Bulgaria has become quite famous in Europe for its seaside, where you can stay at a 4 or 5-star all-inclusive hotel for an affordable price.
However, if you plan to visit Bulgaria seaside cities, you shouldn’t spend all the time at your resort. There is much to see on the Bulgarian coast, from old settlements to natural wonders.
The coastline of the Black Sea in Bulgaria awaits travelers with plenty of beaches that spread from north to south. Some are great for families, others for party-goers, and still others for nature lovers looking for remote holidays in pristine wilderness.
Wondering where to go in Bulgaria for beach holiday? Keep reading to discover the most beautiful places to see when you visit Bulgaria coastal cities!
Does Bulgaria have good beaches?
Undoubtedly, Bulgaria has some amazing beaches that any beach lover should visit. In reality, the nation has a stunning 354-kilometer Black Sea coastline that is dotted with lovely sandy beaches, sparkling seas, and spectacular landscapes.
Sunny Beach, which lies on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast and is well-known for its vibrant atmosphere, fantastic nightlife, and lengthy expanses of sandy beaches, is one of the most popular Bulgaria beach destinations. This region on the Bulgarian seaside is a terrific choice for families, couples, and solo travelers equally because it includes many hotels, restaurants, pubs, and water sports facilities that cater to tourists.
The Golden Sands resort, which is situated north of Varna, is another popular vacation spot for beach lovers in Bulgaria. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the country can be found in this region, with golden sand and turquoise seas that are ideal for swimming and tanning. The resort is the perfect place to unwind because it is surrounded by beautiful vegetation and has a laid-back vibe.
Other beaches are equally stunning but less well-known, in addition to these famous Bulgaria seaside resorts. The beaches close to the Bulgarian coastal towns Sozopol, Nessebar, and Pomorie, for instance, provide a more tranquil and private experience, with fewer tourists and a calmer ambiance. These beaches are ideal for anyone seeking a more relaxing beach experience away from the congestion of well-known resorts.
Which is the best Bulgarian coast?
As a travel blogger who has thoroughly visited Bulgaria beach cities, I can attest to how hard it is to pick one “best” coast. Which of the nation’s three main coastline areas, the Northern, Central, and Southern, best depends on personal opinion since each has its charms and beauty.
Beginning with the Northern Coast, this area is home to the famous resorts Golden Sands and Albena, which have gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear seas, and a range of water sports activities. Ancient ruins and quaint settlements like Balchik and Kaliakra contribute to this region’s historical wealth and allure. The Northern Coast is a great option for those looking for a more tranquil and laid-back Bulgaria beach experience because it is often less busy than the other locations.
Moving on to the Central Coast, we have Sunny Beach, a well-liked resort city, which is arguably the region’s most well-known landmark. Water sports, bars, restaurants, and an animated nightlife are just a few of the numerous activities that this thriving resort provides. Wide, sandy beaches with lots of room for swimming and tanning are found here. Together with Sunny Beach, the Central Coast also has a number of other smaller, more sedate Bulgaria beach towns, including Nessebar and Pomorie, which are also well-known tourist towns.
Last but not least, the Southern Coast is where you’ll find some of the country’s most beautiful and remote beaches as well as some of its most ancient cities in Bulgaria. For instance, the town of Sozopol is a lovely fishing village with winding lanes, old-fashioned homes, and a buzzing atmosphere. The beaches here have a more relaxed ambiance that is ideal for reflection and relaxation since they are calmer and less crowded than the beaches on the Central Coast.
1. Cape Kaliakra
One of the most beautiful Capes of Europe, Cape Kaliakra had great importance in history for Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, and Bulgarians. As a result, on the narrow piece of land, you can find the ruins of the old settlements: fortified walls, water-main, baths, and homes. You can also discover various interesting artifacts inside the small archaeological museum on this narrow piece of land.
Since 1941, Cape Kaliakra has been a protected area, where you can often spot cormorants and even dolphins. Situated on a major bird migration route, many rare migratory birds can be spotted here in spring and autumn.
Visit Bulgaria sea side at Cape Kaliakra for beautiful views of the sea crashing into its cliffs. In this majestic setting, you can test your skills on one of the three championship golf courses.
2. Balchik
Another place of historic importance on the Bulgarian coast is Balchik. Besides enjoying a summer holiday by the sea, you can see the Botanical Gardens, with over 600 species of flora as you visit Bulgaria seaside city Balchik.
Inside the terraced Botanical Gardens, you will also find the small chapel of Sveta Bogoroditsa, a greenhouse with huge, impressive cacti, a waterfall, and an old wooden mill. However, among the top things to do in Balchik is to visit Queen Marie’s Summer Palace, inside the labyrinth-like gardens in coastal Bulgaria.
You can also enjoy tastings of Bulgarian sweets, grapes, and various fruit wines at the Queen’s Winery House, also inside the Botanical Gardens.
3. Varna
Varna is the largest Bulgarian city on the Black Sea’s coast. According to its population, it’s also the third-largest city in Bulgaria, after Sofia and Plovdiv. That is why this Bulgaria beach town is often called the Sea Capital or Summer Capital of Bulgaria.
The city of Varna is an important tourist and educational center, winning the title of European Youth Capital in 2017. Besides its cultural life rich in events, Varna also has an interesting series of museums for its visitors: the 2000 sqm Archeological Museum, the Naval Museum, the History Museum, the Renaissance Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Natural History Museum. While more interesting for a smaller niche, you might also consider visiting the Doll Museum and the Medical History Museum, too. And make sure you don’t skip the Varna Necropolis, with the largest gold thesaurus in the world!
Not far from Varna, you can find Pobiti Kamani or The Stone Desert. Covering an area of 13 km2, Bulgaria’s only desert consists of dunes and groups of natural rock formations, hard on the outside, but hollow and filled with sand on the inside. These rocks can reach heights of up to 7 m and diameters of up to 3 m. A unique phenomenon in Bulgaria, Pobiti Kamani should be on your list when you visit Bulgaria’s seaside!
Looking for Bulgaria nude beach near Varna when you visit Bulgaria seaside?
Search for Kamchia Beach, Pasha dere Beach, or Golden Sands Nirvana Beach when traveling on the Bulgaria coast.
4. Nessebar
Nessebar or the Pearl of the Black Sea is split into two parts — the new and the ancient, by a narrow artificial isthmus. The ancient site of Nessebar is located on a small peninsula, looking like a rustic version of Montenegro’s Sveti Stefan.
Nessebar has a rich history and a high number of perfectly maintained and inhabited historic buildings. For this reason, the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
While the peninsula isn’t large, it is the home of forty churches. They are from the times Nessebar has found itself under the rule of the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and, finally, the Bulgarians.
Ancient Nessebar is one of my favorite places to go when I visit Bulgaria’s seaside!
Searching for Bulgarian nude beaches near Nessebar?
Check out Pyasachni Dunes Beach when you visit Bulgaria seaside, just south of Old Nessebar.
5. Pomorie
Around 18 km south of Nessebar, there is the modern city of Pomorie. In the past, Pomorie had similar buildings to Nessebar. Today, only a small part of them can still be seen, as most burned in a great fire in 1906.
Not to worry, Pomorie has something else that makes it one of the must-see places when you visit Bulgaria’s seaside! It is a popular location for rare bird watching and for its… mud treatments.
Not far from the city, there is Pomorie Lake, with a 70% salt concentration (4 times higher than that of the Black Sea). The mud from this lake has been used for baths since the time of the Romans. Its properties seem to help against various joint pains.
As mentioned, Pomorie is a popular destination for bird spotters, with around 200 bird species gathering around the lake. Among them, there are also the endangered species of the pygmy cormorant and the Dalmatian pelican. The latter is the largest of the pelican species and it has curly feathers.
Planning to hit a Bulgarian nude beach in this area?
You’ll find several of them on both sides of the spit in Pomorie on Bulgaria’s coast.
6. Burgas
Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria, after Varna. It is surrounded by the Burgas wetlands. The area is protected for its biodiversity, with rare and endangered species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
The high number of wide beaches makes Burgas a favorite touristic destination in summer. After getting the perfect tan, you can visit the open-air museums of Develtum (an ancient Thracian city) and Beglik-Tash (a prehistoric rock sanctuary).
Burgas also attracts tourists to the Bulgarian sea side with its various annual exhibitions and international festivals. One of the not-so-common ones is the Sand Fest: a festival of sand sculptures. This festival gathers artists from Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, who make over 200 compositions, with sculptures of over 8 meters in height. The event takes place every year in Park Ezero, and in 2019 it will reach its 12th edition.
Looking for the best beaches for naturalists near Burgas?
When you visit Bulgaria seaside, you’ll find a Bulgarian nude beach in the north of the town, right after the Burgas Hotel, in the direction of Nessebar.
7. Sozopol
Advancing south along the coast of Bulgaria, we reach Sozopol. Situated on a peninsula in the Black Sea, the town is only 35 km away from Burgas.
Much like Nessebar, Sozopol is a well-preserved old town with beautiful architecture. Sozopol is one of the oldest towns on the Black Sea’s coast. The Greeks founded it in the 7th century BC. Over time, it found itself under the rule of the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and, of course, the Bulgarians.
If you’re planning a vacation at the end of summer, don’t miss the Apollonia Art and Film Festival. The event takes place every year, at the beginning of September.
If you’re looking for a nudist beach in Bulgaria in this area, head to the south of Harmani Beach 😉
8. Sinemorets
Sinemorets is probably the smallest inhabited settlement among the places to see when you visit Bulgaria’s seaside. It is a village in the Burgas region, close to the border with Turkey.
Sinemorets, one of the best Bulgarian seaside resorts, is located inside the Strandzha Nature Park. Strandzha is the largest area under protection in Bulgaria (1,161 km2). Nature Park is the home of 66 mammal species, 269 bird species, 24 reptile species, 10 amphibian species, and 111 fish species. Stranszha Nature Park also has archaeological importance, with traces of human habitation from the Neolithic.
If you are looking for nice places in Bulgaria that offer a more tranquil holiday spot, in the middle of nature, Sozopol and Strandzha Nature Park are the best places to explore when you visit Bulgaria sea side!
Looking for nude beaches in Bulgaria near Sinemorets?
Head to Sinemorets Beach (Veleka Beach) or, for some more privacy, to Lipite Beach (across Butamyata) when you visit Bulgari seaside.
9. Sunny Beach
One of the most popular Black sea resort towns in Europe is Sunny Beach. Located on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, it is a busy holiday spot for individuals looking for a fun and adventurous getaway due to its long sandy beach, beautiful seas, and lively nightlife. Every year, millions of travelers go here.
Sunny Beach is famous not just for its amazing beach but also for its exciting nightlife. This Bulgarian resort is a popular destination for young people and partygoers due to its extensive selection of pubs, nightclubs, and discos. With several renowned DJs and singers gracing the stage during the summer, Sunny Beach’s nightlife has been likened to that of Ibiza due to its fame.
Sunny Beach also has a lot to offer those seeking a more cultural experience. The resort is close to several historical and cultural landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nessebar. Nessebar is a short drive from Sunny Beach, and tourists may explore the well-preserved ancient ruins, churches, and museums to learn about the region’s rich history and culture.
Sunny Beach features several recreational and sports facilities in addition to the beach, nightlife, and cultural attractions. Mini-golf, tennis, horseback riding, and cycling are among the activities available to visitors. Visitors may also enjoy different water attractions and slides at the resort’s Aqua Park on Bulgaria Black Sea coast.
10. Golden Sands
The resort town Golden Sands, which is situated on Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast, is another well-known destination that draws numerous visitors each year. It is a haven for people looking for a restful and refreshing holiday on Bulgaria coastline, known for its beautiful beaches, thermal springs, and the Golden Sands Natural Park.
Naturally, Golden Sands’ beaches are its biggest draw. The resort has a long length of golden sand that is bordered by several eateries, cafés, and bars that provide a variety of delectable foods and beverages. Swimming and water activities like jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing are ideal in the Black Sea’s crystal-clear waters.
The natural mineral springs at Golden Sands are one of its distinctive characteristics. There are several natural springs thought to have therapeutic qualities surrounding the town. By going to one of the many spa facilities in the city, which provide a variety of treatments including hydrotherapy, mud baths, and massages, travelers should enjoy the advantages of these springs.
The Golden Sands Natural Park, which has a total size of nearly 1300 hectares, is another draw to Golden Sands vs other Bulgarian coastal resorts. Around 500 different plant types as well as more than 40 different animal species, including deer, foxes, and wild boars, may be found in the park. This park is a great place for those who enjoy the outdoors because it contains a lot of hiking and biking routes.
Golden Sands is close to several historical and cultural places for those seeking a more cultural experience. Tourists may visit neighboring towns in Bulgaria such as Balchik, which is known for its Botanical Garden and the Balchik Palace. The palace was erected in the early twentieth century for Romanian Queen Marie and is now a museum available to the public.
Apart from the beach, natural springs, and nature park, Golden Sands has a variety of leisure and sports facilities. Golf, mini-golf, tennis, and horseback riding are among the activities available to visitors. There is also an Aqua Park in town, where tourists may enjoy a variety of water attractions and slides.
Map to visit Bulgaria seaside cities
Map of Bulgaria resorts
Best Bulgaria seaside tours
Visit Bulgaria seaside cities with Mirela The Travel Bunny
Mirela Letailleur is a Romanian travel blogger living in the South of France. She writes on The Travel Bunny travel blog about affordable travel in Europe, creator of unique free travel guides, local travel expert. Problem solver. Wannabe coffee guru.
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