Before going to the sea in Bulgaria, many people ask themselves. Where to go? Today we will visit two of the MOST popular seaside resorts in Bulgaria. Sunny Beach or Golden Sands , compare them, and choose the resort that suits you best. Comparative characteristics of the resorts by key parameters, such as location, beach, nature, accommodation, attractions in the form of a table at the end of the article.
Note that this is only real information. We do not work in the real estate or tourism industry. Therefore, all information in the article is as it is, without any distortions.
Location of resorts.
Let’s start with the location. The Golden Sands resort is located 25 km from Varna Airport. It is even closer to Varna itself – 15 km, about 20 minutes by city bus, in summer buses run on the route until night. The ticket costs one and a half euros. Where did this name come from? One legend says that once upon a time, pirates buried a huge treasure of gold on the shore. When they returned, they could not find it. The earth punished the pirates by turning the gold into sand. The legend sounds plausible, because indeed, the sand here is fine and golden, and the beach is long and wide.
The Sunny Beach resort is located almost 100 km south of Golden Sands and 26 km from Burgas airport, there is a bus service, but only intercity buses. The distance to Burgas is longer – 35 km, the bus ride takes 40 minutes. Before this modern name, the resort was called “Royal Garden”.
Sea. Beach. Nature.
We’ve sorted out the location, now let’s compare the beaches and nature at the resorts.
Golden Sands is surrounded by forests of a natural park in which 78 species of birds and 25 species of animals live, which cannot be said about Sunny Beach, which is surrounded by steppe terrain.
Both resorts have sandy beaches, and blue flags are flying on the beaches of both resorts, which means that the water in the sea meets the standards of cleanliness. But there is a difference: Sunny Beach has a gentle entrance to the sea, while Golden Beach has a steep one. And as a result, the water in Sunny Beach near the shore warms up a little more. Because of these factors, holidays with small children are preferable in Sunny Beach.
Accommodation at resorts: choice and prices.
Both resorts have a very large selection of hotels and apartments. The choice and prices for accommodation do not differ much. The further from the sea, the cheaper, this is especially noticeable in Sunny Beach, as there is housing located more than a kilometer from the seashore, in Golden Sands the furthest from the sea housing is located at a distance of no more than 500 meters.
In Golden Sands, prices for apartments (flats) start from 16 euros per night for two, this will be a whole apartment, you can find even cheaper, but further from the sea. Prices for hotels start from 26 euros per two, the hotel will be without stars (3 stars already from 36 euros), it is clear that this will not be the first line.
In Sunny Beach, prices for apartments (flats) start from 21 euros per night for two, this will be a whole apartment, but you can find it even cheaper, but further from the sea. Prices for hotels from 31 euros for two, the hotel will be without stars (3 stars 36 euros), it is clear that this will not be the first line.
Nutrition.
Both resorts have a large selection of cafes and restaurants, including a McDonald’s.
Of course, there are grocery stores, but these are not chain stores, so the prices will be, to put it mildly, not cheap. The Golden Sands resort is better in this regard due to its proximity to Varna. In Varna, you can go by city bus to the city market or to the Lidl, Kaufland or Billu stores, and also do some shopping in the numerous malls.
Entertainment, attractions. Sights.
The resorts have all kinds of water entertainment and regular attractions. There are also water parks. The resort of Sunny Beach is better, there are two large water parks. Among the attractions of Golden Sands, one can highlight the Aladzha Monastery and the natural park adjacent to the resort, and in Sunny Beach, the ancient city of Nessebar is located nearby. But Golden Sands stands out for its better side, where you can take a city bus to the city of Varna and visit numerous museums and recreation parks. Both resorts have car rental points.
Sunny Beach or Golden Sands? Conclusion.
Each of these resorts deserves attention. But still, Golden Sands is more suitable for vacationers who go alone or couples, but without children. With children, especially small ones, the Sunny Beach resort is ideal.
