Sunny Beach Guide 

The largest and liveliest beach resort in Bulgaria lies on the Black Sea coast between the historic town of Nessebar and the luxurious port of Sveti Vlas. With over 8 km of coastline, you can find everything from water sports to lively nightclubs to family attractions such as aqua parks and boat trips. Whether you are looking for beach relaxation, adventure or unforgettable parties, Sunny Beach has it all in one place.

Sights and attractions – Where should you visit in Sunny Beach? What beaches or nearby towns should you visit? Nessebar, Sveti Vlas.

Accommodation – Where to stay in Sunny Beach? Do you prefer a resort, hotel or a cheaper guesthouse?

Typical food and drink – What should you try in Sunny Beach? Grilled seafood, Shopa salad, baklava.

Practical tips – Here you can learn more about local transport, beaches, safety, currency or where to go on a trip to the surrounding area.

Weather – What temperatures and precipitation can you expect in the four seasons in Sunny Beach?

Sunny Beach, the center of Bulgarian tourism, is one of the most popular destinations on the Black Sea coast. All types of visitors will find something for themselves here - from families with children to young travelers looking for excitement and fun. It is located between the towns of Nessebar and Sveti Vlas. It stretches along a picturesque bay with a beautiful sandy beach.

On the 8 km long and up to 100 meters wide beach you will find fine golden sand and a gradual entrance to the sea.

Sunny Beach boasts more than 300 sunny days a year. Summer air temperatures range between 28-32 ° C, and water around 25 ° C.

The construction of the resort began in 1958 as a project to support tourism. Thanks to its strategic location, beautiful beach and favorable climate, the small settlement has become a vibrant city that today attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually.

Sunny Beach is known as the center of nightlife in Bulgaria. Here you will find world-class clubs, beach bars and discos, such as Cacao Beach Club or Bedroom Beach.

Aqua Park Action and Aqua Paradise offer many slides and attractions for children and adults. You can rent pedal boats or enjoy beach and water activities such as windsurfing, jet skis or parasailing. There are also bike rentals, mini golf courses and tennis courts.

The proximity of the city of Nessebar (UNESCO) provides the opportunity to explore the ancient monuments and rich history of the region.

Sunny Beach has a wide range of restaurants and traditional taverns.

The nearest airport in Burgas (35 km) has direct flights from all over Europe.

Sunny Beach is connected by regular bus lines to the surrounding cities and resorts. There are also tourist trains running in the area.

Sights and attractions

Sunny Beach, primarily known as a beach holiday and nightlife destination, also offers several attractions and opportunities for discovery. Although it is not directly known for historical monuments, there are several interesting places in its surroundings and in the resort itself:

Sunny Beach beaches - The main attraction is the beautiful sandy beaches with a gradual entry into the sea, awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and quality of services. The busiest beach with lots of bars and clubs, ideal for those looking for fun, is the central part of the beach. For relaxation or a family trip, the northern area is suitable. If you prefer smaller crowds, you can head to the outskirts of Sunny Beach or to the nearby resorts, such as Sveti Vlas.

Marine activities and water sports - There are options such as diving, jet skiing, parasailing, or trips on glass-bottom boats that allow you to observe the underwater world.

Amusement parks and activities for families - you will find both large water parks such as Action Aquapark Sunny Beach or Aqua Paradise Nessebar, as well as smaller amusement parks, go-kart tracks or trampolines for children and teenagers.

Nesebar - Just 5 km from Sunny Beach lies this historic city listed in UNESCO. It offers a walk through ancient streets, Byzantine churches, old houses and museums.

Sveti Vlas - An elegant resort with a marina, from where cruise ships depart. Sveti Vlas was founded in the 2nd century AD by the Thracians. Originally, the city was called Larisa and only in the 14th century did it acquire its current name, Sveti Vlas, after the patron saint of merchants and cattle breeders. In the 14th-18th centuries, there was a monastery dedicated to Saint Vlas, which was burned down by pirates. Until 1920, Sveti Vlas was mainly inhabited by Greeks. After the population exchange between Greece and Bulgaria, most of the local Greeks emigrated. In 2007, the largest yacht harbor in Bulgaria, Marina Dinevi, was opened in Sveti Vlas, with a capacity of 300 yachts. Sveti Vlas is the only place on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast where the beaches face directly south.

St. George Monastery in Pomorie - A historic monastery, about 20 km from Sunny Beach. It is a place of pilgrimage with beautiful surroundings. The Monastery of St. George was founded in the 17th century and is one of the oldest monasteries in the region. It is also famous for its healing springs. Locals and visitors believe that the water has healing properties, especially in treating skin diseases.

Ropotamo Nature Reserve - The reserve is located south of Burgas. You can enjoy a boat ride on the river and admire the natural scenery, including unique rock formations and rich fauna. Interesting natural formations in the reserve include rock formations such as the "Lion's Head" and the "Merry Rock". The area includes the banks of the Ropotamo River, the Arkutin Marshes, as well as the surrounding sand dunes and wetlands. The area was inhabited by the ancient Thracians, and you can still find the remains of their settlement here, including megalithic structures and historic churches.

Old Sozopol - An ancient town with narrow cobbled streets and traditional houses, about 35 km south of Sunny Beach. The town was founded by Greek colonists in 611 BC as Apollonia Pontica. Later it became an important trading centre. In addition to the characteristic narrow cobbled streets and traditional Bulgarian houses with stone ground floors and wooden upper floors, you can also see a square wooden well from the 4th-3rd century BC and part of the ancient city's water supply system from the 5th century BC. The reserve also contains other interesting monuments, including the medieval church in the monastery "St. Apostles", an art gallery, an ethnographic collection and the church "St. Cyril and Methodius", where the relics of St. John the Baptist are kept.

Accommodation

In the Bulgarian destination of Sunny Beach, you can choose from a wide variety of accommodation in the form of resorts, hotels, guesthouses, apartments as well as villas and hostels. Luxury properties in the form of resorts offer clients comfortable accommodation, large gardens, swimming pools or spa centers. Resorts, especially in the 5* category, are located directly on the beaches. Not only resorts, but also higher-category hotels have private beaches and swimming pools with various attractions, which are especially welcome by families with children. Hotels offer rooms with breakfast, but also with half board or all inclusive.

The luxurious 5* resort Royal Palace Helena Sands is located right on the beach, a short distance from the town of Sveti Vlas. The price for a room or apartment already includes half board. Guests can relax by the outdoor or indoor pool, in the sauna, in the fitness center, in the garden or on the terrace. Not only children will be entertained by the animation program.

Boutique Apart Hotel Versis offers accommodation in smaller studios or larger apartments in the city center, near the beach. All accommodation units have a balcony with a view of the pool, a seating area and a kitchenette. Guests can use the garden, seasonal outdoor pool or sun terrace.

The pleasant 3* Beatris Family House hotel is located 600 metres from the beach. All studios and apartments have their own kitchen, Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Guests can enjoy refreshments in the hotel restaurant, relax by the swimming pool with a paddling pool and sun loungers and chairs. The 24-hour reception can arrange transfers, car rentals, parking and more upon request.

For cheaper quality accommodation, Family Hotel Helios is located in the city centre, 500 metres from the beach. Guests can use the terrace or free private parking. All rooms have a fridge and kettle, some also have a balcony with city views. The reception can arrange airport transfers or luggage storage.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Sunny Beach, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com. 

Typical food and drinks

Shopska salata - An iconic Bulgarian salad made from tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and grated sirene cheese (similar to feta cheese). Ideal for refreshment on hot summer days.

Tarator - Cold cucumber soup with yoghurt, dill, garlic and nuts. Perfect as a light appetizer.

Grilled seafood - Fresh fish, shrimp, calamari or mussels, often prepared on the grill and served with garlic butter or lemon.

Fish soup - A soup made from freshly caught fish, seasoned with herbs and vegetables, typical of the coastal region.

Kebapche - Grilled aromatic meat rolls, often served with fries and grated cheese.

Banica - Baked savoury pie made from thin pastry, filled with cheese, eggs and yoghurt. Especially popular for breakfast.

Ajvar and ljutenica - Pepper pastes served as a side dish with meats or on bread.

Baklava - A sweet dessert made from layers of filo pastry, nuts and honey syrup.

Rakija - A traditional Bulgarian brandy made from fruit, such as plums, grapes or apricots. A popular aperitif.

Bulgarian wines - The region is known for its high-quality red and white wines. Mavrud or Melnik varieties are recommended.

Kompoti - A sweet fruit drink, especially popular in households.

Practical travel tips

The nearest airport is in Burgas, about 35 km away. From the airport to Sunny Beach you can get by bus, taxi or private transfer. The official taxi service costs 60-100 leva depending on the time of day and the exact destination. The bus will cost 6-10 leva.

There is a well-organized network of buses and minibuses on site that will take you comfortably to the surrounding towns and resorts. You can buy a ticket directly from the driver and the price ranges between 1.5 - 3 leva depending on how far you travel.

Restaurants in tourist areas can be more expensive, lunch will cost you around 30 leva, but off the main promenade you will find more affordable places with prices of 15-20 leva for a meal. Don't forget to try the street stalls with traditional Bulgarian pies or pancakes.

If you like nightlife, visit the local bars, clubs or beach parties. Cacao Beach Club - a cult beach club with 24-hour operation and world-famous DJs.

If you prefer quieter activities, take a walk along the promenade or rent a bike. You can also enjoy water sports such as windsurfing, diving or banana boat rides.

Trips to the area - Visit the historic town of Nessebar (UNESCO), just 3 kilometers from the southern part of Sunny Beach. You can get here by bus, train or boat. You can discover more cultural sights and beautiful beaches in Burgas or Sozopol.

The currency is Bulgarian Lev (BGN). ATMs and exchange offices are easy to find, but be careful about the exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants, hotels and shops, but it pays to have cash for smaller businesses or stalls.

The area is generally safe, but be careful with your belongings, especially on the beaches and in crowded places.

Sunny Beach can be very hot in the summer, so don't forget to wear sun protection, drink plenty of fluids and take regular breaks in the shade.

Weather

Sunny Beach has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.

In summer (June to September), daytime temperatures range between 25-30°C, with minimal rainfall and plenty of sunny days. The sea is pleasantly warm, with temperatures around 24-26°C.

In spring and autumn, temperatures reach 15–25 °C, ideal weather for walks and trips. It rains occasionally, but the sun is usually still shining.

From December to February, temperatures drop to 5–10 °C. In winter, it rains more often. Thanks to the proximity of the sea, it almost never freezes here.

The summer season is suitable for beach activities and swimming, while spring and autumn are suitable for a quieter holiday combined with sightseeing.