It’s finally time for a beach vacation in Bulgaria in 2022. And this raises some questions: Which resort should I choose? How much will it cost?
Bulgaria boasts nearly 400 km of stunning Black Sea coastline, which is dotted with beautiful beaches and resorts. Many new beaches in Bulgaria have been awarded the “Blue Flag” designation this year for the cleanliness of the sea. According to some estimates, the number of tourists on the Bulgarian coast this year could reach 9 million. However, the media is warning that beach vacations in Bulgaria will become 30% more expensive overall this year. You can book a private transfer to Bulgaria’s seaside resorts here.
Reasons to go to Bulgaria on vacation.
When traveling to Bulgaria, you’ll find it easy to adjust to the climate. Bulgaria has a relatively mild climate without drastic temperature swings, especially along the Black Sea coast. The sea water warms up to +26 °C in August. The swimming season lasts from June through mid-September. In general, the local population shares a similar mindset, and most people understand Russian. Bulgaria is the only country that offers a pleasant combination for Russian speakers: people understand you, and the signs and storefronts are easy to read—it’s almost like being at home. Access to beaches in Bulgaria is free, but many have paid areas where you’ll need to rent a lounge chair and umbrella or reserve a private gazebo or tent. All resorts offer paid excursions to local attractions. Bulgaria is well-suited for road trippers due to its relatively short distances and convenient location. Buy the cheapest bus tickets You can do it here.
Bulgarian Resorts on the Map:
Let's start our overview of seaside resorts from north to south.
Albena
Resort Albena, Bulgaria’s third most popular seaside resort. It is a gated resort complex with a barrier at the entrance. The beach stretches for over 5 km and is very wide—much like an ocean beach—about 150 meters wide with fine sand. In our opinion, the beach in Albena is, if not the very best, then at least one of the best beaches in Bulgaria. The water slopes gently into the sea, making it ideal for children. The sea depth does not exceed 1.6 meters within 100–150 meters of the shore. The beach has been awarded the “Blue Flag” designation. It has its own small water park—«Aquamania.».
The Albena resort has an internal public transportation system—special small «trains» run on a schedule along designated routes within the resort. There are also free electric shuttles running from the parking lots. If you arrive at the resort in your own car, parking is free for the first 30 minutes; after that, you’ll have to pay between 2.5 and 10 euros per day, depending on the distance from the beach. There is virtually no budget accommodation in Albena; the lowest category is three stars and above. Accommodation prices start at 42 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week. The same applies to dining prices. Despite this, there are few available rooms, and good hotels are booked up well before the start of the season.
Guests at Albena will pay seven times more for shade at the resort than they did last summer. In 2020 and 2021, the resort lowered its prices for umbrellas and lounge chairs. As a result, the set cost one and a half euros. The low price and the wide, well-maintained beach area attracted a flood of tourists from nearby towns and drew complaints from tourists who had paid for packages at 4- and 5-star hotels but couldn’t find a spot near the beach. However, this summer, vacationers not staying at the resort as part of a package that includes prepaid umbrellas will have to pay 11 euros per day for a set for two people: 3.50 euros for an umbrella and 7 euros for two lounge chairs.
Kranevo
A small village Kranevo It is located near Albena. Between Kranevo and Albena lies the Baltata Nature Reserve, where you can see some protected plant and animal species. The village has a population of approximately 1,200 residents.
One of the great things about Kranevo is that it has a beach just like the one in Albena. Kranevo also has a Blue Flag. And it’s an open resort, accessible to anyone who wants to visit—there’s no gate here.
One of the highlights is an ice rink. Accommodation rates start at 15 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week.
Golden Sands
Golden Sands Resort« It is located between Albena and Varna. During the Soviet era, it was one of the most famous overseas resorts. The beach at the “Golden Sands” resort stretches 4 kilometers from north to south. The resort truly has golden-colored sand. The entrance to the sea is not gradual; it gets deep right off the shore. The beach is surrounded by the dense «Golden Sands» Forest Park. The therapeutic waters from the park’s hot mineral springs are used in local resorts.
The resort’s strengths include its well-maintained infrastructure. There is a wide selection of cafes and restaurants of various types. There is also a wide selection of hotels of various star ratings. Nearby attractions include the Chapel of St. John the Baptist and the Alaja Rock Monastery. Golden Sands Beach has been awarded the international «Blue Flag» environmental distinction.
This year, accommodation rates start at 23 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. You can buy groceries at the resort’s small shops at higher prices or in the city of Varna at chain stores, which are accessible by city buses. The bus routes are 9 and 409. The fare is 1.5 euros.
At Golden Sands, prices are 6 euros for a beach umbrella and 6 euros for a lounge chair. If your hotel isn’t right on the beach, you’ll most likely have to walk uphill from the beach. If you’re traveling by car, we recommend leaving your car in a paid parking lot or in your hotel’s parking lot.
St. Constantine and St. Helena
The Resort of Saints Constantine and Helena Bulgaria’s oldest resort began developing more than 100 years ago. The resort features seven hot mineral springs. They are located at depths ranging from 1,800 to 2,000 meters, with water temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 degrees. There is a thermal complex with swimming pools here. The resort offers a wide selection of beaches to suit every taste. Most beaches have a gentle slope into the sea. One of them, “Sunny Day,” has been awarded the “Blue Flag” designation.
Accommodation rates start at 23 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. However, the selection of budget accommodations is limited, so it’s best to book well in advance. You can also buy groceries in the city of Varna, which is accessible by city bus.
On the beaches, prices are 5 euros for a beach umbrella and 5 euros for a lounge chair. But the resort has recently become increasingly built up and is losing its former splendor.
Varna
Varna It’s a great choice for those who enjoy vacationing in cities with all the usual amenities. Bulgaria’s maritime capital. Varna’s beaches stretch for about 8 kilometers along the entire coastline. Most of Varna’s beaches are suitable for family vacations with children. Varna is known for its vibrant cultural life, abundance of attractions, numerous museums, theaters, and movie theaters, as well as a dolphinarium and a large seaside park. There is also a small water park.
Varna offers a range of accommodations, from hostels to luxury villas. But this year, prices start at 25 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. Grocery prices in Varna will be very low. You can buy groceries at chain stores, and there are also farmers’ markets. Prices at the beaches haven’t changed: 2.5 euros for a beach umbrella and 2.5 euros for a lounge chair. There will be more vacationers in Varna than usual this year, so you should book your accommodations in advance.
Overview
City Overview It is situated on the Black Sea coast between the cities of Varna and Burgas, roughly halfway between them. It is located in a bay that begins north of Cape St. Athanasius and extends south to Mount Eminska. This year, “Obzor—Central” Beach received the “Blue Flag” award.
This year, accommodation rates start at 20 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. On the central beach in Obzor, umbrellas and lounge chairs cost 3.5 euros, and on Obzor-South, they cost 1.5 euros.
Sveti Vlas or Saint Vlas
A prestigious resort at the foot of the mountain’s southern slope, sometimes referred to as the “Saint-Tropez of Bulgaria.” Among its beaches, «New Beach» has received the prestigious international “Blue Flag” environmental award. Accommodation prices this year start at 22 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. In Sveti Vlas, you can buy groceries at the Mercury and Diamant supermarkets, but prices here are higher than in Varna, for example. One drawback is the elevation change, so you’ll have to walk uphill on the way back from the beach.
Sunny Beach
The largest resort in Bulgaria. It is located on the shore of a bay and is shaped like a semicircle. The resort's beach Sunny Beach It stretches for nearly 8 km. It truly lives up to its name: from May through October, it averages about 1,700 hours of sunshine. The gentle slope into the sea makes it ideal for children.
All three beaches—“North,” “Central,” and “South”—have been awarded the international «Blue Flag» environmental certification. There are two large water parks and one mini water park nearby, as well as an amusement park right in the center. Sunny Beach offers a wide selection of accommodations. This year, prices start at 25 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. On North Beach, vacationers will pay 4.5 euros for a lounge chair and the same amount for an umbrella, while on Central and South Beaches, the price for these items is 5 euros. These prices are twice as high as last year. In Sunny Beach, groceries can be purchased at small shops and nearby supermarkets: Jeanette and Lidl.
Nessebar
Nessebar – one of the oldest cities on the Black Sea coast. It was founded more than 5,000 years ago. The city of Nessebar consists of two parts—the Old Town and the New Town. I recommend visiting the resort town of Nessebar, especially for those who love history, sightseeing, museums, and historic sites. There’s a small beach in the Old Town. Strangely enough, prices turned out to be quite reasonable, both for accommodations and at restaurants. This applies to the New Town, the part located on the mainland. One of Nessebar’s beaches—“Nessebar South”—has been awarded the Blue Flag. At North Beach, vacationers will pay 4 euros for a lounge chair or an umbrella. Accommodation prices start at 22 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season.
Pomorie
The old part of Pomorie is located on a peninsula connected to the mainland by an isthmus, just like the historic towns of Nessebar and Sozopol. The “Pomorie-East” beach has been awarded the Blue Flag. The resort features a salt lake and Pomorie therapeutic mud. The salt concentration in the lake is similar to that of the Dead Sea. There is also a small water park. One of the advantages is the presence of Billa and Lidl chain stores in town. So you can buy groceries at reasonable prices without resort markups. Accommodation prices start at 29 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season.
Burgas
Burgas is a rather attractive and affordable resort. It is home to a major seaport, an international airport, and rail and bus stations. Burgas has beautiful, clean beaches, a large seaside park (about 7 km long) with sand sculptures, an opera house, and several museums. The sand on Burgas’s beaches has a grayish tint, giving the impression of being on a volcanic island. But there is one downside: the Lukoil oil refinery.
Burgas offers a range of accommodations almost as diverse as Varna’s, from hostels to luxury villas. Accommodation prices start at 27 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. On Burgas’s North Beach, a beach umbrella and a lounge chair each cost 0.60 euros. Despite the introduction of fees for beach equipment this year, prices at Burgas’s beach remain nominal compared to other resorts.
Sozopol
This is an ancient city founded in the 7th century BCE by Greek sailors. The city resembles Nessebar, with ancient fortress walls, cobblestone streets, and a large marina for yachts and boats. But there is one difference: the city is built on hills, so there are significant changes in elevation. The beaches have very fine sand that feels pleasant to the touch and are suitable for small children. Two beaches Sozopol Sozopol-Central and Sozopol-Harnanite have been awarded the “Blue Flag” designation.
In Sozopol, you can choose from a wide range of accommodation options. Prices start at 21 euros per night for a double room when booked for a week during the high season. Grocery prices in Sozopol are very low, especially if you shop at regular chain stores like Lidl. An umbrella or lounge chair on Sozopol’s central beach will cost 3.50 euros.
I want to point out that all the prices for accommodations shown in the video are provided for the purpose of comparing resorts and are based on the assumption that you book before the start of the season. If you book right before your trip, the price could be two or even three times higher.
Results of the 2022 Vacation in Bulgaria
Albena has retained its status as the most expensive resort. Kranevo, on the other hand, has become the most affordable resort this year.
Video version of the article:
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