Golden Sands is the largest resort on the Bulgarian northern Black Sea coast. You can easily reach Golden Sands by car from Varna or by bus. The resort is located 18 kilometers northeast of Varna and 488 kilometers east of Sofia. It reaches the village of Kranevo to the north and the resorts of the Chaika complex to the south. Golden Sands is served by Varna Airport. The route runs along the coastline and provides very good sea views.
A large number of different types of mineral waters combined with a favorable climate, warm sea, beautiful beaches, beautiful landscapes and centuries-old trees makes Golden Sands a great place for relaxation and entertainment. The resort also offers affordable prices. Golden Sands is visited by thousands of tourists from Germany, Great Britain, Russia, Ukraine, Scandinavia, France, Central and Eastern Europe, Israel, and so on. The beach, which is covered with fine golden sand, is 3.5 km long and up to 100 meters wide. The construction of the first hotels began in 1958 and soon the resort was transformed into a modern recreation complex. Currently, there are many hotels and villas in Golden Sands, with a capacity of over 30,000 places. Most of them have swimming pools, fitness centers, mineral water health facilities and a currency exchange desk. They also offer car rental in Golden Sands.
The water from the mineral springs in the resort has very good healing properties. Several spa centers are being built in the resort to take advantage of this. They offer more than 100 medical procedures in combination with various healing and restorative programs. The specific climate, fresh air and sea water, rich in salts and microorganisms, as well as therapeutic mud, successfully treat arthritis, arthrosis, stress, neurosis, etc. There are also numerous restaurants in Golden Sands, which offer special dishes typical of Bulgarian and international cuisine.
The best time to relax in Golden Sands
The period of relaxation in Golden Sands, like the choice of the season itself, largely depends on the desires and preferences of the tourists themselves. Some come to Golden Sands even in winter to breathe the sea air or be treated with the mineral waters of this resort. After all, there are not only hotels here where tourists relax in the summer, but also sanatoriums that use the mineral waters of local springs for their procedures. And if we talk specifically about the beach season, then it is best to come here no earlier than mid-June, when the temperature of the sea water and the air become suitable for swimming. No, you can certainly sunbathe in May, but you definitely won’t be able to swim properly, since the sea will not be even twenty degrees warmer. If this doesn’t scare you, then you have a chance to save a lot on the cost of vacation packages, which will probably be cheaper than in the summer. And when traveling independently, you can find a pretty good accommodation option in terms of price. But of course, if you have children, there can be no question of a normal vacation during this period. Both the sea and the air will be too cool for children.
Since we’re talking about children, it’s best to come with them in the second half of July or August. Firstly, this is the period of the warmest sea water, which at the end of July reaches plus twenty-four degrees, and in August it can even rise to twenty-six degrees. But you should think about a trip at this time in advance, since this is the busiest period in terms of the number of tourists, and choosing a suitable hotel or other place to stay for your vacation can be quite difficult. It is best to take care of this in advance and make an early reservation. In this case, you will be guaranteed a place, and the price in this case will be more attractive and economical. You will not be hot, even in the warmest period of the year for this region.
And on average, the temperature is around thirty degrees. In general, there will be what is needed for children. We would like to note that even visiting the water park is much more pleasant when it is hot outside, especially since the water park is located very close.
With small children, it is better to come in early September, when the number of tourists begins to decrease. At this time, it is calmer and not as hectic as in the height of the season. Moreover, the first half of September is ideal for relaxation. During the day, it is twenty-seven degrees, and the sea is about twenty-three degrees. Of course, this is not what it is at Mediterranean resorts, where even now, at the end of November, the sea is plus twenty-two degrees, but still, for Bulgarian September these are quite decent temperatures.
We can talk about the end of the season with the end of September, when there are very few tourists, mainly those who came for sanatorium treatment. There are several places on the beach, or rather small puddles, where warm mineral water flows from the springs used in hotels and sanatoriums for procedures. Once, around mid-October, we were passing through Varna and decided to swim in the sea, right on Golden Sands. The sea was usually quite cool, but after swimming we were happy to warm up in one such puddle, the depth of which was no more than knee-deep, but the water was warm enough that afterwards we didn’t want to go out into the cold air. It looked something like this, only there was no veranda yet, apparently they improved it after the popularity of this place and decided to make swimming, or rather staying in this body of water, more comfortable, so that there was somewhere to leave clothes. Maybe now they even charge money to lie in the mineral water. There were no tourists on the beach at this time, except for us, thank God, because you might have thought that the crazy ones came to the beach in October to swim in the cold sea. But now there is something to remember.
So in general, the beach holiday season on Golden Sands lasts about three months, which you need to invest in to visit this resort, so there is no time to think for a long time. Think for yourself and decide what time of year for your vacation might suit you best. It remains only to wish you good weather and a pleasant vacation.
Which hotel is better to stay in Golden Sands?
Even those who have never been to Golden Sands and even to Bulgaria, have probably heard of this resort, since it is well known since Soviet times. Therefore, almost the entire first line consists of hotels built in the Soviet period, and now simply given a modern look. More modern, built away from the beach, where there was free land. But nevertheless, there are quite good hotels on the first line, where you can have a great rest and spend your vacation. We will tell you about a couple of them that may interest potential tourists who are going to relax in Golden Sands.
A good hotel is Hotel Morsko Oko Garden, which is located practically on the seashore. And the hotel’s pool itself is actually on the beach. By the way, sun loungers and umbrellas are provided free of charge. The hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis, so you don’t have to think about food, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the form of a buffet.
You can quench your thirst and eat ice cream in the hotel bars. The hotel also has a Petlite Beer House beer bar, where you can order drinks and play table tennis or darts. As for the rooms, they are quite spacious, with balconies and private bathrooms. In addition, the room has satellite TV, a refrigerator and, of course, air conditioning. The furnished rooms are also quite good. The Internet is free in public areas. If you need to exchange currency, you can do it at the hotel, since such a service is provided here. We can add that this hotel has good animation. As for holidays with children, a free bed is provided in the room for children under eleven years of age. Otherwise, it is worth noting that there are no special conditions for children here. So, if your emphasis is on children’s recreation, then I think that the second option, which we will also talk about below, will suit you better. We can also add to the above that hotel guests can visit one of the most popular disco clubs in the resort, PR, for free, and it is located in the city center. The hotel really looks good and modern. We think that you will definitely like and remember your vacation there.
And now information for those who are going to come with children and the main emphasis is on good conditions for family vacations. We will talk about this Marina Grand Beach Hotel. It belongs to the 5 * category and, like the previous one, works on the “all inclusive” system. It is already more adapted for children’s recreation, for which there is a children’s pool, playground, animation with various competitions and entertainment programs. As for the accommodation of children, for children under the age of four, two cots can be installed in the room, and for older children, up to twelve years old, one bed. Moreover, they are provided free of charge, which is also important for the budget allocated for rest. Among the hotel services there is a childcare service and a nanny, which certainly cannot but interest parents who want to spend some time without their children.
Among the main services provided by the hotel, we can mention car rental, food and beverage delivery to the room, currency exchange, by the way, there is also an ATM on the hotel premises, from which you can withdraw the required amount of cash at any time. This is very convenient, since sometimes cash may be urgently needed, and you have to look for an ATM on the streets of the resort. In the laundry and dry cleaning there is an opportunity to put your clothes and shoes in order. In addition, the hotel has a beauty salon and a hairdresser, where you can put yourself in order. Those who wish to improve their health can visit the wellness center and take a course of balneological procedures or massage sessions.
The hotel also has a sauna and a fitness center, which are always open to visitors. And let’s talk about the swimming pools for adults, of which there are two. One is open and one is closed, so in case of bad weather there is always a chance to use the pool. As for the accommodation of pets, I have to disappoint their owners, since they are prohibited on the territory of the hotel, as, by the way, and the one mentioned earlier.
Perhaps one drawback of this hotel is that it is not located on the beach itself, but a few dozen meters from it, in a beautiful park. But this does not diminish its advantages. I think that this fact will not greatly overshadow the hotel guests, since, as we said, the beach is very close.
There are of course a large number of equally good hotels in this resort, perhaps even more good and suitable ones, so before going on vacation, you should look at all the proposed options and especially read the reviews of tourists, which will be better than any advertising brochures and descriptions.
If you have children, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the services provided by the hotel, since not everyone can be suitable for such a vacation. Some do not have conditions, such as children’s pools or playgrounds, someone does not have a babysitting service or the menu is not quite suitable, and this is one of the factors of a full-fledged vacation, since no one wants to have an additional headache at the resort on one issue or another. Some are inclined to resort treatment, since these places have mineral springs, the waters of which are used in balneology, for the treatment of various diseases. In general, there can be quite a lot of options and the choice is very diverse, which depends only on you.
Golden Sands: entertainment on vacation
Golden Sands is considered the largest resort complex on the northern Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. This resort is located 25 km from Varna. The name of the city is very easy to associate with a luxurious beach 100 m wide and 3.5 km long. This is an excellent city for recreation and health improvement. The resort is young, it began to be built in the middle of the last century, on the territory of a nature reserve with luxurious landscapes.
Today, Golden Sands has many hotels, restaurants, cafes and entertainment centers. Today, 30,000 people can relax in Sands at the same time, and at the same time, with all the amenities. Since the town is young, there are almost no historical monuments here.
And still, there is definitely something to do here.
- sunbathe on the city beaches
Everything is clear here! Luxurious, clean, equipped beaches, where it is so great to lie down from May to October.
play in the casino.
There are two casinos here.
1) Astera Hotel & Casino Casino 4 *
The hotel has been operating for a little less than 10 years and is already quite popular. It is located 50 meters from the sea. Stylish and modern hotel.
2) Grand Hotel & Casino International 5 *
Five stars – there are five stars. Guests are offered 24 gaming tables with modern gaming equipment. Plus a karaoke bar and a billiard room.
- dance in nightclubs and sit in bars
For example, «Pr. Club »or simply« PR». The club has been operating since 2005. Excellent design, soft chairs and sofas, a dance floor. There is not always enough seating, but no one cares. Bulgarian DJs perform in the club, as well as DJs from other countries. The club usually works from 10 pm to 5 am every day, without days off.
Club «Roxy» is located in the very center of the resort at Hotel «Helios». This club is very popular among the guests of the resort, maybe even the most popular club. There are quite loud and fun parties here. The club works until the morning, closes at 4 o’clock, not earlier. The music is very diverse, R’N’B, pop music, melodies of the 80-90s. Plus a good selection of drinks. Prices are the same as everywhere, 7-10 leva.
- -go to Aquapolis Amusement Park
An amusement park with swimming pools, fountains, artificial waterfalls, interesting buildings in the Moorish style – in general, the park is very beautiful. The park is located on an area of 40,000 square meters. Ride the Niagara slide, and at a speed of 50 km / h, or the Kamikaze, Wild River (though not very wild), Black Hole, and so on. You can also simply rent sun loungers and umbrellas for 5 leva per day. For the little ones, there is a shallow pool and simple slides. Various contests, competitions, lotteries and games are also organized for children. Up to 3,000 people can fit in the water park at the same time, so you can imagine the size of the structure. Safes cost 4 leva (large) and small ones for 2 leva per day. There is a cafe in the water park, and if you don’t like it there, you can just go outside the territory and have lunch in a cafe cheaper. A day in the water park costs 33 leva for adults and 16 leva for children. If you come to the water park after 4:00 p.m., the ticket will cost 24 and 12 leva, respectively. Children under 90 centimeters tall always enter for free. The water park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but the schedule changes in summer and winter. By the way, don’t even think about bringing food or drinks with you – everything will be taken away at the entrance, for sure. A good place for a family vacation!
- visit Golden Sands Nature Park
This is a protected area of 13 square kilometers, which preserves unique species of fauna and flora. This is the smallest natural park in the country. The park was established in 1943 in an ordinary forest, improved, and planted. Well, actually, a resort was built around and on the territory of the park. The highest point of the park is 269 meters. Five tourist routes run through the park. The “orange”, “blue” and “yellow” routes are for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes. These routes are short, they can be walked at a leisurely pace in an hour or a half. «Зелений» маршрут можна пройти за дві з половиною години, «червоний» – більше чотирьох годин, – тоді ви помилуєтеся і красою природи, і історичними пам’ятниками. Не заблукаєте точно. Крім того, на території парку кілька спеціальних майданчиків для відпочинку і пікніків. Можна навіть орендувати обладнання для барбекю – це взагалі межа мрій, посмажити шашличків на такій красі. До речі, в парку ростуть 150 видів лікарських рослин, у водоймах величезне число водоростей, тут живуть десятки видів тварин, птахів, плазунів. Озбройтеся фотоапаратом, щоб зловити пару вдалих кадрів. Так само для прогулянки по парку можна взяти екскурсію, правда, швидше за все, тільки на англійській мові (тур для 5-10 чоловік коштує 20лв, 10-20 осіб – 40лв, запитаєте на ресепшне свого готелю).
Так само під час свого туру по пару відвідайте унікальний скельний монастир Аладжа (побудований то чи в 10, чи то в 13-14 століттях). Дуже цікаве місце, з висіченими у вапняку коридорами і наскельними фресками. Все налаштоване для перегляду, підвішені сходи з перилами і дерев’яні коридори. Якщо є можливість, залишіться тут до вечора. Тоді ви зможете подивитися вечірній візуальний спектакль “Легенди Аладжа монастиря”, коли на 40-метрову скелю проектують історичні епізоди з музичним фоном. У 600 метрах від монастиря розташовані катакомби, споруди, що відносяться до ранньохристиянської епохи, місця, де ховали ченців. Коротше, місце дуже загадкове.
Ну ось якось так. Тиждень в Золотих Пісках – гарна засмага + море враженнь!
Кухня в Золотих Пісках
На кожному кроці зазивають відвідати кафе, ресторан або пивний бар з безліччю різноманітних страв як місцевої кухні, так і кухні інших країн. А хто відмовиться від такої спокуси і не спробує чудові болгарські страви і прекрасне вино? Кафе і ресторани тут представлені на різні теми. То це морський ресторанчик з великим вибором морських страв, то раптом українське кафе, дуже цікаво оформлене, з борщем і горілкою. А можна зійти і на старовинний корабель, де вас приємно здивують прекрасним меню, приготованим з тільки що пійманого улову.
Годують тут дуже смачно і багато. Вихід стандартного страви – салату, м’яса, риби – не менше 300 грам. При тому, що ціна така ж як у нас за блюдо того ж найменування, але з вагою в два рази менше. Найнародніше блюдо – Шопський салат – крупно рубані помідори, огірки, перець і бринза. Без нього у болгарина не обходиться жодна трапеза. Та й ми, оцінивши смак і розміри порцій шопського салату, поглинали його кожен день. У приморських кафе завжди багато риби. Будете в Золотих пісках – спробуйте смажених бичків (по-болгарськи – «попчіт»), ставриду, скумбрію або акулу-катрана. До пива (по-болгарськи «біра») завжди береться дрібна смажена підсолена кілька – по місцевому «цяця». Немов насіння, клацають цю рибку під пиво добродушні болгари. Туристи, спробувавши один раз цю закуску, миттєво стають її прихильником. Дивно, чому у нас ніхто не смажить і не продає під пиво звичайну кільку? Цікавий холодний суп «таратор» – кисле молоко, змішане зі свіжими огірками. Спочатку страшно їсти таку суміш, але поступово звикаєш.
Шопінг в Золотих Пісках
По всьому узбережжю курорту розташовано безліч магазинчиків, лавок і павільйонів. Пропонується великий вибір молодіжного одягу, пляжних аксесуарів, атрибутика спортивних клубів, кросівки. Біля готелю «Адмірал» розташований міні-ринок, тут найбільше розмаїття сувенірів. Традиційні болгарські сувеніри – вишитий одяг і блузки, льон, килимки, мед, духи, гончарні вироби, шкіри, срібло ручної роботи, вироби з міді та заліза, раковини різних кольорів. Але якщо Ви хочете зробити більш якісні покупки, то краще відвідати в Варні елітні магазини, розташовані уздовж центральної вулиці.
У підсумку можна сміливо сказати, що якщо ви хочете відпочити сім’єю, та ще з маленькими дітьми, то, звичайно, вирушайте на курорт Золоті Піски – не пошкодуєте. Великий вибір готелів, розташованих на самому березі, безліч різноманітних розваг і прекрасна дружелюбна гостинність болгарського народу залишать на довгу пам’ять тільки позитивні емоції.
Як дістатися до Золотих Пісків
Самим бюджетним способом дістатися до Золотих Пісків з Варни є автобус №109. Всього за 30 хвилин і 2 лева (1 євро) він відвезе вас на міський автовокзал.
Ви також можете взяти трансфер, це зручно якщо у вас, наприклад, важкий багаж. Поїздка з Варни в Золоті Піски буде коштувати 25 євро. Вибрати автомобіль і замовити трансфер можна на офіційному сайті сервісу Kiwitaxi.
Якщо ви подорожуєте компанією з кількох людей або у вас важкий багаж, буде зручно скористатися трансфером, який можна замовити заздалегідь. Всього за 25 євро водій зустріне вас в аеропорту з іменною табличкою, допоможе з багажем і відвезе в будь-яку точку Золотих Пісків.
Транспорт
З громадського транспорту на курорті представлені автобуси. Автобуси маршрутів 9, 89 і 109 з’єднують курорт з вокзалом Варни, автобус 409 з’єднує з аеропортом Варни через центр міста, автобуси 209 і 309 з’єднують з іншими районами Варни. Також можна скористатися послугами таксі.
