Speaking about this resort, it is difficult to avoid bright epithets. There is an amazing sea, dizzying panoramic views and exciting leisure activities. Let’s combine all the advantages of this place into one list:
Gentle sea. Reviews of tourists about Sunny Beach in Bulgaria often begin with praising the sea. It is warm and attractive here!
Clean beaches . The wide coastline (8 km) is half occupied by sunbeds. The other part remains free. There are no restrictive fences and private zones on the beaches – the entire territory belongs to the municipality. And this means that regardless of which hotel you stayed in, you have the opportunity to relax on any beach of the resort. Sunny Beach was awarded the Blue Flag award for the cleanliness and tidiness of local beaches.
A wide selection of entertainment . Activity lovers can indulge in banana rides, jet skis and pillboxes. The number of such offers is impressive, and the quality of the services provided cannot fail to please. Tourists of any age should visit one of the local European-class water parks: slide down a steep slide on a clear day and recharge with positive emotions for the week ahead. Yachts, water skiing, parachutes and bicycles, surfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, bicycle rickshaw and roller skate rentals – choose activities to your heart’s content!
Delicious food . Resting at this resort, there is an opportunity to eat inexpensively or enjoy the elite delicacies of local cuisine. In both cases, you will enjoy the food. Cafes with street grills and restaurants with masterpieces of national cuisine are operatingon Sunny Beach !
Mild climate . The swimming season lasts from May to October. The peak is observed in July-August. During these two months, the air temperature does not fall below 27 ° C, and rains are rare. However, prices for tickets, accommodation and food are high at this time. In September, the influx of tourists subsides, the city slowly empties, but the rest does not get worse: the wind is still as soft and warm, the sea is as gentle, and all establishments work as usual. However, the cost of the trip will be significantly reduced, and lovers of a calm atmosphere will be satisfied.
Pleasant establishments . Not far from the coast and in the center there are many disco clubs with daily parties. Their music does not stop until dawn. If in ordinary life you are not a fan of such entertainment, it is possible that in the atmosphere of the Sunny Beach of Bulgaria you will definitely want to leave the hotel and look at the beach disco.
High level of service . Over the past 20 years, the country’s authorities have made a significant contribution to the development of the resort. If you compare it during Soviet times and now, you can’t help but notice striking changes for the better. Today, the Bulgarian Sunny Beach offers hotels for every taste and budget and a developed infrastructure. The high quality of the resort is also reflected in the service. Hotel staff, bartenders and waiters, animators and even sellers in stores – here everyone performs their work professionally and treats tourists politely. If the theater begins with a hanger, then a resort vacation starts with competent and pleasant service. Sunny Beach copes with this task by 5 points.
A couple of decades ago, both ordinary tourists and athletes came here. With the development of the resort, the number of beach lovers exceeded the number of athletes, but the conditions for active activities remained. These are modern playgrounds with comfortable conditions. There is:
more than 20 tennis courts;
football fields;
volleyball and basketball courts;
equestrian base and riding school;
mini golf courses.
When is the best time to rest in Sunny Beach?
The beach holiday season on Sunny Beach , as in principle at all Bulgarian resorts, is quite short, so never think twice. In order to have a good rest, you should come here no earlier than the second half of June and no later than mid-September, because before this period the water in the sea will be cold, and later the weather may fail, and it will not be very warm. In addition, in May and at the beginning of June, the sea often storms, and in addition to large waves, it also throws a considerable amount of algae on the shore, which complicates swimming and rest, and also smells unpleasant.
As for the cost of travel tickets or accommodation during vacations, it will be approximately the same for any month during this period. It is possible to count on a discount in May or at the end of September, when the number of tourists is very small.
As for recreation with children, Sunny Beach can be very loud for little ones, as it is more for young people. But if you decide to go, it is better at the beginning of September, when there are fewer schoolchildren. The sea is still quite warm, and quite comfortable during the day, not too hot.
Sea water reaches its maximum temperature in August, so you should come with schoolchildren or lovers of the warm sea in this month. The sea reaches a temperature of plus twenty-six degrees, and the air sometimes reaches plus thirty-five. But especially the heat is not felt and is tolerated quite calmly.
Here’s an approximate picture of what the weather can expect during your Sunny Beach vacation, and don’t forget that if you book early, you can buy tickets at pretty good prices, although if you’re lucky, you can also get on hot tours that may turn out to be more more attractive
How much does it cost to stay in Sunny Beach?
When considering a trip to Sunny Beach , it is better to find out the prices in local hotels in advance. We made a gradation of the cost of rooms in hotels of different classes.
When choosing a place of rest, the moment of the cost of accommodation and food is important. Let’s be honest – the cost of living in Sunny Beach will compete with well-known Mediterranean resorts.
It is in this largest resort in Bulgaria that the main feature of all Bulgarian resorts is presented – a successful combination of the European level of service and democratic prices. Even in the high season, staying in Sunny Beach is quite inexpensive.
The main items of expenses of vacationers are accommodation, food, entertainment and transport. Renting economy-class housing at the resort will cost you from 60 BGN per day, apartments of a higher class – from 160 BGN. The hotel will cost you about the same price.
Many tourists who have visited Bulgaria decide to buy their own housing, it is relatively inexpensive here. Yes, a small studio in the city of Sunny Beach will cost you from 10,000 EUR. But this investment will quickly pay off if you not only relax yourself, but also rent out housing.
If you eat in cafes or inexpensive restaurants, then it is approximately 40 BGN per day, if you have the opportunity to cook yourself, then food will cost you much cheaper, there are inexpensive supermarkets in Sunny Beach , a huge selection of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat is offered and fish
When creating a vacation budget, do not forget to take into account transport prices and beach expenses. Yes, the taxi fare will cost you from 50 BGN. Bicycle rental is popular at the resort. We advise you to rent a bike for several days at once.
Prices for accommodation in Sunny Beach are affordable, but the variety of offers will satisfy any taste and budget.
Where to stay in Sunny Beach?
In the Bulgarian Sunny Beach , there are so many facilities for accommodation during rest that if possible, it will take a long time to list all of them, since this resort is very popular, and since ancient times. Agree that since Soviet times, everyone knew very well about such resorts in Bulgaria as ” 3oloti Pisky ” and ” Sunny Beach ““, others did not even appear in the list. Therefore, it is in these two resorts that the entire infrastructure in terms of tourism and recreation is particularly well developed. Many hotels, it is true, are still buildings from those times, but they look quite decent, and in a big way, not everything can depend on the appearance, but on the level of service and internal environment. And with that, many of the Sunny Beach hotels are in complete order. We will not now list the hotels or other facilities where you can stay at this resort, or say that the hotels we will write about now are the best. We’ll just tell you about those that we like and that you can pay attention to if you want to come on vacation to Sunny Beach .
We would like to name one of these hotels as DIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel , which operates under the “all inclusive” system and has a “four star” category. It is located on the very coastline and is five hundred meters from the center of the resort. On the territory of the hotel there are two beautiful swimming pools, with its own small water park.
In addition, there are entertainment areas where various activities are held with hotel guests, under the guidance of animators. Since we are talking about the territory, I will describe what is there. There are several shops that sell various souvenirs, and for buying the necessary food, we mean baby food or hygiene products, and just what you might want to try from the assortment of the grocery store, there is a mini market.
Many, of course, are interested in nutrition. So that’s about it. As we said, the hotel operates under the “all inclusive” system, and for this purpose, there are three restaurants on the territory that offer guests various dishes of Bulgarian and European cuisine, desserts and drinks, in the style of a “buffet table”.
And in addition, another restaurant offers dishes from the provided menu. It turns out that there are four restaurants in total, and in addition, there are five bars in different places where you can quench your thirst, eat ice cream or try stronger drinks. I advise you to try what Bulgaria has been famous for for a long time, that is, excellent wine of various varieties. And for lovers of stronger drinks, I think it will be interesting to try the national Bulgarian vodka, to be more precise, it is not vodka, but it is considered like our moonshine, which is called “Rakiya” and is made from various fruits and grapes. The choice of this drink is quite large, as well as different prices, but it will not cost you anything in the hotel bar, since drinks from local producers are also included in the price of accommodation. There are always suitable dishes for children’s meals in the provided menu, but if that choice, which was offered, you are not satisfied, then, as we said, you can make an individual order in an a la carte restaurant. We seem to have figured out the food, let’s move on.
Let’s talk about vacations with children . For the entertainment of children, there is a children’s swimming pool on the territory, as well as a playground. And in the game room, various classes and entertainment programs are held, which are carried out by animators. We have already talked about a small water park. Accommodation for children up to twelve years of age, on an extra bed, is provided free of charge.
What the hotel offers for sports fans. There is a tennis court, billiard room, table tennis, darts. There is a fitness center, sauna and massage. Of course, the choice is small, but right on the beach, in front of the hotel, there are various types of water sports, so you won’t have to get bored.
Let’s say a few words about numbers. They are quite spacious, there is even the possibility of installing an additional bed. The furniture is modern, beautiful, there is television with cable channels.
The bathroom has all the necessary toiletries and a hairdryer for drying hair.
Well, what else can be added to what has been said? About some services provided for sure. So, car rental, currency exchange at the reception desk, storage room. There is a laundry, ironing and dry cleaning where you can put your clothes in order at any time. There is also a hair salon and a beauty salon, so that you can put yourself in order. Internet is provided for an additional fee, in the room. There is also a fax and photocopier that you can use at any time.
The beach in front of the hotel is equipped with everything you need, for a comfortable rest, as we have already said, water sports are available. Swimming in the sea will be very comfortable for children, as the entrance is very gentle.
This hotel presents approximately such a picture. We may not have mentioned everything that this hotel has or offers, but at least everything that we have talked about and described is accurate.
There is another hotel that can also be considered as one of the options, it is called DIT Majestic Beach Resort.
This is also a good “four”, with approximately the same list of services provided and infrastructure as the previous one, so it makes no sense to list everything again. We can only add that there are also sports grounds for playing football, volleyball and basketball. The hotel is also quite good and tourists’ reviews about it are quite decent.
In Sunny Beach , you can easily find a nice hotel by the sea. For example, when booking a hotel on Booking.com, you can check “First line” in the menu on the left and the system will show you only those hotels that are located near the sea. You can expand your search by specifying “Beach” and then you will be offered more options.
If you want to save money, you should choose hotels that are located some distance from the beach, but don’t worry – Sunny Beach is a very small city, so you can reach the sea from almost anywhere in a matter of minutes.
A double room in a three-star hotel by the sea in June will cost approximately 35-40 euros.
A double room in a five-star hotel by the sea in June will cost approximately 75-100 euros.
An apartment in a large five-star hotel, such as Galeon Residence & SPA , will cost you approximately 70-90 euros in June and 100-120 euros in August.
Entertainment in Sunny Beach
If you are tired of the beaches and want to have some fun – welcome to the Action water park , which is located literally a couple of kilometers from the beach. The local water park is quite large – it has about 15 slides, including several for children, two pools for adults and children, including a wave pool, you can relax in the bar or have a snack in one of the restaurants, or just sunbathe while enjoying the beautiful view of the blooming trees and flower beds.
A visit to the water park will cost you approximately 40 leva (20 euros) for adults or 20 leva (10 euros) for children.
You can visit a small zoo , where birds, pheasants, peacocks, ostriches live, as well as animals – goats, piglets, sheep and even kangaroos. This is a lively corner. There is a water park at the Sunny Beach Resort hotel. You can say that it is almost the center of the resort. It works in summer every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A ticket for adults for the whole day costs 38 leva (about 20 euros), for children – 19 leva (almost 10 euros). Moreover, if your children are taller than 130 cm, then you will have to pay as for an adult. Children up to 90 cm tall are free, however, they will not be allowed to ride on some rides. For half a day, swimming in the water park costs 28 leva (14 euros) for adults, 14 leva for children. There are group tickets for 4 people or more. The ticket includes visiting changing rooms, showers, buses. But you will have to pay for a safe – 5-7 leva (about 3 euros) for a lockable locker.
And you can buy a half-day ticket only after 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
The bar in Soniachny is not alone, of course. You can single out the “Funny Pub” bar. Quite a youth bar in the center of the town on Kuban Avenue. Sometimes there is live music here, you can dance a little or watch sports broadcasts on two screens. Prices are relatively low. You can order something here for 3-4 leva. Look for the bar at Globus Hotel .
Night club “Mania” can still be offered.
From the outside, the club building looks interesting, although it looks more like a shopping center. Small. But people come here. Sometimes, not only local DJs play in the club, but also DJs from Italy and Germany. There is also live music, and there is convenient parking next to the club. Discos in the club start around 11 in the evening and end by 6 in the morning. Entrance costs about 5 leva (2.5 euros).
You can go to the club “Cacao Beach” . This is a lovely place. The club is located by the sea, on the South Beach, and there is a very cool terrace. Very romantic, especially at sunset! Plus, the club looks modern, everything is made of light wood, and you can sit on brightly colored ottomans or low sofas. And the music is not bad. There are good thematic parties and live music in this club. Since the club is bohemian and of the “cool” type, tickets to it sometimes cost 20-30 leva. The club can be reached at the Vilas Jug stop.
Visit the Chuchura restaurant. First of all, even the building itself is very nice, such a building in the Renaissance style. Look for this small restaurant near the hotel “Trakiya Plaza” and “Chrysanthemum”.
This restaurant is very famous and old. Perhaps the oldest. Its highlight is that it is a la folk restaurant, which was built as early as 1963. Of course, since those years it has been changed and restored, but the atmosphere has been preserved. Chuchura can accommodate up to 400 people at tables under the open sky, and another 100 people inside. The dishes here are traditional. And the main thing is that interesting events take place here. For those who want to get involved in Bulgarian culture, this is the place for you. That is, a regular folklore program “Bulgarian wedding”, dances, orchestra, songs, costumes are held here! Tourists are taken here in organized groups for such parties. Since the restaurant is located on the seashore, the views from there are breathtaking. The average bill is from 10 euros. The restaurant is open every day.
You can still drive to the “Lazur” club .
Not that it’s right in the center, but it’s easy to get to. Unless, those who settled in the north of Sunny will have to walk. The club stands on the seashore, on the beach. Nearby is the Pomorie Hotel and the larger “Europa” hotel.You can orient yourself on the Ferris wheel next to this hotel. Discotheques cost about 5 leva (2.5 euros). Drinks are good and inexpensive. Beer – 3 leva, cocktails – from 6 leva. There is also a happy hour closer to midnight when you get your second drink for free. The club has three halls that can accommodate a total of one thousand people. On the 1st floor they usually play techno or house. Bulgarian music is on the second floor. There is a nice summer terrace at the club. Credit cards are not accepted here, by the way. The club opens at 10:30 a.m. and is open until the morning, sometimes until 6 a.m. You can also have a snack here.
It remains to add that Sunny Beach is exclusively summer fun. There is absolutely nothing to do here in winter. All establishments are closed. Shops are open, of course, people still live there, but it’s boring.
Embankment in Sunny Beach
The most striking attraction of Sunny Beach is the embankment, which stretches for 3 km along the sea. The embankment is paved with tiles, evergreen trees and oleander bushes are planted on both sides, here and there mighty cedars or slender cypresses rise up.
There are many cafes and restaurants on the embankment where you can have a snack, but do not expect low prices, the well-known rule “the closer to the sea, the more expensive” works here, a variety of night clubs, grocery stores and souvenir shops, as well as all kinds of hotels: from guest houses to huge all-inclusive hotels with their pools, cafes and parks.
If you want to save on food or accommodation, just choose something located further from the beach – prices in hotels or cafes located literally one block from the beach will be much more modest than in similar ones on the waterfront.
The main sights of Sunny Beach
Places that must be visited if you are coming to Sunny Beach for the first time .
The relative youth of the Sunny Beach resort did not allow it to acquire a lot of its own historical monuments. But the city was lucky with its neighbors. The ancient pearl of Bulgaria – the city of Nessebar is just a few kilometers away on foot . Nessebar is not only one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, but also on the European continent. You can take a walk in Nessebar by yourself, you just need to get a map of the city with attractions.
A few kilometers from Sunny Beach is the site of the historic battle between the Bulgarians and the Byzantines, which became the source of Bulgarian statehood. Here, near the city of Pomorie , there is the only active male monastery of St. George the Victorious in southeastern Bulgaria , built in the 7th century.
A description of the sights of Sunny Beach is impossible without mentioning the annual international pop song festival “Golden Orpheus” , which takes place in the summer theater of the resort. The summer theater also hosts concerts of the Burgas Opera and the Burgas Symphony Orchestra.
By the way, the interactive map of the sights of Sunny Beach will always help novice travelers .
Having visited Sunny Beach for the first time , many call this resort a unique attraction in Bulgaria. Photos of gorgeous beaches, shady alleys, luxurious Sunny Beach adorn the albums of tourists from many countries around the world.
Excursions in Sunny Beach
To diversify your vacation and get to know the city better, go on a sightseeing tour of Sunny Beach .
Sunny Beach provides its guests with enormous opportunities in terms of excursion services. We have already talked about excursions in Pomorie and Nessebar. Vacationers also have the opportunity to visit the ancient city of Sozopol, visit the nature reserve Raptom, which is called the Bulgarian Amazon. Only 6 hours drive separates Sunny Beach from Istanbul, to which two-day excursions are organized.
A sightseeing tour of Sunny Beach will not take much time, but will allow you to familiarize yourself with local attractions. As in many other resort towns in Bulgaria, buses and trains run through the city. You can take a bus tour of Sunny Beach on the second floor of the tour bus.
The cost of excursions to Sunny Beach and its surroundings varies – from 12 to 140 BGN, depending on the distance and duration of the excursion.
Hiking routes in Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach can be reached on foot. And it is during a walk that you will feel the city best.
The relatively small size of the city allows hikers to explore a wide variety of routes along Sunny Beach . The main tourist route on Sunny Beach begins at the oldest hotel in the center of the city “Kuban” and runs along the beautiful embankment, opening a wonderful view of the bay.
The hiking routes of your walks can take place not only in Sunny Beach , but also in Nessebar. Walk through the ancient streets of the archeological capital of Bulgaria and inhale the aroma of centuries and roses to leave it in your memory for a long time.
Food prices in Sunny Beach: cafes and restaurants
Features of cuisine in Sunny Beach
National dishes that you must try in Sunny Beach .
As in all resort towns on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the leading direction in public catering is national cuisine. The basis of dishes of Bulgarian national cuisine are dishes made from vegetables, meat and fish, cooked on an open fire.
Due to historical features, Greek, Turkish, and Russian notes were reflected in the culture of Bulgaria. The kitchen was not without this influence. In Sunny Beach , you can try not only traditional Bulgarian cuisine, but also European, Oriental, Japanese, Indian and Italian cuisine.
Experienced tourists say that you should definitely try ice cream and branded confectionery in Sunny Beach . You definitely won’t regret it.
The best restaurants and cafes of Sunny Beach
An overview of the best places to visit in Sunny Beach .
Sunny Beach is growing and developing rapidly. Every year, before the start of the new season, new restaurants, shops, and entertainment centers open their doors to visitors. It is in the cozy cafes and restaurants of the city that you will be able to feel the spirit and charm of this country.
The best restaurants of Sunny Beach are concentrated in the center along the embankment. The restaurants represent traditional Bulgarian cuisine, as well as British, Irish, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Indian cuisine.
According to numerous reviews of vacationers, one of the most famous restaurants of Sunny Beach is the restaurant “Khansky Shater” (“Khanska Shatra”). The restaurant is located on a hill with a stunning panoramic view of Svity Vlas, Sunny Beach and the sea bay.
The restaurant is also famous for its original entertainment program. Places in it are almost always occupied, do not forget to book them in advance. The disadvantage is that you need to get to the restaurant by taxi.
However, if you have booked in advance, you will be picked up free of charge from the city centre. Be sure to try the flaming kebab – the crown dish of the restaurant.
There are also Russian restaurants in Sunny Beach – this is the “Russian Troika” restaurant and the Red Square restaurant . However, in the rating of the best restaurants of Sunny Beach , they do not occupy the leading places.
There are quite a few British restaurants, pubs and steakhouses in the city. One of the most famous restaurants in the center of Sunny Beach is the Hawaii restaurant . You will return to this restaurant again and again, because in addition to dizzying salads and dishes cooked on fire, everyone who visited the restaurant at least once is offered a free cocktail or dessert.
Fans of oriental cuisine will appreciate the Djanny restaurant . Here you will find excellent shish kebab, classic kebab, chicken with rice in the oriental style. Portions are heavy. This is one of the most inexpensive and high-quality restaurants in Sunny Beach .
Prices in Sunny Beach restaurants depend on the level of the establishment, its popularity and the menu you choose. The average check in the restaurants of the resort is from BGN 70 per person.
A whole chain of cafes, bistros, and pizzerias is concentrated on the Sunny Beach embankment . Here you can always eat inexpensively and quickly, in the evenings in some establishments there is live music and performances. Pay attention to the so-called Sladkarnytsia – pastry shops, which always have fresh pastries and delicious ice cream.
Be sure to buy your child ice cream in a waffle cup with a toy surprise. She will like the taste of ice cream and the toy. Bulgarian confectioners make baklava and other oriental sweets traditionally delicious. Prices in the Sunny Beach cafe are slightly lower than restaurant prices.
In all Bulgarian cities, the principle “the closer to the sea, the more expensive” works. This rule applies and in general, let’s say, a vacation in Plovdiv will cost you less than the same vacation in Varna, because in Varna, unlike Plovdiv, there is a sea. The same rule applies to shops and cafes – in all seaside towns, including Sunny Beach , the most expensive shops are located near the sea. On the beach, you will be sold the most expensive ice cream and the most expensive peaches, and if you go around the corner, the prices will drop significantly.
The cost of the menu in a McDonalds-type snack bar is approximately 8-10 euros.
A full lunch for one person in a cafe will cost you about 8-15 euros. If you decide to eat only the salad, you will pay about 5-8 euros for a large portion.
Rent a car in Sunny Beach
Inquisitive travelers will definitely want to explore nearby cities, such as ancient Nessebar, blooming Pomorie, bustling Burgas, colorful Sozopol. This can be done by bus, but then the trip will have to be stretched over several days, and it will also be hot, because rarely any bus has air conditioning.
All these problems are solved by renting a car, which in Bulgaria sometimes costs like two menus at McDonalds. For example, a comfortable Ford Fiesta will cost about 60-70 euros for three days, and the longer you use it, the cheaper it will cost.
How to get to Sunny Beach from Burgas and how much it costs
The nearest airport is in Burgas, 35 km from Sunny Beach . Read more about the airport on the Burgas airport page.
A direct flight from Kyiv to Burgas in the summer costs about 180 euros.
If you want to find a cheaper ticket, you should look for it several months before your trip. Also, prices usually drop in September.
By bus
The cheapest way to get from Burgas to Sunny Beach is by bus. Buses depart from the South Railway Station of Burgas (address: Avtogara Pivden, Tsaritsa Yoanna Square, Burgas). The fare is 6 levs (3 euros). Tickets can be bought at the ticket office of the bus station. The bus runs from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m
By transfer
A comfortable transfer from Burgas airport to Sunny Beach will cost approximately 35 euros. The driver will meet you at the airport, help with luggage and deliver to any address.
How to get to Sunny Beach from Varna and how much it costs
You can often find inexpensive tickets to Varna on sale, if you find them – take them. A Kyiv-Varna ticket will cost 130-150 euros. There are often discounts, especially if you look for tickets a few months before your trip, and then you can find tickets for as little as €70.
Varna airport is located 110 km from Sunny Beach and you can cover this distance by bus or transfer.
On the transfer
If you are traveling with a group of several people or have heavy luggage, it will be more convenient to order a transfer. A Kiwitaxi driver will meet you at the airport with a name plate, help you with your luggage and take you anywhere in Sunny Beach for a fixed amount of 75 euros (depending on the car class). You can choose a car and order a transfer on the official website of the service.
By bus
You can get from Varna to Sunny Beach by regular bus. Buses depart from the Varna bus station (address: 158 Vl. Varnenchyka Blvd., Varna). Travel time is 2 hours. The fare is 12 levs (6 euros).