Situated between Batova River, the Black Sea and the slopes of the Dobrudja plateau, Albena resort is 36 km to the north from the city of Varna, 10 km to the south from the town of Balchik and 500 to the north-east from the city of Sofia.
The beachline is 5 km long and 150 m wide and is covered with fine sand.

history

The unique natural resourses of the area have attracted people to this place since ancient times. According to historical data even in 2nd-3rd century AD there was a settlement in the area named Geraneya.

In the early 60-ies of the past century the flat shore, the wide beachline, the favourable climate and the exotic vegetation  in the area have been considered to be a serious prerequisite for the development of  the international and national tourism in Bulgaria. The future complex was supoposed to be  the most modern in the country, a natural extension of the Balchik resort part to the south of the Palace.

The complex was oficially opened on August 24th, 1969 and in 2009 it celabrated its 40-th anniversary.
After long discussions concerning the name of the complex it was decided that the resort will be named after the heroine of the famous Bulgarian author - ALBENA. It was supposed that the name derives from the Latin word "albus' meaning "white".

Five years after the complex was officially opened six 10-storey hotels were built on its territory with a specific terrace-like architecture providing all the rooms with extra sun-light  and a sea view. The names of these hotel were again taken from the short stories of Yordan Yovkov - Gergana, Slavuna, Mura, Elitza, Nona, Boryana.

tourism

Today Albena is one of the most beautiful resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. This is the place were the sea meets the sand. The resort is ecologically clean, well organized and very sunny.

The capacity of the complex is 14 900 beds, distributed in 43 hotel complexes, 4 villa settlements and one camping, over 100 cafes and restaurants, a sports and recreation basis, balneological complxs, pharmacies, parking lots, a casino, a post office, shops, markets, banks, a congress center and many attractions.

sports

Set on the territory of the complex is one of the most modern and well otfitted sports-recreational complexes on the Balkan peninsula comprising of a horse stable, multifunctional sports hall, 8 football fields, a licensed grass hokey terrain, many tennis courts, swimming pools and water sports equipment, a carting track.

Professional football teams from Bulgaria, Russia, USA, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Scotland and many other countries have been taken advantage of the perfect conditions of the 8 stadiums and the additional training  terrains in Albena.

The wonderful combination of sports equipment, balneology and beautiful nature have made Albena an attractive destination not only for the tourists but for professional sportsmen, as well.
Albena is the only resort in Bulgaria to possess a stadium which can be heated, a perfect terrain even in the winter season.

Traditionally the complex is the home of many international competitions: the European Wrestling Championship, the European Championship of Modern Pentathlon, the European Grass Hokey Championship, the Coca Cola International Sports Tournament, the International Tournment of Dancesport etc.
Matches of the National Footbal Championship of Bulgaria are being carried out in Albena on a regular basis.

balneology

The favourable combination  of natural riches as mineral water, medicinal herbs, a great variety of natural products and a professional team of highly qualified spacialists has lead to the creation of three perfectly organized medical and balneological centers.

The oldest and the biggest of them is set in the 3-star Dobrudja hotel which operats year-round. The complex includes:

• MEDICA balneological center which offers many wellness and beauty programs and cosmetic procedures;
• The Center of Medicine and Haemodialisys, where medical services are offered in specialized medical offices, and a haemodialisys unit;
• Offered are also alternative treatment methods, such as: apitherapy, thalassotherapy, herbal therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, volcakic rocks therapy, mud therapy. There are also swimming pools filled with mineral water with constant temperature of 31 degrees.

The other two balneological centers are set in the hotels "Ralitza Superior" and "Flamingo".

landmarks

Only 10 km away from Albena resort is located the Botanical Garden in the town of Balchik, where many unique kinds of vegitation are grown. This is where the the Architectural Park Complex "The Palace", the former residence of the Romanian Queen Maria in the beginning of the 20th century, is situated, as well. Albena lies near the Baltata Reserve, which is a unique longoz forest stretching along the Batova river.

transportation

Inside the complex the tourists may take a ride on an electric mini-train. The hotels situated further from the beach are served by buses, which transport the guests to the beach and backwards in every 30 minutes, every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

There are regular bus-lines from and to Varna, Balchik, Golden Sands resort and the town of Dobrich. Besides there are many private microbuses, route and regular taxies.
Regular transportation by sea is available from the small port of the resort.