Which city in Bulgaria is better to relax in? Rating of seaside resorts in Bulgaria: where it is better to buy property and relax with the whole family
The purpose of this article is to help site visitors choose a place to relax on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The Black Sea coast of Bulgaria has about two dozen resorts of various sizes: from real resort megacities to very small resort villages. Some people want to relax where it is quieter; for others, rest is associated with the motto “not a minute of peace.” Let's try to figure out what Bulgaria offers in terms of summer holidays. Let's go from North to South.
Balchik
Albena
Kranevo
Golden Sands (Zlatni pyasci)
Konstantin and Elena
Compared to Golden Sands, Konstantin and Elena are smaller. One of the advantages of the resort is the extensive park area. Prices at the resort are average.
Beach in Constantine and Helena
There is a functioning monastery in Constantine and Helena. Other attractions in this area have already been mentioned above.
Varna
Varna is a city with all the ensuing pros and cons. It should be noted that this is the third largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv.
In the center of Varna
Russians choose Varna for vacation less often than other resorts, but in vain. The city is quite interesting. It hosts major international festivals, there is a Drama Theatre, museums, cinemas, cafes, and restaurants. There is everything for a very interesting holiday. Hotels in Varna for every taste and budget. The downside is that the city beach is not very wide. It might be a bit cramped.
Varna beach in the evening
Among the attractions, we can recommend a visit to the Aladzha rock monastery (photo of the Aladzha rock monastery), the ruins of the Roman Baths (photo of the Roman Baths), the Temple of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (photo of the Temple of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Varna, video of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary). There are many museums in Varna. You can have a pleasant walk along Slivnitsa Street and in the Marine Park.
Obzor and Byala
Saint Vlas (Sveti Vlas) and Elenite
Sunny Beach (Sunny Beach)
Nessebar (Nessebar) and Ravda
Pomorie
Burgas
Burgas is a city with all the advantages and disadvantages of city life. There is a very long and not very wide beach, industrial zones, a port, and a railway terminal. In short, the city. There is an international airport in Burgas, where vacationers who choose St. Vlas, Elenite and everything to the south fly. Yes, by the way, the emphasis in the name of the city is on the last syllable, although even Bulgarians sometimes get it confused.
Chernomorets
Sozopol (Sozopol) and Duni (Dyuni)
Primorsko
Kiten and Lozenets
Sinemorets
...
That's probably all. It's up to you to choose where to relax, but it would be great if this brief overview was useful to you. Also read articles on this blog:
Bulgaria is the most popular country among Russian buyers of foreign real estate. In 2013, more than 10 thousand of our compatriots purchased local real estate. The most popular apartments are on the country's Black Sea coast.
“Bulgaria’s seaside resorts are in demand for a variety of segments of the population. Young people prefer large, noisy resorts; they have almost no opportunity to buy housing. Young families as well as older people like calm and quiet places, but some prefer cities due to the availability of medical care, better infrastructure and the ability to rent out homes all year round. Some people prefer good apartments in large resorts (in gated complexes) for long-term stays or for renting out housing,” says Todor Stoyanov, financial director of Prime Property BG.
the site has compiled a list of the best resorts in Bulgaria for families with children and purchasing real estate. The rating is based on the following criteria: quality of beaches, infrastructure and attractions, level of safety, environmental conditions, cost of living and recreation.
Rating of Bulgarian resorts for holidays and home buying (maximum score - 10)
| Resorts | Beaches | Infra- structure and attractions attention |
Level safe ness |
State ecology |
Price life and rest |
General point |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 41 | |
| 2 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 40 | |
| 3 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 39 | |
| 4 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 39 | |
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 38 | |
| 6 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 38 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 37 | |
| 8 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 36 | |
| 9 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 36 | |
| 10 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 36 | |
| 11 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 10> | 35 | |
| 12 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 35 | |
| 13 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 35 | |
| 14 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 34 | |
| 15 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 33 | |
| 16 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 32 | |
| 17 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 32 | |
| 18 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 31 | |
| 19 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 31 | |
| 20 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 30 | |
| 21 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 39 | |
| 22 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 28 | |
| 23 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
| 24 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 23 | |
| 25 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 21 |
Sveti Vlas: a quiet resort for families
Sveti Vlas is a coastal town located 40 km from Burgas International Airport and 6 km from Sunny Beach. “Sveti Vlas is an ideal place for a quiet, measured holiday with the whole family. It feels like home, the complexes are cozy, and accommodation is inexpensive. The only drawback is that there is little greenery at the resort,” says Alexander D., who vacationed in Sveti Vlas in the summer of 2013 with his wife and two children.
This area has a special microclimate: the air is enriched with iodine ions, a fresh breeze blows from the sea, the Stara Planina Mountains and the surrounding hills keep it cool during the summer heat. There are sunny days from May to September or a total of 70 days. Due to the combination of a mild climate and healthy air, many come to Sveti Vlas to treat their lungs.
All three beaches with a length of 1.5 km (Camping, Marina and Central) are marked with the Blue Flag. This award is given for environmental friendliness. The beaches are sandy, wide, free (money is taken only for sun loungers and umbrellas), with small bays convenient for swimming.
The tourist infrastructure of the resort is actively developing. Now there is a marina, shops and restaurants. Most streets are under video surveillance, so crime here is almost reduced to zero. Attractions include the Church of St. Andrew and the Temple of Athanasius the Great.
Some Bulgarian government officials have acquired houses in this town. Available real estate offers include apartments in hotel complexes, apartments and villas. Housing in Sveti Vlas is sold at prices from 22.6 thousand to 376 thousand euros. Apartment rental costs 25–55 euros per day.
Kranevo: an ideal holiday for children
“In the summer of 2012, we sent our children to the AquaLife water sports camp in the village of Kranevo. From June to July we rented a house there to live near our children. We enjoyed our vacation so much that in the future we plan to vacation only in Kranevo,” says Olga K.
From Kranevo to Varna Airport is about 30 minutes drive. Buses and minibuses also run regularly to Albena, Balchik, Dobrich and Golden Sands. All these resorts are nearby.
The beach in Kranevo is clean, with golden sand, 6 km long and up to 100 m wide. There are paid and free recreation areas. The seabed is flat, without dangerous currents or depth changes, so children can swim here without fear. Some tourists believe that Kranevo beach is the most convenient on the coast. The village also has mineral springs, which are used to treat various diseases.
Kranevo is a village, but it has all the infrastructure necessary for recreation: bars, discos, restaurants serving Bulgarian, Indian and Chinese cuisine, shops, hairdressers, a market and even children's attractions. On the beach you can rent catamarans, jet skis and windsurfing equipment. And yet, Kranevo is famous not for its nightlife, but for its quiet relaxation, so young people who are accustomed to noisy parties may find it boring here.
The resort has both hotels and a private sector. Prices for apartments in Kranevo range from 37 thousand to 80 thousand euros, for houses - from 62 thousand to 337 thousand.
Review: beautiful nature and warm sea
There are several beaches - sandy, pebble, concrete; one of them is marked with the Blue Flag. The sea is clean, warms up well, and the slope to the sea is gentle. However, not everyone likes the beaches in Pomorie: the sand has a gray-brown color due to its high iron content, in some places there are stones, and in the morning, sometimes, the current carries algae.
In the surrounding area there are salt lakes, the healing properties of the water in which were known to the Byzantines and Thracians. It was used to treat wounds, rheumatism and skin diseases. Since Pomorie is located at zero elevation above sea level, the area is swampy, and the mud also has healing properties.
The city is located in the middle of the plains, so you won’t see the greenery of the forests here. But there are many vineyards here. Pomorie is famous for the fact that on its outskirts there is a wine and cognac factory called Black Sea Gold. It is believed that cognac made from grapes grown on salty soil is of special quality.
The resort has many hotels, sanatoriums, cafes, an open-air cinema, museums, monasteries and churches, but there is little entertainment for young people. “Pomorie will appeal to those who value peace and do not like crowds of tourists. It seemed to us that there are very few foreign tourists here; mainly Bulgarians come here from other regions of the country,” says Elena K.
The old part of the city has many buildings with interesting architecture, located on narrow winding streets, while the new areas are dominated by modern houses ranging in height from two to four floors. Pomorie is considered one of the cheapest resorts in Bulgaria. Both food and housing are inexpensive here. Apartments in Pomorie can be purchased for prices starting from 20 thousand euros.
Mermaid: rare birds and protected places
Rusalka is the northernmost resort in Bulgaria. It is located 80 km from Varna and 50 km from Albena in the Tauk Liman nature reserve, which translated from Turkish means “chicken haven”: many species of rare birds nest in the reserve. Nearby is Cape Kaliakra - an archaeological and natural reserve with secluded coves, exotic caves and mineral springs. You can get to Rusalka by bus, minibus or taxi from Varna, as well as by water transport from Kavarna and Kaliakra.
Rusalka has both sandy and pebble beaches. The average sea water temperature is +24 °C. The swimming season lasts from May to September. In summer the air warms up to +28 °C, and only a fresh breeze from the sea brings coolness.
The complexes at the resort operate on an all-inclusive basis. On their territory there are dozens of tennis courts, a riding club, a fitness room, a sauna, discos and bars, and swimming pools with animation. Here you can play football, go scuba diving and ride a bike.
There are about 600 country houses available for rent in Rusalka, where tourists, mostly British and Germans, stay in the summer. The houses are equipped with air conditioning, telephones and televisions.
Primorsko: a haven for surfers and exotic nature
Primorsko is located in the Burgas region, near Sozopol and Tsarevo, at the foot of the Strandja Mountains. From here you can take a bus to Burgas, Pleven, Plovdiv, Sofia and Tsarevo.
The surrounding area of Primorsko is a protected area with pristine forests, rare plants and wild animals, as well as unusual rock formations. In the Ropotamo Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 1 thousand hectares, you can go hiking or boating on the river. Tourists also visit St. Thomas Island, where white water lilies grow and turtles live.
The resort has a clean beach 2 km long with fine sand. The northern beach is open to all winds, which is why it is chosen by surfers. The southern beach is calmer, it is reliably protected from the wind, there is a gentle shore and a warm sea. “We vacationed in Primorsko from July to August, it was very hot and sunny, but thanks to the dry air, high temperatures were easily tolerated,” says Alla B.
Primorsko is an affordable resort for the whole family. Hotels, goods and services are cheaper here than in other resorts in Bulgaria. Apartments in Primorsko are sold at prices from 20 thousand to 100 thousand euros, houses - from 95 thousand to 700 thousand euros.
Elenite: healthy air and all-inclusive system
Elenite is a resort located in a picturesque bay on the southern slopes of the Stara Planina mountains, 40 km from Burgas airport and a few minutes by bus from Sunny Beach and Sveti Vlas. The resort was named “Elenite” (Bulgarian for “deer”) because deer live in the local forests.
In Elenite, iodized sea air is combined with the air of coniferous forests growing in the surrounding area, which creates a special microclimate that is beneficial for pulmonary patients. There is no sweltering heat here: the average air temperature in summer is about +28 °C. From May to October the water heats up to an average of +24 °C. Stara Planina Mountain protects the resort from northern winds.
This is a closed resort, and outsiders are not allowed into its territory. In Elenite there are several hotels and residential complexes with apartments located on the first line of the sea, along an 800 m long beach. There are many shops, benches, restaurants serving European and Bulgarian cuisine, bars, an outdoor seawater swimming pool, tennis courts, a yacht club , volleyball and football grounds, a fitness room, table tennis and billiards, a riding club, and a water park. The complex operates on an all-inclusive basis. The holiday is comfortable and inexpensive, meets European standards.
“Externally, Elenite reminded me of Ibiza - the same white villas with red tile roofs. Beautiful resort. But the entrance to the sea is inconvenient - the sand is strewn with stones, you can get hurt, and the beach seemed narrow to me,” says Svetlana S. from Kazan.
Prices for apartments in Elenite range from 35 thousand to 260 thousand euros.
Golden Sands: lots of tourists and discos until the morning
The Golden Sands resort is located in a national park 18 km northeast of Varna. There are bus connections to all coastal resorts.
There is a legend associated with the name of the resort. According to it, a long time ago, pirates buried a gold treasure somewhere on the coast, later they could not find it, and then this gold turned into fine-grained golden sand. Beaches of amazing yellow color, from 50 to 100 m wide, stretch along the northern coast for 3.5 km. The average air temperature in summer does not fall below +27 °C, and the water remains warm even at night.
“Golden Sands has a lot of entertainment and is a great place for young people. But for older people this is rather a disadvantage. We lived in a house on the first line of the sea, nearby discos were open until the morning, and because of the resting youth and loud music it was impossible to sleep. There are also a lot of tourists at the resort,” says Alexander Sh.
The resort has many attractions for adults and children, restaurants, discos, hotels, casinos, sports centers and amusement parks. Cultural attractions include the Chapel of St. John the Baptist and the 14th-century Aladzha rock monastery.
At the Ambassador balneological center, arthritis, arthrosis, bronchitis, neuroses, stress and chronic pharyngitis are treated using sea water, rich in salts and microelements, as well as healing mud and various types of medicinal plants.
Prices in Golden Sands restaurants are approximately twice as high as in Varna. Real estate is also not cheap: apartments with an area of 30–40 m² are sold for 30–40 thousand euros. Apartment rental costs 40–50 euros per day.
Kavarna: historical sights and rock concerts
The resort town of Kavarna is located 64 km from Varna, 49 km from Dobrich and 18 km from Balchik. From here there are buses to Bolgarevo, Balchik, Varna, Dobrich, Durankulak and Sofia.
The sandy beach is located about 2 km from the center of Kavarna and has a length of about 1.5 km. In summer, the air temperature varies from +22 to +30 °C, there is almost no rain - precipitation only falls closer to autumn.
Kavarna has cafes, snack bars, fish restaurants, an ethnographic museum, and many ruins of Roman villas and medieval churches. The city is famous for hosting the International Rock Fest every summer, where many world-famous performers have performed. Among them are Accept, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Glenn Hughes, Ronnie James Dio and Scorpions.
The city has a large selection of residential complexes with apartments. Prices range from 24 thousand to 350 thousand euros. A house can be purchased at a price from 60 thousand to 2 million euros. Rental housing costs 30–50 euros per day.
Lozenets: seafood cuisine and the cleanest sea
The fishing village of Lozenets, surrounded by greenery, is located in the Burgas region between the resort towns of Kiten and Tsarevo, 60 km south of Burgas. The sea and the proximity of the Strandja Mountains create a unique landscape here.
The village has more than 10 restaurants and bars where you can listen to music and taste different dishes from freshly caught fish: mussels, crabs, octopus, squid, shrimp, mackerel and much more. There are six sandy beaches: Babeshki, Coral, Oasis, Maly, Mechata Dupka and Central. Activities include surfing, fishing, horse riding, jet skiing, and, of course, swimming and sunbathing. According to scientific research, sea water in Lozenets is the cleanest on the entire Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is rich in microelements - bromine, iodine, calcium and magnesium.
In summer it can be hot - up to +30 °C, but the heat is softened by a light fresh breeze blowing from the sea. Lozenets is protected from strong winds by the Strandja Mountains.
The resort is dominated by two- and three-story houses, many of which have been converted into small hotels. The low-rise buildings of the village are reminiscent of European suburbs. Apartments in Lozenets are sold at prices from 30 thousand to 300 thousand euros, houses - from 90 thousand to 400 thousand euros.
Sozopol: architectural monuments and bohemia
Sozopol is the oldest Bulgarian city on the Black Sea coast. The first settlement in these places arose in the Bronze Age - in the 4th–3rd millennium BC. e. The resort is located 34 km from Burgas, on a small peninsula that juts into the Black Sea. By bus you can reach Burgas, Kiten, Primorsko and Sofia.
There are three sandy beaches in Sozopol - Zlatna Ribka, Harmanite and Central. Harmanyte is awarded the Blue Flag. There are several campsites nearby - “Veselie”, “Gradina”, “Zlatna Ribka”, “Kavatsi” and “Smokinya”. The city has more than 600 restaurants, taverns, bars and discos. This is a museum city: there are many historical and architectural monuments of the 18th–19th centuries, beautiful churches, old white houses with red tile roofs and narrow cobbled streets. The special atmosphere of the resort attracts creative people - artists, musicians and painters.
It is hot in Sozopol in summer. From May to September, the air temperature is +27–33 °C, the water temperature is +25–28 °C.
Apartments in Sozopol cost from 27.5 thousand to 500 thousand euros, houses - from 100 thousand euros.
Balchik: magnificent park and bad beaches
Balchik is the third most important port in Bulgaria after Varna and Burgas. It is located close to Albena, Varna, Dobrich, Golden Sands and Kranevo.
In ancient times, buildings here were built from white limestone. The Roman poet Ovid, sailing past the city on a ship, wrote about what he saw: “I greet you, white-stone city, with your unique beauty.” Balchik remains a beautiful city to this day. The most picturesque place is the residence of the Romanian Queen Maria with a palace park in which there are about 200 species of trees, more than 3,000 rare and exotic plants, more than 250 species of cacti, the collection of which is the second largest after the collection of Monaco. Other attractions include churches, remains of the Temple of Cybele, medieval walls and stone fountains.
“I didn’t like the beaches in Balchik. There is no sandy beach area as such, people sunbathe wherever they can, even on the parapets,” says Olga L. Due to the fact that there are no good beaches in Balchik, this resort is not as popular as others. The other side of the coin is low prices for holidays in local hotels and restaurants.
Here you will find a yacht club with 60 yachts, a 20-hole golf course, nightclubs and bars. In general, Balchik is a calm and quiet resort where young people may get bored.
The sea water temperature is 2–3 °C lower than in the south of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. For many Balchik homeowners, landslides are a big problem.
Among the property owners in Balchik there are many English, Irish and Russians. Apartments cost from 40 thousand to 200 thousand euros. The average cost per square meter is 300 euros.
Tsarevo: a boring resort for a lazy holiday
Tsarevo is a small port city in the Burgas region, located on a peninsula with a heavily indented coastline. There is a bus connection with Ahtopol, Burgas and Malko Tarnovo.
There are more than 200 sunny days a year, the air temperature in the summer months ranges from +24 to 35 °C, the water temperature reaches +25 °C.
This is a quiet, relaxing resort, where there are no noisy discos and crowds of tourists. There are not many hotels, since this resort is not the most popular among foreigners. In addition to Russians, Germans and Norwegians vacation here. There are three picturesque beaches, regattas and surfing competitions are held here, and you can go spearfishing. 9 km from Tsarevo there is a private botanical garden “Raiskata Gradina” with more than 2,000 species of plants, including bananas, kiwi, magnolia and cacti. There are no historical values in Tsarevo, since most of the old buildings burned down during a fire in the 19th century.
Housing prices in Tsarevo start from 20 thousand euros.
Ravda: a relaxing holiday without the fuss
The seaside village of Ravda is located 30 km from Burgas Airport and 1.5 km from Nessebar. This is primarily a children's and youth resort with good sports facilities. Here you can surf, swim and water ski. The main advantage of Ravda is safety.
There are beaches in Ravda for every taste - both rocky and sandy. On the approach to the beach there are undeveloped areas. The vacation spots are protected from cold winds by rocky capes, making the climate here mild. Every summer, about 5,000 tourists vacation in the village, mainly from Germany, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Most vacationers stay in small private hotels.
The village has shops, restaurants, entertainment complexes, a post office, an outpatient clinic, a fitness center and discos. However, active young people may find it boring here. On the outskirts of Ravda there are vineyards and melon fields, where you can buy watermelons and melons.
Ravda is one of the cheapest resorts in Bulgaria. You can rent a studio here for an average of 25 euros per day in the middle season. You can buy apartments for a price starting from 19 thousand euros.
Riviera: luxury hotels and luxury holidays
Riviera is a private resort located 14 km northeast of Varna, next to Golden Sands. It is surrounded by a magnificent park of 12 hectares and consists of several five-star hotels such as the Imperial, Lotus, Oasis and Riviera Beach. Local hotel rooms are some of the most expensive on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
The beach is located in a cozy cove, right behind it is a park with centuries-old trees. The Riviera has entertainment for every taste - from beach and water sports to get-togethers in bars, night discos, day excursions and animation. You can water ski and yacht, surf, fish, play tennis, and take bicycle rides. There are swimming pools with mineral water and healing springs that lead directly to the beaches.
The sea at the resort is clean and warm: the water warms up to +24 °C. It is hot in summer, but due to the light breeze and abundance of greenery the heat is almost not felt.
Varna: a major transport hub and a bustling resort with discos
Varna is the largest city in Northern Bulgaria and on the country's Black Sea coast. It is often called the “sea capital”, “summer capital”, “Bulgarian pearl” and “pearl of the Black Sea”. This is a major transport hub and a starting point for tourists coming to other resorts in the country. Flights from many major cities in Europe and Russia arrive here. Seasonal trains depart from Kyiv, Minsk and Moscow. There are ferry connections to Batumi and Istanbul.
The city has sandy beaches and hot springs with temperatures of +35–50 °C. Good beaches are located in the northern part of the city, including wild ones. In the center of Varna you can see the beach, separated from the rest of the city by a garden. In summer, the water temperature varies from +20 to +30 °C, and on hot days the sand on the beaches heats up to +65 °C. In September (“velvet season”), the sea, which has warmed up over the summer, is still quite warm, and there are fewer vacationers at this time than in July and August, since the school year begins.
Varna has many restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries, shops and nightclubs. There are Roman baths, churches, a large pedestrian area and a dolphinarium. Prices here are lower than Western European ones, but higher than at other resorts in Bulgaria.
A square meter in the city costs on average about 600 euros. Apartments and houses in Varna are sold at prices starting from 30 thousand euros. Rental costs from 25 euros per day.
Nessebar: city of churches
Nessebar is a beautiful, ancient city with a three-thousand-year history and a rich excursion program. There are about 50 churches here - more than in any other city in Bulgaria, many museums and various antiquities.
The nearest airport and train station are in Burgas. By sea you can reach Burgas, Sveti Vlas and Sunny Beach. Buses run from Burgas, Elenite and Sunny Beach.
The long coastline creates favorable conditions for the development of tourism. Nessebar is considered the largest tourist center on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The city has 730 hotels, almost 3,000 private residences with more than 155 thousand beds and over 3,500 catering establishments. Tourists often stay in ancient houses of past centuries, equipped with modern amenities.
The beach in Nessebar is small. The bottom is sandy, without cliffs, but in some places there are sharp stones. On the beach you can play volleyball, rent a scooter or yacht, hire an instructor for diving and windsurfing.
Since Nessebar is a popular tourist city visited by foreigners from all over the world, crime here is slightly higher than in other, quieter and smaller resorts.
“There are always a lot of tourists in Nessebar during the beach season. Fraudsters know this and take advantage of large crowds of people for their own purposes. I would advise you to keep a closer eye on wallets and valuables. It happens that foreigners are deceived at exchange offices,” warns Dimitar K., a local resident who works in the tourism industry.
Prices for goods and services in the city are higher than in other resorts. Apartments in Nessebar are for sale
for 27–65 thousand euros. Rental costs 50–160 euros per day.
the site advises choosing Bulgarian resorts for holidays and buying real estate in accordance with your preferences, lifestyle and budget:
- Best beaches:
Albena, Dunes, Elenite, Golden Sands, Rusalka, Sveti Vlas, Sozopol, Sunny Beach
- Developed recreation and entertainment infrastructure:
Albena, Burgas, Varna, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Sveti Vlas, Sunny Beach
- Quiet and relaxing holiday:
Ahtopol, Balchik, Kavarna, Kamchia, Obzor, Ravda, Rusalka, Tsarevo
- The most expensive resorts:
Varna, Elenite, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Riviera, Rusalka, St. St. Konstantin and Elena, Sozopol
- Cheapest resorts:
Burgas, Kamchia, Kiten, Kranevo, Lozenets, Obzor, Pomorie, Ravda, Sunny Beach
Bulgarian resorts... summer and winter, beach and therapeutic, excursion, mountain. There are even ethnographic ones, located in the rural outback, where guests live surrounded by national symbols. Resorts in Bulgaria are varied in style and purpose; they introduce visitors to the culture of the country; the national flavor is felt in everything. Time flies unnoticed, and vacationers regretfully leave the hospitable land to return next year. Holidays in Bulgaria are relatively inexpensive, and the service is maintained at a high level. In addition, excellent cuisine is an additional argument in favor of Bulgarian sanatoriums.
Bulgarian resorts, description and location
Excursion:
- Varna is a large resort city on the Black Sea coast. Its history dates back to the 6th century BC. e. The city has many attractions, the main one being the 19th-century Assumption Cathedral.
- Burgas is the cultural and economic center of the south-eastern part of the country. The main attraction is the Marine Park. In addition, the city has several museums.
- Plovdiv is the archaeological and cultural center of Bulgaria. Located in the very center of the country. There is a record number of historical monuments here - more than two hundred of them. On Bunardzhik Hill stands the legendary Russian monument "Alyosha", dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and erected in 1954.
- Melnik is a unique Bulgarian city, the smallest in the country - its population is only 390 inhabitants. Famous for its crafts and primordial national traditions. It is located in the southwestern part of Bulgaria, on the border with Greece.
Winter resorts
Winter resorts in Bulgaria, photos of which are presented on the page, are ultra-modern ski slopes, slopes and distances:
- Bansko is a modern ski resort located in the Pirin Mountains. It is also a national park and ethnographic reserve.
- Borovets is a popular winter resort, located between Sofia and Plovdiv, at the foot of the highest alpine peak in the entire Balkan Peninsula, called Musala. The landscape surroundings of Borovets is considered unique in beauty.
- Vitosha is a ski resort near Sofia, located on the eastern slope of the Cherni-Vrah mountain range, at an altitude of 2290 meters. The highest altitude ski resort. The distance from Vitosha to the capital is only 20 kilometers, so you can go to Sofia every day.
- Chepelare is the most versatile ski resort, located near Plovdiv. It is distinguished by a variety of ski slopes, there is a biathlon track, cross-country distances, and also a night route. All this is located at an altitude of 1873 meters.
- Pamporovo is a ski resort located in the Rhodope mountain range. The sunniest of all snow resorts; Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, there is snow in Pamporovo for six months.
The best resorts in Bulgaria, beach recreation areas
The Black Sea coast, 380 kilometers long, is a continuous resort area with many sanatoriums and boarding houses. The beaches are landscaped and equipped with everything necessary for a good rest.
Bulgarian resorts, photos and sketches of which are widely reproduced in booklets and reference books, are mostly located on the Black Sea coast:
- "Sunny Beach" is the largest seaside resort, in which 108 hotels welcome guests around the clock, and 130 restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs continuously serve visitors. The beaches of Sunny Beach, stretching for 6 kilometers, are famous for their golden sand, stunningly beautiful dunes and a light gentle breeze that never changes its direction. Summer temperatures here range from 22 to 30 degrees, and water temperatures range from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius.
Bulgaria, the Sunny Beach resort is a place where tourists from all over the world want to go.
- "Golden Sands" is another large seaside resort with a beach stretching for 4 kilometers, covered with fine golden sand. The recreation area is wide, reaching 100 meters in places. In the depths of the territory there are several hot mineral springs, which are used for therapeutic and preventive purposes. The complex is included in the category "Health resorts in Bulgaria". "Golden Sands" is one of the most visited sanatoriums on the sea coast. Its popularity is due to its impeccable service and physiotherapy facilities.
- Not far from Sunny Beach, at the foot of the Stara Planina mountain, there is the Elenite resort. Bulgaria is a green country, and Elenite is planned as a huge park with its hotels, bungalows and luxury villas. The sanatorium has a two-kilometer beach, shops, restaurants and cafes. It is considered the most sports complex on the entire coast thanks to its tennis courts and bicycle rentals.
- The category "Best Resorts in Bulgaria" also includes the town of Nessebar, located north of the city of Burgas. Nessebar beach is considered one of the best on the coast. Just beyond the beach area there are sand dunes. The town of Nessebar is small, it has ancient roots and preserves evidence of the evolution of Bulgarian culture. The resort "Nessebar" became the heir to the historical values of this settlement. Bulgaria is an ancient country, and its history is organically intertwined with modernity.
- "St. Constantine and Helena" is a park resort complex located a few kilometers from Varna, with several mineral springs. Sandy beaches alternate with rocky cliffs, and natural rocky breakwaters alternate with picturesque coves. The undulating coastline gives the surrounding landscape a special charm. However, the whole of Bulgaria produces similar impressions. The Konstantin and Elena resort is considered the most democratic, since on its territory there are hotels of all categories, from 5-star to economy class hotels. Prices are at a very affordable level.
Historic resort town
- Tryavna is a small resort town located away from the sea coast. A real paradise for lovers of history, ancient archaeological finds and ancient customs. The city has many different museums, including the Raikov House, built in 1846. Chemist professor Pencho Raikov lived there. The house is a masterpiece of late Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. The Slaveykov house was built even earlier, in 1830. The Bulgarian poet Petko Slaveykov lived there. There is the House-Museum of Kynchev Angel. Its exhibitions demonstrate wartime events, when the residents of Tryavna fought for the liberation of Bulgaria.
- Pomorie is a small resort town located on the Black Sea coast, north of Burgas. The length of sandy beaches is about four kilometers. The place is famous for its excellent Bulgarian wine and cognacs. In Pomorie, sea salt is mined in industrial quantities, and around the city, on the salted land, there are huge vineyards. The resort is divided into two parts - the "Old Town", located on a small peninsula, and the "New Town", built relatively recently on the main territory. Sanatoriums stretch along the seashore, and the sand on the beaches is not golden, as in other places, but light brown, ferruginous.
- "Rusalka" is a Black Sea resort in the northern part of the Bulgarian coast, located on the territory of the Bird Bay nature reserve. The complex has 600 compact houses for two or three people, with all amenities, furniture and air conditioning. Each mansion is equipped with satellite TV and telephone. Some apartments communicate with each other - families with children live in such rooms. The resort operates in an all-inclusive mode, three meals a day are high-calorie and without restrictions, a buffet is always served in the dining rooms. There is a dietary kitchen that can provide any diet, in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations.
The most beautiful and popular Bulgarian resort
The most beautiful place on the entire Black Sea coast is the Albena resort. Bulgaria is a beautiful country, but Albena is a real pearl of the Baltata National Park. The complex has 43 hotels, which are located near the water and on the nearby hills. Comfortable hotels can accommodate 14,900 guests. The beaches of "Albena" are located on the shore in a picturesque bay, their length is about six kilometers.
Holidays in sanatoriums
Health resorts in Bulgaria provide clients with a full range of general medical care, physiotherapeutic procedures, a course of treatment taking into account a detailed medical history and complete relaxation on well-maintained beaches.
The list includes:
- Chiflik is a small village located in the Balkan mountain range Stara Planina, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level. It is a sanatorium resort thanks to its powerful hot spring, which produces 3000 liters of mineral water per minute. Water procedures in Chiflik have a beneficial effect on patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteochondrosis, neuralgia and pathologies of the nervous system. Positive results are observed in gynecological diseases and skin abnormalities. The clean mountain air also contributes to the healing of patients in the Chiflika sanatorium.
- Hisar is a sanatorium-type resort town, located on the southern slope of the Sredna Gora mountain range. On the territory of the sanatorium there are 22 sources of mineral water, different in physical and chemical formula and temperature characteristics. Most of Hisar's underground springs are alkaline, hydrocarbonate-sulfate-sodium. However, several sources have unique medicinal properties that have been successfully used to treat kidney, urological and gastric diseases. Kidney stone pathologies, microlithiasis, pyelonephritis are also amenable to balneological treatment. On the territory of one of the sanatoriums there is even an exhibition of kidney stones that were passed from patients thanks to treatment with hot mineral water. Almost all diseases of internal organs can be cured to one degree or another in the sanatoriums of Hisar.
- Velingrad is a resort town with an excellent microclimate, clean mountain air and thermal springs. Located in the intermountain region, surrounded by rocky hills, due to which there are completely no winds. Summer is never hot, the temperature stays around 23 degrees Celsius. Winters are mild, frosts down to minus 2-3 o C do not last long. There has only been snow for a month and a half. The water in the mineral springs is very hot, sometimes reaching 96 degrees Celsius. The medicinal value of Velingrad springs is high; the water contains almost the entire periodic table: fluorine and silicon, potassium and calcium, radon, silicon and sodium.
- "Devin" is a medical and health resort located in the center of the Rhodope mountain range. It is the most equipped sanatorium in Bulgaria. There are several SPA complexes on its territory, where you can undergo prevention and treatment using the latest technologies. Healing springs with hot mineral water can cure many diseases of the cardiovascular system, neuropsychic disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The course of treatment begins with a consultation with a qualified doctor who will carefully study the patient’s medical history and conduct a diagnosis. Treatment is carried out using relaxing massages, VICHI showers, magnetic baths, aromatherapy and vibration saunas.
- "Kyustendil" is a large balneological center, a sanatorium-type resort, where nervous diseases, cardiovascular pathologies, and gynecological diseases are successfully treated. The list also includes metabolic disorders, arthritis and joint inflammation. In "Kyustendil" there are 40 thermal springs for various purposes, many of which are part of therapeutic activities. In the resort's sanatoriums, as part of a separate medical program, research and diagnosis of skin diseases - neurodermatitis, psoriasis, allergic inflammations - is carried out.
- "Bankya" is a Bulgarian resort, famous throughout Europe, located at the foot of Mount Lyulin, not far from Sofia. Several sanatoriums offer high-quality treatment for many diseases, based on the principles of balneology and SPA physiotherapeutic procedures. There is no inpatient accommodation for patients at Bankya; guests of Sofia hotels come for treatment during the day and spend the evening in the capital. The resort is popular among young people: boys and girls have the opportunity to tone up the body with water treatments, and then continue socializing in the familiar atmosphere of evening discos.
- "Sandanski" is a balneological health resort, known in Europe as a center for the prevention and treatment of asthmatic syndrome and a number of related diseases. The unique resort is located in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. Treatments and health programs are carried out in the Sandanski sanatoriums as part of the study of pulmonary-bronchial pathologies, using breathing exercises, mud therapy, physiotherapy and balneotherapy. Chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis - this is not a complete list of diseases that are successfully treated in the sanatoriums of the Sandanski resort.
- Bulgarian resort "Pavel Banya": diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases, osteochondrosis, rheumatism. Musculoskeletal injuries, dislocations, fractures, sprains. Correction of curvature of the hip joints. The health resort is located near the large Bulgarian city of Kazanlak. The region has many historical and ethnographic attractions. The centuries-old ruins of ancient buildings can be visited by traveling just a few kilometers by bus. A functioning Roman bathhouse is available to vacationers. Nearby lies the beautiful forest lake Koprinka.
- "Virshets" is one of the most popular balneological resorts in northern Bulgaria. The health resort is located in the middle of a park area, at the foot of the Stara Planina mountain range, in the valley of the Botunya River. In the sanatoriums of Varshchetsa, treatment of neurotic diseases, neurasthenia, neuritis, and plexitis has been established. Heart and vascular diseases, hypertension, ischemia, diabetes, obesity. A beneficial microclimate, magnificent landscapes and healing springs contribute to the recovery of patients.
Resorts for young people
Almost all youth resorts in Bulgaria are located in the northern part of the Black Sea coast, adjacent to the Albena resort reserve. Only the Balkan children's complex has settled in Sunny Beach (much further south).
Maps, directories, guides
In an unfamiliar country, the first visit is usually associated with searching. The map of Bulgaria will help you find the right sanatorium, hotel or boarding house. The resorts on it are marked quite accurately, indicating the distance from the main landmarks - the capital city of Sofia and other large settlements.
The specificity of Bulgarian recreation areas is such that a guest can visit nearby regions every day, get acquainted with the sights, and return to his hotel in the evening. A map of Bulgaria will also help with these travels. Resorts located within a two to three hour drive from your hotel are quite accessible to visit. If you need to travel a longer distance, you will have to spend the night at the final destination of the trip.
Prices and tariffs
Resorts in Bulgaria, where accommodation prices are fixed, usually do not change the cost of basic services throughout the season. What is the tariff?
The price for spa treatment can be negotiable, but in any case there are certain limits. If we take on average, this is an amount from 23 to 35 euros per day. If additional procedures are necessary, tariffs are reduced by 15-20 percent.
The cost of courses (per two weeks) varies from 320 to 540 euros. Small payments are not included here. For example, beach equipment such as sun loungers, air mattresses, pedal boats, rowing boats are paid separately. Cost - from 2 to 3 euros.
Bulgaria is the most popular country among Russian buyers of foreign real estate. In 2013, more than 10 thousand of our compatriots purchased local real estate. The most popular apartments are on the country's Black Sea coast.
“Bulgaria’s seaside resorts are in demand for a variety of segments of the population. Young people prefer large, noisy resorts; they have almost no opportunity to buy housing. Young families as well as older people like calm and quiet places, but some prefer cities due to the availability of medical care, better infrastructure and the ability to rent out homes all year round. Some people prefer good apartments in large resorts (in gated complexes) for long-term stays or for renting out housing,” says Todor Stoyanov, financial director of Prime Property BG.
the site has compiled a list of the best resorts in Bulgaria for families with children and purchasing real estate. The rating is based on the following criteria: quality of beaches, infrastructure and attractions, level of safety, environmental conditions, cost of living and recreation.
Rating of Bulgarian resorts for holidays and home buying (maximum score - 10)
| Resorts | Beaches | Infra- structure and attractions attention |
Level safe ness |
State ecology |
Price life and rest |
General point |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 41 | |
| 2 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 40 | |
| 3 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 39 | |
| 4 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 39 | |
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 38 | |
| 6 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 38 | |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 37 | |
| 8 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 36 | |
| 9 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 36 | |
| 10 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 36 | |
| 11 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 6 | 10> | 35 | |
| 12 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 35 | |
| 13 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 35 | |
| 14 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 34 | |
| 15 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 33 | |
| 16 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 32 | |
| 17 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 32 | |
| 18 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 31 | |
| 19 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 31 | |
| 20 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 30 | |
| 21 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 39 | |
| 22 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 28 | |
| 23 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
| 24 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 23 | |
| 25 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 21 |
Sveti Vlas: a quiet resort for families
Sveti Vlas is a coastal town located 40 km from Burgas International Airport and 6 km from Sunny Beach. “Sveti Vlas is an ideal place for a quiet, measured holiday with the whole family. It feels like home, the complexes are cozy, and accommodation is inexpensive. The only drawback is that there is little greenery at the resort,” says Alexander D., who vacationed in Sveti Vlas in the summer of 2013 with his wife and two children.
This area has a special microclimate: the air is enriched with iodine ions, a fresh breeze blows from the sea, the Stara Planina Mountains and the surrounding hills keep it cool during the summer heat. There are sunny days from May to September or a total of 70 days. Due to the combination of a mild climate and healthy air, many come to Sveti Vlas to treat their lungs.
All three beaches with a length of 1.5 km (Camping, Marina and Central) are marked with the Blue Flag. This award is given for environmental friendliness. The beaches are sandy, wide, free (money is taken only for sun loungers and umbrellas), with small bays convenient for swimming.
The tourist infrastructure of the resort is actively developing. Now there is a marina, shops and restaurants. Most streets are under video surveillance, so crime here is almost reduced to zero. Attractions include the Church of St. Andrew and the Temple of Athanasius the Great.
Some Bulgarian government officials have acquired houses in this town. Available real estate offers include apartments in hotel complexes, apartments and villas. Housing in Sveti Vlas is sold at prices from 22.6 thousand to 376 thousand euros. Apartment rental costs 25–55 euros per day.
Kranevo: an ideal holiday for children
“In the summer of 2012, we sent our children to the AquaLife water sports camp in the village of Kranevo. From June to July we rented a house there to live near our children. We enjoyed our vacation so much that in the future we plan to vacation only in Kranevo,” says Olga K.
From Kranevo to Varna Airport is about 30 minutes drive. Buses and minibuses also run regularly to Albena, Balchik, Dobrich and Golden Sands. All these resorts are nearby.
The beach in Kranevo is clean, with golden sand, 6 km long and up to 100 m wide. There are paid and free recreation areas. The seabed is flat, without dangerous currents or depth changes, so children can swim here without fear. Some tourists believe that Kranevo beach is the most convenient on the coast. The village also has mineral springs, which are used to treat various diseases.
Kranevo is a village, but it has all the infrastructure necessary for recreation: bars, discos, restaurants serving Bulgarian, Indian and Chinese cuisine, shops, hairdressers, a market and even children's attractions. On the beach you can rent catamarans, jet skis and windsurfing equipment. And yet, Kranevo is famous not for its nightlife, but for its quiet relaxation, so young people who are accustomed to noisy parties may find it boring here.
The resort has both hotels and a private sector. Prices for apartments in Kranevo range from 37 thousand to 80 thousand euros, for houses - from 62 thousand to 337 thousand.
Review: beautiful nature and warm sea
There are several beaches - sandy, pebble, concrete; one of them is marked with the Blue Flag. The sea is clean, warms up well, and the slope to the sea is gentle. However, not everyone likes the beaches in Pomorie: the sand has a gray-brown color due to its high iron content, in some places there are stones, and in the morning, sometimes, the current carries algae.
In the surrounding area there are salt lakes, the healing properties of the water in which were known to the Byzantines and Thracians. It was used to treat wounds, rheumatism and skin diseases. Since Pomorie is located at zero elevation above sea level, the area is swampy, and the mud also has healing properties.
The city is located in the middle of the plains, so you won’t see the greenery of the forests here. But there are many vineyards here. Pomorie is famous for the fact that on its outskirts there is a wine and cognac factory called Black Sea Gold. It is believed that cognac made from grapes grown on salty soil is of special quality.
The resort has many hotels, sanatoriums, cafes, an open-air cinema, museums, monasteries and churches, but there is little entertainment for young people. “Pomorie will appeal to those who value peace and do not like crowds of tourists. It seemed to us that there are very few foreign tourists here; mainly Bulgarians come here from other regions of the country,” says Elena K.
The old part of the city has many buildings with interesting architecture, located on narrow winding streets, while the new areas are dominated by modern houses ranging in height from two to four floors. Pomorie is considered one of the cheapest resorts in Bulgaria. Both food and housing are inexpensive here. Apartments in Pomorie can be purchased for prices starting from 20 thousand euros.
Mermaid: rare birds and protected places
Rusalka is the northernmost resort in Bulgaria. It is located 80 km from Varna and 50 km from Albena in the Tauk Liman nature reserve, which translated from Turkish means “chicken haven”: many species of rare birds nest in the reserve. Nearby is Cape Kaliakra - an archaeological and natural reserve with secluded coves, exotic caves and mineral springs. You can get to Rusalka by bus, minibus or taxi from Varna, as well as by water transport from Kavarna and Kaliakra.
Rusalka has both sandy and pebble beaches. The average sea water temperature is +24 °C. The swimming season lasts from May to September. In summer the air warms up to +28 °C, and only a fresh breeze from the sea brings coolness.
The complexes at the resort operate on an all-inclusive basis. On their territory there are dozens of tennis courts, a riding club, a fitness room, a sauna, discos and bars, and swimming pools with animation. Here you can play football, go scuba diving and ride a bike.
There are about 600 country houses available for rent in Rusalka, where tourists, mostly British and Germans, stay in the summer. The houses are equipped with air conditioning, telephones and televisions.
Primorsko: a haven for surfers and exotic nature
Primorsko is located in the Burgas region, near Sozopol and Tsarevo, at the foot of the Strandja Mountains. From here you can take a bus to Burgas, Pleven, Plovdiv, Sofia and Tsarevo.
The surrounding area of Primorsko is a protected area with pristine forests, rare plants and wild animals, as well as unusual rock formations. In the Ropotamo Nature Reserve, which covers an area of 1 thousand hectares, you can go hiking or boating on the river. Tourists also visit St. Thomas Island, where white water lilies grow and turtles live.
The resort has a clean beach 2 km long with fine sand. The northern beach is open to all winds, which is why it is chosen by surfers. The southern beach is calmer, it is reliably protected from the wind, there is a gentle shore and a warm sea. “We vacationed in Primorsko from July to August, it was very hot and sunny, but thanks to the dry air, high temperatures were easily tolerated,” says Alla B.
Primorsko is an affordable resort for the whole family. Hotels, goods and services are cheaper here than in other resorts in Bulgaria. Apartments in Primorsko are sold at prices from 20 thousand to 100 thousand euros, houses - from 95 thousand to 700 thousand euros.
Elenite: healthy air and all-inclusive system
Elenite is a resort located in a picturesque bay on the southern slopes of the Stara Planina mountains, 40 km from Burgas airport and a few minutes by bus from Sunny Beach and Sveti Vlas. The resort was named “Elenite” (Bulgarian for “deer”) because deer live in the local forests.
In Elenite, iodized sea air is combined with the air of coniferous forests growing in the surrounding area, which creates a special microclimate that is beneficial for pulmonary patients. There is no sweltering heat here: the average air temperature in summer is about +28 °C. From May to October the water heats up to an average of +24 °C. Stara Planina Mountain protects the resort from northern winds.
This is a closed resort, and outsiders are not allowed into its territory. In Elenite there are several hotels and residential complexes with apartments located on the first line of the sea, along an 800 m long beach. There are many shops, benches, restaurants serving European and Bulgarian cuisine, bars, an outdoor seawater swimming pool, tennis courts, a yacht club , volleyball and football grounds, a fitness room, table tennis and billiards, a riding club, and a water park. The complex operates on an all-inclusive basis. The holiday is comfortable and inexpensive, meets European standards.
“Externally, Elenite reminded me of Ibiza - the same white villas with red tile roofs. Beautiful resort. But the entrance to the sea is inconvenient - the sand is strewn with stones, you can get hurt, and the beach seemed narrow to me,” says Svetlana S. from Kazan.
Prices for apartments in Elenite range from 35 thousand to 260 thousand euros.
Golden Sands: lots of tourists and discos until the morning
The Golden Sands resort is located in a national park 18 km northeast of Varna. There are bus connections to all coastal resorts.
There is a legend associated with the name of the resort. According to it, a long time ago, pirates buried a gold treasure somewhere on the coast, later they could not find it, and then this gold turned into fine-grained golden sand. Beaches of amazing yellow color, from 50 to 100 m wide, stretch along the northern coast for 3.5 km. The average air temperature in summer does not fall below +27 °C, and the water remains warm even at night.
“Golden Sands has a lot of entertainment and is a great place for young people. But for older people this is rather a disadvantage. We lived in a house on the first line of the sea, nearby discos were open until the morning, and because of the resting youth and loud music it was impossible to sleep. There are also a lot of tourists at the resort,” says Alexander Sh.
The resort has many attractions for adults and children, restaurants, discos, hotels, casinos, sports centers and amusement parks. Cultural attractions include the Chapel of St. John the Baptist and the 14th-century Aladzha rock monastery.
At the Ambassador balneological center, arthritis, arthrosis, bronchitis, neuroses, stress and chronic pharyngitis are treated using sea water, rich in salts and microelements, as well as healing mud and various types of medicinal plants.
Prices in Golden Sands restaurants are approximately twice as high as in Varna. Real estate is also not cheap: apartments with an area of 30–40 m² are sold for 30–40 thousand euros. Apartment rental costs 40–50 euros per day.
Kavarna: historical sights and rock concerts
The resort town of Kavarna is located 64 km from Varna, 49 km from Dobrich and 18 km from Balchik. From here there are buses to Bolgarevo, Balchik, Varna, Dobrich, Durankulak and Sofia.
The sandy beach is located about 2 km from the center of Kavarna and has a length of about 1.5 km. In summer, the air temperature varies from +22 to +30 °C, there is almost no rain - precipitation only falls closer to autumn.
Kavarna has cafes, snack bars, fish restaurants, an ethnographic museum, and many ruins of Roman villas and medieval churches. The city is famous for hosting the International Rock Fest every summer, where many world-famous performers have performed. Among them are Accept, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Glenn Hughes, Ronnie James Dio and Scorpions.
The city has a large selection of residential complexes with apartments. Prices range from 24 thousand to 350 thousand euros. A house can be purchased at a price from 60 thousand to 2 million euros. Rental housing costs 30–50 euros per day.
Lozenets: seafood cuisine and the cleanest sea
The fishing village of Lozenets, surrounded by greenery, is located in the Burgas region between the resort towns of Kiten and Tsarevo, 60 km south of Burgas. The sea and the proximity of the Strandja Mountains create a unique landscape here.
The village has more than 10 restaurants and bars where you can listen to music and taste different dishes from freshly caught fish: mussels, crabs, octopus, squid, shrimp, mackerel and much more. There are six sandy beaches: Babeshki, Coral, Oasis, Maly, Mechata Dupka and Central. Activities include surfing, fishing, horse riding, jet skiing, and, of course, swimming and sunbathing. According to scientific research, sea water in Lozenets is the cleanest on the entire Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is rich in microelements - bromine, iodine, calcium and magnesium.
In summer it can be hot - up to +30 °C, but the heat is softened by a light fresh breeze blowing from the sea. Lozenets is protected from strong winds by the Strandja Mountains.
The resort is dominated by two- and three-story houses, many of which have been converted into small hotels. The low-rise buildings of the village are reminiscent of European suburbs. Apartments in Lozenets are sold at prices from 30 thousand to 300 thousand euros, houses - from 90 thousand to 400 thousand euros.
Sozopol: architectural monuments and bohemia
Sozopol is the oldest Bulgarian city on the Black Sea coast. The first settlement in these places arose in the Bronze Age - in the 4th–3rd millennium BC. e. The resort is located 34 km from Burgas, on a small peninsula that juts into the Black Sea. By bus you can reach Burgas, Kiten, Primorsko and Sofia.
There are three sandy beaches in Sozopol - Zlatna Ribka, Harmanite and Central. Harmanyte is awarded the Blue Flag. There are several campsites nearby - “Veselie”, “Gradina”, “Zlatna Ribka”, “Kavatsi” and “Smokinya”. The city has more than 600 restaurants, taverns, bars and discos. This is a museum city: there are many historical and architectural monuments of the 18th–19th centuries, beautiful churches, old white houses with red tile roofs and narrow cobbled streets. The special atmosphere of the resort attracts creative people - artists, musicians and painters.
It is hot in Sozopol in summer. From May to September, the air temperature is +27–33 °C, the water temperature is +25–28 °C.
Apartments in Sozopol cost from 27.5 thousand to 500 thousand euros, houses - from 100 thousand euros.
Balchik: magnificent park and bad beaches
Balchik is the third most important port in Bulgaria after Varna and Burgas. It is located close to Albena, Varna, Dobrich, Golden Sands and Kranevo.
In ancient times, buildings here were built from white limestone. The Roman poet Ovid, sailing past the city on a ship, wrote about what he saw: “I greet you, white-stone city, with your unique beauty.” Balchik remains a beautiful city to this day. The most picturesque place is the residence of the Romanian Queen Maria with a palace park in which there are about 200 species of trees, more than 3,000 rare and exotic plants, more than 250 species of cacti, the collection of which is the second largest after the collection of Monaco. Other attractions include churches, remains of the Temple of Cybele, medieval walls and stone fountains.
“I didn’t like the beaches in Balchik. There is no sandy beach area as such, people sunbathe wherever they can, even on the parapets,” says Olga L. Due to the fact that there are no good beaches in Balchik, this resort is not as popular as others. The other side of the coin is low prices for holidays in local hotels and restaurants.
Here you will find a yacht club with 60 yachts, a 20-hole golf course, nightclubs and bars. In general, Balchik is a calm and quiet resort where young people may get bored.
The sea water temperature is 2–3 °C lower than in the south of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. For many Balchik homeowners, landslides are a big problem.
Among the property owners in Balchik there are many English, Irish and Russians. Apartments cost from 40 thousand to 200 thousand euros. The average cost per square meter is 300 euros.
Tsarevo: a boring resort for a lazy holiday
Tsarevo is a small port city in the Burgas region, located on a peninsula with a heavily indented coastline. There is a bus connection with Ahtopol, Burgas and Malko Tarnovo.
There are more than 200 sunny days a year, the air temperature in the summer months ranges from +24 to 35 °C, the water temperature reaches +25 °C.
This is a quiet, relaxing resort, where there are no noisy discos and crowds of tourists. There are not many hotels, since this resort is not the most popular among foreigners. In addition to Russians, Germans and Norwegians vacation here. There are three picturesque beaches, regattas and surfing competitions are held here, and you can go spearfishing. 9 km from Tsarevo there is a private botanical garden “Raiskata Gradina” with more than 2,000 species of plants, including bananas, kiwi, magnolia and cacti. There are no historical values in Tsarevo, since most of the old buildings burned down during a fire in the 19th century.
Housing prices in Tsarevo start from 20 thousand euros.
Ravda: a relaxing holiday without the fuss
The seaside village of Ravda is located 30 km from Burgas Airport and 1.5 km from Nessebar. This is primarily a children's and youth resort with good sports facilities. Here you can surf, swim and water ski. The main advantage of Ravda is safety.
There are beaches in Ravda for every taste - both rocky and sandy. On the approach to the beach there are undeveloped areas. The vacation spots are protected from cold winds by rocky capes, making the climate here mild. Every summer, about 5,000 tourists vacation in the village, mainly from Germany, Macedonia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Most vacationers stay in small private hotels.
The village has shops, restaurants, entertainment complexes, a post office, an outpatient clinic, a fitness center and discos. However, active young people may find it boring here. On the outskirts of Ravda there are vineyards and melon fields, where you can buy watermelons and melons.
Ravda is one of the cheapest resorts in Bulgaria. You can rent a studio here for an average of 25 euros per day in the middle season. You can buy apartments for a price starting from 19 thousand euros.
Riviera: luxury hotels and luxury holidays
Riviera is a private resort located 14 km northeast of Varna, next to Golden Sands. It is surrounded by a magnificent park of 12 hectares and consists of several five-star hotels such as the Imperial, Lotus, Oasis and Riviera Beach. Local hotel rooms are some of the most expensive on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
The beach is located in a cozy cove, right behind it is a park with centuries-old trees. The Riviera has entertainment for every taste - from beach and water sports to get-togethers in bars, night discos, day excursions and animation. You can water ski and yacht, surf, fish, play tennis, and take bicycle rides. There are swimming pools with mineral water and healing springs that lead directly to the beaches.
The sea at the resort is clean and warm: the water warms up to +24 °C. It is hot in summer, but due to the light breeze and abundance of greenery the heat is almost not felt.
Varna: a major transport hub and a bustling resort with discos
Varna is the largest city in Northern Bulgaria and on the country's Black Sea coast. It is often called the “sea capital”, “summer capital”, “Bulgarian pearl” and “pearl of the Black Sea”. This is a major transport hub and a starting point for tourists coming to other resorts in the country. Flights from many major cities in Europe and Russia arrive here. Seasonal trains depart from Kyiv, Minsk and Moscow. There are ferry connections to Batumi and Istanbul.
The city has sandy beaches and hot springs with temperatures of +35–50 °C. Good beaches are located in the northern part of the city, including wild ones. In the center of Varna you can see the beach, separated from the rest of the city by a garden. In summer, the water temperature varies from +20 to +30 °C, and on hot days the sand on the beaches heats up to +65 °C. In September (“velvet season”), the sea, which has warmed up over the summer, is still quite warm, and there are fewer vacationers at this time than in July and August, since the school year begins.
Varna has many restaurants, cafes, museums, galleries, shops and nightclubs. There are Roman baths, churches, a large pedestrian area and a dolphinarium. Prices here are lower than Western European ones, but higher than at other resorts in Bulgaria.
A square meter in the city costs on average about 600 euros. Apartments and houses in Varna are sold at prices starting from 30 thousand euros. Rental costs from 25 euros per day.
Nessebar: city of churches
Nessebar is a beautiful, ancient city with a three-thousand-year history and a rich excursion program. There are about 50 churches here - more than in any other city in Bulgaria, many museums and various antiquities.
The nearest airport and train station are in Burgas. By sea you can reach Burgas, Sveti Vlas and Sunny Beach. Buses run from Burgas, Elenite and Sunny Beach.
The long coastline creates favorable conditions for the development of tourism. Nessebar is considered the largest tourist center on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The city has 730 hotels, almost 3,000 private residences with more than 155 thousand beds and over 3,500 catering establishments. Tourists often stay in ancient houses of past centuries, equipped with modern amenities.
The beach in Nessebar is small. The bottom is sandy, without cliffs, but in some places there are sharp stones. On the beach you can play volleyball, rent a scooter or yacht, hire an instructor for diving and windsurfing.
Since Nessebar is a popular tourist city visited by foreigners from all over the world, crime here is slightly higher than in other, quieter and smaller resorts.
“There are always a lot of tourists in Nessebar during the beach season. Fraudsters know this and take advantage of large crowds of people for their own purposes. I would advise you to keep a closer eye on wallets and valuables. It happens that foreigners are deceived at exchange offices,” warns Dimitar K., a local resident who works in the tourism industry.
Prices for goods and services in the city are higher than in other resorts. Apartments in Nessebar are for sale
for 27–65 thousand euros. Rental costs 50–160 euros per day.
the site advises choosing Bulgarian resorts for holidays and buying real estate in accordance with your preferences, lifestyle and budget:
- Best beaches:
Albena, Dunes, Elenite, Golden Sands, Rusalka, Sveti Vlas, Sozopol, Sunny Beach
- Developed recreation and entertainment infrastructure:
Albena, Burgas, Varna, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Sveti Vlas, Sunny Beach
- Quiet and relaxing holiday:
Ahtopol, Balchik, Kavarna, Kamchia, Obzor, Ravda, Rusalka, Tsarevo
- The most expensive resorts:
Varna, Elenite, Golden Sands, Nessebar, Riviera, Rusalka, St. St. Konstantin and Elena, Sozopol
- Cheapest resorts:
Burgas, Kamchia, Kiten, Kranevo, Lozenets, Obzor, Pomorie, Ravda, Sunny Beach
Recreation centers in Bulgaria have been known to domestic tourists since the Soviet era, when almost everyone dreamed of going to its sanatoriums and health resorts, and the phrase “golden sands” steadily brought to mind this republic. Today, this Balkan country still attracts vacationers with a variety of tours.
The tourist wealth of Bulgaria consists of the Black Sea, low, medium and high mountain ranges, the beautiful Danube, the Balkan valleys, the Upper Thracian plains, diverse gorges, hills, mountain plateaus and lakes. In addition to natural treasures, Bulgaria has a very developed infrastructure, healing springs, convenient transport hubs, ancient architecture, rich history, and unusual sights. Prices for holidays in Bulgaria near the sea are pleasantly pleasing, as they are much lower than in similar European resorts.
Tours to the country of the Thracians, Turks and Bulgarians can be selected in the following areas:
When planning to go on holiday to Bulgaria in the summer, you can easily book yourself the most interesting destination if you study in advance the best places and resorts listed in this article.
Tours to Bulgaria
You can relax in Bulgaria in the summer with maximum comfort if you book an “All Inclusive” tour, or on a budget by choosing a good minimum package.
All inclusive
Booking an all-inclusive tour saves vacationers from many hassles associated with food and travel. Travel agents take care of all these concerns. Popular packages for this system most often include:
- check-in at a four- or five-star hotel;
- access to a buffet at any time or three meals a day;
- the opportunity to use the bar services for free;
- direct flight to the most convenient airport or free transfer to the hotel;
- many additional services at the hotel, access to the gym, spa center, swimming pool, tennis court, free Internet, car parking;
- The departure and start date of the vacation are selected in such a way as to take into account the wishes of the clients as much as possible.
Tour specialists often recommend similar offers to those who want to organize a holiday with children in Bulgaria, and this is also a good opportunity to comfortably enjoy the healing process at the balneological springs. It is possible to have an inexpensive holiday in Bulgaria on an all-inclusive basis if you book a place in advance or catch a last-minute ticket.
Minimum package
Active tourists who are not used to spending their entire vacation in a hotel, but only need it to have a place to spend the night, prefer to rent a cheaper room using the minimum package system. Savings on accommodation free up funds for the cultural and historical program.
Usually a tour with a minimum package includes only breakfast, sometimes half board. Such packages are included in excursion bus routes and ski tours. For convenience, travel agencies sometimes offer vacationers a private area near the ski lifts for an overnight stay in order to save travel time.
Best places
It is always easier for vacationers to decide where to go on holiday in Bulgaria in the summer if they are sufficiently informed about resorts, comfortable hotels, popular places for excursions, and historical attractions. This section contains the most interesting opportunities not only for a summer trip. Inexpensive holidays in Bulgaria in the fall will pleasantly surprise those who appreciate walking ecotours in nature reserves and national parks.
Summer holidays
Recreation centers in Bulgaria near the sea are located in the following resort towns:
- Mermaid;
- Valchik;
- Albena;
- Kranevo;
- Golden Sands;
- Riviera;
- Sunny day;
- Saint Constantine;
- Varna;
- Review;
- Elenite;
- Saint Vlas;
- Sunny Beach;
- Nessebar;
- Pomorie;
- Burgas;
- Sozopol;
- Dunes;
- Primorsko;
- Kiten.
Family holidays in Bulgaria in Golden Sands are familiar to many of our compatriots, since they have preferred to relax at this resort since Soviet times. Our grandparents, then our parents, vacationed here for many years in a row. Perhaps someone spent their childhood in the camps and health resorts that were on these beaches in those days.
Today's younger generation still has this opportunity. Today, on the bases of former pioneer camps, there are prestigious children's health institutions equipped with the latest infrastructure facilities, and there are also many separate children's protected beaches.
Summer holidays in Bulgaria near the lake are an interesting alternative to a seaside destination. Such tours are appreciated by lovers of fresh water and relaxing fishing. You can enjoy the tranquility of the fresh air by purchasing a tour to the following places:
- Burgas Lake;
- Lake Batak;
- Lake Shirokaya Polyana;
- Lake Beloslav;
- Lake Varna;
- Lake Mandra;
- Lake Dospat.
Most of the lakes in Bulgaria are located in the mountains, some at an altitude of more than a thousand kilometers. Holiday homes, dispensaries, cafes, hotels, and children's camps are usually located along the banks. There are special places for swimming, relaxing and fishing right next to the water. In some places you can stay overnight with a tent. In the lakes themselves there are often small islands where local fishermen with boats fish professionally.
Holidays in winter
Holidays in Bulgaria in winter move from the coast to the southwestern mountainous regions located around Plovdiv and Sofia. Fans of ski tours are recommended to visit one of the three best winter resorts in Bulgaria, which include:
Bansko is an ancient town, peacefully located at the base of the Pirin Mountains, the most majestic peak of which, Vihren, reaches far into the sky, reaching almost three thousand meters. Holidays at the ski resorts of this place will provide an amazing opportunity to ski among the snow-capped peaks located on the territory of the National Nature Reserve, surrounded by glacial lakes. If desired, skiing can be alternated with exciting excursions through the ancient riches of the city, hidden in several museums.
Borovets is another ski resort, not inferior to the famous Bansko for its natural beauty and convenient skating rink. The skating rink in Borovets is located in a centuries-old coniferous forest that adorns the mountain slopes of Rila. From these places it’s a stone’s throw to the champion of the Balkan Mountains - the Musala peak, which has bypassed all the others and reached its maximum height. Once you start skiing near the hotel, you can immediately start an exciting skiing adventure. Here you can easily feel like a member of the family of the Bulgarian kings, for whom this amazing skating rink was built in the nineteenth century.
Pamporovo is a rapidly developing new ski resort that has recently announced itself. It is located in the Radopa Mountains and attracts beginners with its professional ski school. Ski aces love this place for its sunny days, which are more numerous here in winter than in other places in Bulgaria. Downhill enthusiasts can expand their knowledge and sharpen their skills by attending several classes at a snowboard school. In addition to skiing, tourists here often spend time in small towns, studying local folklore. For lovers of majestic landscapes, at the foot of Mount Snezhanka there are observation platforms from which the Rhodope Mountains are clearly visible.
To Bulgaria for health
Mountains, beaches, glacial lakes - all this gives tourists not only beautiful landscapes, fresh air, pleasant walks, but also healing mud, hot thermal springs, and mineral salts. Bulgaria is one of the few countries in the world rich in a variety of balneological centers that can improve the condition of many systems of the human body. Therefore, it would be a good idea to spend your holiday in Bulgaria in the summer in one of the health spa hotels, the best of which are located in places such as:
Albena - specializes in the treatment of a wide range of diseases amenable to thalassotherapy. Here they practice drinking mineral water for medicinal purposes, as well as treatment with estuary mud. Vouchers to Albena health resorts are prescribed for recovery from injuries, improving the functioning of the digestive and respiratory organs, and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Hisar - twenty-two warm mineral springs serve as the resort’s healing base. For healing, drinking mineral water, taking baths in warm salty waters taken directly from springs, as well as inhalations with this water and medications are prescribed. Most often people come here to remove stones from the kidneys, gall and bladder, as well as to cleanse the liver, restore the functioning of the stomach, pancreas and duodenum. A fun place to take a tour in this city is the museum of kidney stones that were removed from vacationers during treatment.
Velingrad is the main balneological pearl of Bulgaria, awarded for its healing springs the title of SPA capital of the Balkans. The valley of the Yadenica River, hidden between the Rila and Rhodope mountain ranges, gives Velingrad its main healing properties. These riches are contained in mineral springs, of which there are more than eighty. They all differ from each other in their composition and beneficial properties. Such diversity allows the balneological centers of this resort to specialize in a wide variety of diseases. Most often people come here to cure nervous disorders, gynecological diseases and restore joints.
Sofia, the ancient and at the same time modern capital of Bulgaria, has sheltered within its walls many traces of Thracian, Roman, Bulgarian and Ottoman culture. Architectural monuments coexist here with the latest modern complexes, creating an interesting combination of the past and the future. Of more than two hundred and fifty attractions, everyone will be able to find their own here, which will become a unique symbol of Bulgaria for you for many years.
Nessebar is a city that for many has become a symbol of ancient Bulgaria. It is located in the northeastern part of the country. It is part of the World Heritage Site, which to this day is able to surprise archaeologists with its hidden riches, and tourists with its unique rocky shores.
Rhodopes - walks through the mountain ranges of this region combine the study of architectural monuments of ancient civilizations that inhabited the country thousands of years ago with an acquaintance with unprecedented natural wonders. Here it is quite common to walk along natural mountain bridges, visit the natural amphitheater from the Smolyan Lakes, hide in the Devil’s Throat and Ukhlovitsa caves, explore the Trigrad Gorge, admire the figures of the Daughter-in-Law, Sokolitsa or Orpheus, created by the winds without human intervention.
The Rila Mountains and Lakes - walks through national reserves located at an altitude of two and a half thousand meters have never left anyone indifferent. These places are famous for their pristine purity and mountain crystal air, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous and respiratory systems.
