Location

Sunny Beach is the biggest resort on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria with the longest and widest beach strip. It is situated in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera, stretching along a beautiful semicircular bay facing east. It lies 35 km away north of  the  city Bourgas. Closed to the north by the descending ridges of the Balkan Range, thus blending sea and mountain in  harmony. Lying to the south is the small peninsula on which the ancient town of Nessebar is located - an architectural and historic monument of Bulgaria.

History

In medieval times, the bay situated between Cape Emine and Nessebar had two large fresh water wells.At that time the residents earned a living by selling drinking fresh water to Nessebar, which had none of its own. Now this area is known as Sunny Beach. The construction of the resort begun in 1958.

Climate

Sunny Beach is a paradise for relaxing, because you can find here a combination of mountains and coast. The climate of the area is mild and   Mediterranean. Approximately 1700 sunny hours from May till September with average day temperatures in summer around 27 degrees. The complex was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag International prize for proven ecological advantages.

Places of interest

The resort offers you a different types of entertainments, as well as varied cultural programme - folklore and symphony concerts, exhibitions, Golden Orpheus International Festival of Bulgarian Pop Songs, Miss Sunny Beach contest, the Decade of Symphonic Music, part of the International Folklore Festival, fashion-shows and various beach competitions.
The complex gives you the chance to organize trips to historic and scenic spots throughout Bulgaria:
-Nessebаr-just 3 km from Sunny Beach;
-Sofia-Rila Monastery-two days by bus;
-Plovdiv-Bachkovo- two days by bus;
-Veliko Turnovo-two days;
-Kotel-Jheravna-day trip by bus;
-Varna-Golden Sands-day trip by bus;
-Sozopol-Ropotamo-day trip by bus and a boat.
There are also open - air theatre and outdoor cinema. The amphitheatre is with more than 1000 seats.
You can find in Sunny Beach tennis-courts, swimming-pools, archery, beach volleyball, water skiing, scooter-driven parachuting, pedalboat - skating, bicycling, wall climbing, speed boating, windsurfing, sailing, parasailing, bowling, mini-golf playground, yachts and sailboats, opportunities to develop and practice all water sports using the services of coaches, facilities and equipment, horse riding with coaches, water slides, a policlinic and several big shopping centers for food, clothes and souvenirs.
The resort is generous to children, because they can delight in:
-fun games and competitions with prizes;
-building sand castles on the beach or splashing around in the shallow sea;
-merry-go-rounds and carting, excitement galore with slides and children`s pools;
-jumping on inflatable castle and zooming down the Rolba slide;
-dancing in kids`discos and drawing pictures on asphalt;
-pony riding,etc.

Surrounding areas

Nessebar, Zora Holiday Complex, Sveti Vlas, Elenite.
Nessebar is one kilometer far from Sunny Beach and 37 km north-east of Bourgas.It is situated on a small peninsula and there are marvelous dunes next to the coast.The big golden sandy strip of land between the town and the village of Ravda is covered with extremely fine and abundant clean sand.
Zora holiday Complex was built later than Elenite but of a similar style.The areas with trees along the Hadzhiiska River and the dunes between the road and the resort are very interesting and picturesque.
Sveti Vlas-it is just 4 km to the north of Sunny Beach resort and has about more than 3000 inhabitants.The village nowadays-the town was founded by the Thracian tribe called larisi in the 2nd Century AD. In the 14th Century, it adopted the name, ‘Sveti Vlas,’ after the patron saint of cattle merchants. Its numerous private hotels offer a variety of styles and first class service and make the small village preffered tourist destination. It lies in the skirts of the Stara Planina mountain (also called the Balkan mountain) and thus offers a beautiful and unique combination of sea and mountain climate, considered favourable for those suffering from lung diseases.
Elenite Holiday Village is located 40 km from the Bourgas International Airport,
unforgettable holiday of the guests. The hotels and villas fit perfectly into the natural12 km from the biggest Bulgarian sea resort Sunny Beach and 6 km from Sveti Vlas. There is a pleasant combination of sea and mountain - calm curved hills sloping directly into the sea. Elenite Holiday Village is situated in a picturesque bay where nothing can disturb the greenery, the landscaping is immaculate. The promenade connecting all the establishments borders the fine
sandy beach. The water is clean and blue, the sand is extremely fine, the sea bottom is shallow and safe for swimming.

Accomodation

All accommodation places in Sunny Beach have been categorized (on the 5-star system).The hotels in Sunny beach are more than 120.They are located in wonderful park region, in the close approximately of the beach. They meet the guests with a renewed interior and design. Comfortable lobby-bars and theme  restaurants with non smoking section and terrace, as well as children's amusement centers, Internet clubs, beauty saloons, casinos, conference rooms, heated indoor swimming pool with adjoining jacuzzi, complimentary gym, Spa with different treatments, massages, sauna, steambath, hairdresser, souvenir and wine shop are offered.
There are 5,4,3,2-star hotels.
- 5-star hotels-“Chaika”,”Helena Sands”
“Chaika Beach” hotel is situated on the lively main promenade, just meters away from the inviting golden beach;
“Helena Sands”- 3 to 7-storey building and garden villas, situated directly on the beach
- 4-star hotels-the most famous 4-star hotels are “Alba”, “Globus”, ”Helena Park”, “Helious Palace”, ”Hrizantema”, ”Majestic”, ”Marvel”, ”Neptun Beach”, ”Nobel”, ”Victoria Palace”, ”Tiara Beach” and many more.
“Alba” Hotel is a moder complex, comfortable to the word standards. It is located in the very center at the main commercial and walking area, 50 meter from the beach;
“Globus” Hotel -surrounded by a lovely garden it offers a friendly atmosphere in a perfect combination of elegance, comfort and a wealth of facilities;
“Helena Park” -3 to 6-storey building, 150 meters from the beach offers different entertainments and facilities;
“Helios Palace” Hotel -situated on the beachfront, 300 m from the center of Sunny Beach;
“Hrizantema” Hotel-a modern complex, 200m from the beach;
“Majestic”Hotel -set against a backdrop of tree lined hills, located just off the beach front. A family can enjoy the great facilities on offer in a modern and relaxing setting;
“Marvel”Hotel -this modern hotel is situated just a step away from the beach.It has an impressive outdoor swimming-pool, the rooms are well furnished and fully air-conditioned. There is an easy access to the main resort promenade;
“Neptun Beach” Hotel-this hotel has a perfect location, right on the resort promenade. It has a wide range of leisure facilities, large outdoor swimming-pool and a location that could not be better;
“Nobel” Hotel-situated in the highway Bourgas-Varna.The hotel spread out along the Black Sea coastline among the unique nature attraction-the dunes.There is a spacious main restaurant and a smaller one offering Serbian cuisine such as Serbian grill and other national meals.Both a provided with a sunny terraces facing the sea.The hotel provides a guarded parking area;
“Victoria Palace” Hotel-this popular hotel has an ideal beach front location offering easy access to the main resort promenade.With its creative design and wide range of facilities you will be delighted at everything  this hotel has to offer;
“Tiara Beach” Hotel-100m. from the long, broad, sandy beach that slopes gently down to the sea. The sea centre can be reached with the popular torist train;
There are many more 4-star hotels, as well as 3-star ones.

Catering

Visiting to a folkstyle restaurant, you will be welcomed with bread, salt and folk music. Guide introduces the chef, who tells the visitors about traditional Bulgarian food, how it is prepared and served and the traditional drinks that go with it.
There are three main groups of entertainment spots:
1. Exotic restaurants and bars;
2. Folk-style restaurants with folklore program and dinner;
3. Night clubs with music and dancing over a glass of champagne.
More than 160 restaurants, folkstyle and other establishments with floor shows and excellent food snack and cafeterias are available in Sunny Beach.In the resort the hotels` restaurants are three categories-deluxe, high and medium. Apart from them, there are plenty of traditional Bulgarian folk-style mehanas that are well-represented by:
- Hanska Shatra (Khan`s Tent) -several kilometers north of the resort, set in a secluded wooded setting with panoramic views of the coast below.The interior is decorated with mosaics, one of which depicts the Khan feasting. Live folk music starts at seven every night, followed by an elaborate floor show.
- Buchvata (The cake) -the best of Bulgarian cuisine washed down by superb Bulgarian wines;
- Vyaturna melnitsa (Windmill)-original interior and atmosphere, national cuisine. Do not miss the shashlik, grilled on a fire at your side;
- Strandjanskite colibi (Mt.Strandjia Hut) –period huts from the most exotic and least civilized part of the country, typical local cuisine;
- Chouchoura (The Spout) –rich range of local specialties,vintage wine and brandy;
- Tropicana - restaurant, pizza and bar -On the promenade, left of the central beach entrance. With amazing view of the Sea!
- Lovely brunch menu, real pub grub & kids menu
- International cuisine, pizza and Top BBQ
- Every night on the stage - Helter Skelter Band
- The famous Tropicana Bingo & Karaoke nights on twice a week. The biggest cash price in resort!
- Open 24 hours a day!
-“The Fat Cat”-Curry and Steak House. Experience the temptation of mouthwatering affairs, bar and joy!
-“Mamacita's “-it is the only authentic Mexican restaurant in the resort, situated  on the flower street in the very centre of Sunny Beach, next door to McDonald’s;
-“Raffaelo Ristorante”-Feel the charm of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine! Food just like Mama makes!
“-Arizona”- Perfect selection of ranch burgers
- Original British brunch menu
- Lovely chargrilled steaks - big, bigger and massive
- Gourmand specialities

Night Life

- Variety Bar-open nightly from 9 p.m to 4a.m., a fancy interior, floorshow, sophisticated services, and a dance floor.You can try your luck at roulette, blackjack and baccarat;
- Fregatata(Frigate)-period frigate with appropriate atmosphere and menu. One of the local landmarks.
- Rousska Troika restaurant (Russian Troika)-oriental food, typical oriental floor shows music and dance;
- Oasis Restaurant-fine service, specialties, oriental design and floor show, dance floor;
- The Happy Duck- Cocktail Bar and Cafe
 Motto: “Hot if you’re cool & cool when you’re Hot”
The venue is situated in the centre of the resort at the end of Flower Street, to the left on the main promenade above ‘Tropicana Restaurant’. The Happy Duck is suitable for holiday makers of all ages looking for a venue that offers a quiet and relaxing atmosphere by day, indoors or on the open- air terrace overlooking the beach, sea and the nearby ancient town of Nessebar. At night things can be a lot livelier due to the fact the venue is supported and frequented by return guests to Sunny Beach, season after season, as well as resort staff.

Transport

There is a regular bus transport from Nessebar and Bourgas to Sunny Beach and many private minibuses, route and ordinary taxis.