Sunny Beach (Слънчев бряг) is the largest resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It lies in a wide bay between the old town of Nessebar and Sveti Vlas, about 35 km north of Burgas and 94 km south of Varna, in the Municipality of Nessebar.
Key facts
| Municipality | Nessebar, Burgas Province |
|---|---|
| Postcode | 8240 |
| Currency | euro (since 1 January 2026) |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Nearest airport | Burgas |
| Beach season | June – mid-September |
Getting there
- From Burgas Airport: taxi or transfer (about 25–30 km). Always check the tariff sticker on the taxi window and ask for a receipt.
- From Burgas: bus line 22 (via Kableshkovo, about 50 minutes, roughly every 40 minutes from 6:20 to 21:20) or line 10 (via Pomorie) from Burgas South bus station.
- From Sofia: direct coaches take about 6–7 hours.
- From Varna: buses along the coast via Obzor take about 2 hours.
Local buses
Line 1 runs between Sunny Beach and Nessebar Old Town every 12–15 minutes in summer. Line 5 goes to Sveti Vlas, line 3 to Ravda and line 2 passes the water park. Timetables change between summer and winter.
Beaches and safety
- Swim only in guarded areas. A red flag means swimming is forbidden.
- Lifeguards are usually on duty from June to mid-September only.
- Never swim after drinking alcohol or after dark.
- Rip currents: swim parallel to the shore to get out of them.
- Use high-factor sunscreen – the UV index is very high in summer.
Nightlife – stay safe
- Selling nitrous oxide („laughing gas“) balloons is illegal in Bulgaria and police carry out regular checks.
- Possession of any amount of drugs is a criminal offence.
- Watch your drink and always ask for a receipt.
Money
Bulgaria uses the euro. Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Use ATMs of major banks and decline „conversion to your home currency“ offers. Tipping around 10% is customary for good service.
Health
EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card with doctors contracted by the national health fund. Private clinics usually do not accept it, so travel insurance is recommended. Pharmacies are easy to find in the resort.
Beyond the beach
- Nessebar Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 with around 40 churches.
- Sveti Vlas – the Dinevi Marina, the only Bulgarian yacht marina with a Blue Flag.
- Irakli beach and Cape Emine – wild nature north of the resort.
This guide is a summary. Our news and the full directory are in Bulgarian – see the directory (in Bulgarian).