Balchik Botanic Garden — Attraction in Balchik

Unfortunately a bad experience for 3 groups here at the botanic garden and castle. Beautiful place but a lot of missunderstading and angry, bad mannered staff. There are 3 points where you can buy tickets for entry. the botanic garden and the palace are run by 2 different institutions so you need 2 different priced tickets to enter. They will gladly sell you one ticket only to not be granted entry without the other at the gates as well as being bullied and disrespectfuly turned away with high voice by the guardian . No one speaks english or romanian, german or french (tried all of those in hope of initiating a normal conversation) only few words, thus being very hard to understand that you need the 2 tikets to enter. They are also very angry and everyone shows their back not even trying to explain anything to you, not even in bulgarian. They just look at you like fools or worse , they start yelling. No manager to speak to, I asked to make a complaint and they told me i can't and on further struggle to clarify the things i was hushed off and told that the manager can be found inside the resort. One office sells tikets with discount for students but it is right at the entrance while the one upper on the street doesn't ( and this is the same ticket you are buying) . Also there is a guy prompting you to quckly buy the tickets from the first office. i heard even bulgarians arguing about the problem with the ticket. So you have to stay at two separate queues for two separate tickets, no one explaining you why and no one to talk to if you need clarifications or encounter a problem. Also if you buy the full ticket because you are told you get no discount for students at the first office you will get no restitution even tho you could have bought the same ticket with discount (half the price) 100m down the street. There are signs in english at the office stating some of the info that would probably clarify that you need 2 tickets but if you by mistake ran past them you are doomed into arguing with angry disrespectful bulgarians. Everything could have been sorted out just fine if at least one of the staff at the entry would have been kind enough to try and explain but by asking for clarification you only get verbally attaked by the staff. Bad manners and even worse organisation. Shame for such a beautiful place. I would not recommend, i wasn't able to make any complaint not even after visiting the entire resort and asking everyone where can one clarify his problems. They just pass the blame from one to another telling you that they are different institutions and are not responsible for all the people that work there or for the lack of...

How to enjoy the experience despite the conditions:

Have enough cash, preferably in leva. You cannot buy tickets using a card, you will probably not be able to buy in any other currency except leva. The closest ATM (Euronet) will charge a large fee. The regular bank ATM is located after the gate to enter the palace grounds, so you cannot get to it without a ticket. The exchange rate is not great and you may be surprised to not find anyone at the desk (complain to the entrance staff and they might bring someone).

Pay 14-18 leva per adult. Mentally prepare and emotionally accept that, although it appears to be a scam to be forced to buy two tickets (and probably to also pay for parking if you don't want to be forced to eat at a certain hedgehog restaurant), you can reframe to see all of this as one ticket price that you pay in 2-3 places. It may add up to 6 + 8 leva per adult + maybe 2-4 leva for parking. They apparently have a reason: two different government ministries take care of the two different attractions (botanical gardens and palace) and due to bureaucracy they have to have two tickets.

Reserve 1-2 hours for the botanical gardens and 1-3 for the palace grounds, depending on what you want to visit and how closely you want to study the details. I think it's likely you will be denied two entrances using the same tickets, so better to reserve a bit more time, even if you think you'll only visit one of the two attractions. You may come for the palace and discover that the gardens are to your liking too. There is a restaurant on the palace grounds but it didn't seem to be open when we visited.

Bring water. Once inside you may get thirsty and might have a bit of trouble finding a place that sells water.

Prepare to get a bit lost, even with a map, even though the place is not too large. It's probably a part of it's charm.

Do a bit of research beforehand, to have an understanding of the palace and its' history. The information available on site is a bit sparse and fragmented across different buildings. You are unlikely to be offered/find a guided tour. Not all of the posted information is "official". In one of the buildings (the guest room of the queen) you'll find the claim that her confession is the Baháʼí Faith. Depending on how you interpret the available evidence, this is likely to be a false claim.

There are at least two places where you can buy local wine (with free tasting).

Hope you enjoy! The place...

I had the pleasure of visiting the Architectural Botanical Park in Balchik a few years ago, and I must say it was an enchanting experience. From the moment I stepped foot into the park, I was captivated by the seamless fusion of stunning architecture and lush botanical wonders.

The park's architectural marvels, particularly the Balchik Palace, left me in awe. The intricate details and exquisite craftsmanship showcased the rich history and cultural heritage of the region. As I wandered through the palace's halls and chambers, I couldn't help but feel transported to a different era. The beautifully preserved rooms and the panoramic views of the Black Sea made for a truly immersive experience.

Beyond the architectural wonders, the park's botanical section was a nature lover's paradise. The well-manicured gardens boasted an impressive collection of rare and exotic plant species. I found myself immersed in a symphony of colors and fragrances as I strolled through the vibrant flower beds and meandering pathways. Each turn revealed new botanical delights, from delicate orchids to towering palm trees.

The park's well-maintained facilities and informative signage made exploration a breeze. The staff members were friendly and knowledgeable, offering insights into the park's history and answering any questions I had. Additionally, the park's cleanliness and accessibility were commendable, ensuring a comfortable experience for visitors of all ages.

A highlight of my visit was the tranquil atmosphere that permeated the park. The serene ambiance, coupled with the gentle sounds of nature, provided a much-needed escape from the bustling outside world. It was a perfect setting to relax, unwind, and reconnect with the beauty of nature.

Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat, the Architectural Botanical Park in Balchik is a must-visit destination. It offers a harmonious blend of breathtaking architecture and natural splendor, leaving a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to explore its grounds.

I highly recommend this gem of a park to anyone visiting Balchik. It truly is a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered...