Symposium Venue and the City of Varna
The 26th Symposium of CIÉPO will be hosted by the University of Economics – Varna. The historical building of the University is located in the centre of the city, next to the Varna Sea Garden. The sessions will be held in the central university building. Lunches will be provided at the university restaurant.
Varna is Bulgaria’s third-largest city and is widely regarded as the country’s informal “sea capital.” It has served as a major port and urban centre since Antiquity, when it was known as Odessos. The region was inhabited even earlier, as demonstrated by the Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis, home to the world’s oldest known gold treasure (ca. 4600–4300 BC).
During the Ottoman period, Varna was a diverse city populated by Greeks, Bulgarians, Turks, Gagauz, Armenians, and Jews. It was also the site of the pivotal Battle of Varna on 10 November 1444, where crusader and Ottoman forces clashed.
Today, Varna preserves archaeological and architectural landmarks from the Roman, medieval, Ottoman, and modern eras. In summer, it becomes a vibrant cultural hub and a major destination for visitors drawn to its festivals, museums, and seaside atmosphere.
For more information on historical and archaeological sites, museums, galleries, and cultural events, please check here and here.
During the Ottoman period, Varna was a diverse city populated by Greeks, Bulgarians, Turks, Gagauz, Armenians, and Jews. It was also the site of the pivotal Battle of Varna on 10 November 1444, where crusader and Ottoman forces clashed.
Today, Varna preserves archaeological and architectural landmarks from the Roman, medieval, Ottoman, and modern eras. In summer, it becomes a vibrant cultural hub and a major destination for visitors drawn to its festivals, museums, and seaside atmosphere.
For more information on historical and archaeological sites, museums, galleries, and cultural events, please check here and here.
Accommodation
Participants are expected to cover the costs of their travel and accommodation from their own funds. Although the Organising Committee is not able to arrange accommodation directly, we can provide information on several suitable options in Varna, offering discounted rates for the period 22–28 June 2026. Early booking is strongly recommended, as Varna is in its peak tourist season at that time of year.
A list with hotels offering discounted prices can be found here. This list is intended as a general guide, and participants are also encouraged to explore alternative options such as other hotels, Airbnb, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts.
A list with hotels offering discounted prices can be found here. This list is intended as a general guide, and participants are also encouraged to explore alternative options such as other hotels, Airbnb, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts.
Travel to Varna
Varna is accessible through various means of transportation:
Varna Airport
During the Summer season, there are many flights to Varna. Check flight destinations here.
To get from and to Varna Airport, you may take Bus №409. The duration of the journey between the airport and the city centre is under 20 minutes. For more information regarding public transportation to and from the airport, see here. Other transportation options can be found here.
During the Summer season, there are many flights to Varna. Check flight destinations here.
To get from and to Varna Airport, you may take Bus №409. The duration of the journey between the airport and the city centre is under 20 minutes. For more information regarding public transportation to and from the airport, see here. Other transportation options can be found here.
Central Bus Station Varna
There are regular bus services between Varna and other major cities, including Sofia, Burgas, Istanbul/Istanbul Airport, and Bucharest. For more information, please check here.
Regular direct services are offered by Biomet and FlixBus. For other companies and online reservations, please check here.
The Central Bus Station is well connected to the Varna public transport network. Bus line No. 409 connects the Central Bus Station with Varna Airport, the city centre (including the conference venue) and the seaside resorts St. Constantine and Helena and Golden Sands.
There are regular bus services between Varna and other major cities, including Sofia, Burgas, Istanbul/Istanbul Airport, and Bucharest. For more information, please check here.
Regular direct services are offered by Biomet and FlixBus. For other companies and online reservations, please check here.
The Central Bus Station is well connected to the Varna public transport network. Bus line No. 409 connects the Central Bus Station with Varna Airport, the city centre (including the conference venue) and the seaside resorts St. Constantine and Helena and Golden Sands.
Central Railway Station Varna
The original Varna Railway Station was constructed in 1866 as a part of the Ruse–Varna railway, which is one of the earliest railway lines in Bulgaria (at that time part of the Ottoman Empire). The present station was constructed between 1905 and 1908 and is located in close proximity to the Varna city centre. For more information, see here.
For international railway lines see here.
For domestic railway lines see here.
You can buy online tickets here.
The original Varna Railway Station was constructed in 1866 as a part of the Ruse–Varna railway, which is one of the earliest railway lines in Bulgaria (at that time part of the Ottoman Empire). The present station was constructed between 1905 and 1908 and is located in close proximity to the Varna city centre. For more information, see here.
For international railway lines see here.
For domestic railway lines see here.
You can buy online tickets here.
Car rental
There are many convenient car rental options – both in the city and directly at the airport. Check here.
There are many convenient car rental options – both in the city and directly at the airport. Check here.
Transportation in Varna
Public Transport
You can purchase tickets from a bus ticket machine located on the bus stops as well as in all public transport vehicles. You can also use the TicketVarna mobile application to buy your public transport ticket.
For more information about Varna public transport see here.
For bus schedules see here.
You can purchase tickets from a bus ticket machine located on the bus stops as well as in all public transport vehicles. You can also use the TicketVarna mobile application to buy your public transport ticket.
For more information about Varna public transport see here.
For bus schedules see here.
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Driving in Varna
On streets, squares, and parking lots that are municipal property, in specially designated areas, the paid parking systems “Blue Zone” operate from Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (excluding official holidays, check here) and “Green Zone” from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (excluding official holidays and non-working days, check here).
For parking check here.
On streets, squares, and parking lots that are municipal property, in specially designated areas, the paid parking systems “Blue Zone” operate from Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (excluding official holidays, check here) and “Green Zone” from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (excluding official holidays and non-working days, check here).
For parking check here.
Taxi services – check here.
Other useful information
Currency
Bulgaria adopted the Euro on 1 January 2026. After 31 January 2026, only the Euro is legal tender. Until 8 August 2026, however, prices must be displayed in both Euro and Bulgarian lev (BGN) using a fixed exchange rate of €1 = 1.95583 BGN, in order to prevent hidden price increases.
Bulgaria adopted the Euro on 1 January 2026. After 31 January 2026, only the Euro is legal tender. Until 8 August 2026, however, prices must be displayed in both Euro and Bulgarian lev (BGN) using a fixed exchange rate of €1 = 1.95583 BGN, in order to prevent hidden price increases.
Emergency number
112 for all emergency calls
112 for all emergency calls
