The popular holiday resort of Sunny Beach on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast is the ideal holiday destination, offering eight kilometres of stunning sandy beaches and a wide selection of shops, bars and restaurants. It is the perfect place to spend a family holiday, with safe Blue Flag certified swimming and plenty of amenities to enjoy.
Best value destination in Europe
According to the 2021 Post Office Travel Money Holiday Costs Barometer, Sunny Beach offers the best value for money out of 46 worldwide destinations. They compared the price of eight items you normally buy on holiday including an evening meal, sun-cream and a cup of coffee and of course Sunny Beach was the best value, as all of the other resorts just couldn't match the exceptional value Bulgaria offers. This is the first year that Sunny Beach has won this award and it confirms that Bulgaria offers the best value for money holidays not only in Europe but across the world.
Things to see and do
The beach is the main attraction at Sunny Beach, especially for families, with the sand perfect for making sandcastles and no one can resist the inviting warm waters of this beautifull coastline. The curvature of the bay makes it sheltered, which means there are few big waves, providing the perfect conditions to maybe enjoy a pedalo or banana boat ride.
For the more energetic, there is the chance to take part in all manner of water-sports, from waterskiing and jetskiing to paragliding and scuba diving. Back on the shore, volleyball courts and a mini golf course provide more opportunities for fun-filled afternoons for the family.
When you have exhausted everything that the beach has to offer, visit one of the water parks in the area. There are large ones, such as Action Aquapark and Aqua Paradise, which have enough slides and pools to keep you entertained all day. There are also two smaller ones - the Kuban Aqua Park and Pirates of the Caribbean Mini Aqua Park - that are more suited to younger children.
Just five kilometers from Sunny Beach is the ancient town of Nessebar, which makes for a wonderful daytrip. Spend some time wandering around what is essentially a living museum, taking in 3,000 years of history and culture. You will be instantly charmed by the cobbled streets and picturesque gabled houses.
Nightlife
At the end of a long relaxing day, there is plenty to do when the sun goes down. Enjoying the nightlife in Sunny Beach is one of the pleasures of this resort and it is very easy to get around and explore the many facilities it has to offer. See local listings about what is going on during your stay or simply take stroll and see what takes your fancy.
You can enjoy a quiet drink in a chilled out bar, dance the night away at one of the clubs or take an exhilarating evening cruise. The options are endless and the choice is yours.
Eating and drinking
Since Sunny Beach was declared the best value holiday resort in Europe by the Post Office earlier this year, there is no excuse not to go out and enjoy a meal out. A typical price for a three-course evening meal for two, complete with a bottle of wine is less than £23, so what are you waiting for?
Being right on the Black Sea coast is a great opportunity to have some fresh seafood served up in exciting ways. There are plenty of restaurants offering such cuisine, as well as other classic Bulgarian dishes, such as shopska salad and roasted pig. The local market area is the best place for such delicacies, but homemade pizzas and pasta are also widely available.
Shopping
The two main places to go shopping could not be more different to each other. If you are looking for a bucket and spade, beach ball or inflatable crocodile head to Flower Street. This wide thoroughfare is a paradise of shops and stalls selling all the paraphernalia associated with fun in the sun.
For more serious shoppers, it has got to be the Royal Beach Mall, where international brands can be purchased at pretty low prices. With 140 shops and located right in the heart of the resort, it is almost impossible to take a look at everything. Whether it is diamond jewellery or designer wear, you'll find it there.
Getting around
Many of the places you will want to visit in Sunny Beach and things to do will be within walking distance. However should you wish to go further afield, there are a number of options. Taxis are widely available and there is a regular bus service to Sofia, Nesebar, Bourgas and Varnal.
Practical information
Flights from London Gatwick to Bourgas Airport, which serves Sunny Beach, take just three and a quarter hours - not too long if you've got little ones. A transfer to the resort then takes less than an hour. Bulgaria is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, so don't forget to change your watch on the plane! It is very rarely cold in Sunny Beach, with temperatures in the summer in excess of 30°C and very little rain. Even the water heats up to a nice temperature, making it refreshing for a swim, but with no need for bravery when getting in. During the spring and autumn months, the weather is slightly cooler, but still very pleasant. Bulgarian is the local language, but the majority of staff at Sunny Beach speak English, leading to a nice atmosphere and making it easy to tell them if you need anything. The currency is the lev and there are around 2.3 levs to the pound.