What activities and entertainment to do in Sunny Beach? The resort has no historic centre, so the main activities are swimming in the sea, water sports and nightlife.
Beaches and swimming
Sunny Beach has some of the most spacious and beautiful urban beaches in Bulgaria.
The entire coastline is uninterrupted by a wide beach with fine sand.
Why head to Sunny Beach for a dip in the sea?
Positives
- Wide spacious beach
- Very clean environment, the beach is regularly maintained
- Very gradual and comfortable entrance to the water, the beach is ideal for small children and less mobile travellers
- Abundant facilities in the nearby town
Negatives
- Absence of nature, practically the whole beach is lined with the city
- No underwater life and zero snorkeling opportunities
- Expensive services
For prices of sunbeds, umbrellas and services on the beaches, see the details of each beach in the What to see section.
Water sports
If you're not into sunbathing and swimming all day, try some adrenaline-pumping water sports.
You'll find water sports stalls at regular intervals along the length of the beach. The prices are the same everywhere and you can usually only pay in cash.
- Parasailing - 130 bgn / 1 person or 180 bgn / 2 people
- Jet skiing - 180 bgn / 15 minutes
- Inflatable banana boat ride - 30 bgn / person
Nightlife
Sunny Beach is the centre of the nightlife of the Bulgarian coast.
The pedestrian promenade along the beach and the main streets are literally surrounded by bars, restaurants, fast-food joints, as well as nightclubs.
Normally, clubs and bars close until around 4am and many restaurants or shops are even open 24/7.
Prices here are high and comparable to bars or restaurants in Western Europe.
Excursions in the area
Since Sunny Beach is an artificial town built purely for the purpose of a beach resort, you have to go elsewhere for sightseeing or other attractions.
Nessebar
The nearest historical town, which is one of the most visited in the whole of Bulgaria, is Nesebar.
You can get there in about 30 minutes in several ways:
- Bus for 2 bgn (every 5-8 minutes)
- Ferry for 15 bgn (every 20-30 minutes)
- Tourist train for 12 bgn (every 15 minutes)
Varna Dolphinarium
A very popular tourist destination is the famous Dolphinarium in Varna. However, this is quite far away and will definitely be a day trip.
You can conveniently go to Varna on your own. Buses run from Sunny Beach about once an hour and there is no need to buy tickets in advance. A one-way ride costs 12 bgn and the journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Shopping
There are hundreds of small shops selling souvenirs, clothes and beach gear on the promenades and around the hotels.
Convenience stores such as supermarkets and pharmacies can be found literally on every corner.
Food supermarkets in particular are normally open until midnight and the ALDO supermarket chain is even open 24/7.
Take a boat ride
Enjoy a slow cruise on small boats at relatively low prices and see the beaches of the Sunny Beach from a different perspective as well.
Small ferries sail especially to historic Nessebar and are definitely a more pleasant way to travel than old buses without air conditioning.
And just because boats also serve as a common means of public transport here, detailed information on prices and routes is described in the Transport chapter.
