Coast Destination Guide

Overview of Black Sea Coast The Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, stretching for 236 miles (380km), is a popular destination for thousands of as well as foreign visitors every summer (June to August), with warm sea temperatures, a sunny climate, picture-perfect white sand beaches, modern resorts and a favourable exchange rate. Although the Black Sea Coast has long been associated with large resort complexes catering mainly to European package tourists, there are also plenty of little hotels with private beaches. Seaside towns invite a more independent vacation with plenty of family-run guesthouses and a wealth of bars and restaurants that add local flavour and character. The coast is also one of the best spa regions in the country and resorts offer the added attraction of mineral baths, mud treatments and thermal springs. Clean beaches, safe swimming and wide sandy beaches characterise the northern Black Sea Coast with the lively city of Varna a good base from which to explore the region. To the south lie picturesque bays and unusual rock formations, and the trawler port of Bourgas flanked by the old fishing villages of and Nessebur.

Key Facts

Language: Bulgarian is the official language, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet, but English, German and French are spoken in resorts, hotels, and restaurants. Passport/Visa: Visitors must have proof of sufficient funds or onward or return tickets in addition to other documents needed for the next destination. Immigration and entry regulations are very strictly enforced. Passports of all visitors should be valid for at least three months after leaving . We recommend that passports be valid for three months after intended period of travel. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Currency: The official currency is the Lev (BGN), which is divided into 100 stotinki. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations. If you enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of BGN 8,000 or more, you must declare it to customs officials. Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, hotels, or at one of the numerous bureaux de change; however, due to a common practice of misleading rates of exchange it is better to go to banks to change money. A receipt called a bordereaux is issued when exchanging currency, indicating the amount that will be given, and it must be kept until departure. Major international credit cards are increasingly becoming accepted by tourist hotels, upmarket shops,and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agents, but Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. There are ATMs in the main cities and at Black Sea resorts. Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs and schuko plugs are in use.

Travel guide by wordtravels.com © Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Travmarket cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. Event details can change. Please check with the organizers that an event is happening before making travel arrangements. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.

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Travel to Black Sea Coast Climate for Black Sea Coast The marine climate along the coast is characterised by warm, sunny days from May to October, with mid-summer air temperatures averaging 83°F (28°C) and sea temperatures as warm as 77°F (25°C). The wettest months are June, October and December. Winter is cold, although milder than the interior of the country where the snow falls heavily. Many of the beach resorts shut down for the winter season but the picturesque villages in the coastal region are still charming and pleasantly empty of tourists in the winter months. Summer is definitely peak tourist season on the Bulgarian coast with its popular sea-side resorts booming. Spring and autumn are also good times to visit because the weather is fairly mild and there is still sun to be enjoyed. Health Notes when travelling to Bulgaria Bulgaria poses few health risks and there are no vaccinations required for entry. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B are, however, always recommended for travellers, and a typhoid vaccination is recommended for travellers who may be eating and drinking outside of hotels and restaurants and travelling off the beaten track. Similarly, a rabies vaccination is recommended for travellers who will be spending a lot of time outdoors or who will be exposed to animals. Travellers should note that medical treatment can be expensive and payment is expected immediately. Facilities in local hospitals are basic and specialised treatment or equipment may not be freely available. Medical insurance, with provision for emergency evacuation, is therefore vital. Travellers from the UK should also hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in case of emergency medical treatment. Safety Notes when travelling to Bulgaria Most visits to Bulgaria are trouble-free. Violent crime is rare, but criminal groups target casinos and nightclubs and groups of young pickpockets are active in city centres and the Black Sea holiday resorts. Car theft is also relatively common. Customs in Bulgaria Foreigners should be aware that traditionally a shake of the head means 'yes' and a nod means 'no', although allowances are often made for visitors; it is useful to clarify the answer verbally to avoid confusion. Family values are extremely important in Bulgaria, so treating seniors with deference is important. Duty Free in Bulgaria Travellers to Bulgaria, aged 17 and older, do not need to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine; 50g of perfume or 100g of eau de toilette; and gifts. Allowances are larger for goods purchased within the EU. Prohibited items include arms and ammunition, narcotics and pornography. Doing Business in Bulgaria Relationship building is important in Bulgaria, and initial meetings may be used as an introduction, after which more business-related meetings can be planned. Face-to-face meetings are therefore preferred over communication by email, fax or phone. The use of English in business is increasing, however the services of a translator might be required, and presentations should include the use of visuals where possible. Introductions include firm handshakes, and the exchange of business cards. Dress should be conservative business attire and punctuality is expected. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Communication in Bulgaria The country dialling code for Bulgaria is +359, followed by the relevant city code. The city code for is (0)2. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relavent country code (e.g. 0044 for the ). Betcom or Bulgarian Telecommunication Company phone booths require a special card available from kiosks. Telephone offices are also available and are attached to post offices. Bulgaria is one of the few countries in that has no peak or off-peak call times. The country has mobile operators, and several Internet Service Providers. Internet cafes can be found across big cities. Tipping in Bulgaria Tips of 10 percent of the bill are customary for most services, including restaurants, while hotel porters and taxi drivers expect visitors to round up the bill for good service.

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Passport/Visa Note Visitors must have proof of sufficient funds or onward or return tickets in addition to other documents needed for the next destination. Immigration and entry regulations are very strictly enforced. Passports of all visitors should be valid for at least three months after leaving Bulgaria. We recommend that passports be valid for three months after intended period of travel. Visa requirements vary from country to country.

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Airports in Black Sea Coast Varna International Airport (VAR) Varna International Airport www.varna-airport.bg Location: Black Sea Coast The airport is situated on the western outskirts, about six miles (10km) from Varna. Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to September). Contacts: Tel: +359 52 573 323. Getting to the city: Public bus 409, which passes through central Varna and travels as far as resort, serves the airport; departures are from in front of the VIP hall. Taxis are available in front of International Arrivals, but the meters are often not working and it is advisable to agree on a fare with the driver before departure. Many resort hotels run their own shuttle services to and from the airport. Car rental: Car rental agents are on site at the airport including Avis, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar. Airport Taxis: Facilities: The airport has currency exchange facilities, a large restaurant and duty-free shops. Parking: Parking is available just opposite the terminal and is open 24 hours a day. The first ten minutes are free and charges start at BGN 2 per hour thereafter. However, a flat rate of BGN 15 applies for between seven and 12 hours of parking, while charges increase slightly thereafter. Departure Tax: US$20 (nationals of the USA only). Bourgas Airport (BOJ) Bourgas International Airport www.-airport.bg Location: Black Sea Coast The airport is situated six miles (10km) from Bourgas. Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to September). Contacts: Tel: +359 56 870 248 (Departures), +359 56 870 272 (Arrivals). Getting to the city: Most passenger flights into Bourgas Airport are part of package holiday deals and visitors are conveyed by their host tour operators. Taxis are available, and local buses also serve the airport. Car rental: Car rental is available. Airport Taxis: Facilities: The airport has a bureau de change, bank, restaurant, duty free shop, post office and first aid facilities. Parking:

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Currency The official currency is the Lev (BGN), which is divided into 100 stotinki. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations. If you enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of BGN 8,000 or more, you must declare it to customs officials. Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, hotels, or at one of the numerous bureaux de change; however, due to a common practice of misleading rates of exchange it is better to go to banks to change money. A receipt called a bordereaux is issued when exchanging currency, indicating the amount that will be given, and it must be kept until departure. Major international credit cards are increasingly becoming accepted by tourist hotels, upmarket shops,and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agents, but Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. There are ATMs in the main cities and at Black Sea resorts.

Exchange rate for 1 BGN - 0.57 BMD 0.51 EUR 0.57 USD 0.40 GBP 62.20 JPY 0.75 CAD Bermudan Dollar Euro U.S. Dollar U.K. Pound Sterling Japanese Yen Canadian Dollar 0.56 CHF 0.79 AUD 14.34 UAH 192.89 KZT 860.10 LBP 0.41 LYD Swiss Franc Australian Dollar Ukrainian Hryvnia Kazakhstani Tenge Lebanese Pound Libyan Dinar 3.92 BOB 61.62 NPR 0.22 OMR 2.08 QAR 0.79 SGD 4.73 SEK Bolivian Boliviano Nepalese Rupee Omani Rial Qatari Rial Singapore Dollar Swedish Krona 3.79 TTD 5.70 VEF 26.18 DOP 3.84 HRK 10.64 MXN 334.88 XOF Trinidad Tobago Dollar Venezuelan Bolivar Dominican Peso Croatian Kuna Mexican Peso West African CFA Franc 1.81 PGK 0.57 BSD 1.21 FJD 12.93 HNL 63.13 DZD 680.45 MMK Papua New Guinean kina Bahamian Dollar Fiji Dollar Honduran Lempira Algerian Dinar Myanma Kyat 6.39 BWP 1.92 PEN 396.13 CLP 273.08 AMD 13.81 CZK 11.41 MDL Botswana Pula Peruvian Nuevo Sol Chilean Peso Armenia Dram Czech Koruna Moldova Lei 70.99 ISK 1,678.55 UZS 2.20 ILS 0.40 JOD 0.17 KWD 17.91 UYU Icelandic Krona Uzbekistan Sum Israeli New Sheqel Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Uruguayan Peso 20.29 MUR 16.29 NIO 4.77 NOK 2.24 PLN 2.14 SAR 83.40 LKR Mauritian Rupee Nicaraguan Córdoba Norwegian Krone Polish Zloty Saudi Riyal Sri Lanka Rupee 20.34 THB 2.10 AED 2.05 BRL 2.31 RON 4.44 HKD 335.64 XAF Thai Baht U.A.E Dirham Brazilian Real Romanian New Leu Hong Kong Dollar Central African CFA Franc 12,837.04 VND 7.97 ARS 1.54 XCD 4.47 GTQ 5.58 MAD 0.21 BHD Vietnamese Dong Argentine Peso East Caribbean Dollar Guatemalan Quetzal Moroccan Dirham Bahrain Dinar 0.57 PAB 0.85 AZN 1,780.82 COP 39.01 KGS 159.79 HUF 4.50 TJS Panamanian Balboa Azerbaijan Manat Colombian Peso Kyrgyzstan Som Hungarian Forint Tajikistan Ruble 7,815.48 IDR 5.07 EGP 680.33 KRW 3,238.24 PYG 2.38 MYR 307.72 CRC Indonesian Rupiah Egyptian Pound South Korean Won Paraguayan Guaraní Malaysian Ringgit Costa Rican Colón 0.84 NZD 59.82 PKR 38.15 RUB 8.91 ZAR 1.21 TND 1.14 BBD New Zealand Dollar Pakistani Rupee Russian Rouble South African Rand Tunisian Dinar Barbadian Dollar 1.69 TRY 26.63 PHP 18.63 TWD 112.24 NGN 61.20 XPF 2.23 GHS Turkish Lira Philippine Peso New Taiwan Dollar Nigerian Naira CFP Franc Ghanaian Cedi 71.35 JMD 1.03 ANG 0.79 BND 63.15 RSD 3.76 CNY 11,365.57 BYR Jamaican Dollar Neth. Antillean Guilder Brunei Dollar Serbian Dinar Chinese Yuan Belarussian Ruble 3.80 DKK 1.96 TMT 38.42 INR

Danish Krone New Turkmenistan Manat Indian Rupee

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Sunny Beach Overview

Lying about 22 miles (35km) north of Bourgas, is the largest Bulgarian sea resort. Sunny Beach is situated on a wide semi-circular bay along the southern part of the Black Sea Riviera, with a five-mile (8km) strip of beach backed by natural golden sand dunes, which is regarded as the best beach along the coast and is a widely popular holiday destination. It is naturally protected by the Balkan mountain range to the north, and with its warm Mediterranean climate, clean and calm water, and safe swimming, it is a perfect all-round holiday destination, living up to its motto 'Where families come first'. Only the most world-weary of visitors could get bored here considering the wide variety of activities and entertainment, including almost every kind of sport imaginable and plenty of fun and games for children. The resort comprises of more than 120 modern hotels, and offers a wide range of services as well as organised day trips to surrounding attractions, including the ancient town of Nessebur.

Shopping in Sunny Beach

Sunny Beach features several big shopping centres which provide plenty of opportunities for visitors to find clothes, souvenirs and while on holiday. You'll find traditional Bulgarian souvenirs like leather and textiles, wooden toys and puzzles, and jewellery alongside touristy fare like t-shirts, sunglasses and postcards at places like the Royal Beach Mall in the centre of town.

Dining in Sunny Beach

More than 130 restaurants and taverns in the Sunny Beach holiday resort cater to foreign tastes with a wide range of for holidaymakers of all nationalities. Places to eat in Sunny Beach range from familiar British for homesick tourists, to traditional Bulgarian mehanas, and the range of ensures there are options to suit all budgets.

Activities in Sunny Beach

Nightlife in Sunny Beach is varied and ranges from nightclubs, discos, casinos and bars, to cafés, folk-style spots and a variety of acts and entertainment in the local taverns. The nightlife in Sunny Beach is so varied and energetic that holidaymakers visit from surrounding resorts to make the most of the Bulgarian entertainment scene.

Things to be aware of in Sunny Beach

The Sunny Beach holiday resort can get very crowded during peak season with over 100 hotels and two large campsites accommodating thousands of visitors.

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Nessebar Overview

North of Bourgas lies the ancient town and popular Bulgarian holiday destination of Nessebar, located on the tip of a long and narrow peninsula in the Black Sea. The picturesque town is one of the oldest in Europe, emerging as a fortified Thracian settlement over 9,000 years ago and changing hands many times before being captured by the Bulgarians in the 7th century. Like many European cities, Nessebar has an old town and a new town, but it is the old quarter that gives the peninsula its character, and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A popular tourist attraction, Nessebar charms holidaymakers with its narrow cobblestone streets, period wooden houses, courtyards, taverns and romantic atmosphere. The old town is famous for its medieval churches, with beautiful facades and well-preserved interiors that are remnants of the historic Slav and Greek Orthodox communities. Nessebar is an architectural and historic monument of Bulgarian culture and is one of the most popular tourist resorts along the southern coast. It offers a good selection of private accommodation, and the new town has modern facilities as well as larger hotels.

Shopping in Nessebar

Popular souvenirs from Nessebar include leather and textiles, wooden toys, and silver jewellery. The street markets in Nessebar's old quarter have a good variety of colourful mementos.

Dining in Nessebar

Nessebar has no shortage of restaurants, cafés and taverns for visitors to choose from on holiday. The most alluring restaurants are along Roussalka and Tsar Ivan Assen Streets on the southeastern tip of the peninsula. Fresh seafood and sea views are the order of the day!

Activities in Nessebar

Nessebar's nightlife is limited, but the mega-resort of Sunny Beach is just two miles (3km) away and offers an excellent nightlife for those seeking more entertainment than the quiet beach holiday can offer.

Things to be aware of in Nessebar

For modern amenities and a bigger variety of holiday accommodation it is necessary to stay in the new town on the mainland, which doesn't have the charm and atmosphere of the old quarter.

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Varna Overview

As the third largest city in Bulgaria, one of the country's most attractive towns, and a popular holiday destination, Varna is known as 'Bulgaria's Seaside Capital' and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round holiday destination. The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the Roman Spa in the centre of town constitutes the largest ancient building in Bulgaria, dating back to the 2nd century AD. Varna is the main port for commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate, calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs, popular with holidaymakers. Varna is the gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including and the mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the coast.

Shopping in Varna

Shopping in Varna is focused on the massive Varna Shopping Mall, which is one of the largest in Bulgaria. Its shops offer everything from souvenirs and beachwear to music and electronics. There are also shopping promenades located in Bul. Slivnitsa and its surrounding area.

Dining in Varna

Eating out in Varna includes a huge selection of informal cafes and good restaurants to choose from. You can enjoy mouth-watering seafood with your toes in the sand, sample traditional Bulgarian food, or try some at one of the upmarket restaurants. Those on a budget will find plentiful wallet-friendly options.

Activities in Varna

Like most holiday beach destinations, this Bulgarian resort town has a number of nightclubs and bars along the sand and in the city centre, contributing to a vibrant nightlife. Varna is a city and has all the amenities and entertainments one would expect.

Things to be aware of in Varna

Many of the buildings in Varna are uninspired Socialist-era architecture and look slightly run-down, and the city is cut off from the beach by a large garden.

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Golden Sands Overview

Golden Sands ( Zlatni Piasaci) is one of the biggest holiday resort complexes along the northern coastline of Bulgaria, famous for its healing hot-water mineral springs as well as its beautiful two-mile (4km) stretch of fine sandy beach. The resort is 11 miles (18km) north of Varna, and sits at the foot of the forested hills of the Zlatni Piasaci National Park, which is one of the oldest in the country and features a variety of interesting flora and fauna. Golden Sands offers the whole family ideal holiday conditions with plenty of entertainment, sporting activities, warm and clean water, year round luxury hotels and villas, restaurants, bars and spa treatments, making it one of the most popular vacation destinations on the Black Sea Coast.

Shopping in Golden Sands

Visitors can enjoy browsing in the numerous shopping arcades and outdoor bazaars while on holiday in Golden Sands. While Golden Sands' shopping opportunities are fairly commercial, most of the hotels have large gift shops and some authentic Bulgarian crafts can usually be found among the usual tourist beach resort merchandise.

Dining in Golden Sands

Golden Sands has a range of restaurants, cafés, snack bars and local tavernas that serve a wide variety of first-class international cuisine, as well as traditional Bulgarian dishes, mostly at reasonable prices. In addition to Bulgarian cuisine, Chinese restaurants, Irish pubs, and eateries selling international staples like pizza and barbecue can be found. Bulgarian wine and brandies appear on most menus.

Activities in Golden Sands

Golden Sands' nightlife features a wide range of beach bars, discos and nightclubs where holiday visitors can keep the action going until the early hours. A casino will satisfy the gambling spirit and there is always a variety of shows and entertainment to be had, ranging from live music and deejays to floor shows, cabaret, and a go-go bar.

Things to be aware of in Golden Sands

Golden Sands is a large tourist complex and one of the biggest on the northern Black Sea Coast. For this reason it is a little characterless and visitors can miss out on what Bulgarian life along the Black Sea is really about amid the commercial attractions.

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