Sun, Sea and Sand

Much of Bulgaria’s appeal as a tourist destination rests upon the coastal region, with it beautiful white-sand beaches, unspoiled nature and large stretches of protected coastline. The Black Sea coast combines perfect sandy beaches with clear, warm water, mountain slopes sweeping steeply into the sea and thick forests offering cool shade during the hot summers. Facing east, it extends for over 378km, dotted with fishing villages and resorts on extensive beaches covered with fine golden sands, the majority of which have been awarded the EU Blue Flag for their environmental cleanliness.

Temperatures in summer fluctuate between 23ºC and 30ºC, with water temperatures of between 17ºC and 25ºC. There are more than 240 hours of sunshine in May and September, and more than 300 in July and August. Given this combination of factors, it isn’t hard to explain why this region is becoming the preferred spot for more and more tourists, yet few know that the Black sea coast is also one of the best spa areas in Europe, where the sea, mineral baths, hot springs and curative mud add to the possibilities of your holiday enjoyment. Visitors have a large selection of activities to choose from, including yachting, diving, windsurfing, water skiing, snorkelling, underwater fishing and many other sports and aquatic pursuits.

To the south, the coast becomes flatter and wilder, with the thick forests of the Strandza Mountains contrasting breathtakingly with numerous cosy beaches extending between the jutting rocks of the mountain. Settlements here are characteristically small and picturesque.

To the north, the coast is steeper, though more developed in terms o tourism facilities, while the views down to the sea are unforgettable. The region also contains the main tourist destinations for foreign visitors, such as Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, the letter being the largest resort with the longest and widest strip of beach. Its hotels look out over the sea among dunes and it is known as the sunniest resort in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Black Sea coast has been inhabited since time immemorial, with earliest records dating back to the 5th century BC. Situated in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera and stretching along a beautiful semicircular bay facing eastwards, this region is protected from northern climes by the descending ridges of the Balkan Range, thus blending sea and mountain in perfect harmony. Further south is a small peninsula on which the ancient town of Nessebar is located, an architectural and historical monument of Bulgarian culture.

Today, the narrow peninsula of Nessebar is one of Bulgaria’ most delightful tourist sports, as the tiny town attracts nearly a million visitors a year to its narrow cobblestone streets, which wind among quaint 19th century wooden houses, their tiny courtyards filled with fig trees and vine trellises.

The popularity of the Bulgarian coast and sea resorts has grown rapidly in recent years, following the fall of communism and the opening of borders to foreign tourists. The tourism industry has since developed into one of the main drivers of the national economy, with year-on-year double-digit growth rates in the number of tourists visiting. Bulgaria offers a budget alternative to more expensive European resorts, while quality of service does not fall behind Western European standards in the high-class resorts. With natural beauty and a fascinating culture, coupled with surprising quality and value for money, Bulgaria has much to offer.