Bulgaria Holiday
Take miles and miles of broad golden beaches, add a warm and sunny climate, and throw in a lush, thriving landscape with a sprinkling of tradition, and it's easy to see why the result has attracted visitors from Russia, Greece and Turkey for decades. Come and discover Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast for yourself.
Newly uncovered by British holidaymakers, Bulgaria has everything you need for the ideal family breakaway, or for a more intrepid and independent trip. The Black Sea Coast is lined with purpose-built resorts and simple seaside towns, so you can sit back in the sunshine, safe in knowledge all your needs are catered for, or lose yourself in the stony streets of traditional Bulgaria. Bourgas is the southern port of the Black Sea, with a cosmopolitan feel and an attractive, tourist friendly centre. Every summer it plays host to a vibrant festival, essential for a slice of native life and music, combining folklore, classical music and jazz. If you're looking for some therapeutic relaxation or simply want to pamper yourself, head to one of the great spa resorts along the coast. The combination of the sea climate with curative mineral springs and mud creates spas that are well worth taking time out to visit. Head inland and you'll find a less packaged Bulgaria, where tradition and nature dominate.
"A combination of relentless, warm summers and long, white sand beaches, wonderful rustic villages and beautifully scented rose fields, sun-drenched Bulgaria is a dream destination."
Bulgaria Holiday - Beaches
The stunning Bulgarian beaches have drawn people to these shores for decades. Spacious golden sands merge gently into the calm, clean waves - excellent for families and beach-lovers alike. Outside of Bourgas, Sunny Beach is particularly family friendly, with lots of space for sandcastles as well as sunbathing while south of Sozopol sit some of Bulgaria's most beautiful beaches. Scuba diving, water-skiing and paragliding are just some of the water sports on offer in the resorts. No matter which beach you choose to visit on this 378 kilometre coast, you're almost guaranteed it will be postcard-perfect.
Shopping
Shopping here is a must, with everything from the latest fashions to Bulgarian handicrafts sold at reasonable prices. Plenty of Western-style shops rub shoulders with the more traditional places. Visit an outdoor market for a taste of local life, where peasants peddle their wares of fruits, nuts and herbs. They'll expect you to haggle so don't hold back!
Nightlife
The bustling resorts along the Black Sea Coast are developing quite a nightlife, with restaurants, bars, discos and casinos. As evening sets in, restaurants open their doors to those simply enjoying a drink as well as diners, while hotels lay on entertainment, live music and discos. Throughout the summer, festivals fill the warm evening air with all kinds of music not to be missed. Bourgas itself is populated with lively bars looking to lure customers with their cooling cocktails and full range of fruity aromatic wines. Nearby Sozopol has a generous scattering of watering holes serving up a seaview with your drink. If bars and discos aren't your scene then catching a summer concert at the amphitheatre is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Further up the coast you'll find Sunny Beach, popular with the party goers in July and August when the resort can be very lively at night.
Local Specialities
Orchards and vegetable plots provide freshly grown ingredients to accompany grilled meats and stews which form the staple of the Bulgarian diet. Cosy folk-style restaurants will tempt you in with the smell of oven-fresh bread and speciality dishes; rich stews baked in earthenware pots, spit-roasted lamb, or Danube fish soup. Street stalls sell grilled meats and meatballs, but take care as standards vary! Bulgarians snack throughout the day, nibbling banista, flaky pastry filled with cheese, or sweeter cakes and pastries. You'll find a Middle Eastern influence here too, with Turkish Delights and other gooey treats. There's an increasing amount of Western food available, particularly around the resorts, but compared with the local dishes, it can be disappointing. Sample some of the famous Bulgarian wine from the five growing regions, including Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet. Whether you're sitting in a street café or eating out in the evening, there's no shortage of choice.