Where are the best resorts in Bulgaria. The best resorts in Bulgaria

I have already mentioned that we have traveled around Bulgaria several times. A country that is comfortable for relaxation, plus quite inexpensive. In this article I want to briefly describe the resorts of the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and express my opinion on where it is better to relax in Bulgaria if you suddenly have a desire to visit this country.

We ourselves constantly vacation in the village of St. Vlas. This is a very comfortable and picturesque resort, located near Sunny Beach and Burgas.

Central beach of St. Vlas after a thunderstorm

I constantly update the information on my website. Not long ago I published new review articles dedicated to Saint Vlas:

I also like Nessebar. A large number of beaches. There is an old town preserved from the times of the Roman Empire. Small city park and quiet streets.

Evening view of old Nessebar

For lovers of parties and noisy entertainment, 2-3 km away is the most party resort in Bulgaria - Sunny Beach.

For convenience, at the end of the page, I have collected all my verbal statements in a kind of summary table, but first I will describe the selection criteria a little.

Resorts on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria

Conceptually, the Bulgarian coast is divided into the following zones:

Northern: Albena, Varna, Golden Sands
Between Varna and Burgas: Obzor, Byala
Central: Burgas, Sunny Beach, Saint Vlas, Pomorie, Ravda, Sozopol
South: Primorsko, Kiten, Lozenets, Tsarevo

Weather at the resorts of Bulgaria

Considering that the coastline of Bulgaria is just over 200 km, the weather at the resorts is not much different from each other. However, according to my observations, on average there are slightly more rainy days on the northern coast than in the center and south.
The swimming season in Bulgaria begins around mid-June. By this time, the sea has time to warm up to 22-23 degrees Celsius and ends in early October. For comparison, I am adding a picture of the weather archive for Burgas and Varna for August 2015.

Tourist flow and congestion of resorts

The issue is quite controversial, and depends not entirely on the region, but rather on the specific city (village). For example, in Sunny Beach at any time in the summer there will be orders of magnitude more people than in neighboring Sveti Vlas.
In general, the smallest number of tourists in Bulgaria vacation on the southern coast of the Black Sea, and the largest number in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bSunny Beach and Golden Sands.

The picturesque coastline and cities (villages) of Bulgaria

I really like the Bulgarian resorts that are located at the foot of the mountains. These include Albena, Balchik, St. Vlas.
The southern coast is also quite picturesque, there is more wild nature, but getting there is also less convenient.

Infrastructure and transport accessibility

There are only two international airports on the Bulgarian coast and they are located in Varna and Burgas. Therefore, it is easiest and most convenient to choose your vacation in the proximity of these two cities. By the way, in the cities themselves there are beaches where you can swim, but still I would not recommend living in the city. It seems to me that in the suburbs and small towns the water is still cleaner and the sand is better. In large cities, all sorts of barges and other large industrial vessels often moor nearby at the port. Therefore, the purity of water and sand is not the best. My next illustration for the article is direct proof.

Dirty sand on the empty central beach of Burgas

Not long ago, a review article about . You can save a lot on tickets. The average price for a round trip flight is usually around 17,000 - 19,000 rubles. In my article, I show with examples how you can fly to Bulgaria and return back for 10,000 - 11,000 rubles.

In terms of infrastructure, again the big cities are ahead, Varna, Burgas, then the resorts of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. For other villages everything is individual. For example, in St. Vlas there are quite a lot of cafes, shops, there is even a hypermarket, but in Obzor or Lozenets there are 2-3 times fewer of them, and this probably applies to the entire southern coast.

Central square of St. Vlas

Cost of holiday

The more popular the resort, the higher the cost of the holiday. This is logical! However, Bulgaria is basically a cheap country. For example, the average bill in a cafe in Sunny Beach will differ by a maximum of 10-15% from a similar order in a cafe in Burgas. So it seems to me that cost is far from the main criterion for choosing a holiday destination in Bulgaria.

Where is the best place to relax in Bulgaria: conclusions

The results of the competition participants turned out to be quite even 🙂 This is understandable, because Some selection criteria were completely opposite. For example, if you want to spend your holiday far from civilization and with a minimum number of tourists, then it is better to go to the southern coast of Bulgaria. If you need good infrastructure, entertainment centers, etc., then it is better to choose a place near Varna or Burgas. The rest is details... I would personally note that, in my opinion, you should not choose the resorts of Obzor and Byala for your vacation, as well as the too poppy Sunny Beach, unless, of course, the purpose of your vacation is constant parties from morning to night.

Hospitable Bulgaria offers tourists the best beaches of “their” Black Sea, great holidays with children and budget ski tours. Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, Bansko, Borovets and health resorts - all about Bulgaria from the subtleties of tourism: hotels, weather, map, tours and visa.

• Last minute tours to Bulgaria

Bulgaria and tourists from Russia have a long-standing, pre-perestroika friendship. And, I must say, the reasons for its occurrence - beautiful nature, an extensive “excursion”, warm sea and the hospitality of the local residents - are still evident. At the same time, many hotels today have been refreshed after renovation, the service has improved and, of course, prices for tours have increased. But still not so much that the country has become an expensive destination, inaccessible to the “mass tourist”. So, for a relatively inexpensive family vacation, especially with children, and equally inexpensive and high-quality treatment, many travelers now go to Bulgaria. Winter Bulgaria is quite suitable for beginner skiers without excessive demands, as well as youth groups and families with children.

The import of foreign currency is unlimited; amounts above 10,000 EUR, including traveler's checks and bills of exchange, will have to be declared. To export foreign currency in an amount above 30,000 BGN, you need to obtain a special certificate confirming the absence of debts in the country, as well as a certificate of cash declaration. The import and export of national currency is prohibited. The remaining levs can be exchanged before leaving the country; to do this, you must present a certificate of the original exchange from the exchange office. It makes sense to declare personal jewelry and expensive electronics.

When crossing the border at the airport, duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos or 250 g of tobacco is allowed; in other cases, the limits are reduced by 5 times. You can bring 1 liter of strong alcohol, 2 liters of drinks with a strength of up to 22%, 4 liters of wine or 16 liters of beer. These permits only apply to travelers over 17 years of age. Please note that on the way back, Russian customs will not allow more than 3 liters of alcoholic beverages, including beer, to pass without duty. With the duty, the limit can be increased by only 2 liters. When flying or arriving in Bulgaria by sea, you are allowed to import coffee, perfume, tea, toys, electronics and other non-prohibited goods in the amount of up to 430 EUR, and when crossing the border by land - up to 300 EUR.

When traveling by car, customs will only approve fuel in the tank and an additional 10 liter canister.

The import of meat and milk products is prohibited, except for baby food. Without special permission, you cannot import or export objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value. Naturally, no drugs, weapons, poisons, psychotropic drugs and other universally prohibited things.

Tax free

Returning Tax free in Bulgaria is a story entangled in many rumors and ambiguities. What we have in reality: there are quite a lot of stores operating in the system, you can find them both in large cities and in small ones. The minimum receipt from such a retail outlet must be in the amount of at least 300 BGN, and the cost of one product must be from 50 BGN. Carefully check the data in the form filled out by the seller - from the name and address outside the EU to a detailed list of purchases, do not forget to save the cash register and Tax free receipt.

Money will not be returned for alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, liquid fuel and goods not subject to VAT.

Do not open the packaging and do not put your purchases in your luggage; Bulgarian customs officers will ask you to show the purchased item. That is, you can try out a new camera or show off in a fashionable sheepskin coat only after going through all the procedures and receiving money. VAT in the country is 20%, but after the voluntary-forced withdrawal of bank commissions and the not-so-clean currency exchange rate at airports, you will be left with about 12-13%.

There are Tax refund points at the airports of Sofia, Burgas and Varna. If you are leaving by another route, you can send all documents with customs stamps to the E&S Tax Services office in Sofia, leave a package of documents in a special mailbox on the Bulgarian border with non-EU countries, try to return the money in Russia through a tax free bank, or contact with documents to the store, returning to Bulgaria within 6 months from the date of purchase.

How to get there

Bulgaria welcomes tourists at 4 international airports - in Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv and Varna, you can also get there by train, by sea or Danube, by bus or by your own car.

Aeroflot and Bulgaria Air regularly fly from Moscow to Sofia; travel time is about 3 hours. In the low season, you will have to get to other cities with transfers through Istanbul or Athens; during the summer navigation period, direct flights and charters to Bulgaria are launched from several airlines at once, not only from the capitals, but also from a number of Russian cities.

In the summer, travel agencies launch bus services to Bulgaria; the journey from Moscow takes about 48 hours; most likely, there will be no time for walking through transit settlements. Ticket price - from 200 EUR. Also, large Bulgarian cities are connected by bus routes with all of Europe.

The shortest route with your own car is through Ukraine, which at the moment is perhaps not the best option. The other route is 400-500 km longer, it goes through Belarus and practically repeats the railway journey. The total length of the road between Moscow and Sofia is about 2600 km.

Unfortunately, you can’t get there by sea from the Russian coast yet. If you really want to take a boat, you will have to go through Ukraine, Romania or Turkey, or buy a tour along the Danube in one of the European countries.

Search for flights to Bulgaria

Transport

Domestic air traffic is poorly developed and connects the capital with only a couple of airports. A direct flight from Sofia to Varna will take about an hour. But everything is fine with the BJ railway network. It takes 4 hours to travel by train from Sofia to Plovdiv, a full ticket costs 9.5-11.8 BGN. It takes about 8 hours to get from the capital to Burgas, tickets cost 21.5-26.8 BGN for 2nd and 1st class, respectively. Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

It is also convenient to travel around the country by buses: they regularly run between all more or less large cities. Buses are municipal (cheaper and simpler) and private (more expensive and with a certain degree of comfort). The price of a bus trip depends on the level of comfort; on average, traveling between cities over a distance of 50-70 km will cost 5-8 BGN. An additional bonus for dear Russians: the schedule and directions are written in Cyrillic.

When traveling by taxi, you need to be careful: in the country there are a large number of private operators masquerading as taxi drivers, so to speak, who do not guarantee the safety of tourists. It is best to order a car by phone.

Urban transport

In the country's cities there are buses, trolleybuses and minibuses, and in Sofia the main mode of transport is trams and the metro. A single bus ride costs about 0.60–1.0 BGN; such a ticket can be purchased from the driver. The cost of a single pass ranges from 2 BGN per day, a weekly pass costs about 9 BGN, and a monthly pass costs 37 BGN. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks or from the driver. Travel by minibus may be a little more expensive.

Taxis in Bulgaria are yellow with traditional “checkered” signs; a price list with prices must be attached to the side window; often you can even get a receipt from the driver. Walk past the cars and try to calculate the average cost of a trip in your area, filtering out completely indecently expensive offers. When landing, look at the counter; sometimes extraneous numbers are “accidentally” found there. On average, for a 1 km taxi ride they ask for 0.70–0.90 BGN during the day and 0.90–1.10 BGN at night, plus the “initial tax” - the landing price. In resort areas, airports and train stations, prices are higher - up to 3 BGN per km; negotiating skills will come in handy here.

Hotels at ski resorts provide their guests with a shuttle service to the ski lift station. Depending on the level of the hotel, it will either be free or cost 1.50–2 BGN per person one way.

To travel around the country independently, you need to purchase a special sticker on the windshield of your car - a vignette, which gives permission to travel on most Bulgarian roads. Tourist vignettes cost from 15 BGN per week to 30 BGN per month. Driving without such a sticker is fraught with fines. Pay attention to parking signs in cities. Often on weekdays an hour of parking will cost 1-2 BGN, and on weekends you can leave your car here for free. Bribes to police officers are strictly prohibited.

Car rental in Bulgaria

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Varna: st. Macedonia, 53; tel.: 602-718; Web site .

Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Ruse: st. Nis, 1; tel.: 822-252

Ambulance: 150, Fire: 160, Police: 166, Road Assistance: 146

Information desk: 144, weather forecast service: 175, time service: 180.

Bulgarian language

Many Bulgarian words, even though they sound completely “Russian,” can actually mean something completely unexpected. For example, in a hotel restaurant, a hungry tourist may well be offered “eggs for the eyes” early in the morning (that is, fried eggs), and for lunch they may recommend the mouth-watering “chushka burek” (nothing more than stuffed peppers). At the same time, they may react unexpectedly to an innocent request for a roll for tea: “bun” in Bulgarian means bride. Well, if one of the Bulgarians notices to a lady that she looks simply “scary” today, it’s time for the insolent person to respond... with a return compliment. After all, “terrifying” means “great”!

Many Bulgarian words, even though they sound completely “Russian,” can actually mean something completely unexpected, and what we call an affirmative nod means “no,” and vice versa.

Typical Bulgaria

Beaches of Bulgaria

In the main Bulgarian resorts, the beaches are sandy, public and free. This often explains their increased “dense population”, especially on weekends near large cities. Umbrellas and sun loungers - for money: the cost of a sun lounger is from 6 BGN, an umbrella from 4 BGN. Most Bulgarian beaches can boast of the Blue Flag of the European Union - a sign of environmental cleanliness. On the beaches you can play volleyball or tennis, rent a velomobile, and ride horses.

Young people hungry for parties, adventure and nightlife should pay attention to the beaches of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands - there are all the conditions for the most active holiday. At the same time, 10 km of wide beaches of Sunny Beach are suitable for parents with children, the entrance to the water in the bay is gentle, the resort infrastructure is built almost on the same level with the sea, and there is plenty of entertainment for children. But in Golden Sands it can be difficult with a child due to the peculiarities of the local mountainous landscape, and the entrance to the sea is not so soft.

For those for whom comfort and peace on vacation are more important than noisy entertainment, there is a direct road to the beaches of such resorts as Ahtopol, Kiten, Obzor, Tsarevo and Sozopol. Tsarevo and Ahtopol have not yet been taken over by mass development, the towns themselves are small, prices are low, the beaches are clean and beautiful, and most importantly, empty. Sozopol will allow you to combine a beach holiday and an acquaintance with local architecture - the old part of the city is a continuous historical monument under the protection of UNESCO. Kiten and Obzor are good for families with children and budget trips. And Obzor also has the warmest sea.

Skiing

Treatment in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is not only fun, bright, tasty, but also healthy! The country is rightfully proud of its health resorts, built next to hundreds of life-giving springs of thermal and mineral waters, sources of healing mud that can put even a seriously ill person back on their feet. An important advantage of Bulgarian sanatoriums over similar establishments in other EU countries is more affordable prices and a mild climate. In addition, most of the hospitals are located nearby in forested mountains or near the sea, which provides additional therapy with fresh and clean air.

In the mountainous suburb of Sofia, on the banks of the mountain river Kakach, the entire resort town of Bankya, famous for the prestigious sanatorium of the UN Health Organization, was built.

Mineral waters in different parts of the country help get rid of various ailments. For example, waters rich in iodine and bromine are produced along the entire coast. The siliceous springs in Kyustendil and Hissar are recommended for diseases of the skin, digestive tract and hypertension. The same springs come to the surface in the balneological capital of the country, Velingrad, and the homeland of Spartak Sandanski; fluoride waters, beneficial for the stomach and endocrine system, are also produced in these towns.

No less popular is mud therapy, which helps improve the condition of people with problems of the musculoskeletal system, skin, cardiovascular, nervous systems and many other diseases. In total, in Bulgaria there are half a dozen estuary lakes and lagoons that provide healing mud. The most famous resort and source of mud for peloid therapy is located on the shores of the Black Sea - the health-restoring capabilities of Pomorie were known back in the days of Ancient Rome. Now mud is extracted here for many sanatoriums and for the production of cosmetics, which are worth buying and taking home with you as a truly useful souvenir from your vacation.

Pilgrimage

Orthodox Bulgaria is an important point on the map for pilgrimage and getting to know the Christian world of the Slavs. Many shrines and temples of this small country have survived to this day in excellent condition, and getting to know them will bring a lot of pleasure to a caring person.

You should start with a trip to the capital. Be sure to visit the not most pompous, but most important for Christianity, St. Sophia Cathedral - one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the world. Literally a stone's throw away is the grandiose temple-monument of St. Alexander Nevsky, a little further is the beautiful Russian Embassy Church, which houses the relics of St. Seraphim. After another 500 m you will find the ancient Rotunda of St. George, built in the 6th century, and the Cathedral of St. Nedelya. In general, there are so many iconic Christian places in Sofia that the entire trip can be devoted only to this city.

But not only the capital is famous for its monasteries and temples. In Varna, devote time to the majestic Assumption Cathedral - a symbol of Bulgarian independence. Then head north, where, next to Golden Sands, the Aladzha Monastery is carved into the rocks - the habitat of medieval hermit monks. In Burgas, visit the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius with its iconostasis decorated with exquisite wood carvings. A 30-minute drive from Plovdiv, surrounded by mountains and forests, lies the Bachkovo Monastery, which incorporates Byzantine, Bulgarian and Georgian culture.

The main shrine of Bulgaria is located completely away from busy roads and big cities, in the protected Rila Mountains. The Rila Monastery attracts believers with its magnificent frescoes, impressive medieval architecture, a unique museum, and, of course, the relics of John of Rila and one of the most important Bulgarian icons - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God “Hodegetria”.

What to bring

Delicious

All nations, to one degree or another, are proud of their “best” alcohol. In Bulgaria it is fruit vodka rakia. They make it from plums, peaches, pears, apples, apricots, cherries, grapes, and infuse it with herbs - tasting all the varieties would not be enough for any health or vacation. Less popular, but also worth attention, are anise mastic, mint and rose liqueurs. When purchasing alcohol, do not forget about customs limits. Bring Turkish delight as a gift for the whole family. It is not as sweet as Turkish, but very aromatic, tasty and inexpensive. Here we will also add nougat with nuts, confiture from rose petals and sweets from the Plovdiv confectionery factory.

Shops are open from Monday to Friday, Saturday is a “short day”. Many retail establishments are open seven days a week (at resorts often until 22:00). Grocery stores are often open 24 hours a day (as evidenced by the “Non-stop” sign). In the very first days, try to find a large supermarket where locals shop, this will allow you to seriously save on groceries and gifts.

Be sure to try “lukanka” - a local raw smoked sausage. This product is easy to transport, so you can safely take it home. And don’t forget about herbal teas for cold winter evenings and spices - fragrant and stimulating the appetite.

Traditional household

Bulgarian craftsmen are famous for their ceramics; a real housewife will appreciate baking pots, a high-quality teapot or chic painted plates. To complement the ceramics, take a bright traditional tablecloth and a set of kitchen towels with potholders in folk patterns. Coffee lovers should look for a copper pot.

Cuisine and restaurants

Bulgarian cuisine is distinguished by its special piquant taste, spicy seasonings, an abundance of vegetables and a passion for open fires and pottery. It is worth trying the famous stuffed peppers, “lyutenitsa” (spicy paste spread on bread), “kebab” (meat on a spit), “kebabche” (fried meat sausages), “guvech” (stewed meat with potatoes and vegetables), “ kavarma" (meat dish with mushrooms, onions and potatoes), Bulgarian soup "tarator" and "banitsa" - puff pastry pies with cottage cheese, pumpkin or feta cheese. Bulgarians are generally known for their passion for feta cheese - the traditional “Shopski” salad is another proof of this.

However, not just cheese: dairy products are generally highly respected in the country: “kiselo mlyako” (a drink similar to yogurt), “airan” - a salty mixture of yogurt and water, and even cold soup “tarator” (a terrible combination of yogurt and cucumbers for the uninitiated , garlic and nuts). We also recommend trying local cheeses - hard yellow “Kashkaval” and soft “Sirene” made from sheep’s milk.

Local wines are the perfect complement to a delicious lunch or dinner. Among the red wines one can distinguish “Pamid”, “Gymza” and “Melnik”, among white wines - “Khan Krum Traminer”, “Galatea” and “Kadarka”.

Of course, there are familiar cafes and restaurants in Bulgaria, but to properly get acquainted with the country’s cuisine, it would be a good idea to know the local names of catering outlets and their essence. "Mekhana" is a small family restaurant with traditional cuisine, often decorated to resemble a rural house - wood, brick, ceramics, old dishes, rural household items, tablecloths and plates in ornaments. “Mehana” is an ambience, a feeling of antiquity and a pleasant gastronomic attraction. The guest will be offered a menu with such an abundance of dishes that the choice will make your head spin. Often the menu explanations are duplicated in English, and Russian is not uncommon. But even without this, you can guess from familiar words and delicious pictures. The average bill in the resort area without drinks will be about 12–15 BGN. A glass of wine - 2–5 BGN, a glass of beer - 1.50–2 BGN. In less popular places the prices are lower.

Those with a sweet tooth are welcome at the “sweet shops” - that’s what local confectionery shops are called. Don't miss the opportunity to discover the world of Bulgarian desserts and soft drinks. A piece of cake or pastry costs on average 1–3 BGN, ice cream from 0.80 BGN, coffee 0.80–1.30 BGN, fresh juices and cocktails from 1.50 BGN.

Guides in Bulgaria

Entertainment and attractions in Bulgaria

Multifaceted Bulgaria is ready to surprise even the most avid traveler with its attractions - natural resources will reveal incredible beauty to you: mountains, lakes, vineyards and rose valleys, national parks and forests, architectural monuments will tell you about different eras - from the Byzantines and Romans to the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire, and the impressive temples and churches will not leave even a non-religious person indifferent.

Active entertainment

In addition to the warm Black Sea, lovers of water activities should appreciate the country's main water parks. Aqualand is located in the center of Bulgaria, on the outskirts of the Lauta Park in Plovdiv, a good option for those who have devoted their vacation to urban tourism. The rest are scattered along the coast: the relatively small Aqua planet in Primorsko, the very impressive Aqua Paradise in Nessebar and Action in Sunny Beach, surrounded by greenery Aquapolis in Golden Sands and Aquamania in the resort town of Albena. Water parks operate from late May to mid-September.

In Sofia there is an interesting extreme adventure park “Cocolandia” and the oldest zoo in Bulgaria, and in the vicinity of Varna there is the largest family theme park in the country, Happy Land.

Architectural monuments

Majestic monasteries and grandiose temples, Byzantine architecture, ruins of ancient Roman fortresses, Ottoman mosques - fans of contemplative historical tourism can only complain that the most interesting places are scattered throughout Bulgaria and they are not always located in cities. Of course, you can explore Sofia for a long time and with pleasure - visit the ancient Thracian fortress of Serdika, the main cathedral of Bulgaria and the Banya Bashi mosque - one of the oldest in Europe. And don’t forget to look around - this city is literally filled with antiquity. In Golden Sands, visit the Aladzha rock monastery, in Plovdiv - the ruins of a Roman theater, in the Rila Mountains - the Rila Monastery; Also interesting are the cave churches near Ivanovo, Thracian tombs in Sveshtari or Kazanlak, Roman baths in Varna and don’t forget about the city-museum of Nessebar and the place of military glory - Shipka Pass.

Natural monuments

A third of Bulgaria is covered with forests; the country has many beautiful mountains and lakes, united in natural and national parks. The largest of them are “Pirin” and “Rila”. Here, travelers will find eco-routes through protected areas, mineral and thermal springs, clean air, and high-quality ski slopes. In the Burgas Bay there is one of the few islands of the Black Sea - the island of St. Anastasia Ethnographic Museum Holidays and Events

07/03/2013, 120133 views.

Resorts in Bulgaria are very diverse and offer many varied holiday options. To understand where it is better to relax in Bulgaria, you need to consider several points:

1. Who are you traveling with? Some resorts are suitable for a family holiday with children, while others are suitable for a cheerful group of young people.
2. The preferred direction of recreation is beach, excursion or recreational. There are resorts in all of the listed areas in Bulgaria.
3. What month is the vacation planned for?
4. Budget for the trip. This point is put last, since almost any resort has different price offers. However, there are a number of resorts that generally have higher or lower prices than others.

Let's consider which resorts in Bulgaria are suitable for holidays with children and which for youth, where to go for excursions and where to go for medical procedures, which resort is better to choose in June, July, August, September, and where the prices are lowest.

Resorts for families with children

For a comfortable holiday with children, ideal cleanliness of water and sand, a smooth descent into the water without changes, a calm sea, and fine sand are important. For some, it is important to have animators, teachers, children's playgrounds where you can leave your child for a while, and various entertainment for children. If a child eats only home-cooked food, it is important to have apart-hotels at the resort where you can cook on your own. If the child is older and there are no problems with food, many parents prefer all inclusive.

Where is the best place to relax with a child in Bulgaria:

Albena. One of the most popular children's resorts in Bulgaria. The sea and beach are environmentally friendly, which is confirmed by the Blue Flag of the Environmental Education Foundation. There is a sandy beach here, the purest white-golden sand. There is a lot of entertainment for children in Albena: there is an amusement park for kids, an autodrome, a mini-railroad, and children's slot machines. There is a kindergarten and children's clubs. Older children will be interested in pedalos, go-karting, mini-golf, archery, and horse riding.

Elenite. This is a club complex with its own beach, so the prices here are a little higher. The complex operates on the All inclusive system. There are 2 children's clubs and equipped playgrounds on the territory.

Dunes. Calm and cozy place. It is located in the heart of the bay, so the sea here is very calm, with clear turquoise water. Prices are about the same as in Elenite.

Review . This is a small resort village. The beaches of Obzor are quite spacious even during peak season. There are sections of the beach with gentle shallows where it is convenient to swim with children. The beach is covered with fine golden sand. Prices in Obzor are generally 2-3 times lower than in large popular resorts.

Pomorie. There is a flat terrain and shallow sea, so Pomorie is suitable for a holiday with a small child. Prices in the city are low. You can also undergo medical procedures here.

Youth resorts

Clubs, discos, cafes, restaurants and other entertainment are abundant at the following resorts:

Golden Sands Life here never stops. In addition to clubs, bars, cafes, the resort has many opportunities for active recreation. Also throughout the tourist season, events are held: beauty contests, competitions, concerts of famous performers and much more.

Sunny Beach. The largest resort in Bulgaria - there are about 800 hotels. There are also more than 250 restaurants, many cafes, bars, casinos, and cinemas in the city. Concerts, fashion shows, and beauty contests take place here. If you are choosing where to relax in Bulgaria with a fun group, choose this resort - you won’t go wrong. Even the most experienced nightlife lovers will not get bored in Sunny Beach.

Excursion holidays

If, in addition to the sea and the beach, you want to see historical monuments, you should go to Sozopol or Nessebar. And also go on an excursion to Balchik.

Sozopol is the most ancient city on the territory of modern Bulgaria. It was founded in the 4th-3rd millennium BC. e. This is a small picturesque town with old houses. Sozopol is very loved by artists, writers and simply romantics.

Nessebar (Nessebar). The ruins of ancient towers and temples have been preserved on the territory of the city. There are also 7 beautiful ancient churches, each of which is an architectural monument and deserves special attention. By some estimates, it has the highest number of churches per capita in the world. The city is included in the UNESCO list of cultural monuments.

Balchik is interesting primarily for its Botanical Garden and the residence of Queen Mary. The garden contains about 200 tree species, many types of flowers - more than 3,000 exotic plants in total. The palace complex is a unique phenomenon: the park is an imitation of the Cretan labyrinth, and the church located here was originally located on the island of Crete and was moved to the park stone by stone. The Garden of Allah deserves special attention, where the Silver Well is located, alleys lined with millstones; African clay jugs from Morocco.

Where in Bulgaria can you relax and improve your health?

Bulgaria is famous for its balneological resorts, where you can heal, get in shape, and relieve stress and fatigue. Velingrad is considered one of the best climatic resorts in Bulgaria. It is located at an altitude of 750–850 m above sea level, surrounded by dense forest. There are more than 70 thermal water sources here.

Indications for treatment: diseases of the respiratory system, digestion, metabolism, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral nervous system, gynecological diseases.

Devin. Located at an altitude of 710 m above sea level.

Indications for treatment: diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, reproductive system and skin diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, liver and biliary tract diseases, renal-urological and metabolic-endocrine diseases, diseases of the respiratory system.

Hisar. Located at the foot of the mountain range, among gardens and parks. There are 22 mineral springs here. Water is colorless and odorless, with a pleasant taste.

Indications for treatment: diseases of the kidneys, bladder, urinary tract, chronic prostatitis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatobiliary system, metabolic disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, neurological diseases, gynecological diseases, vascular diseases, skin diseases, chronic stomatitis, upper respiratory tract diseases.

Sandanski. Located on the southern slopes of the Pirin mountain range (224 m above sea level), on the banks of the Sandanski Bistrica River. Local mineral waters are colorless and odorless and have a pleasant taste. Due to the absence of allergens, clean air and special climate, the resort is optimal for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases and bronchial asthma.

Indications for treatment: chronic nonspecific lung diseases in children and adults, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, skin allergic diseases, diseases of the urinary system, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and biliary tract, slowly healing bone fractures, obesity .

Stara Zagora. Located at an altitude of 360 m from sea level. In addition to mineral springs and a healing climate, the city is famous for a large park in which trees from different parts of the world grow.

Indications for treatment: diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, gynecological diseases, kidney diseases and urological diseases, respiratory diseases.

Where to relax inexpensively?

You can relax on a minimal budget in the resorts of Primorsko, Obzor and Pomorie.

Primorsko is a relatively new resort that has not yet gained much popularity. There is picturesque nature and clean air here, and there are more sunny days a year than in many other resorts. Since there are not many tourists here yet, prices are quite low.

Obzor is a small and cozy resort village. There are many Bulgarians and foreigners among vacationers here. There are many restaurants serving national cuisine, the prices of which are 2-3 times lower than in popular resorts.

Pomorie. The city has many small cozy hotels, family boarding houses and hospitals where you can inexpensively relax and improve your health.

How to choose a resort according to the season?

The beach season in Bulgaria lasts from June to the end of September. However, in the first half of June and in the second half of September the sea can be cold. Therefore, at the beginning and end of the season, it is better to choose the southernmost resorts - there the sea heats up faster and cools down longer. At the beginning of June, a good choice would be Nessebar, where the sea is quite shallow and warms up quickly. In September you can go to Duny, Sunny Beach, Primorsko. In July and August, the sea along the entire coast is already warm, and you can choose any resort.

There are two most popular resorts in Bulgaria. These are Golden Sands and Sunny Beach. They are located near the large coastal cities of Varna and Burgas. Each of them has an international airport, which makes it easier for tourists to get to the hotel. Therefore, the resorts of Golden Sands and Sunny Beach are quite crowded even out of season.

When choosing where to go, you shouldn’t grab at familiar names - Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Saint Vlas. Explore the Bulgarian coast, choose a small town and learn more about it. You definitely won't be disappointed.

Grocery prices and food in restaurants at popular resorts are more expensive than at less popular beaches. And the crowded coastline makes Sunny Beach and Golden Sands less and less attractive to tourists. During the season, it can be difficult to find a place, since almost all the beaches in Bulgaria are public, and even those who live in hotels have to rent sun loungers or sit directly on the sand on a mat.

But if someone loves this country with all their soul, there is no need to worry. On the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria there are dozens of small towns that have retained their flavor and delight vacationers with low prices, homemade fruits and vegetables, and almost deserted beaches.

Russians in Bulgaria need a visa. You can get it at the consulate in Moscow; entry with a valid Schengen visa is also allowed.

Less popular Bulgarian resorts - which one to choose

Small Bulgarian towns and villages on the Black Sea coast are attracting more and more tourists. Many people already know such places as Kranevo, Obzor, Albena, Kiten, Pomorie. There is a beautiful and clean Black Sea, excellent beaches, but there are no crowds of tourists. The entire infrastructure of the towns is adapted for vacationers. There are small family cafes where you can taste both traditional Bulgarian and European dishes, there are amusement parks with inflatable slides, trampolines, carousels, hypermarkets, fitness centers, chain hotels and mini-hotels.

You can relax there for very little money. A room with breakfast costs from twenty euros per night, depending on the month. It is cheapest in May/June, but at this time the sea is still quite cold. You can also rent apartments. Their price is from ten euros per day. But most often this is an option without a kitchen; it is suitable for those who are traveling for a short time and without small children.

Each of these resorts has its own peculiarity, in Obzor there are low Carpathian mountains that cover the city from the mainland, in Kranevo there is a bay in which the water is warmer than in the sea and there are no waves, etc. These towns and villages are very beautiful and your vacation in them can be better than in popular resorts.

Alina Pashinskaya

Bulgaria is famous for its various resorts. There are in the country like long promoted, so very young, but small picturesque villages are rapidly conquering their potential tourists. They also go to Bulgaria improve your health, relax both soul and body. The country's seaside resorts attract not only young, but also more mature holidaymakers who remember the hospitable, brotherly Bulgaria.

Nessebar is the oldest city in Europe

In the New part of Pomorie there is the monastery of St. George. We managed to visit not only the territory of the temple, but also its museum, which is located right there, completely free of charge (we still left a donation for the temple, but voluntarily!).

All sorts of festivals for tourists and city residents are often held on the territory of this cinema.

The large and expensive hotel complex is striking in its size (the photo shows only 1/20 of its size).

An interesting idea for decorating a restaurant on the coast of Pomorie.

The city has a lot of greenery and parks. In the hot summer heat this is especially valuable.

Burgas is one of largest cities Bulgaria

- quite attractive and inexpensive resort. There is a large seaport, international airport, railway and bus stations here.

Burgas has beautiful clean beaches, a large seaside park (about 7 km) with, an opera house and several museums. All this attracts many tourists to the city every year.

Despite the fact that the Internet actively promises cheap shopping in Burgas, in fact prices there is very much rather big, Truth good choice. The city itself, although large, is very beautiful.

On the main street of Burgas is the “navel of the city”.

If you don’t know where the opera house is located in the city, you might not even notice it. Outwardly, it looks more like an ordinary building.

Although Burgas is a port city, the coasts are clean and the water is quiet and calm.

In front of the monument to the Soviet soldier right on the main square of Burgas, in the morning you can “refresh yourself” in an unusual fountain.

One of the main attractions of the city is the Burgas seaside park.

Sunny Beach is the most expensive resort in Bulgaria

- one of most popular and famous tourist complexes of the country. A city of non-stop discos, built up with rows of countless hotels. Everything is expensive here. Prices in shops, restaurants, on beaches, by taxi - several times higher than in Pomorie. And at the same time the resort is literally packed with people. The beaches, although clean, can often be seen seaweed on the shore (and in the evening they are thrown back into the water).

The resort was awarded for the environmental benefits of water and sand Blue flag.

On Sunny Beach there is a bus station. In the city you can easily order many excursions.

If you stomp on these planks for a long, long time under the scorching sun, you can go to the beach of Sunny Beach.

The tourists who stayed in this hotel were luckier - they don’t have to go far to the beach.

Cheerful Duck copes well with his role - he invites vacationers to enjoy fast food.

There is a bridge across the busy Sunny Beach highway. In it you can walk up to the second floor or ride the elevator and cross a dangerous road.

A popular form of entertainment for vacationers on Sunny Beach is taking a souvenir photo with a huge live parrot.

Balchik - city-botanical garden

Balchik - inexpensive, but not a very beautiful resort. We wouldn't want to spend all 14 days here.

What makes Balchik popular is its fabulously beautiful summer residence of the Romanian queen in him. This is one of the main attractions of all of Bulgaria, especially its coastal region.

The city is located in the north of the country and is the third largest seaport. We've been looking for a long time bus station in Balchik, but it turned out that he not anymore. There is a regular bus stop next to the old and abandoned building. There is a bus schedule on it, which you can take to leave the city.

The main disadvantage, is that get there from Balchik directly to the same Nessebar or Burgas impossible. Necessarily need to change seats in Varna.

This is what the bus station in Balchik looks like now - a completely abandoned building.

Walking the streets of Balchik is not very pleasant. Old buildings surround you everywhere, and it’s hard to hide from the sun, as there is little greenery.

The Queen's residence looks much better from the outside than from the inside.

There is also an Ethnographic Museum in the city, but entrance to it is paid.

From the territory of the botanical garden you can clearly see the entire city of Balchik.

Golden Sands - a hot resort in Bulgaria

Golden Sands is one of the the biggest resorts of the country. Prices Here a little lower than on Sunny Beach, but the weather is usually very hot. The sun is simply incredibly hot, because the mountains do not allow fresh air to get through, so it is often stuffy here.

Great fit for young people and nightlife lovers. This resort will not let you get bored - music and fun do not stop around the clock. But there is one minus here - descent to the beach and entrance to the sea not so flat, like in Sunny Beach or Nessebar due to the mountainous terrain.

Varna - the cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria

Varna is also popular resort Bulgaria. This is a huge, lively city with a lot of parks, shops and squares. It’s impossible to say that everything here is very cheap, but the prices also can’t be called particularly high.

Varna is an important economic and cultural center with its own airport and well-established ferry service. This the biggest port city of Bulgaria.

Varna has large bus station, from which you can leave in any direction - both within Bulgaria itself and to other countries of the world.

Varna has many unusual and beautiful buildings, especially in the city center.

The Assumption Cathedral of Varna is very beautiful in the evening, when it is illuminated from below by many small lanterns.

The openwork Asparuhov Bridge is the longest bridge in Bulgaria, connecting the two parts of Varna.

Obzor - a young resort village

We were only passing through this town, but it seemed to us cute And inexpensive, even if a little boring. Obzor is developing rapidly and soon promises a luxurious holiday for any category of tourists.

Prices On him much lower than at popular resorts in the country. In the town there is a bus station.

Sea a little warmer than in neighboring Golden Sands. Great for holidays with children. In Obzor there is a children's camp with a water park and an amusement park.

There is a small bus station in Obzor.

Residential buildings and hotels in the village are small but cozy.

Life moves slowly on the streets of Obzor.

The information board stands next to the bus station and anyone can read useful information.

The village, as we noticed, has a lot of greenery, which is a definite plus on hot summer days.