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This is the largest park in Varna city. The planting of the park started in 1878. Since then it is continuously decorated and restored. The Seaside Garden will always be associated with the name of the Czech Antonin Novak - a park designer specialized in the Vienna castles of Schoenbrunn and Belvedere. The Seaside Garden became also known as the most beautiful park on the Balkan Peninsula. It was not only a nature reserve, but also a recreational place for the citizens. The first cafeteria was placed on piles and covered with straw, a fountain spring was also built. In 1906 the foundations of one of the city’s most famous sights were laid. The building of the Aquarium (Marine Biological Station) finished in 1911 but it was adapted for the needs of the Naval Engineering School and later on - of the Fishery School. It was not until 17 September 1932 that the Aquarium was open for visitors. A Black Sea relief was modeled in front of it.

The park separates Varna from the beach and goes all along the city

Close by, the first Open Theatre was built in 1920 and between 1926 and 1939 it hosted the Varna Musical Celebrations, forerunner of the present Varna Summer Festival. The nowadays-existing Open Theatre was built in 1960-1961.

The decision to declare Varna as a resort centre had a beneficial influence on its development. Wooden stands appeared in the Sea Park where music was played on holidays, children’s area with swings was formed, and a tennis court was allotted to the Varna tennis club. The opening of the new sea baths brought about improvements in the beach zone.

The park was often used for social activities. Entrance was paid, lottery was run and raised funds were distributed for charity purposes - helping war invalids, widows and orphans, school mess-rooms. Two open restaurants - “Grozd” and Zlatna Kotva - were located beside the park entrance. In 1939 the town’s major architect George Popov designed the main entrance-colonnade the way it has been preserved to nowadays.

The Seaside Garden continued flourishing in the years following the war. In mid 1950s children’s area with swings and lake was formed and in the second part of the park an open reading-room appeared. 8 new fountain-springs were placed all over the park; the area near the rock garden was turned into a lake.

A Navy Museum opened its doors and a year later, on 21 November 1957, appeared Drazki ship-museum. In 1961 the park had still another acquisition - a Zoo with its first inhabitant Maxim, a bear received as a present from the seamen of G. Dimitrov ship. A few meters away a Museum of Natural Sciences found its place and later on, in 1968, an Astronomical Observatory replaced the old open theatre. The Park entrance was decorated with an elegant sundial featuring a swan just about before its flying off. Among the many amusements, you can also visit the Dolphinarium, offering a dolphins’ show and loads of fun.