Sunny Beach 2024: A Complete Guide to Holidays in Bulgaria’s Main Resort
Welcome to Sunny Beach ! Today we will go on a virtual journey to the largest and most famous seaside resort in Bulgaria. We will find out who will be comfortable here, and who is better off choosing another place. Ready? Then let’s begin!
Why Sunny Beach?
This resort was among the top three most affordable holiday destinations in Europe in 2023, behind only Algarve (Portugal) and Paphos (Cyprus). Moreover, Sunny Beach was included in the top 100 most wonderful places on the planet . This is a truly unique place where everyone will find something for themselves.
What about renovations? This year, more than 2 million leva were invested in the resort’s infrastructure. The central alley received new tiles, green areas were improved, and modern lighting appeared. The Kuban Hotel now boasts a new square, and the complex itself has been resurfaced and landscaped. Even pest control was not left without attention. Sunny Beach is ready to surprise!
History and atmosphere
Sunny Beach appeared on the map in 1959, when the first hotel opened here. Now this place is loved by young travelers from all over Europe. The summer season here lasts from June to September, and every day is filled with parties, laughter and unforgettable memories.
Climate: the resort pleases with a warm and humid subtropical climate. In July, the air temperature reaches its peak, and the sea becomes warmest in August. For lovers of sunny holidays, this is a real paradise!
How to get to Sunny Beach?
Location: The resort stretches along a semi-circular bay for 8 kilometers and borders the towns of Nessebar to the south and Sveti Vlas to the north. The nearest airports are in Burgas (35 km) and Varna (100 km).
Transport options:
- Buses: Regular buses connect the resort with Burgas (only 30 minutes, cost around 4 euros) and Varna (7-9 euros).
- Pleasure boats: every 20 minutes boats leave from Sunny Beach to Nessebar. The price of an adult ticket is 7.5 euros, a child’s ticket is 5 euros.
- Taxis and rentals: There are many car, bicycle and electric scooter rentals in the city.
- Train: For short trips within the resort you can use a small tourist “train”.
- Free buses: these shuttles run to the water park – a convenient solution for families with children.
Beaches of Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is famous for its spacious beaches with fine, clean sand and a gentle entrance to the sea. The width of the beach line reaches 100 meters! Despite the huge number of tourists, the maintenance of cleanliness at the resort remains at a high level.
Services and prices:
- Umbrella: 5 euros
- Sunbed: 5 euros
For lovers of active recreation, parasailing and other water activities are offered here. And most importantly, all three beaches of the resort – Northern, Central and Southern – annually receive the international certificate “Blue Flag” , which confirms their ecological cleanliness.
Natural attractions
In addition to the beautiful beaches, there are five unique sand dunes in the Sunny Beach area. This natural treasure makes the resort’s landscapes unique, and the photos from here are ideal for your social networks.
Accommodation in Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach offers accommodation for every taste and budget. Do you want to spend your vacation in comfort or, on the contrary, are you looking for economical options? Here you will find everything.
Top hotels of the resort:
- Secrets Sunny Beach Resort and Spa (5 stars) – luxury holiday with a rating of 83.
- Helena Sands (5 stars) – style and quality with a score of 81.
- Melia Sunny Beach (4 stars) is a popular choice, especially on an all-inclusive basis. Prices start from €315 for a double room in high season.
For those who prefer independence:
There are over 500 apartments for rent in Sunny Beach . Prices vary:
- Hotel rooms: from 37 euros per night (30% more expensive than last year).
- Apartment rentals: from 26 to 150 euros per night, depending on conditions and location.
This choice allows everyone to find the ideal option for their holiday – from luxury apartments to cozy studios.
Where to eat in Sunny Beach?
Not booked an all-inclusive hotel? No problem! The resort offers a variety of dining options, from restaurants to self-catering.
Option 1: Restaurants and cafes
This is the easiest, but also the most expensive way. Here you will find establishments for every taste – from European cuisine to local Bulgarian dishes. But keep in mind:
- Free seats in popular cafes may be occupied.
- You will have to spend time searching for a suitable establishment and studying reviews.
Option 2: Cooking ourselves
For those who want to save money, there are supermarkets:
- Lidl – new store at the entrance from Varna.
- Janet is a large supermarket with a huge assortment, located at the entrance from Burgas.
Safety at the resort
Sunny Beach is a place for active recreation, so it is important to take safety precautions here.
What makes a resort safe:
- Police reinforcement: in summer, over 350 police officers from other regions of Bulgaria work here. The main police station is located in the center of the resort, next to Tsvetochnaya Street.
- Safety measures on the beach: do not leave valuables unattended. In hotels, use safes to store documents and money.
Resort features:
Sunny Beach is a resort with a vibrant nightlife, attracting young people from all over the world. This means loud parties, large crowds and nightlife are commonplace.
What to see in Sunny Beach?
Sunny Beach is not only beaches, but also many places where you can spend time interestingly and diversely. Here everyone will find something to their liking, be it walks, entertainment or excursions.
Flower Street
This lively pedestrian street is the calling card of Sunny Beach. It stretches from the center of the resort to the sea and the pier. The street is always full of life: cafes, shops, souvenir shops and street artists make it a favorite place for vacationers.
Promenade along the beach
The main promenade area of the resort, ideal for evening strolls. The promenade is dotted with kiosks, restaurants and bars where you can have a snack while enjoying the sea view. It is especially beautiful in the evening: the lights are turned on and the atmosphere is filled with resort romance.
Lunapark and Fun Park
Amusement park lovers will not be disappointed.
- The Lunapark in the centre of the resort offers entertainment for all ages. The rides are open from 5pm to midnight, and during the day it is quiet and uncrowded.
- Fun Park , located near McDonald’s, attracts visitors with a Ferris wheel. The rides here are similar to Luna Park, but the atmosphere is a little more intimate.
The historical town of Nessebar
The main gem nearby is the ancient town of Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This museum town with narrow cobbled streets, ancient churches and sea views is a must-see for anyone looking to get a taste of history.
Water parks
Sunny Beach also offers recreation for lovers of water activities.
- Action Aquapark is located right on the resort and is ideal for families with children. There are many children’s slides and even a small zoo.
- Aquapark Nessebar , 5.5 km from the resort centre, is more suitable for teenagers and adults thanks to its extreme slides and more varied infrastructure.
Summer ticket prices:
- Action Aquapark:
- Adult: €32.60 (€24.50 after lunch).
- Children: €20.40 (€15.30 in the afternoon).
- Aquapark Nessebar:
- Adult: €39.80 (€30.60 after lunch).
- Children: €29.60 (€23 in the afternoon).
Free minibuses run from stops with information signs every 20-30 minutes.
Excursions
For those who love new experiences, the resort offers a variety of excursions: boat trips, visits to cultural sites and natural attractions. You can organize them right on Sunny Beach, choosing a program to your liking.
Sunny Beach is a place where you definitely won’t get bored!
Tips for tourists
Finance
The official currency of Bulgaria is the lev. To minimize costs and security, it is recommended to use bank cards in the currency of your country. It is better to carry up to 90% of funds on the card, since almost all shops, cafes and restaurants accept non-cash payments.
For pocket money or taxis, it is recommended to take small euros, which can be easily exchanged for leva. The exchange rate is fixed: 1 euro = 2 leva, and it has been unchanged for over 20 years. It is best to exchange currency at banks or official exchange offices, of which there are plenty in Sunny Beach.
For convenience, you can withdraw leva directly from ATMs, where up to 400 leva are available for one transaction. It is safe and profitable. In no case should you exchange money from hands, as this may be a scam.
Mobile communications
- EU visitors can use European roaming, eliminating the need to purchase a local SIM card.
- For residents of Ukraine, it is more profitable to connect to the roaming package of their operating company than to purchase a local SIM card.
To Sunny Beach by your own car
If you arrive at the resort by car, pay attention to parking.
- Parking is divided into paid public and private. The cost of central parking is €2.5 per hour, in more remote areas – €1.5 per hour or €12 per day.
- Payment for public parking is possible via SMS (number and text are indicated on the signs).
- When booking a hotel, check the availability of parking. Even if it is indicated, it may be a lie – parking lots are sometimes located several kilometers from the hotel or are already full. Read the reviews!
Pros and cons of the resort
Pros:
Cons:
Results
Sunny Beach is an ideal place for young tourists and lovers of active recreation. The resort offers sandy beaches, entertainment, vibrant nightlife and water sports. However, those looking for peace, greenery and privacy should choose other resorts.
Sea water temperature in Sunny Beach by month
Weather in Sunny Beach today
