Aladzha Monastery is the most famous medieval rock monastery on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Carved directly into the cliffs, it offers visitors a glimpse into the ascetic life of monks who once lived there. Climbing the steps into the rock face is an extraordinary experience, providing both history and breathtaking views. While most of the interpretation is in Bulgarian, the site is still well worth a visit. Located just 3.7 kilometres from Golden Sands and 15 kilometres from Varna, it is an easy and rewarding trip from the city.

Tucked into the Akamas Peninsula’s rugged coastline, the Baths of Aphrodite — a mossy grotto where water trickles into a shallow pool — feels more like a quiet woodland chapel than a grand spa. According to legend, this was where the goddess bathed and first locked eyes with Adonis. The site’s magic lies in its simplicity: a single ancient fig tree drapes shade over the spring, its roots tangled in the rocks like something from a Pre-Raphaelite painting. More than just a photo stop, the baths anchor the Aphrodite Natural Trail, a network of walking routes through the peninsula’s botanical gardens and coastal cliffs. The easiest (200 metres) path winds past oleanders and carob trees to a babbling stream, while longer hikes like the 5-kilometre Adonis Trail reveal sea views and hidden coves. Practicalities are well managed: a car park, clean toilets, and a no-frills café sit near the entrance, while the Archaeological Museum of Marion-Arsinoe (15 minutes’ drive) adds context for mythology buffs. Come early to beat the coach tours; dawn light through the fig leaves makes the grotto glow.

The Margaret Mitchell House is where the author of "Gone with the Wind" wrote much of her famous novel. Now a museum, it gives a glimpse into Mitchell’s life and the impact of her book, which remains one of the best-selling novels of all time. You can tour the small apartment where she lived and worked, see exhibits about the book’s history, and learn more about its cultural impact.