Making friends in Varna: language exchange, sport and meetups
Practical ways to meet people in Varna as a newcomer: language exchange, climbing and running, student networks and expat groups.
Feeling lonely in a new city is common, and it usually fades with routine: the same people, the same place, every week. In Varna, the easiest doors in are language exchange, sport, student networks and volunteering. Choose one, show up four times, and see who you start recognising.
Language exchange
Teaching your language while learning Bulgarian is a natural conversation starter. MyLanguageExchange has a Varna page listing people looking for conversation partners. Universities and cultural centres also run language meetings from time to time — follow their news pages.
A few words of Bulgarian — здравей (hello), благодаря (thank you), наздраве (cheers) — open more doors than you’d expect.
Sport and movement
- Climbing: the Varnaclimbing club trains on an indoor climbing wall and is listed on the city’s official tourism site.
- Running: the seafront and the Sea Garden are full of runners. The International Varna Marathon offers several distances and is a good goal to train for with others.
- Gyms: Numbeo lists a monthly gym membership at about €45 (October 2026). Group classes are an easy way to see the same faces regularly.
- Swimming and the beach: in the warm months, the beach becomes the city’s social space.
Students and young people
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) has had branches in several Bulgarian cities, including Varna, organising welcome events and trips for international students. Your university’s international office can connect you.
Expat groups
There are expat and newcomer groups on social media where people swap tips and organise outings. Group activity changes often, so check that a group is active before relying on it, and use common sense when meeting strangers.
Tips for introverts
- Arrive early — it’s easier to talk to two people than to a crowd.
- Offer to help: setting up, taking photos, keeping score.
- Follow up: “Same time next week?” is a powerful sentence.
Volunteering is another great way in — see our guide to volunteering in Varna.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How do I meet people in Varna if I don't know anyone?
Choose one regular activity — a language exchange, a sport or volunteering — and go every week. Repetition matters more than the perfect group.
Are there language exchanges in Varna?
Yes. MyLanguageExchange lists people in Varna looking for conversation partners, and universities and cultural centres sometimes run language meetings.
Is it hard to make Bulgarian friends?
It can take time, but learning a few Bulgarian phrases and joining local clubs rather than only expat groups makes a big difference.
