Golden Sands in 2021: PROS and CONS. Prices, sea, beach, housing…
Hello everyone. If you are interested in a holiday at the Golden Sands resort in Bulgaria, then the following questions arise: How to get there? What kind of accommodation to choose? How much does it cost?
This is our second time visiting Golden Sands this year. And if the first time, in June, there were very few people, and almost nothing was working. Then, in July, there are a lot of people, almost everything is working.
Golden Sands. General information
Golden Sands was the most popular foreign resort during the Soviet era. The Golden Sands resort is adjacent to the national park of the same name, covering an area of over 1,300 hectares. The resort was opened in 1957. The last stage of construction of Golden Sands was completed in 1966, after which it established itself as a new attractive European resort. The resort quickly gained popularity, visited by both local tourists and famous foreign guests. Golden Sands has largely avoided the overdevelopment that happened to other large resorts in Bulgaria, so the natural balance has been preserved.
Golden Sands. Location
The Golden Sands resort is located on the seashore, south of the Albena resort and north of St. Constantine and Helena. To the west it borders the Golden Sands Nature Park, where hot mineral water springs and lush forests cascading from the Franga plateau form the park. The beach of the Golden Sands resort stretches for 4 km from north to south. It is only 17 km to Varna.
Climate in Golden Sands
The Golden Sands resort has a mild and pleasant climate, without unpleasant heat peaks compared to Mediterranean resorts. The average air temperature in July is 24.5 °C. The average sea water temperature in May is +15 °C, in June it is already +20.5, and the warmest sea water is in August +25.5 °C. The area provides maximum pleasure thanks to the wonderful combination of forest and extensive beach.
Transport
[tp_in_our_city_fly_shortcodes destination=”VAR” one_way=”true”]The nearest airport is in Varna (about 25 km), and there is a direct bus route from the airport to Golden Sands – 409. Regular bus service to all major cities in Bulgaria is served by the bus station in Varna (Avtogara). It is located near the Grand Mall shopping center. The railway station in Varna is 18 km away.
Golden Sands Beach
The resort does have golden sand that is clean and fine; many consider it to be the best sand in Europe.
The entrance to the sea is not gentle, it is deep right at the shore. Literally a few meters from the shore the depth will be up to the chest of an adult, you need to be careful with small children. The width of the beach reaches 100 meters in places. The water quality is excellent.
Because last year the reconstruction of the Golden Sands treatment facilities was completed for 20 million euros. The Golden Sands beach has received the prestigious international ecology award “Blue Flag” several times. This year the beach also received the Blue Flag. Access to the beaches is free. Lifeguards work on the beaches. If desired, you can rent an umbrella and a sun lounger.
Accommodation in Golden Sands
What about accommodation and hotels? The choice is not as huge as in Sunny Beach, but there is still a choice. Today, there are more than 70 hotels in Golden Sands. Prices for accommodation start from 22 euros per day for a 2-bed room when booking for a week in season.
The same price for a 3-star hotel. And from 52 euros per day for a 2-bed room in an All Inclusive hotel. If you choose only breakfast and dinner, the price will be 35 euros per day for a 2-bed room in a 3-star hotel. But we remind you that on the first line from the sea, hotels will cost significantly more.
Dining at Golden Sands
There are many catering establishments on Golden Sands. Some cafes are located right on the beach. There are hotels that offer their own meals, including full board or All inclusive. If you prefer to eat on your own, you can buy food in small shops at inflated prices or go by bus to Varna and shop in shops at minimal prices. Our channel has reviews of all the popular grocery store chains in Bulgaria.
Infrastructure at Golden Sands
There is an aqua park called Aquapolis in Golden Sands. There is a Ferris wheel in the very center of the resort. A whole range of water attractions awaits you in Golden Sands.
There are also mini trains that travel along certain routes. You can rent an electric scooter. There are car rental companies at the resort. The price for a 2020 car starts from 17 euros per day when renting for 5 days.
For those who like to ride cars, there is a karting club with its own track, which is located 13 km from the resort.
Nearby attractions include the Chapel of St. John the Baptist, the rock monastery of Aladzha (3 km). For lovers of hiking, there are five routes in the natural park adjacent to the resort.
Directly from Golden Sands you can take many excursions. Some of them. Visit to the town of Balchik and Cape Kaliakra. Sightseeing tour of Varna. Visit to Zheravna village-architectural reserve, which has preserved many architectural ensembles of the 18-19 centuries. Visit to Nessebar, which was founded more than 3000 years ago.
Pros of Golden Sands
Clean sea, and the resort itself borders on a natural park, which provides air baths with a healing effect. Large selection of housing in different price categories. Good resort infrastructure. Large selection of catering establishments. Good and accessible transport links.
Possibility to buy products at low prices and do shopping if you go to Varna by bus. There is a water park. Nearby there are attractions and there is an opportunity for excursions.
Cons of Golden Sands
Golden Sands has an uneven surface, relief with differences in altitude, if your hotel is far from the sea, then you will probably have to go down to the sea from a height and then climb back.
Deep sea, not ideal for small children, need to be careful.
For those who are on holiday with their own car, we recommend that when booking, you look for a hotel that provides its own parking. The parking situation is much worse than in Sunny Beach. There are no public parking lots, the few that are paid, and in season, as a rule, they are all occupied. You need to negotiate with the hotel administration to leave your car on their territory, otherwise there will be a tow truck and a hefty fine.
I wonder if you have been to Golden Sands and what you liked or didn’t, please write in your comments?
I hope this information was useful and I wish everyone success.
Sea water temperature in Golden Sands by month
