreshing winds from the sea - days with refreshing breezes make up 2/3 of the summer months. From April to September the days are from 13 to 15 hours long and the sun shines from 8 to 11 hours. The intensity of the summer sun radiation in summer at noon is up to 1.4 joule/cm2 per minute. Predominating are the sun rays of the UV spectrum whose length is 280-315 nanometres (well outside the danger zone of skin cancer stimulating sun rays).
     

Waters

     Sea Water Salinity: sea water has low salinity of up to 18 g/kg by the shore and up to 22 g/kg in deep water. With content of favourable concentration of magnesium and calcium, over 50 beneficial ions and trace elements like manganese, iron, iodine, copper, cobalt, and zinc, plankton rich in minerals and vitamins. The temperature of sea water in June, July, August, and September is around 22-25°C. In the third week of May it reaches 20°C, while at the end of October it gradually drops down to 15-16°C.Considerable heat capacity and weak heat release with a 2-3°C difference in the temperature in the morning and in the evening.
     Mineral water in the resorts is with temperature 30°C, slightly mineralised, hydro carbonated, containing magnesium, calcium, sulphurous oxide compounds: 2.2 mg/I and free hydrogen sulphide with pH 7.39 and discharge of 2580I/min. Curative firth mud highly mineralised: 65.8 g/kg, calcium - 1.1 g/kg, magnesium - 3.6 g/kg and sodium - 18.0 g/kg. It contains hydrogen sulphide - 0.6 g/kg and biologically active substances, biogenetic stimulants, trace elements - iodine, copper, strontium, molybdenum and manganese.
     Available are individual programs 0g thalassotherapy and anti-stress, programs for health, beauty and good form, curative programs of different duration.Silhouette (intensive slimming program) with special diet, Slim body, Beauty (facial uplift), Gericain - anti-aging program (with Bulgarian medicines), Beautiful mother (after birth program), beautiful age (only for clients over 55), Anti-cellulite, Relax, Wellness; Fruits of Beauty (treatment with fruit dieting after a special methodology), Aromatherapy, Anti-rheumatic arthritis program, curative, curative for children. The facilities at the centre and their first-class fitness equipment of the Techno Gym trademark offer excellent conditions for training and recreation.
     

Hotels and Restaurants

     The resort hotels are located in a natural environment, either right on the beach or on the nearby hills which command a splendid views of the sea. There are total of 14,900 beds in 43 hotels, 5 holiday villages and 1 campsite. It has 1 four-star, 17 three-star and 22 two-star hotels. Hotels are equipped with all modern facilities: cable TV, telephone lines, restaurants, bars, Internet cafes, medical services, rent-a-car, congress halls, swimming pools, sports services, etc. The resort is intent on offering its guests the best it can by constantly improving hotel facilities and the standard of service.
     Every hotel offers baby sitting. Children could also go to kindergarten in some of the hotels and all inclusive clubs offering even animation for children. The restaurants offer dishes specially made for children.
     Albena is also a perfect place for business contacts and meetings, as well as for entertainment at the night clubs - Bar Variety and Casino - congress centre with conference halls and simultaneous translation facilities in 4 languages.
     Albena has more than 100 catering establishments, ranging from top class restaurants to fast food outlets, small cosy spots right on the shore, bars and discos, taverns and folk-style places, Chinese and Indian cuisine, to suit any taste and pocket.Year-round climatic and spa centre in the Dobrudja Hotel: highly qualified medical staff, 120 kinds of medical procedures making wide use of natural factors, special cosmetics programmes.
     

Sports facilities

     The sports center in Albena is one of the largest sport recreation bases in this part of the world.There are many swimming pools, bowling alley, water skiing, boat-driving banana and other sport entertainments: Water skiing, para-sailing, yachting, surfing, jets, underwater fishing, tennis, mini golf, bowling, riding, beach volleyball, aerobics, hang-gliding, diving school, horse riding ground. Inland excursions, exotic trips to Istanbul and Cairo, jeep safari, photo safari, yacht trips.
     Albena resort offers to its young guests 21 children's playgrounds, 15 swimming pools for children. Close to the Natural Reserve is located the greatest attraction - Children's amusement park - fun fair, kids' discos, mini- trains, inflatable trampoline, water carting.
     

Cultural events

     Albena is a host of varied cultural programs - International Children's Fest, Golden Antenna Festival of Musical and Entertainment TV Programs, Pop-rock festival, Coast of Hope Festival. There are many concerts, symphony and wind orchestras, Art Galery Stil, contests for children's drawing on asphalt, puppet theatre.
     

Transport

     A regular bus line as well as mini-bus lines to Balchik, Varna, Golden Sands Resort and the St.St. Konstantine and Elena Resort are available. For those who wish to travel in private, taxis and even boat trips from the small port could be arranged too.
     

Surrounding areas

     Some historical monuments are found close to the villages that surround Albena Resort. The village of Obrochishte, with its well-preserved fortress dating back to the age of the Ottoman Empire and the village of Kranevo, with remains of the ancient fortress from the times of the Roman Empire, are worth visiting.
     The coast between Albena and Kranevo is high and extremely picturesque with steep rocky formations. Kranevo is famous for its mineral springs as well as tourist center. The village provides a good accomodation alternative to Albena Resort as the prices are affordable for many foreign families having their holiday here.It has great capacity of private lodgings.
     As it has already been agreed, two golf courses some 30 km from Albena will be built. The first one will be near the beautiful town of Balchik, approximately 20km from Albena. It is a well-developed tourist destination and welcomes thousands of foreigners each year. Many of them arrive onboard their own yachts, as Balchik has one of the best yacht ports on the Bulgarian Black sea coast. The other golf course is to be built near the town of Kavarna, which is located approximately 2 km from the seaside about 30 km away from Albena.