Resorts in Bulgaria Vacation in Bulgaria

Golden Sands or Sunny Beach: Which Resort Should You Choose for the Perfect Vacation in Bulgaria?

Svetlana Volodina11.02.2024

0 1,184 4 minutes read

Sea. Beach. Nature.
Accommodation at resorts: selection and prices
Nutrition
Entertainment, attractions, excursions. Sights.
Golden Sands or Sunny Beach: Conclusions
Today's Weather in Sunny Beach
Weather in Golden Sands today

Golden Sands or Sunny Beach – which should you choose for your Bulgarian holiday?

Before heading to Bulgaria for a beach holiday, many people ask themselves: Golden Sands or Sunny Beach? Which should you choose? Today, we'll compare the two most popular seaside resorts in Bulgaria, comparing them and choosing the one that's best for you. Sunny Beach is called "Slynchev Bryag" in Bulgarian, while Golden Sands is called "Zlatni Pyasytsi" in Bulgarian.
Location of resorts
So, friends, let's get some geography straight. Imagine a map of Bulgaria. Are you looking for the Golden Sands resort? Are you heading to Varna and travel just 15 km along the highway to the coast! Easy and fast: just 20 minutes by city bus.
And the route numbers, so you don't forget them: 109, 209, 409. A ticket will cost 1.5 euros. And buy the cheapest international bus tickets You can do it here.

Photos of Golden Sands and Sunny Beach

Parasailing

And if you choose Sunny Beach, it's located further south, more than 100 km from Golden Sands. The nearest airport is in Burgas, and it's 26 km away. And if you're looking for some city entertainment, Burgas is a 35 km, 40-minute bus ride away.

Sea. Beach. Nature.

Let's move on to the main attractions of a summer vacation: beaches and nature. Regardless of your choice of resort, you'll be greeted by sandy shores. Both beaches proudly display Blue Flags—an international symbol of clean and safe water. This promises crystal-clear swimming!

At Golden Sands, nature has decided to show off: the resort is simply immersed in the greenery of the mountains and forests of the natural park.

Imagine, there are as many as 78 bird species and 25 animal species there! While Sunny Beach lacks in biodiversity, it makes up for it with steppe landscapes and greatly reduced vegetation.

For those who enjoy shallow waters, Sunny Beach offers a gentle slope into the sea and, as a bonus, warmer water near the shore.

In contrast, Golden Sands is more capricious with a steep entrance. Just a few meters from the shore, the water is already waist-deep, and a few steps further, it's neck-deep. If you have small children, Sunny Beach might be the ideal choice for a family vacation.

And a small bonus for those who love a warm sea: in August, the water at Sunny Beach is slightly warmer - on average +25.00°C, and at Golden Sands - +24.70°C.
And what about the air? Sunny Beach is a bit warmer, with average July temperatures reaching 26:00°C, while Golden Sands is around 23:40°C. It's your choice!

Accommodation at resorts: selection and prices

Let's move on to perhaps one of the most important aspects of a vacation: accommodation. While prices at both resorts used to be similar, today the difference is noticeable.

Sunny Beach offers a stunning variety of apartments, ranging from budget options starting at €27 per night to luxurious multi-star hotels. What's most interesting is that you can even find accommodations in the resort's interior, more than a kilometer from the sea, ideal for those seeking privacy.

And if we're talking about basic hotels, prices start at just 16 euros for two. You've got to admit, it's tempting!

A tip for tourists traveling with their own car: Parking is a problem at both resorts. Therefore, your best option is to book a hotel with its own parking lot. Otherwise, you'll have to park in a paid parking lot. And if you simply leave your car on the street, it will be towed and you'll be charged a hefty fine.

Now let's move on to Golden Sands. Things are a little different here. The maximum distance from the sea is only 500 meters, meaning the furthest hotel in the entire resort is no more than half a kilometer from the sea. This means the sea is always close! But the selection here is more modest: just three apartment options starting from €50 per night for two. As for hotels, prices start at €19 per night for two. Thus, each resort has its own unique features.

Choose based on your preferences, but remember: you only need to stay once to experience an unforgettable vacation. The prices we list are valid for September.

Nutrition

Gourmets and connoisseurs of fine dining, take note! Both Golden Sands and Sunny Beach beckon with their aromas and a wide selection of establishments to suit all tastes. From cozy corners on the promenades to exquisite restaurants in the heart of the resorts.

Interesting fact: some cafes are created specifically for foreign tourists. For example, one cozy restaurant will immerse you in a cozy German atmosphere, where traditional cuisine is served to the accompaniment of catchy German melodies.

Those who enjoy a quick snack will also find something to suit their tastes, as both resorts have McDonald's branches.

Looking for groceries for a picnic or dinner at your apartment? Sunny Beach boasts the popular Lidl chain store. Meanwhile, Golden Sands offers a unique experience: a city bus ride to Varna. Here, you can immerse yourself in the local market or shop at renowned stores such as Lidl, Kaufland, Metro, and Billa.

And don't forget to check out the local malls—shopping for fun awaits!

Entertainment, attractions, excursions. Sights.

Entertainment, attractions, even travel to other countries—Bulgarian resorts offer everything you need for a vibrant and unforgettable vacation.

We asked a local guide at Golden Sands about the most popular excursion among tourists. Many tourists eagerly go to Istanbul. Interesting fact: although Golden Sands is further from Istanbul, an excursion from there is cheaper than from Sunny Beach! This probably depends on the agency or current promotions.

Love water sports? Both resorts offer a variety of options, from jet skis to parasailing. But Sunny Beach claims to be the capital of water parks—it boasts two!

Nature and history will also captivate you. Golden Sands boasts the Aladzha Monastery and a stunning natural park for outdoor walks.

And Sunny Beach hides a treasure in the form of ancient Nessebar.

If you choose Golden Sands, don't miss the chance to visit Varna—a city of museums, a dolphinarium, and parks. Renting a car? It's a piece of cake at any resort.

So, wherever you are, every day will be filled with new experiences.

Attention, tourists driving. Towing services are available at both resorts. When parking, carefully consider where you're leaving your car. Look at the signs and markings. Payment in public parking can be made via paid SMS; the number and message text are indicated on the signs. However, we recommend using paid parking or hotel parking to avoid potential problems with towing (fines start at €25) or even car theft, which is rare, but does happen.

Golden Sands or Sunny Beach: Conclusions

It's worth noting that Golden Sands has significant elevation changes. If your hotel isn't on the beachfront, you'll likely have to climb up and down to the sea along one of the many steps. Sunny Beach has no elevation changes.

So, which should you choose, Golden Sands or Sunny Beach? Each resort is worth considering. However, Golden Sands is better suited for vacationers traveling alone or as couples without children. For those traveling with children, especially small ones, Sunny Beach is ideal.

It's up to you to decide where to spend your perfect vacation! Both resorts are beautiful in their own way. Share your choice in the comments.