When Västervik was founded at its current location in 1433 by Eric of Pomerania, the inhabitants were granted four tax-free years, the first of which was to build a church. Services were held here for nearly 500 years, with the last high mass on the Feast of Christ the King (Domssöndagen) in 1905. The new church, St Peter's, was consecrated on the first Advent of the same year. Since then, St Gertrud's was used for various purposes, including for grain storage during the First World War. Eventually, the idea to restore the church as a place of worship emerged, and St Gertrud's was re-consecrated on 18th June 1933. The church's original tower, destroyed by lightning during a service in 1762, was replaced in the 1780s by the current one, designed by the renowned architect Carl-Fredrik Adelcratz. Among the church's many valuable artefacts is a Wistenius organ from 1743, considered one of Sweden's most precious organs.

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape from crowded beaches and want to soak up the sun in a secluded spot, Durankulak Beach is the perfect destination. Located in the Shabla Municipality, about 106 kilometres from Varna, this tranquil beach offers a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle. Like many other northern Bulgarian Black Sea destinations, having your own vehicle is essential to reach Durankulak Beach, as there is no public transport available from Varna or Golden Sands. As an added bonus, you’ll be just 2 kilometres away from the Romanian border.

This massive and breathtaking monument symbolises the country's cultural diversity and national unity. It is shaped like a blooming flower with four main petals, each representing the four majour provinces, and three smaller ones, meant to represent smaller regions, such as Kashmir.