The beaches of Sunny Beach: photos and descriptions

The beaches of Sunny Beach are some of the most popular in Bulgaria. This is not surprising – fifteen kilometers of fine clean sand, real sand dunes, the clean sea and nature (the beach is regularly awarded with the Blue Flag certification).

Are the beaches of Sunny Beach crowded?

During peak seasons, expect throngs of tourists coming to the beach. Result is water that becomes a little muddy due to the high traffic. Not to mention high prices, which to Bulgarian standards, are a bit too much

Beaches are divided into paid and free zones. For a sunbed or a sunshade you will have to pay from 8 to 12 levs. Toilets are also paid and the cost varies from 0.3 to 0.5 levs.

Like many beaches in Bulgaria, the beaches in Sunny Beach are very clean. To keep the beaches clean, tourists are not permitted to bring food and drink. Also, vendors are not allowed to sell shrimps, mussels, pahlava (baklava) or leather bags. So generally, the beaches in Sunny Beach are rather quiet and peaceful.

It should be noted that the facilities at the beach are not always available everywhere.

Where are large empty beaches in Sunny Beach?

To get away from the crowds. you may want to go the neighboring Nesebar.

Our favorite beach is located near the town of Pomorie. We went there by bus and then walked. There were no people and the water was so clean …

What is the sea at the beaches of Sunny Beach?

Like many coastal towns and seaside resorts in Bulgaria, the Sunny Beach is situated on the Black Sea. It is quite warm. The bottom is sandy and has a gradual and gentle slope, therefore this beach is safe for kids to swim. In our opinion, the Black Sea is not that salty.

In addition to the sea, there are several big aqua parks. In the bigger hotels you can also find mini-aqua parks.

Prices on the beaches of Sunny Beach (SB) – what and how much cost?

Prices at the beaches of Sunny Beach are among the highest in Bulgaria. For instance, a kilogram of cherries can already cost you as high as 25 levs. Yes, it may be deceitful on the part of the vendors to take advantage of the tourists, but it very well illustrates the atmosphere of this place.

Taxi fares here in Sunny Beach are also expensive, with the cost is about as twice as that of the other resort towns in Bulgaria. Worse is, it’s highly likely that you’ll be cheated, as taxi driver can charge you even four times the usual the fare. Day time rate is 3.5 levs per kilometer, and nighttime rate is usually 5 levs.

The prices for public transport (buses to other towns and resorts of Bulgaria) are quite affordable. You can get to Burgas for 6 levs, and to Varna for 12 levs.

In supermarkets of Sunny Beach prices are about 20% higher than in nearby Nessebar.

The most popular fast food at a beach – a piece of pizza – will cost about 3 levs, and boiled corn – approximately 2 levs.

Prices in hotels in Sunny Beach

In Sunny Beach there are a lot of four- and five-star hotels. The level of service in many of them does not equal to that of Turkey or Egypt, and the prices here are much lower. So if you are looking for an alternative to usual vacations, we highly recommend Bulgaria.

There are, of course, sky-high options. For instance, a week’s stay at Eden Park Luxury Villas will cost you from $5,000 to $10,000. There are nice rooms, panoramic windows, an amazing interior. But $ 10,000 a week? Do not believe me? Check it for yourself:

Check out a selection of the best hotels in Sunny Beach to make your selection a lot easier.

Entertainments in Sunny Beach

If you’re looking for some wild fun, Sunny Beach has it. You can dance the night away at any of its dozens of discos and nightclubs. There is also a variety of erotic shows, foam parties and several types of themed events. You can find them literally at every corner.

Sunny Beach seems to be the place that never sleeps. In fact, nights in Sunny Beach are even more active than the daytime.

The water attractions and activities appeal to every taste, ranging from banana boating to parasailing. You can also find diving options there.

You will never go hungry at Sunny Beach as there are many restaurants scattered across the place. However, most of these restaurants are very expensive.

In terms of good excursions Sunny Beach is not different from other resorts of Bulgaria – a standard set and additional margin of 15-20%.

The ancient town of Nessebar – recommended!

Near to Sunny Beach there is an ancient and very beautiful town of Nessebar, which is definitely worth a visit. Prices in Nessebar are lower, and portions in restaurants are little bit bigger.

We recommend to walk around the peninsula of Old Nessebar in evenings, when it becomes very quiet, romantic and beautiful. You can get to town of Nessebar by foot in 15-20 minutes.

How tourists are being cheated at the beaches of Sunny Beach

Many tourists are deceived into buying something from the streets — so don’t fall for those street vendors if the price seems “fantastic” to you.

Many cab drivers in Sunny Beach without using a meter, so they charge extremely high prices. For example, a couple of kilometers to Nessebar may cost you 50 levs, and if you refuse – 5 levs.

You would NOT rather exchange your money in Sunny Beach, except to do it in banks. If you do that at conventional exchange offices in hotels you will be deceived — a lot of tourists are cheated that way. For instance, these exchange offices would give money to the tourists — and that money is usually old and no longer legal tender — for a bigger fee. Or, they would hand you with money that does not exactly correspond to the accurate exchange rates.

It is interesting to read: How to exchange money in Bulgaria and what are the main ways of cheating tourists?

So be very, very careful. Sunny Beach is visited by lots of foreign tourists, so if you plan to have your vacation there, take this warning with you!

Our reviews of beaches of Sunny Beach

Personally, Sunny Beach is okay but this is not our favorite. The main reason is the high cost. Second, we did not experience a hint of the famed Bulgarian hospitality, to which we were so accustomed.

There is nothing interesting to look at in Sunny Beach, at least for us. But if you’re a wealthy vacationer looking for the good life, you will probably enjoy your stay there — there are luxury hotels, fancy restaurants, discos and nightclubs.