Nessebar, Bulgaria: the pearl on the Black Sea coast
July 12, 2022
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A vacation to Bulgaria is so much more than sunbathing and going out in Sunny Beach. It is a country full of nature, beautiful sights, good food and fun. Along the Black Sea you will find a stunning coastline with many beautiful capes, rugged rock formations and golden yellow beaches. In addition, Bulgaria offers a rich history and a particularly hospitable population. Cities like Varna and the historic UNESCO city of Nessebar make a visit to Bulgaria extra special! Going on vacation to the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria? With these tips for a vacation to Bulgaria, you'll make it a splashy and versatile trip!Â
Tips for Bulgaria as a vacation country
Bulgaria is a popular vacation country and is increasingly on the rise. Yet it has certainly not yet been discovered by the masses. Perhaps this is because Bulgaria is somewhat known as a destination for youth vacations. Unjustified if you ask us, because yes, admittedly, you can definitely go out well here ... But Bulgaria offers so much more as a vacation destination! Unspoiled natural landscapes and cultural highlights, you will find them all here.Â
On top of that, Bulgaria is also a very inexpensive destination, which is a nice bonus, especially in these times. And it's not far to travel, because after a 2.5 to 3 hour flight you are already under the Bulgarian sun!Â
Where is Bulgaria located?Â
Bulgaria is located in southeastern Europe and borders Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. It also lies on the Black Sea. You will find a coastline of no less than 378 kilometers in Bulgaria on the Black Sea. So plenty of beaches!Â
The Climate in Bulgaria
In the summer months, temperatures in Bulgaria range from 20 to 35 degrees. In terms of wind chill, this is often a little higher. In the winter months, however, it can get cold. Then the temperatures are around freezing point. The water temperature of the Black Sea is very pleasant during the summer. The water is then about 25 degrees. Ideal for a nice dip in the sea. May, June, July, August and September are the best periods to travel to the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria.
The CurrencyÂ
The Bulgarian currency is the lev. At many places you can pay with your Dutch bank card, but it is advisable to always have some cash in your pocket.Â
The time difference
There is one hour time difference between Bulgaria and the Netherlands. In Bulgaria, it is 1 hour later.Â
On vacation to Bulgaria with CorendonÂ
A carefree vacation to Bulgaria? You can with Corendon! We traveled to Bulgaria with this tour company and enjoyed this vacation in Bulgaria tremendously.Â
Where to stay on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria
Where is the best place to stay during a vacation in Bulgaria? There are several great places to stay on the Black Sea coast, but the most popular are surely Sunny Beach, Nessebar and Pomorie. The main difference is that Sunny Beach is particularly popular among young people and Nessebar is more of a cozy destination for all age groups. Pomorie is a popular vacation destination for a relaxing wellness vacation due to its quiet location and the presence of mineral springs.Â
The largest selection of accommodations is all-inclusive hotels. Big advantage of the all-inclusive resorts is that you know where you stand in terms of vacation budget. The all-inclusive resorts in Bulgaria are modern and spacious and in terms of facilities they offer everything you need on vacation. In addition, an all-inclusive vacation to Bulgaria is also very affordable!Â
Aqua Paradise Resort
We stayed in the town of Nessebar in the Aqua Paradise Resort. A stunning resort near Bulgaria's largest Aqua Park and close to the lively resort of Sunny Beach. The resort's facilities include several swimming pools, a gym, a spa, a game hall and even a bowling alley! So in addition to the hotel's all-inclusive care, there are also two à la carte restaurants. Especially in these restaurants, the food is incredibly delicious. Aqua Paradise Resort is the ideal place for a vacation with children, but also a fine base to discover more of Bulgaria.Â
The best things to do during a vacation on the Black Sea coast in BulgariaÂ
There are more than enough things to do on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. From active excursions to relaxing, it's all possible! The activities during our trip through Bulgaria were organized by Avatar Tour. An incredibly good and reliable organization that allowed us to discover the diversity of Bulgaria. Because versatile, that is the country for sure.Â
What is incredibly nice about Avatar Tour is that they offer excursions with a self-drive audio tour. This means that a rental car is brought to your hotel and you can explore beautiful spots of Bulgaria on your own and at your own pace (without a crowded bus!). You get a detailed map, GPS coordinates, audio guides and videos along with the entrance tickets, restaurant reservations and vouchers you need for the tour you are taking. Your itinerary is thus completely customizable to your personal needs, which is of course ideal. This is how we made an amazing road trip along the northern coast of Bulgaria.Â
1. Take a road trip along the northern coast of Bulgaria
The northern coast of Bulgaria is characterized by the impressive rocky environment with many beautiful capes, rugged rock formations and fine beaches. The place that impressed us the most was Kaliakra. You will find Cape Kaliakra here. The coastline at this cape here is gigantic steep with red-colored cliffs of about 70 meters. You have several stunning viewpoints here. In Kaliakra Bay, near Cape Kaliakra, you will find a mussel farm. Kaliakra Bay is one of the clearest bays on the Black Sea coast and you can have lunch at this mussel farm in a special place with an incredible ambiance.Â
But did you know that Bulgaria is one of the largest growers of lavender in the world? If you take a road trip along the northern coast you will pass several fields of these beautiful fragrant violet-blue flowers.Â
The port city of Varna is also one of the highlights of the north coast. Especially worth seeing is the Sea Garden in Varna. A beautiful park extending over a large area along the sea.Â
2. Tips vacation Bulgaria: visit the old town of Nessebar
If we are talking about cities in Bulgaria, for us the number one is the old town of Nessebar, also called old Nessebar (as there is also a new part). This picturesque town is also called the Pearl of the Black Sea. It is a maze of cozy streets with quaint stores and art galleries, historic buildings and tasty restaurants. Many of the terraces overlook the sea, making Nessebar a very cozy place to eat as well. Curious about all our tips and the tastiest hotspots? Then read our article with the best tips for Nessebar in Bulgaria!Â
3. Adrenaline rush guaranteed: take a quad safari or go zipliningÂ
Looking for adventure? Then Bulgaria is also the place to be. An exciting quad tour through Bulgaria's stunning mountains adds a whole new dimension to your vacation. But also ziplining down the 468-meter-long zipline in Topola will give you a real adrenaline kick! The descent speed goes up to 80 kilometers per hour. How cool!
4. Enjoy a wine tastingÂ
If there is anything that really gives us a vacation feeling, it is visiting a local winery. Wine always tells a story and through this you also learn more about the destination. We visited the Messembria winery in Nessebar. A beautiful and charming place where we participated in a wine tasting. Here we learned about the Bulgarian wine industry and tasted five different wines. Favorite was the dessert wine, an almond wine with a hint of honey!Â
5. Visit Bulgaria's largest Aqua Park
The hotel where we stayed, Aqua Paradise Resort, was not only a very nice hotel to fully enjoy the sunny vacation atmosphere. Indeed, it is also the place to be for water rats and for those looking for even a little extra entertainment. The adjacent Aqua Park is in fact the largest aqua park in all of Bulgaria. There are spectacular slides for young and old, but there is also a lazy river to float around in with an inflatable tire. If you are staying at the resort, admission to the water park is included. If you are staying elsewhere, you can buy tickets online.Â
6. Take a boat ride on a catamaran
If you love the sea as much as we do, then this is surely one of the most fun activities on vacation: sailing on a catamaran! During a boat trip with a catamaran you will sail along the coastline of Bulgaria and pass several coastal towns. During the boat trip there is of course time for swimming and with a little luck you can even spot dolphins!
More great vacation tips for Eastern Europe and the Balkans
Got excited about Bulgaria and curious about more wonderful destinations in the region? Then check out these great places you shouldn't miss:
Albania: from impressive mountains to pristine beaches, Albania is an ideal destination for adventure travelers and sun lovers alike. These are the most beautiful places in Albania!Â
North Macedonia: explore the charm of northern Macedonia, where you'll find, in addition to the vast Lake Ohrid also find impressive sights.
Prague: looking for a fun city break destination? Prague, the enchanting capital of Czechia, is a must-see. Take a walk across the famous Charles Bridge and discover the impressive castle.Â
Budapest: The beautiful city of Budapest, with its iconic thermal baths and impressive buildings, offers a nice mix of culture and relaxation for a city break. These are the most beautiful sights in Budapest!
Naomi van Hagen
Curious, creative and passionate about travel, I’m always on the lookout for unique destinations where culture, gastronomy and adventure come together. As a travel blogger, I share personal stories and insider tips from countries like Brazil, Greece, Indonesia, Thailand and Peru, from hidden gems and rich traditions to unforgettable culinary experiences. My blogs are based on real travel experiences and in-depth local knowledge. Ready to plan your own adventure? As a personal travel consultant, I’ll help you create a tailor-made trip that perfectly suits your travel dreams.
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