Move Over Spain! This European Beach Destination Is Cheaper & Less Crowded
We all know Spain for its scenic Mediterranean coast, interspersed with vibrant resort cities and hugged by crystal-clear seas, however when you’ve been to the Iberian nation up to now three or 4 years, you have in all probability seen how shockingly costly and busy it is develop into.
From a median overnight rate of $201 in Barcelona to unsustainable ranges of overtourism within the fashionable trip island of Mallorca, the place anti-tourist sentiment has been dangerously brewing, we would not be the primary in line to board that flight.
Luckily, there’s an thrilling Spain dupe tucked away within the rather more offbeat, lesser-known Southeastern nook of Europe inflicting fairly the commotion these days, and if we should add, it is way cheaper and fewer crowded:
Bulgaria Is All The Rage This Year!
When you consider Bulgaria, you in all probability conjure up photos of wintry landscapes, Soviet-style concrete blocks, and Orthodox piousness.
While there may be some fact to that, one thing most folks do not know is that it turns right into a summer time paradise within the hotter months.
Were you even conscious that Bulgaria’s shoreline on the Black Sea extends for an uninterrupted 235 miles and is lined with quaint seashore cities that simply could not be additional aside from the stereotypical grayed-out, war-torn model of Eastern Europe?
Or that, for example, it is about as heat because the Mediterranean, if not hotter?
We child you not:
Some cities alongside the coast have a median every day most of 84.2°F and lows of 66.2°F, and when you’re pondering whether or not to pack an additional jumper or two ‘simply in case’ it will get chilly, child, you higher save house in your carry-on for some extra swim shorts as a substitute.
Not to brag, however no different journey information web site stays on high of journey traits like Travel Off Path, and we reported a few years in the past on how the Black Sea is a new Mediterranean in the making, and we’re glad to see others are lastly catching on:
Why This Lesser-Known Country Is So Trendy Right Now
- It’s cheaper
- It’s lovely
- It’s not as crowded
This 12 months, The New York Times featured this a part of the world in their listing of ‘greatest locations to journey’ in 2025, whereas CEO for Europe-based journey company TUI was recorded stating Bulgaria ‘might rival vacation hotspots reminiscent of Mallory and Menorca’ in summer time.
Newcomers are additionally taking to social media in droves to showcase Bulgaria’s magnificence: on TikTookay alone, the hashtag #bulgaria alone has racked up over 2.5 million posts.
Users will share their captures of sandy seashores, sleepy coastal villages that appear frozen in time, and beautiful nature but to fulfill the spoils of mass tourism.
Some of the most well-liked TikTookay’s, nevertheless, consult with Bulgaria’s affordability as a seashore vacation spot, in comparison with Spain, Italy or Greece.
This publish by TikTookay consumer @heroiisa particularly highlights Varna as a reasonable summer time getaway, the place lodging costs vary from solely $8 to $30-a-night, meals price between $5 and $12 in native eating places, and the seashores look untarnished, with crystal-clear waters:
@heroiisa BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE TO VARNA, BULGARIA✈️ Varna is among the greatest locations to go to when you’re younger and on a funds!✨ All costs are in USD and primarily based on a practical funds for BUDGET vacationers in Varna, Bulgaria💸 🏨Accommodation: $8 to $30/night time per particular person when you keep in a hostel dorm or share an house or a double room in an inexpensive guesthouse/lodge with somebody. This is dependent upon the season, the decrease finish of the costs is for shoulder season (April-June or September-October) and the upper finish for top season (July-August). 🍛Food: there are many choices for $5 to $12/meal. If you prepare dinner, you are able to do it even cheaper than this! ☀️Activities: $0-20 relying on what you need to do! I didn’t spend a lot cash on actions in Varna as a result of there are a lot of free issues to do however there are additionally some paid actions you are able to do relying in your funds. 🚌Getting there: You can get to Varna by bus or prepare from different fashionable Bulgarian locations and cities like Sofia, Burgas, or Plovdiv. Bus and prepare tickets rely upon the route however are normally very reasonably priced ($2-12). ✈️Flights: When it involves flights, you may fly into Burgas, Sofia, Plovdiv, or Varna from many European cities with Ryanair or Wizz Air after which take public transportation to Varna. It’s additionally an choice to fly elsewhere within the Balkans and take public transportation from there in case you have time for an extended journey.
That’s an account by a single traveler, however Budget Your Trip, our personal most popular platform for monitoring costs throughout completely different international locations, corroborates that Bulgaria is certainly on the cheaper finish in terms of summer time locations.
More particularly, vacationers will spend a median $27 on meals per day, until they’re touring luxuriously (in that case, they need to funds $73), and $72 on accommodations, for complete week-long journey bills of $1,076 for 2 folks (or the equal in Bulgarian lev).
Where To Go In Bulgaria In Summer?
- Sunny Beach
- Nessebar
- Varna
- Burgas
- Sveti Vlas
There are numerous world-class locations to choose from when you’re skipping Spain and heading to Bulgaria this 12 months.
If you search Old World appeal and tradition, go to the picture-perfect, cobbled Nessebar. This walled metropolis occupies the tip of a slim peninsula and has a wealthy historical past relationship again a number of millennia and comprising intervals of Thracian, Greek, and Roman rule.
Its ensemble of Byzantine church buildings and fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the hotel-lined South Beach, a brief drive from the Old Town, has been awarded Blue Flag standing, owing it to its cleanliness.
Looking for a conventional seashore getaway as a substitute, Mallorca-style?
Sunny Beach is just not an island, although it’s, because the identify signifies, a sun-drenched resort growth unfolding alongside an azure Black Sea filled with seashore bars, the place beer prices as low-cost as $2, and a waterfront 3-star Hotel Zaara will solely set you again by $35-a-night.
Keen on an all-inclusive deal as a substitute?
HI Hotels Imperial Resort has nightly charges from a shockingly reasonably priced $80 this June, all meals included, and entry to all resort areas, together with the pool and health heart.
We’re not going to deceive you: Sunny Beach can get a bit crowded in summer time, not on account of an inflow of international vacationers however on account of its recognition with Bulgarians (and the neighboring Romanians) themselves. So, for some peace and quiet and extra exclusivity, there’s Sveti Vlas to the northeast.
A laid-back yacht marina boasting a plethora of eating choices, and several other lengthy miles of untouched wonderful, golden sands, it has 5-star accommodations from $66 per night time––take a look at the Garden of Eden Complex.
For a metropolis break, our high picks are Burgas and Varna, the biggest conurbations on the Bulgarian coast, and two bustling Black Sea ports well-known for his or her historical heritage––even the Starbucks in Varna is constructed on high of Roman relics!––and thriving nightlife.
They’re additionally the gateway to the coast, internet hosting low-cost flights from quite a few European locations within the excessive season, beginning in May.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.