At a glance
- Best for
- Beaches, old towns, seafood and summer nights
- Airports
- Varna (VAR) in the north and Burgas (BOJ) in the south
- Time needed
- Three days to a week
- Best season
- June to September; July and August are busiest
- Getting around
- Buses between towns, taxis and summer boats
- Nearby
- Aladzha Monastery, Cape Kaliakra, Strandzha Nature Park
Why go
The sea is mild and has no tides, the beaches are often long and sandy with gently shelving water, and summer is reliably hot and sunny. For families and anyone wanting a beach week with history and good seafood, it is hard to beat for value in Europe.
Varna
**Varna** is Bulgaria's third city and summer capital. Walk the long **Sea Garden** park above the beaches, see the gold treasures of the Varna Necropolis in the **Archaeological Museum**, among the oldest worked gold in the world, and explore the large **Roman Baths**. The city has good restaurants, beach bars and nightlife, and makes a fine base for the north. Nearby, the **Aladzha Monastery** is carved into a cliff in forest, and the **Pobiti Kamani** stone forest is a strange field of natural stone columns.
The north coast
North of Varna, the resort of **Golden Sands** is busy and built up, while **Balchik** has a seaside palace and botanical garden built for a Romanian queen. **Cape Kaliakra** is a long, red cliffed headland with fortress ruins and dolphins often visible offshore. The coast around **Kamen Bryag** and **Yailata** is wild and rocky.
Nessebar
**Old Nessebar** sits on a small peninsula joined to the mainland by a narrow causeway. It is a UNESCO site of medieval churches, stone and timber houses and cobbled lanes. It gets very crowded at midday in summer, so visit early in the morning or in the evening. Sunny Beach, the biggest party resort, is right next door; if you want quiet, stay elsewhere.
Sozopol
**Sozopol**, founded by Greek colonists as Apollonia, is the most charming of the old towns. Its old quarter of wooden houses sits on a rocky peninsula with two beaches either side, and a summer arts festival brings concerts and exhibitions. South of here, **Ropotamo** river, **Arkutino** and the beaches of **Primorsko**, **Sinemorets** and the **Strandzha** forests are quieter and greener.
Burgas
**Burgas** is a working port city with a pleasant sea garden, salt lakes full of birds and flamingos, and a sand sculpture festival in summer. Its airport is the closest to Nessebar and Sozopol.
When to go
July and August are hot and busy, with every resort open. June and early September are often the best time: warm sea, fewer people and calmer prices. Outside the season many resort hotels close entirely, though Varna, Burgas and Sozopol's old town stay alive.
Swimming safety
Swim at beaches with lifeguards and flags, especially on the open northern and southern coast where currents can be strong. Red flags mean no swimming.
Food and drink
Seafood is the highlight. Look for grilled **tsatsa**, tiny fried sprats eaten whole with lemon, **mussels** cooked in white wine or fried, Black Sea **turbot** in season and fish soup in harbour taverns. Sozopol and Nessebar have many fish restaurants on the water, and Varna has everything from beach bars to smart dining. Ask what was caught locally that day, and check the weight and price of whole fish before ordering, as fish is often charged by weight.
Plan it
Build a coast week into your route with the free trip planner, and see our places to visit for seafood, beach bars and stays.
Questions about the Black Sea coast
Which Black Sea town is best for a first visit?
Sozopol for charm and a relaxed pace, Varna for a city with beaches, and Nessebar for history close to Burgas airport. Avoid Sunny Beach unless you want a party resort.
Is the Black Sea warm enough to swim?
Yes, from late June to mid September the sea is usually comfortably warm. In May and October it is cool.
Are Bulgarian beaches good for children?
Many are excellent, with fine sand and shallow water. Choose a beach with lifeguards and avoid the party resorts.
Does the coast close in winter?
Most resort hotels close from October to May. Varna, Burgas and the old towns stay open year round, but beach life stops.
Facts checked . Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so always confirm the latest with the official source.
