Sunny Beach or Golden Sands. Which one to choose?

Before heading to Bulgaria for a beach holiday, many people wonder: Where should I go? Today we will visit two of the MOST popular seaside resorts in Bulgaria. Sunny Beach or Golden Sands, Let's compare them and choose the resort that's best for you. A comparative table of resort characteristics based on key parameters, such as location, beaches, natural beauty, accommodations, and attractions, is at the end of the article.

Please note that this is purely factual information. We do not work in real estate or tourism. Therefore, all information in this article is accurate and unbiased. 

Location of resorts. 

Let's start with the location. The resort Golden Sands is located at a distance of 25 km from Varna airport. To the very Varna Even closer—15 km—it's about a 20-minute ride by city bus; in summer, buses run this route until late at night. A ticket costs €1.50. Where did this name come from? One legend says that long ago, pirates buried a huge treasure of gold on the shore. When they returned, they couldn't find it. The Earth punished the pirates by turning the gold into sand. The legend rings true, as the sand here is indeed fine and golden, and the beach is long and wide. You can book a private transfer to Bulgaria's seaside resorts. here.

Resort Sunny Beach Situated almost 100 km south of Golden Sands and 26 km from Burgas Airport, there is a bus service, but only intercity buses. The distance to Burgas is longer—35 km, a 40-minute bus ride. Before its current name, the resort was known as "Royal Garden.".

Sea. Beach. Nature.

Now that we've sorted out the location, let's compare the beaches and natural beauty of the resorts.

Golden Sands is surrounded by forests of a natural park in which 78 species of birds and 25 species of animals live, which cannot be said about Sunny Beach, which is surrounded by steppe terrain.

Both resorts have sandy beaches, and both beaches fly blue flags, indicating that the sea water meets quality standards. However, there is a difference: Sunny Beach has a gentle slope into the sea, while Golden Beach has a steeper one. Consequently, the water near the shore in Sunny Beach is slightly warmer. Because of these factors, Sunny Beach is a better choice for families with small children.

Accommodation at resorts: choice and prices.

Both resorts offer a wide selection of hotels and apartments. Accommodation options and prices don't vary much. The further you get from the sea, the cheaper it gets. This is especially true at Sunny Beach, where some accommodations are located more than a kilometer from the beach. At Golden Sands, the furthest accommodations are located no more than 500 meters from the sea.

In Golden Sands, apartment prices start at €16 per night for two people, which is an entire apartment. You can find cheaper options further from the sea. Hotel prices start at €26 per night for two people. These hotels are unrated (three-star hotels start at €36), and they obviously won't be on the beachfront.

In Sunny Beach, apartment prices start at €21 per night for two people, which is an entire apartment, but you can find cheaper options further from the sea. Hotel prices start at €31 per night for two people, and these hotels are generally unrated (3-star hotels are €36), so it's clear they won't be on the beachfront.

Nutrition.

Both resorts have a large selection of cafes and restaurants, including a McDonald's.

Of course, there are grocery stores, but they're not chain stores, so prices won't be cheap, to say the least. Golden Sands has a better location in this regard due to its proximity to Varna. You can take the city bus to the city market or to Lidl, Kaufland, or Billu stores in Varna, as well as shop in the numerous malls.

Entertainment, attractions. Sights.

The resorts offer all kinds of water sports and regular attractions. There are also water parks. Sunny Beach is a better choice, boasting two large water parks. Among the attractions at Golden Sands, the Aladzha Monastery and the adjacent nature park are noteworthy, while Sunny Beach boasts the ancient town of Nessebar. Golden Sands, however, stands out for its convenient connections by bus to Varna and its numerous museums and amusement parks. Car rentals are available at both resorts.

Buy the cheapest bus tickets You can do it here.

Sunny Beach or Golden Sands? Conclusion.

Each of these resorts is worth considering. However, Golden Sands is best suited for vacationers traveling alone or as couples without children. For those traveling with children, especially small ones, Sunny Beach is ideal.

Today's Weather in Sunny Beach

SUNNY BEACH WEATHER

Weather in Golden Sands today

VARNA WEATHER