Southern Black Sea Coast
The southern Black Sea coast runs south from Cape Emine to the village of Resovo on the Turkish border. The sunny beaches in this area are numerous. Little resort towns alternate with large luxury complexes, there are reserves, landmarks of natural beauty and camping sites. Here are the famous Bulgarian Sunny Beach Resort and the city of Burgas.
There can be found a multitude of hotels and restaurants, as well as the architectural reserves of Nessebar, Pomorie and Sozopol.
Burgas
Burgas is a modern city, one of the largest in Bulgaria. In summer many people choose this city as a place to spend their beach holiday. Burgas offers great vacation opportunities by combining beautiful beaches and reserves with the comforts and benefits of the big city. The bustle of the many bars and restaurants livens the streets, while the spacious sea garden is an excellent place to go for a quiet walk. The sea garden also provides a platform for artists and musicians to showcase their work.
The city hosts many cultural events – music festivals, competitions, flower exhibitions. Burgas is a city with more than 2,000 years of history which can be explored through its numerous museums and churches.
Nessebar
Nessebar is another popular Bulgarian resort. The coastal town has modern hotels, a beautiful sandy beach and a rich historical and cultural heritage.
It is several kilometres south of Sunny Beach. It boasts a wide range of hotels, guest houses, luxury complexes, along with restaurants and taverns. The proximity of the town to Sunny Beach Resort is an advantage for guests looking for fun and variety.
Nessebar is undoubtedly one of the most romantic resorts in Bulgaria. The charm of the Old Town and the glimpse of the past it offers will help visitors experience new emotions and fill them with unforgettable memories.
Sunny Beach (Slanchev Bryag) is the largest Bulgarian resort. It is located 30 km northeast of Burgas, between Nessebar and St. Vlas. There are hundreds of hotels of all categories, including small family hotels, apartment-hotels and big luxury complexes.
The resort is a favourite destination for young adults because of its popular clubs and parties. During the summer months world-famous celebrities and DJs are often invited to give performances. In addition to its many modern clubs and bars, Sunny Beach offers other attractions – aqua parks, water sports, and many other sports and entertainment facilities. There are many shops, restaurants and even big shopping centres.
The town of Pomorie is probably one of the oldest in Bulgaria. It is located on a small rocky peninsular halfway between Burgas and Sunny Beach. Pomorie’s beaches attract many visitors with their interesting black sand and clear seas. Nearby lie the protected areas Blatno Kokiche and Koriyata, and lake Pomorie, where salt is extracted.
Other places of interest are St. George Monastery, Preobrazhenie Gospodne (Transfiguration of Jesus) Church, a Thracian domed tomb and an architectural reserve for old Pomorie houses. Moreover, Pomorie is one of the most popular spa and balneologic resorts in Bulgaria because of its healing mud and mineral springs.
Sozopol is one of the most popular Black Sea resorts. Small restaurants perch on the coastal cliffs of its Old Town and offer a magnificent view of three islands. In its narrow streets tourists can buy authentic Bulgarian goods – knitwear, leather goods, and even have their portraits done by a local artist.
There are two beaches in the town and nearby there are several camping sites, Ropotamo Reserve and other places of interest. There are also hotels and guest houses. Restaurants by the beach, merry taverns, clubs make your holiday unforgettable.
There are many more resorts and complexes along the southern Black Sea coast. Primorsko, Kiten and Lozenets are favourites with the young people seeking fun and excitement.
Ahtopol and Tsarevo attract families with children because of their tranquillity, while Sinemorets and Rezovo are preferred by those who are looking for a closer contact with nature.
This stretch of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast provides numerous camping sites which offer good facilities and added value. Among the most popular ones are camping sites Gradina, Zlatna Ribka, Kavatsi and Smokinya near Sozopol, Coral, Oasis and Arapya next to Primorsko and Silistar between villages Resovo and Sinemorets. The Zlatnata Ribka and Atliman Bay (near Kiten) camping sites are suitable for amateur surfers as there are no waves to hinder training lessons.
Water sports
Water skiing is a popular extreme water sport. In Bulgaria this sport is practised mainly at the Black Sea. Water skis are available in almost all Bulgarian resorts, with preliminary training and detailed instructions. The experience is one of a kind and is hard to forget.
Windsurfing is another popular sport which can be enjoyed at the Black Sea. There is only one condition – the speed and direction of the wind. The best windsurfing conditions in Bulgaria are offered at several camping sites on the southern Black Sea coast –Gradina, Zlatna Ribka, as well as the windier coast of the northern Black Sea. Some sports clubs offer training and rental equipment.
Kitesurfing is a relatively new challenge for the fans of the extreme. It is a combination of a kite and a surfboard, with propulsion power provided by the kite. It can be practised in windy bays when weather conditions are favourable.
Diving has become especially popular in recent years. Most Bulgarian diving takes place not far from the coast. Near some resorts – Golden Sands, Nessebar, Sozopol and near Cape Kaliakra and Cape Emine, there are remains of ships sunk in ancient times, these are highly attractive for divers.
Spearfishing is a challenge for fans of both diving and fishing. The combination of these two passions ensures an exciting, amazing experience. There are several clubs in the country which offer training and organize special spearfishing excursions. There are spearfishing clubs in Varna and Burgas. The most commonly sought fish are the flathead mullet, the golden gray mullet, the European seabass and the Atlantic bonito. Sheltered bays with small underwater caves and places where the sea bed is clear, not muddy, offer the best conditions for spearfishing – Tyulenovo, Taukliman, St. St. Konstantin and Elena, Cape Galata and Cape Kochan at the northern Black Sea and St. Vlas, Pomorie, Sozopol, Snake Island, Kiten, Tsarevo, Varvara and Resovo to the south.
The aqua parks at the Bulgarian seaside - some of which especially large and attractive, with modern facilities, are a favourite amusement for both children and adults. Here everyone has a good time and the attractions are many and varied. The most popular seaside aqua parks are in Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Nessebar and Primorsko but there are water parks inland as well.
Yachting is an especially enjoyable way to explore the beautiful latitudes and coastlines of the Black Sea. With a motor yacht or sailing boat, in the open sea or in the azure shallows, the breeze will whisper pleasantly in your ear and the exciting memories will warm your winter months. In Bulgaria there are several yachting marines offering very good conditions – in Balchik, Varna, St. Vlas and Sozopol.
