Over the past 10-15 years, the popular Bulgarian resort has changed a lot. In place of the old "Soviet" hotels, luxurious 4 * and 5 * hotels have grown. We will tell you what is good about Sunny Beach in Bulgaria, and what disadvantages tourists see.
Sunny Beach has been welcoming guests since the 1960s. It is away from big cities, highways and railways. The beach strip with yellow sand stretches for 10 km, and there are more than 800 hotels on the shore.
According to reviews, Sunny Beach in Bulgaria is loved for a good beach holiday and convenient infrastructure. Young people are attracted by nightlife, bars and discos. Parents - clubs and kindergartens, where they know how to occupy and entertain kids. Now the coast is being actively built up, but they are trying to carry out construction in the low season so as not to interfere with tourists.
Sunny Beach is liked by everyone who has vacationed only in Russia before. If you have been to Turkey and Western Europe, you will see many disadvantages. Don't count on special service! Explore Bulgaria yourself, meet the locals, and the trip will leave only pleasant impressions.
Pros and cons of holidays in Sunny Beach
The Bulgarian resort is changing, but it remains a popular destination for an inexpensive holiday by the sea. Most of the tourists who rested here in 2019-2020 were satisfied and would like to return to Bulgaria again.
pros holidays in Sunny Beach in 2021:
- Short flight.
- Just get a visa.
- There is almost no language barrier.
- Comfortable climate.
- Free sandy beaches with a gentle entry into the sea.
- Delicious cuisine and affordable food prices.
- Action Aquapark and entertainment for children and youth.
- Interesting excursions to the old Bulgarian towns.
julmel: "Sunny Beach fully lives up to its name! Fun, carefree, sunny, smells like coffee and the sea."
Cons Little:
- In the summer season, the resort is bustling and noisy.
- The water is not so clear, there are algae.
- In July and August, jellyfish appear in warm shallow waters.
- The bars and restaurants on the beach are expensive.
Yagodka45: "The beaches are pretty clean, but the infrastructure - showers, toilets and cafes leave much to be desired."
Reviews about the beaches and the sea in Sunny Beach
The sloping sandy coast is 60-100 m wide. The local beaches are marked with the Blue Flag for their cleanliness. About a third of the coastal strip is reserved for free recreation. Here tourists sunbathe on their mats and bedspreads. Closer to the water begins a paid area with sun loungers, sun umbrellas and toilets. A set of two sun loungers and an umbrella costs 7-15 BGN.
The resort offers diving, surfing, catamarans and jet skis for rent. If you want a vivid experience, go for a banana ride or water skiing! From morning to evening, traders walk along the coast selling hot corn, smoked mussels and sweets.
Olga: "The wide coastline, golden sand! An excellent option for walking along the coast! Good in autumn, in the velvet season, when the beaches are empty. If you are lucky with the weather, in September the rest is fire."
Victor P: "Irakli is a small, cozy beach. Few people, quiet, calm. The sand is clean, the bottom is excellent. True, there is no good cafe."
Sunny Beach beach panorama
Reviews of the best hotels in Sunny Beach
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As in all seaside resorts, the cost of living depends on the distance from the coast. The closer to the beaches, the more expensive housing is. There are more budget "Soviet" hotels in the center of Sunny Beach. Quarters "Fregata" and "Chaika" are famous for their modern luxury hotels.
Hrizantema Hotel & Casino 4 *... This popular family-run hotel is 1 km from the beach and 2 km from the resort center. Tourists like the conditions for families with children and good food. Sun loungers on the beach are expensive.
Trakia Plaza Apartments 4 *... If you are looking for budget accommodation, choose a modern high-rise hotel with a large outdoor pool. Guests appreciated the scenic sea views from the upper floors. The beach is only 250 m away!
Smartline Meridian 4 *... 500 meters from the sandy beach Sunny Beach, there is a hotel that is loved by parents with children. The food here is excellent, there is a spa, a steam bath, a fitness center, a gym and table tennis, but wi-fi is paid in the rooms.
Rome Palace Deluxe 4 *... For those wishing to live near the sea, a hotel 100 m from the beach is suitable. Tourists praise the clean pool, kids animation and the rich buffet in the restaurant.
Avalon 4 *... The hotel complex is located 900 meters from the municipal beach, 1.5 km from the center of the resort. Pros - good restaurant, large pool for adults and shallow pool for children. Cons - paid internet and cheap plastic furniture in public places.
Reviews about the weather in Sunny Beach
The beach season in Sunny Beach is short. The water in the Black Sea warms up well by mid-June, and you can swim until the end of September. In May and early summer, there are storms at sea, large waves throw algae on the shore.
According to tourists, the weather in Sunny Beach is hot at the height of summer. In August, sea water warms up to + 26 ° С, and air - up to + 35 ° С. It is better to come with preschoolers in September. The school year begins, the beaches are empty, and the resort becomes quieter and quieter.
Inga Lishvilli: "I advise you to come after the twenties of June, when the Black Sea warms up to + 22 ° C. I cannot say that the water is fresh milk, but swimming is quite pleasant."
Victoria: "In August it was very hot for me, the sun was baking mercilessly. After 11 o'clock in the afternoon it was impossible to be on the beach, we hid in the hotel, the air conditioner saved me."
Reviews about excursions in Sunny Beach
Vacationers are offered tours to Sofia, Varna, Burgas and photo walks in old Nessebar. According to tourists, excursions to the Skoka waterfall, the Sofrata cave and rock, to the Strandzha mountains, the Valley of Roses, quad bike safaris, 2-3-day tours to Greece, Romania and Istanbul are popular from Sunny Beach. In 2021, prices for one-day excursions in Russian start at 60 euros.
Find out what to see in Bulgaria.
Marina: "The guide told interestingly about the history of the city and the history of Bulgaria, took us along the old streets, showed us the most beautiful views and the most ancient buildings." More about the excursion >>
Vacation tips in Sunny Beach
According to tourists, it is convenient to travel around Sunny Beach by buses. They carry passengers not only to any part of the resort, but also to neighboring cities. Travel on intra-city routes costs 2 BGN. Buy tickets from the conductor.
If you love cycling, rent a two-wheeled vehicle and explore Sunny Beach with a breeze! There are many rental points in the resort. The most popular one is located near the Orange disco. Bicycle rental costs from 25 BGN per day. Renting for several days is much more profitable than hourly rentals.
Even in summer, cool breezes blow on the coast in the evenings. Don't forget to pack a couple of warm clothes for your walks by the sea!
When the heat is intense, go on excursions in the morning or late afternoon. Wear comfortable footwear that is easy to walk in - sneakers or sandals. Take a small backpack on the road and put your sunglasses, a hat, and a water bottle in it.
There are 24-hour supermarkets in Sunny Beach. Regular shops open no later than 9 am and work until 7-9 pm.
spez1: "The cheapest supermarket is Mladost. You can buy groceries, souvenirs and household goods there."
