University Botanical Garden Ecopark Varna

Varna, Bulgaria, Bulgaria

---

The University Botanical Garden–Ecopark Varna is Bulgaria's first eco-park, a 36-hectare (approximately 100-acre) green haven that harmoniously blends natural and man-made ecosystems, located near the St. Constantine and Helena Resort just north of Varna on the Black Sea coast.

This university botanical garden, which belongs to the University of Sofia, features an arboretum with more than 300 species of exotic trees and shrubs from around the world including maritime pines, holm oaks, tulip trees, European larch, Ginkgo biloba, Sequoiadendron giganteum (redwood), and mamont trees, plus over 100 species of grass and herbaceous plants.

The park is famous for its rich irises collection of over 250 varieties, a rosarium covering about an acre with more than 70 decorative rose varieties, and a day-lily garden with 25+ hybrid day-lily types, alongside seasonal exhibitions of cactuses, succulents, and Cucurbitaceae species from Africa and Australia.

Visitors can explore water areas with aquatic plants, visit the Saint Kliment Ohridski Chapel at the garden's highest point offering wonderful views of Varna Bay, see archaeological findings including a Roman tomb and villa from the 2nd–4th century AD, shop at the Botanic Bazaar for plants and seedlings, and enjoy horse-riding lessons or carriage tours through the park via the Academic Jockey Club.