Bulgaria Sea resorts

Albena

The major resort north of Varna, Albena occupies a pretty stretch of coast just north of Varna and south of Cape Kavarna. During medieval times the bay had two large fresh water wells and residents earned a living by selling drinking water to Nessebar, which had none of its own. The resort, established in 1958, is the largest one. The wide, six-kilometer-long beach is protected by dunes and touted as the best on the coast 24C/75F degree water and loads of sunny days. With more than 30 hotels capable of accommodating some 30,000 visitors, the resort can get pretty crowded during peak season. Most hotels are set back from the beach, in numerous small shaded parks and gardens that help alleviate some of the congested feel. Albena lives up to its motto of "Where families come first." Children and toddlers are kept occupied with the likes of kiddie trains, well-equipped playgrounds, and organized festivals. Adult sports include windsurfing, sailing, parasailing, speedboating, scooter-driven parachuting, pedalboating, waterskiing, horseback riding, archery, mini-golf, roller and in-line skating, bowling, tennis, bicycling, beach volleyball, and wall climbing (for the truly bored). To soothe sore muscles after all that physical exertion there are balneo-therapy treatment centers. Night Life is as equally varied and includes casinos, discos and nightclubs with live cabaret acts and colorful floor shows. Some 130 restaurants and taverns are accustomed to catering to foreign tastes so there's something for everyone.

Sunny Beach

Sunny Beach is a resort center, which is situated in the southern part of the Bulgarian seaside, 6 km north of Nessebar and 42 km north-east of Bourgas. It is located in the close proximity of the arched Nessebar bay. The eastern patrs of the Emine Mountains and the Balkan Mountains are situated north of the resort and some wonderful woods are to be found westwards. The beach of the resort center has very fine golden sand and the dunes and groves make it look quite exotic. The heeling of the sea floor is insignificant and that makes it very suitable for bathing. The resort has the typical sea climate; the average duration of the sun shining is about 2300 hours per year and in July and August the daily duration of the sun shining is about 10,5-11 hours. Besides the climate, the fresh air, the healing sun and sun bathing are other curative factors, which help human organism harden. There is also a great number of mineral springs nearby the resort. Sunny Beach is a famous tourist center not only in Bulgaria, but also abroad. In the summer it is visited by a lot of Bulgarian and foreign tourists. It is situated along the coastline and all the hotels are built up among trees in natural environment. When the project of the resort was created, one of its main objects was to preserve the existing natural dunes and the trees. In order to make the complex even more attractive, some exotic tropical species were also planted. Sunny Beach is remarkable for the great diversity of its hotels, which vary from 1 or 2 storey buildings for tourists seeking privacy to multi-storey buildings with inner courtyards. That makes the resort center very attractive, because it manages to meet various needs and preferences.

Golden Sands

Golden Sands Resort is situated in the north part of the Black Sea, 17 km from Varna.

The unique natural wealth of the resort - calm and warm sea, old forests descending to the beach, covered by fine golden sand, healing mineral springs, as well as thå wonderful conditions for rest, sports, entertainments and balneotherapy, are the reason that thousands of tourists from all over the world visit the resort every year. The beach is 3.5 km long and its width is up to 100m in some places.The weather is suitable for sea- and sunbaths from May to October. The average temperature of the air is 27° C and that of the water 24° C. At the seaside and the fresh forest are located more than 60 modern hotel complexes, most of them with open-air and indoor swimming pools; holiday villages, restaurants and snack-bars; night clubs with folk and show programs, bars, disco clubs, casino, sports facilities, balneological and fitness centres, trade centres and shops , yacht port.

Nessebar

Nessebar - the pearl of the South coast of the Black Sea, is one of the most ancient towns in Europe. The town, founded 3000 years ago by the Thracians by the name of Messemvria, is situated at a little rocky peninsula. When the castle was captured by Krum (an ancient bulgerian king) in 812 A.C. the town was annexed to the Bulgarian territories by the name of Nessebur. In 1959 the town was declared for an architectural and archaeological reservation and has been included in the list of The World Cultural Inheritance of UNESCO since 1983.

Particularly attractive cultural and historical monuments are: "St.Stefan" Church (XI-th century), "St.Spas" Church (XVII-th century), "Christ Pantokrator" Church (XIII-th century), "St. John the Baptist" Church (X-XI-th century), "St. Sofia" Church (IV-V-th century), "St. John Aliturgetos" Church (XIV-th century). Another interesting monuments from the XVIII - XIX-th century are many houses, windmills, fountains, squares. The magnificent mediaeval achitecture, as well as the antique traces from different civilizations are unique opportunity for entertainment. There are many family hotels and private rooms. They offer a whole range ofl modern conveniences at reasonable prices.
Nessebur will be a pleasant and unforgettable experience for you!

Sozopol

Situated 34 kilometers south of Bourgas upon a small peninsula, Sozopol is the oldest town at the Bulgarian seaside. Founded in the year 610 B.C. by the Greeks, the colony called Apolonia flourished as a mediator between the world of the Greek and the world of the noble Thracian tribes. Today, that fascinating place is a large tourist center, remarkable for its unique stone and wooden houses, that date as far back as the 19th century. Some of them (about 45) are even declared National Cultural Monuments. But it is not only them that attract tourists, but also the two beaches with fine sand and especially the local peoples hospitality. In July and August Sozopol resembles a beehive, filled with tourists and during the winter, it turns again into a quiet and romantic fishing settlement. That seems to attract a lot of artists, writers, actors, etc. If you take a walk along the narrow winding lanes, you could notice a great number of houses, dating from the Bulgarian Renaissance. Then, most of the houses with stone foundations, roomy second floors and roofs covered with Mediterranean tiles were built up. Small restaurants and cafes are to be found along the coastal Morski Skali and Milet lanes, which tourists might visit to taste Sozopol specialties meals of local mussels and dried mackerels, prepared in a number of different ways. On the other hand, these tiny restaurants have another advantage, except the delicious meals and it is the magnificent scenery they face the offing and the port.

The small port is the ideal place where one could take a look at the anglers, who demonstrate their skills of the that ancient means of livelihood- fishing. Nearby the port one could visit the unique Sozopol tavern, which is one of the evening attractions of the town. Its program includes folk songs and dances. The high point in the program is the Bulgarian ring dance, done by dancers dressed in national costumes, who invite the guests to take part in that lovely diversion. Sozopol, however is not simply an amusement center, it is a historical settlement with a lot of landmarks dating back to ancient times , as well as to recent times. One of the most spectacular sights is the Sveta Bogoroditza church, which is located in the old part of the town. It dates as far back as the 17th century and half of it was erected under the ground, because the Turkish conquerors had imposed a ban on the erection of high Bulgarian Christian temples. Another famous landmark is the archeological museum, where tourists could take a look at a rich collection of amphoras, stone anchors and models of ships used by the Greeks, the Phoenicians and other ancient peoples, which the population of Sozopol kept in touch with.

The modern part of the town is located nearby the old one. One of the 2 beaches is situated there- on the eastern part of Harmanite cape. Numerous cafes, discotheques and suchlike await guests along the high street "Republicanska'. Apolonia- the colony that once existed here was not just an important trade center, but also a seat of culture and art, a great tradition that has been preserved up to now thanks to the annual festival, which takes place in September. It lasts 10 sleepless days and nights, filled with music, dancing, all sorts of performances, films, exhibitions, etc. The loveliest beach nearby Sozopol is the one at the Dyuni vacation center. After Dyuni, the seaside road passes by the exotic marsh area called "Arkutino". That area covers a territory of 62 ha, where tourists have the opportunity to see some rare plant species, such as water- lilies, irises and creeping lianas. A few kilometers south of the marsh area, the Ropotamo river is to be seen, which was declared a natural reserve. River navigation is another tourist attraction, which is a must. And as far as transport to Sozopol is concerned, it is well- organized and realized through private or state- owned transport firms.

Sveti Konstantin

Sveti Konstantin Resort is situated in the North part of the Bulgarian seaside , 8 km from the town of Varna. In 1897 Varna municipality begins building up the area around the ancient monachal cloister "St. st. Konstantin and Elena". In 1925 Anton Novak, the creator of the Sea Garden in Varna, lays the foundations of the Nature park in the resort. The specific nature features of the sea-shore , that make the climate mild and temperate, the calmness and quietness attract tourists and guests from all over the world. Restored and modernized hotels, holiday houses, villas, restaurants and snackbars, balneological and sports centres, swimming pools, yacht ports are located along the seaside and in the forest. An important part of Sveti Konstantin Resort is the complex " Sunny Day" a magic of sea breeze and forest freshness; Grand Hotel Varna oasis of verdure, sea and healing mineral water; IHS "Federic Jolio Kiuri" recreation and conferent centre of scientists from all over the world.For the guests are especialy organized yacht tours, fishing, visiting places of amusement, tours around interesting historical and cultural sights in Bulgaria and neighbour countries.