A Vacation in Bulgaria in 2021? All the Pros and Cons

Hello everyone! If you're interested in vacationing in Bulgaria, you might be wondering: Which Bulgarian resort should I choose? How much does it cost? In this article, you'll learn about all the popular Bulgarian resorts worth your attention. You'll also learn how to save money and avoid potential problems. 

Bulgaria boasts nearly 400 km of stunning Black Sea coastline, filled with beautiful beaches and resorts. Many plяThe area has been awarded the Blue Flag for its clean sea. You can book a private transfer to Bulgaria's seaside resorts. here.

In this article, we'll find out which resort is the most expensive and which is the most affordable in Bulgaria. 

Reasons to Visit Bulgaria in 2021

Let's begin our review of seaside resorts on the northern coast of Bulgaria.

At the end of this article read: Tips for tourists, which will certainly help you save money and not ruin your vacation.

Buy the cheapest bus tickets to Bulgaria You can do it here.

Albena

Albena A seaside resort in Bulgaria, Albena is the third most popular tourist destination. Albena is a gated resort complex with a barrier at the entrance. The resort itself was founded back in 1966. The beach is over 5 km long and very wide, like an ocean coast, about 150 meters wide, with fine sand. In our opinion, the beach in Albena is, if not the best, then at least one of the best beaches in Bulgaria. The entry into the water is gently sloping, making it suitable for children. The sea depth does not exceed 1.6 meters at a distance of 100-150 meters from the shore. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag since 1996.

There is a small water park of its own, Aquamania.

The resort offers sports facilities, including volleyball, tennis, badminton, and more. A free beach library is also available. Albena has internal public transportation—special small "trains" run on a schedule along specific routes within the resort. Free electric shuttles also run from the parking lots. If you drive to the resort, 30 minutes are free, but longer trips cost between €2.50 and €5 per night. Budget accommodation is virtually nonexistent in Albena; the minimum is three-star accommodation or higher. Prices start at €42 per night for a double room for a week during peak season.

The same situation applies to food prices. Despite this, availability is low, and good hotels are booked out well in advance of the peak season.

Golden Sands

The «Golden Sands»"Golden Sands" is located south of Albena and north of Varna. During Soviet times, it was one of the most famous foreign resorts. The beach at Golden Sands stretches 4 kilometers from north to south. The resort truly has golden sand; many consider it the best sand in Europe. The entry into the sea is steep, with the water deep right off the shore. Just a few meters from the shore, the water reaches chest-deep, so caution should be exercised with small children. The beach is surrounded by the densely forested Golden Sands Park. The therapeutic waters from the park's hot mineral springs are used in local resorts. The resort's advantages include its well-maintained infrastructure, a wide selection of cafes and restaurants of various types, and a wide selection of hotels of varying star ratings.

The Golden Sands resort boasts a small water park. There's a direct city bus route to Varna for €1.50. Bus routes are #9 and #409. Nearby attractions include the Chapel of St. John the Baptist and the Aladzha Rock Monastery. Golden Sands beach has been awarded the prestigious international Blue Flag environmental award several times.

This year, the beach also received the Blue Flag. Accommodation prices here vary more widely than in Albena, with prices starting at €20 per night for a double room for a week's stay during peak season.

You can also buy groceries in the nearby city of Varna. Please note: if traveling by car, we recommend leaving your car in a paid parking lot, otherwise it will be towed.

St. Constantine and St. Helena

The Resort of Saints Constantine and Helena Bulgaria's oldest resort, dating back over 100 years. However, in our opinion, it's currently undervalued. The resort boasts seven hot mineral springs, located at depths of 1,800 to 2,000 meters and with water temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 degrees Celsius. It also houses the Aquahouse thermal complex and spa, with 14 pools.

The resort offers a wide selection of beaches to suit every taste. Most have a gentle slope into the sea. One of them, "Sunny Day," was awarded the Blue Flag this year. 

There is also a unique diving location here: a Tu-154 aircraft on the seabed.

Accommodation prices start at €22 per night for a double room for a week during peak season. However, the selection of budget accommodations is limited, so it's best to book well in advance. Grocery shopping is also available in the nearby city of Varna. Important! When traveling by car, be sure to pay for public parking. This can be done via SMS or by parking in a paid lot.

Varna

Varna is a perfect choice for those who enjoy vacations in cities with all the usual amenities. Varna is also known as the seaside capital of Bulgaria. This year, various celebratory events are taking place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Varna's status as a resort.

Some sources claim Varna enjoys over 300 sunny days a year. Most of Varna's beaches are suitable for families with children. During peak season, the beaches are quite crowded, but even in the hottest months, there's always a spot, meaning you won't have to step over bodies looking for a spot in the sun or lie side by side with your neighbors. Varna's beaches stretch for about 8 kilometers along the entire coastline. Varna boasts a more vibrant cultural scene, with numerous attractions, many museums, theaters, cinemas, a dolphinarium, and a large seaside park. There's also a small water park.

Varna offers a wide selection of accommodations, from inexpensive hostels to luxury villas. Prices start at €13 per night for a double room for a week during peak season.

In addition to Booking.com and similar platforms, you can also search for accommodation on Airbnb. Grocery prices in Varna are minimal. If you buy groceries at regular chain stores, there are also food markets. 

Sveti Vlas

This prestigious resort at the foot of the southern slope of Stara Planina Mountain, Roga, is sometimes called the Bulgarian Saint-Tropez. The settlement itself was founded in the 2nd century AD. Among its beaches, "Novy Plyazh" received the prestigious international environmental award "Blue Flag" this year.

There's also the Marina Dinevi yacht port. Sveti Vlas offers a decent selection of accommodations. Prices start at €19 per night for a double room for a week during peak season. Grocery shopping is available at the Mercury and Diamant supermarkets in Sveti Vlas, but prices will be higher than in Varna.

Sunny Beach

Sunny Beach Sunny Beach is Bulgaria's largest resort. Situated on the shores of a bay, it forms a semicircle. Its beach stretches for almost 8 km. It truly lives up to its name: from May to October, it receives an average of 1,700 hours of sunshine. The sea slopes gently into the sea, making it suitable for children.

All three beaches—North, Central, and South—received the prestigious international Blue Flag environmental award this year. According to authorities, this season, umbrellas will be at least 4.5 meters apart. Nearby are two large water parks and one mini water park, as well as an amusement park in the center. A full range of water attractions are available. Sunny Beach offers a wide selection of accommodations. Prices start at €19 per night for a double room for a week during peak season. Grocery shopping is available in Sunny Beach at small shops and at the Janet and Lidl supermarkets.

Nessebar

Nesebar is one of the oldest towns on the Black Sea coast. It was founded over 5,000 years ago. Nesebar consists of two parts – the Old Town and the New Town. The history of the Old Town and its monuments spans the Roman and Byzantine eras, and remnants of the old city walls can still be seen. I recommend visiting the resort of Nesebar primarily to lovers of history, excursions, museums, and antiquity. The Old Town has a small beach. Surprisingly, prices were low, both for accommodation and for restaurants. This applies to the New Town, the part on the mainland.

One of Nesebar's beaches, Nesebar South, has been awarded the Blue Flag. Accommodation prices start at €16 per night for a double room for a week's stay during peak season. 

Pomorie

The old part of Pomorie is located on a peninsula connected to the mainland by an isthmus, like ancient Nessebar or Sozopol. The Pomorie-East beach has been awarded the Blue Flag. Honestly, Pomorie didn't make much of an impression on us. There's a sea and the town is located on a peninsula, but it lacks any unique charm. Among the resort's advantages is the presence of chain stores like Bila and Lidl just outside the town. So, groceries can be bought at regular prices without the resort markup.

Accommodation prices start from 18 euros per night for a double room when rented for a week during the season. 

Burgas

Burgas is a fairly attractive and affordable resort. It boasts a large seaport, an international airport, and train and bus stations.

Burgas boasts beautiful, clean beaches, a large seaside park (approximately 7 km) with sand sculptures, an opera house, and several museums. All of this attracts many tourists to the city every year. The sand on Burgas' beaches has a grayish tint, reminiscent of the beach on a volcanic island.

But there is one downside: the Lukoil oil refinery. 

Burgas offers a wide selection of accommodations, almost as good as Varna, from inexpensive hostels to luxury villas. Prices start at €17 per night for a double room for a week during peak season. In addition to Booking.com and similar platforms, you can also search for accommodations on Airbnb. In Burgas, as in Varna, grocery prices are minimal, provided you buy groceries at regular chain stores.

Sozopol

The town was founded in the 7th century BC by Greek seafarers. It resembles Nessebar, with ancient fortified walls, cobblestone streets, and a large marina for yachts and small boats. However, it differs in that the elevation changes significantly, as the town is located on hills. Those in poor physical condition will have a hard time climbing up and down. The beaches, with very fine, soft sand, are suitable for small children. Two beaches Sozopol «Sozopol-Centralen», «Sozopol-Harmanite» received the title “Blue Flag”,

Sometimes prices in the resort Sozopol surprise with their cheapness. 

Sozopol offers accommodations with a wide range of prices. Prices start at €18 per night for a double room for a week during peak season. In addition to Booking.com and similar platforms, you can also search for accommodations on Airbnb. Grocery prices in Sozopol are minimal, especially if you shop at regular chain stores like Lidl.

Reasons to avoid traveling to Bulgaria in 2021

An argument against vacationing in Bulgaria is currently the requirement to undergo a PCR test or obtain an internationally recognized vaccination passport, which incurs additional costs. A visa will also be required for residents of countries that require a Bulgarian visa.

Results

The most expensive resort in Bulgaria is Albena. The most affordable is Varna. Overall, every resort in Bulgaria is worth a visit. Each resort has its own unique features.

Finance

The official currency of Bulgaria is the lev. We recommend using regular bank cards in your home currency for payments. If you have a reputable bank, the exchange rates for levs to your currency will generally be very good. Be sure to set up payments in the currency of your destination; avoid using transit currencies like the dollar or euro. Before your trip, set up card payments abroad with your bank to avoid card blocking.

For safety and to minimize losses when converting up to 90%, we recommend carrying cash on a card. In Bulgaria, almost all reputable stores and restaurants accept cards. If they refuse your card, there's something wrong, and it's best to avoid using these services. For spending money and taking taxis, we recommend bringing euros, which can easily be exchanged for levs in Bulgaria. The euro-lev exchange rate is fixed and hasn't changed for over 20 years. Conversion losses are minimal. We recommend exchanging money at banks or at exchange offices in shopping centers. However, never at markets, as they're guaranteed to be a scam!

Taxis and transport in Bulgaria

Don't take taxis you find on the street. Otherwise, the fare will be 2-3 times higher than it actually is. Bulgarian taxis are relatively cheap, and many people take advantage of this. The taxi meter measures the ride, and the driver is required to issue a receipt after the ride, which, by the way, is what happens. To prevent the driver from driving you in circles, show them that you're tracking your trip on your phone using a map. For example, an average ride in Varna costs about 2 euros. Longer distances cost more, but everything is within the fare range if you're taking a taxi from a company. Only call a taxi by phone or book online. Calling a taxi by phone is easy, even without knowing Bulgarian. The procedure for calling a taxi in Bulgaria is as follows. 

First, say "Hello," then slowly and clearly state your address, for example, "Tsar Osvoboditel Street 5," then say your destination: "Maria Luiza Street 10," and the operator will answer, saying, "Please wait 5 minutes, taxi number such-and-such." Your order is accepted. In resort towns, you often encounter operators who speak Russian. There's Uber in Bulgaria, but we've never used it.

The city bus fare is 0.50 euro cents. The price outside the city depends on the distance; for example, a ticket from Varna to Golden Sands costs 1.5 euros. We recommend paying for your fare; don't try to ride without paying, as checks are common and you'll be fined. You can pay and redeem your ticket at bus stops using the terminals, using a bank card or cash. You can also use the terminals onboard buses. 

Mobile communications in Bulgaria

We recommend purchasing a SIM card upon arrival in Bulgaria. This is easily done at mobile phone stores. You may be asked to show your passport. Currently, the operator A1, There's also Vivacom. We can't recommend Telenor anymore; they've stopped selling prepaid starter packs, except for internet.

Prices for mobile communications and internet in 2021 are as follows:

• A1 prepaid package Comfort Max (14 days bonus validity period) the card itself is valid for 90 days.
• 200 minutes to all operators and landline numbers.
• 6000 MB mobile internet

The price of the package is 8 lev.

When you top up a prepaid card with BGN 6 or more, the validity period is extended by 396 days. So, the purchased SIM card can be used next year as well.

Travel to Bulgaria for a holiday in 2021 by car

If you're driving to Bulgaria, we recommend purchasing vignettes for Romania and Bulgaria online before your trip. This will save you time, as sales points at the borders are sometimes closed. They're also sold at gas stations. Make sure your first aid kit is complete, your fire extinguisher is expiring, and your reflective vests should be at least as full as the number of passengers in your car. You should purchase a so-called green card for your car, covering all countries on your route. We recommend following the rules, as the police monitor traffic and there are surveillance cameras. If you're in a hurry, another option, although it doesn't guarantee protection from a fine, is to follow a local car.

The price of gasoline and diesel fuel in Bulgaria is currently around 1 euro per liter. 

When parking, carefully consider where you're leaving your car. Look at the signs and markings. In blue zones, payment can be made via paid SMS; the sign indicates the number and text message. However, we recommend using paid parking to avoid potential problems with towing (fines range from 25 to 75 euros) or even car theft, which does happen. 

How to get to Bulgaria?

You can get to Bulgaria by plane, bus, or train. Good news for those traveling from Ukraine this year: the long-awaited ferry crossing to Orlovka-Isakcea, connecting Ukraine and Romania, has opened. It shortens the journey by 45 km and, most importantly, bypasses two Moldovan border crossings. You also won't have to pay to cross the Danube River. The crossing costs €15 per vehicle plus €1 per passenger.

Bulgaria has a well-developed car rental market. It's highly competitive and offers relatively low prices, making it easy to rent a car. Keep in mind that many companies charge an additional fee if the driver is under 30 or over 65. Rental prices for 2020-produced cars start at €17 per day for rentals of 5 days or more. Buy the cheapest bus tickets You can do it here.

Tips. 

In Bulgaria, it's customary to leave tips in restaurants. Whether or not to tip, and if so, and how much, is entirely up to you. For example, we usually round up the amount to be paid and pay that way.

I wonder which resort you chose and why? Let me know in the comments.

I hope this information was helpful and helps you make the right decision. I wish you all the best.
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