Slynchev Bryag, better known to Russian tourists as Sunny Beach, is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Bulgaria. This fun place has all the standard beach entertainment: discos, karaoke, restaurants, shops, attractions, the sandy Black Sea coast. And although beach holidays gradually fade away in the fall, it is worth flying here for the cultural program and excursions. For those who want to get acquainted with the history and traditions of Bulgaria, we will tell you where you can go by car or bus in one day.
How to get to Sunny Beach?
The cost of a flight to Burgas starts from 23,000 rubles* per person round trip. During a pandemic, tourists need to have a certificate of completion of the full course of vaccination, a negative PCR test or a certificate of a previous illness. From Burgas Airport to Sunny Beach there are shuttles, taxis and rare commuter buses, the schedule of which is best known in advance.
Where to stay in Sunny Beach?
Best Western PLUS Premium Inn – from 3100 rubles* per night per person;
Cantilena Complex – from 2300 rubles* per night per person;
Grand Hotel Oasis by Asteri Hotels – from 4200 rubles* per night per person.
What to travel along the coast with?
The distances between attractions are generally short, so you can get around by buses and taxis. But it’s more convenient to rent a car right at the airport, so as not to have to adjust to the public transport schedule. Renting a car in Burgas on OneTwoTrip will cost 2000 rubles* per day.
Nessebar – Ravda – Pomorie
Nessebar is located just five kilometers from Sunny Beach. The ancient city, with a bustling tourist center and rich architectural heritage, is more like a museum. The similarities are emphasized by preserved archaeological zones, where you can still see the Roman layout of streets, the ruins of early Byzantine baths and the fortress wall, as well as numerous churches, among which the Church of John the Baptist of the 10th-11th centuries and the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Tenderness of the 5th century stand out. On the bridge that connects the old and new parts of Nessebar, it is impossible to miss the wooden mill, which is widely reproduced on all souvenirs and postcards. In no other coastal town in Bulgaria will you find such a rich selection of classic gifts and handicrafts from local manufacturers. Therefore, you must remember to set aside time for memory shopping. You can get acquainted with Bulgarian specialties on a tour of the Messembria winery.
Walk time: about two hours.
The territory of Nessebar imperceptibly flows into the village of Ravda. The democratic resort of eternal youth is popular among Bulgarian youth and is imbued with an atmosphere of carefree, fun and adventure. People come here to take lessons in surfing and other water sports during the day, and in the evening to watch sunsets in numerous beach and city bars.
Walk time: 40 minutes.
Half an hour’s drive from Ravda, on a small cape, is the town of Pomorie. Sea salt began to be mined here, according to archaeologists, even before our era. Local salt production was considered the largest in Bulgaria until the beginning of the 20th century. Today, tourists can see the extraction technology by evaporating sea water and learn the history of fishing in the Salt Museum. Another popular entertainment in Pomorie is spa treatments with therapeutic mud, which are best booked in advance.
Time for inspection: from an hour.
Entrance: from four levs*.
Burgas – Sozopol – Ropotamo – Ravadinovo
Burgas is the administrative center, the largest city on the coast and the fourth largest in Bulgaria. The daily life of the city contrasts markedly with the general holiday mood of neighboring settlements. It’s all the more interesting to stroll along the central streets and business districts, go shopping, and visit archaeological or historical museums. The obligatory program also includes a modern embankment with a well-groomed promenade, a long pier and a white openwork staircase. And in order to have a useful and exciting time with your children at the Planetum Science Center, you do not need to know the Bulgarian language, because many of the exhibits are interactive.
Walking time: two hours.
The architectural and historical reserve of Old Sozopol near Burgas is included in the UNESCO list of architectural heritage. Similar to Nessebar, it is more cozy and intimate. Two-story houses made of stone and wood, covered with red tiles, turn the streets into open-air movie sets. The remains of the fortress wall remind of military victories. The sandy and pebble beaches are home to one of the largest colonies of gulls in Bulgaria. Views of the Black Sea cliffs will appeal to romantics.
Walk time: two hours.
Six kilometers from Sozopol, in the village of Ravadinovo, there is one of the most unusual attractions of the coast – the fantasy, richly decorated castle “The Wind in Love,” which refers to the Hungarian and Romanian originals. Gargoyles and vampires nest on the pointed roofs and turrets; fairy-tale chimeras and weeping angels hide in the courtyard. The large park is decorated with fountains and ponds where ducks, swans and other animals live. But the amazing castle has no historical value – it is a modern tourist complex built by a private Bulgarian investor. Here, for example, you can organize a banquet or find a way out of an quest room.
Visiting time: one and a half hours.
Entrance: 20 lev*.
About 15 kilometers from Ravadinovo the Ropotamo River flows. In the 11th century, the border between Byzantium and Bulgaria passed along it. In contrast to the beaches, the hilly forest landscapes look unusual. The unprecedented popularity of the Ropotamo Nature Reserve among tourists and residents of Bulgaria has begun to threaten the local ecology. Therefore, today measures are being taken to preserve the natural balance: you can visit the reserve as part of an excursion on a small river boat, from which it is prohibited to go ashore. About 250 species of birds nest on the river, and the reserve is home to roe deer, deer, wild boars and other animals.
Tour time: hours Tour cost: from 10 lev per person *.
Plovdiv – Veliko Tarnovo
On this trip you can fully enjoy the Bulgarian landscapes: green valleys, fertile fields, plantations and mountains. From the coast to the city of Veliko Tarnovo you will spend at least four hours on the road. On the way, you can make a small detour and stop by one of the largest cities in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, famous for its peaches. Read more about what to do there in this article.
The terrain of the ancient medieval city of Veliko Tarnovo challenges even experienced travelers. There is no level ground to be found on the winding cobblestone streets lined with home-made coffee shops and craft shops. Some areas are built on cliffs, and the houses seem to be hanging on the cliffs. Some of them are even connected by glass bridges or decorated with transparent terraces. It is interesting to visit the Mini-Bulgaria park and the unusual monument to the four Asenites, the founders of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, during which the most powerful flourishing of Bulgaria occurred.
Walk time: from two hours.
The architectural dominant of Veliko Tarnovo – the Tsarevets fortress – is located on a high hill, at the foot of which the Yantra River flows. This citadel was first mentioned in the 12th century, and today it has risen from the ruins as a result of large-scale reconstruction. Powerful walls keep a love story, which is told to all visitors at the entrance. During public holidays the castle hosts a laser show.
Time for inspection: hour.
Entrance: from three levs*.
*Prices valid at time of publication
If the article does not convince you to start planning a trip to Bulgaria now, go to the material in which we briefly tell which countries Russians can go to tourists and what entry rules apply to them.
