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Top 7 Resorts for Ultimate Beach Holidays in Bulgaria

Beach holidays to Bulgaria are extremely popular among tourists from Europe because of the affordable prices, extremely good services, great amenities, and proximity to your home country.

Located on the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, right near Greece, Romania, Turkey, and Macedonia, Bulgaria offers amazing sceneries, golden sandy beaches, and top-notch hotels where to spend your next summer holiday.

Bulgaria is one of Europe’s underrated destinations, with plenty of beautiful beaches, historic monuments, and picturesque villages.

The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast or Bulgarian Riviera as the area is also known stretching from the Romanian border in the north to Turkey in the south and it has almost 380 kilometers long.

The Bulgarian shore has a subtropical climate with important continental and marine influences. The average temperature during summertime is around 28 degrees Celsius with more than 10 hours of sunshine each day between May to September.

The most important cities from the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast are Varna and Burgas, 2 major cities with their own international airports.

The northern part of the coast is rockier with high cliffs dropping directly into the water, while the southern part is famous for its golden sandy beaches.

The country is extremely safe for tourists from all over the world, a country very stable from a political perspective.

Targeted robberies and attacks over tourists have decreased considerably in the last years’ thanks to the new security local laws and the latest measures taken by authorities.

The safest places to visit in Bulgaria are the capital city of Sofia, Varna, Bansko, while the isolated villages and the Red Light district from Sofia should be avoided during night time.

Beach holidays to Bulgaria Golden Sands International Hotel Casino and Tower Suites Beach

Beach holidays in Bulgaria Golden Sands International Hotel Casino and Tower Suites Beach

In this article I will present you the best places to visit for a memorable beach holiday to Bulgaria, places famous for their natural beauty, welcoming people and interesting attractions.

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Beach holidays to Bulgaria

1. Kavarna

Kavarna is located in the northern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, about 65 kilometers from Varna, where is located an international airport with direct connections from many important cities from Europe.

The place is famous for its unique scenery, steep cliffs descending directly into the water, a few wind farms, and one of the best-preserved natural areas from the whole coastline.

The town of Kavarna is extremely easy to reach, especially if you have a car, as it is located about a 1-hour drive from Varna, one of the main cities from the Bulgarian Black Sea Shore.

Kavarna Bulgaria

Kavarna Bulgaria

You can get to Varna by plane from Sofia or some major cities from Europe, and from there arrange the transfer with your hotel or rent a car to explore freely the whole area.

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Among the most important things to see in the area I would like to mention:

  • the unique Yailata Archeological and Natural Reserve is a natural park with more than 100 ancient tombs, several caves, and a very well preserved Thracian sanctuary
  • The history museum of Kavarna with ancient jewelry, pots, and weapons
  • Cape Kaliakra, a natural and archeological reserve, a spectacular strip of land with steep cliffs descending directly into the water
  • the beautiful Bolata Beach hidden between high cliffs
  • outdoor activities: sea kayaking, bicycling or canoeing

Where to sleep

White Lagoon Resort Bulgaria, a beautiful 4 stars hotel located in the middle of nature with 2 buildings, one located on the beach and the other one in the park.

The resort perfect for your Bulgaria beach holiday has 2 outdoor pools, a private strip of sand with sunbeds and umbrellas, 2 beautiful restaurants, one on the beach and another one in the resort.

Each night there is a themed menu: Asian, American, Middle East, Italian, BBQ, Tex Mex evenings, and Bulgarian. All the food is inspired by the idea of diverse diets and healthy food with many fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat on the menu.

2. Balchik

Your beach holidays to Bulgaria should include the beautiful town of Balchik, home to a spectacular palace located right on the shore and surrounded by a huge botanical garden.

The palace had been built after 1913 by Queen Marie of Romania as a summer residence as she was in love with the beauty of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coastline.

Today it is an incredible place with many interesting stories to tell, hidden inside the huge botanical garden where Queen Marie used to stay and relax.

Balchik Castle of Romanian Queen Marie Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

Balchik Castle of Romanian Queen Marie Bulgarian Black Sea Coast

The gardens are among the best in the whole of Bulgaria, and if you are passionate about plants we strongly recommend you book a guide to find out new and interesting things about the plants from the garden, their history, and significance.

After a full morning of exploring the castle and its fantastic garden, head to one of the local restaurants where you can serve all kinds of traditional meals, from salads to pita bread up to meat and soup.

Balchik Bulgaria Town

Balchik Bulgaria Town

As for the afternoon we recommend you to spend some time on the beaches from and around Balchik as all have free access for the public.

The largest beach is Central beach located in the northern part of the town, with sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent for a small fee.

Where to sleep

Among the most popular holiday resorts in Bulgaria, Balchik offers a wide range of options when speaking about accommodation.

My favorite one is the Lighthouse Golf and Spa a 5 stars hotel with an outstanding view of the sea and one of the best golf courses in the whole of Bulgaria.

Lighthouse offers luxurious rooms, penthouses, and suites some of them having their own private pool, and most of them offering amazing views of the sea.

You have there a huge golf course and golf lessons available for those of you who want to learn, as well as a tennis court and a football field.

On-site you have a Turkish Spa, a fitness center, a hot tub, and a sauna all for free as well as a heated indoor pool and an outdoor pool.

3. Nessebar

An extremely popular Bulgaria holiday destination, Nessebar is located 35 kilometers north of the city of Burgas and the international airport from Burgas.

The beautiful town of Nessebar is located on top of a rocky peninsula with the same name and is full of medieval wood houses built in Bulgarian, Ottoman, and Byzantine architecture.

Old Town Nessebar Bulgaria

Old Town Nessebar Bulgaria

The old town of Nessebar as well as the church located inside the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

What makes Nessebar a popular attraction is the increased number of archeological sites and a large number of churches.

Old City Nessebar Bulgaria

Old City Nessebar Bulgaria

Nessebar is considered among the oldest Christian metropolis in Europe as the first signs of human activity date back from the 6th century BC.

Among the most interesting things you should do when visiting Nessebar are:

  • visit the Old town of Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • go on a wine tasting tour and discover the beautiful churches from the Old Town
  • visit St Stephen’s Church with colorful frescoes and a wooden throne made by hand
  • explore the Byzantine Baths Complex from the town

Where to sleep

Aphrodite Beach Hotel Bulgaria is our top choice for Nessebar located on the Southern Beach, offering free shuttle buses to Aqua Park Nessebar and Aqua Park Sunny Beach.

The Old Town of Nessebar is located 15 minutes on foot from the hotel, while the South Nessebar beach is just 25 meters from the hotel.

Aphrodite Beach hotel features clean and spacious rooms, apartments, and suites, some of them overlooking the sea.

A private beach, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and a relax center are available at the property, while equipment for parasailing and jet skiing are available at the property.

4. Albena

Without any doubt, Alena is a famous beach resort in Bulgaria, located close to the town of Varna and the international airport.

One of the most popular beach holidays to Bulgaria attracts thousands of families with kids and couples from all over Europe.

The resort is a manmade resort dating from 1969 with superb beaches, amazing sceneries, great hotels, and incredible services and amenities.

Albena Bulgaria Black Sea Beach

Albena Bulgaria Black Sea Beach

The place is extremely accessible for European tourists because of Varna International Airport operates many direct flights and charters to some of the most important cities from Europe.

Bulgaria Albena

Bulgaria Albena

If you are a beach lover you definitely have to come to Albena, as it has one of the best beaches with golden sand and calm waters from the whole Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.

Among the most important things to do in Albena I would mention:

  • the incredible beach where to perfect your tan and have fun with your beloved ones
  • have fun in Aquapark “Aquamania” Albena open during the summer season between 15th June to 15th September
  • combine some relaxing days on the beach with some outdoor activities like volleyball, tennis, football, or water activities like windsurfing, water sliding, kayaking, all available at the local Sport Center
  • taste the incredible Bulgarian wine from the vinery located near Kranevo
  • take a day trip tour to Kape Kaliakra, Balchik Palace, and the Botanical Gardens

Where to sleep

Albena is full of all-inclusive resorts and beautiful hotels, perfect for you and your family for your next holiday.

My favorite one is Maritim Paradise Blue Hotel And Spa Bulgaria, a 5 stars hotel located right on the beach with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, and its own piece of beach with sunbeds and umbrellas and an amazing sea view.

On-site you will find an indoor swimming pool, a spa with a long list of massages and treatments, as well as restaurants and bars.
Most of the rooms have an amazing view of the sea and all are equipped with TV, free WiFi, a safe box and good quality toiletries.

5. St Vlas

One of the most picturesque beach resorts in Bulgaria, Sveti Vlas is located in the northern part of Burgas Bay and is considered to be the quieter alternative to Sunny Beach.

Sveti Vlas Bulgaria Straw umbrellas Beach

Sveti Vlas Bulgaria Straw umbrellas Beach

The town of Sveti Vlas is conveniently located close to Sunny Beach and Nessebar, the two beautiful towns that can be reached by bus or taxi and also by boat.

Sveti Vlas Bulgaria

Sveti Vlas Bulgaria

Starting with the 2000s the city is in a continuous process of development and many hotels and resorts have appeared lately.
The town is extremely popular among tourists searching for quiet and relaxing holidays and is mostly visited by families with kids.

Where to sleep

Book your stay at Paradise Beach Residence Bulgaria, a 5-star all-inclusive vacation resort located about 4 miles north of Sunny Beach and 20 miles from Burgas International Airport.

The hotel features 320 rooms spacious and modernly furnished with balconies overlooking the sea or the park.

The resort was fully renovated in 2018 featuring a beautiful restaurant serving a wide range of dishes as well as an outdoor swimming pool and a wide range of outdoor activities.

6. Golden Sands

Located 20 kilometers away from Varna, Golden Sands is definitely among the most popular destination for beach holidays to Bulgaria, a hotspot for families with kids and couples looking to relax, have fun and choose an all-inclusive option.

The resort is famous for its golden sandy beach, the best from the whole Bulgarian Riviera, and the proximity to nature, the resort is surrounded by trees and bushes.

RIU Astoria Golden Sands Beach Bulgaria

RIU Astoria Golden Sands Beach Bulgaria

Besides the salty water from the Black Sea, tourists can enjoy the hot mineral water springs from a nearby location that have healing properties for those of you suffering from arthritis, stress, bronchitis, asthma, etc.

RIU Astoria Golden Sands Beach

RIU Astoria Golden Sands Beach

The beach area is clean, the water is not polluted no wonder why this beach is ranked as a Blue Flag Beach in Bulgaria.

Among the coolest things to do while in Golden Sands, I would like to name the following:

  • try the mineral water springs to reduce stress and improve your medical condition
  • book a day trip to the nearby town of Balchik
  • perfect your tan on the best beach in Bulgaria
  • rent a yacht and take a day trip on the sea to explore the Bulgarian Black Sea
  • exercise your skills at horse riding, volley, tennis, or basket as there are more than 30 courts to play on.

Where to sleep

International Hotel Casino Golden Sands is the best resort in the area with amazing views of the sea, its own private piece of golden sandy beach, and an incredible swimming pool.

The hotel has its own casino where you can play and have fun with lots of poker tables, live games, and slot machines.

The infinity pool, as well as the 21 Bar, offers amazing views of the surroundings and they are open for tourists each year from June to September.

There is a live cooking station at the restaurant, a long menu of cocktails at the bar, so food and drinks are varied and great and a beautiful spa with many massages and treatments.

7. Sunny Beach

One of the most famous destinations for your next beach holidays to Bulgaria is definitely Sunny Beach, the Pearl of the Bulgarian Riviera.

Sunny Beach is extremely popular among couples and the young generation looking to have fun and party hard as this resort has one of the most vibrant nightlife from the whole Bulgarian coastline.

Helena Park Bulgaria Sunny Beach

Helena Park Bulgaria Sunny Beach

RIU Palace Hotel Sunny Beach Bulgaria

RIU Palace Hotel Sunny Beach Bulgaria

The endless beach full of bars and restaurants attracts thousands of party people from all over the world as the prices are extremely affordable for every budget.

Nevis Resort and Aqua Park Sunny Beach waterslide for children

Nevis Resort and Aqua Park Sunny Beach waterslide for children

There are plenty of water parks and amusement parks spread all over the resort, perfect for having fun from morning till evening.

 

Among the coolest attractions from Sunny Beach I would like to mention:

  • pick your favorite bar and club and party till morning
  • spend a couple of hours at a Turkish Bath
  • visit the first waterpark opened in Bulgaria that gets biggest and biggest each year
  • take your PADI certificate and dive in the waters around the Bulgarian coastline
  • go to a karting track located just outside the resort

Where to sleep

Helena Sands Bulgaria is our top pick from the area, a beautiful hotel located on the beach in the northern part of the town.

The resort is built from natural materials like wood and stones and its architecture reminds us about the Bulgarian Revival Age.

Helena Sands Hotel

Helena Sands Hotel

Helena Sands Interior Pool

Helena Sands Interior Pool

Helena Sands Room

Helena Sands Room

Helena Sands Bulgaria has its own private beach, a top-notch spa, and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool with sunbeds and umbrellas.

The interiors are decorated with sculptures and paintings created by famous Bulgarian artists, while inside the rooms you can find modern furniture and contemporary elements.

The on-site restaurants serve healthy food made from local and qualitative ingredients, while the bars have a long list of cocktails, wines, beers, and other alcoholic drinks.

Conclusion

These are the best destinations for your beach holidays to Bulgaria, places with beautiful beaches, calm and shallow waters, and incredible people.

Bulgarian Riviera is extremely popular among Europeans because of its affordable prices, outstanding services, and top-notch hotels.

You will find here everything you can ask for: from small and intimate guesthouses to luxurious villas, for sure you will find something perfect for your family.

And there are so many outdoor activities to try and so many beautiful places to see, so hurry up and book your relaxing holiday on the Bulgarian Riviera.

 

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.