Sunny Beach Bulgaria Review
Posted by Michael on Friday 23rd January, 2009
- Bloody Beach
Summer is coming! If you want to go to Sunny Beach, Bulgaria but are unsure about the place i will fill you in. I was there in 2007 and from what i have heard from others, not much has changed about the place. I wrote a review on a different website last year, so i will put some points up from that.
Hotel
The hotel i was in, The Majestic, is probably the best in the area. Huge place, more of a complex than a hotel. Private section of beach (not that it matters, its all sand! 
) and more facilities than you would need including conference rooms, shop, spa, gym and its own tatoo parlour. The bad things about this hotel was the distance from nightlife and the food. The majority of the hotels run along the beach front, and the Majestic is at the far end of that. It was about a 15-20 minute walk to the nightlife, but there are plenty bars on the way 
The rooms are amazing, i was in a residance, which you can buy.
) and more facilities than you would need including conference rooms, shop, spa, gym and its own tatoo parlour. The bad things about this hotel was the distance from nightlife and the food. The majority of the hotels run along the beach front, and the Majestic is at the far end of that. It was about a 15-20 minute walk to the nightlife, but there are plenty bars on the way The rooms are amazing, i was in a residance, which you can buy.
Nightlife
As i have said there is lots of nightlife, places like Disco Orange, Grabarna Buss, Mania, Lazur, Corner Bar, and more. Drinks are not too cheap! People have the impression that all drinks are cheap and you will spend next to nothing. This is NOT true! Some drinks like local beer, cocktails and shots are cheap, if you want to drink those then it maybe cheap. Drink anything imported like Smirnoff vodka, Redbull, branded beers like Budweiser or Stella and it is not as cheap as you think. Prices are ‘holiday prices’ which is maybe a little bit less than in Newcastle (or England) but not a large amount. However buying Alcohol at the supermarket is cheap. You can buy bottles of branded vodka and it is very cheap in comparison to the UK.
Eating out is not expensive and there are many places you can go. On the beach front there is kebab stand after kebab stand selling chicken kebab and chips. The meat is very thin and you dont get much, same with the chips. You basically get scraps from most the stands. Eating in restautants is not expensive and the food is very good. There are also neumerous McDonalds around Sunny Beach.
Trouble, Fights, Prostitutes and the rest
The biggest worry of people is trouble in Bulgaria. You probably have heard of people getting beaten up, prostitutes everywhere, stealing, beggers and the rest. It is all true. However, noticing any of this depends on you to some degree. If you are going with a group of lads and act like you are “the boys” and be cheeky, play up or whatever, some people may not take to kindly to it and you might have problems.
There are prostitutes and if you are going with other men then its likely you will get approached, this will happen alot. If you are going with a women (i.e. a couple) then this probably will not happen.
Its fair to say if you are a girl you will probably be alright. If you are a man however it could be a different story all together 
Bulgaria is hit and miss with people. I know of some who love it and go back year after year. Others will not go back. It all depends what you want in your holiday and what you are into.
UPDATE
You can see some of my pics by clicking here
Hiya, I’m going with my 3 friends this July. Where all 18 year old girls and just want a nice relaxing holiday but with good night-life.
posted on Monday 25th January, 2010 at 17:23 []After we booked this holiday and told people where we were going we were getting the feeling that we made the wrong choice and are now regretting booking it and are trying to find a different place. We heard that lots of people get their hotel rooms robbed and also get abusive things shouted at you by prostitutes! We are really dreading going
Do you think we’d be safe going?
Write back please
Hello Amelia,
I cant really say “you will be safe, or you wont be safe” because things could happen in sunny beach, or if you went to greece or magaluf things could still happen. Also, i went 3 years ago, it may have changed a bit, i doubt it though.
What hotel are you in? Mine was amazing, the best hotel i have been in.
The nightlife is good, but i always felt a bit on edge, it didnt really feel safe, maybe because i have heard all the stories about people getting beaten up for no reason, most places had heavy security (even mcdonalds), a prostitute came upto me and i was walking quickely because i was in a bad mood, and as soon as i got to mcdonalds she disapeared…Its like they had an agreement with the prostitutes that they can do what they want with the tourists on the streets but keep out of the business, e.g. my hotel had a few security guards, not really seen that before! Most the prostitutes are around the square, where corner bar is etc.
But all of that kind of stuff is directed at the men, so i imagine you would be fine.
You will also get people trying to get you into their restaurants in the day, and bars at night. People try to sell you fruit on the street, i wouldnt recommend buying it! And also the odd begger, even children. Keep an eye on your money!
So is it safe? well i wanna buy a new camera, and if i went back here i think i would leave it at home and take my old one :p Also, i never wore my watch (its d&g), i only wore it the day going and the day coming home
Its really the kind of place where you dont really wanna draw attention that you may have some money…And speaking of that, if people tell you its cheap (buying alcohol in bars) it isnt really! 
If you wanna know anything else let me know
posted on Monday 25th January, 2010 at 18:59 []Hey Amelia,
I am also heading over in July. I am coming from Australia and have no idea at all what to expect.
When in July are you going?
posted on Monday 3rd May, 2010 at 5:40 []Hiya.
posted on Monday 3rd May, 2010 at 19:31 []Me and lasses are going to sunny beach at the beginning of july. We have heard so many different stories so not knowing what to expect. But im sure things will be fine well we hope! Went to zante last year end there was plenty of begging going of there so that will be nothing new for us.
Were staying in the marina hotel! So if any of you are going at the beginning of july look out for us yorkshire birds lol.
Hey Julia!
Thanks for reading my blog
I was in Sunny Beach Bulgaria in the summer 2007
Are you sure that your hotel is in Sunny Beach and not Sunny day? I did a search and it come up Sunny Day.
What airport are you going to? (bulgarian airport)
Girls are treated better than the men, girls dont fight or get beaten up
posted on Monday 3rd May, 2010 at 20:29 []Hi Michael
posted on Monday 3rd May, 2010 at 21:08 []No worries!!
Yep the mariner on sunny beach. Were flying to the Bourgas airport.
Aye i hope so. Just a little worried that the mafia run it don’t they? :/
Yeah Bourgas is the airport for Sunny Beach, its tiny!
The mafia run some hotels (or are involved) and some bars and clubs etc.
It will be fine for you, you’re a girl, its not like you have to worry about getting attacked or the prostitutes
I uploaded some pics of where i was, my hotel etc. You can see them here:
http://www.michaeladams.eu/summer-lovin-bulgaria-sunny-beach-2007/
I was further away from the action, thats where the some of the better hotels are. Still walkable to the main parts of the nightlife.
Its very multicultural, if you like that kind of thing (i do) you will enjoy it more; Lots of Scandanavian, German, and Russian holidaymakers; I would say more than English.
If you ask people what its like and read reviews etc. they are all really mixed…I have been, I had some good times, nothing bad happened to me, but i dont think i would go again
posted on Monday 3rd May, 2010 at 23:48 []i have lived in sunny beach for long periods of time through necessity not through choice i would not reccomend anyone to come here ignorant locals for most part,fake money dealers on main square and nessebar, gypsey prostitutes everywhere trying to rob you ,shoddy fake goods bad roads little or no pavements hotel food pretty pathetic and not as cheap as you think for food or drink .Only one decent restaurant i can reccomend de jannys in centre of sunny beach otherwise most pretty poor i dont know who gives star ratings for hotels but most are 1 or 2 stars below what they quote going by international standards .In case you are wondering i have visited some 10 european countrys and with the exception of romania this as to be one of the worst!! Holiday here?NO, NO ,NO NEVER AND YOU WONT EITHER IF YOU HAVE ANY SENSE !!!
posted on Monday 10th May, 2010 at 2:05 []Hey, Thanks for reading my blog David
If its so bad why are you staying there!?!?
Its bad i think, but nothing bad happened to me, and nothing happens to lots of people, but some bad things do happen to people more than the usual holiday resort.
The thing about Sunny Beach/Bulgaria is that people dont know what to expect when they go, because there are so many mixed reviews.
Its true what you say about the cheap souvenir shops selling tat, they are littered in Sunny Beach, same as the “Kebab stalls” on the beach front, and you usually get scraps of meat and chips. But if you go to a proper restaurant its not so bad, i went to a few, most were alright.
My hotel was amazing, and the best part about it. I have already said that before, there are a couple of great hotels, but obviously a few cheaper ones that arent the same standard.
As for the locals, they were hit and miss. The odd few were good, talkative, typical nice workers abroad. Some on the other hand were ignorant and not friendly.
posted on Monday 10th May, 2010 at 19:45 []Hey Julie, im also staying at the Mariner (yes Michael it is in sunny beach, -its new tho- lol) 5th July for 2 weeks! looks out for the 3 Hull boys dressed as girls
posted on Friday 2nd July, 2010 at 14:22 []Hi, can you tell me if there are public payphones available and if they are easily found? Just I don’t fancy taking my iPhone out there!
Thank you,
Laura
posted on Wednesday 7th July, 2010 at 22:56 []Hello Laura,
Thanks for reading my blog
To be honest i cant remember, i am sure there are, and there may be some in your hotel. I wouldnt take an iPhone either! Maybe get a cheap mobile and take that!
posted on Friday 9th July, 2010 at 13:15 []Hi everybody. I’m bulgarian and when I read this topic i’m like … LOL
The idea not to bring ur iphones is good but all the rest… u have so much worries that im not sure what kind of holiday is it to you… 
ofcourse there are bad things that can happen to you (sounds chilling…) but that can happen to you everywhere everytime…
posted on Saturday 17th July, 2010 at 14:03 []1. there are telephones in sunny beach… and they are easy to find – on the main alley right next to the sand and even if you dont find them or dont remember where they were when you need them … just ask!
2. jeez like you’re goind to jail… just be cautions but dont overdo it ok? ur on a holiday…
hey me n two of ma gal pals r goin 2 sunny beach on the 30th july n r stayin at the mariner hotel any advise lol n is there any bother from the russian mafia with the tourists a got told the men over there r like turkish men lol thanks
posted on Tuesday 20th July, 2010 at 0:16 []hey danny random question but r bulgarian people friendly n do the russian mafia mix with the tourists
posted on Tuesday 20th July, 2010 at 0:19 []Thank you for reading my blog Danny.
Overdo it? Most people who read here are English and always overdo it!
Hello Stephanie,
When i was there i found the locals a bit hit and miss…I met a few which were cool, but lots gave strange looks like “oh its them western europeans” kind of thing. They WILL try to rip you off if they think they can get away with it….I got one of them pedel taxi things, arranged the price of 20LEV before we set off. We got back to the hotel and he decided “no that was the price per person”.
posted on Tuesday 20th July, 2010 at 10:33 []Hi Michael!
posted on Tuesday 10th August, 2010 at 3:48 []I’m soon gonna go to SB…I’m planning to book some hotel room…do you have any experience on how they behave if you try to bring someone in, let’s say for the night?….say you get lucky..shall i book double-room ahead, or complete waste of money?!
Some-places I’ve been at they’re mad strict about that….so ya know, better safe than sorry….
thx
Hello Sonny,
I think this will be different for each hotel. My hotel would never know, there were so many doors you could go in, and also 99% of the time everyone used the back of the hotel to go in since thats where everything was, so nobody could tell, plus it was huge, so it would be hard to tell.
I dont quite understand what you are doing…Are you gonna get a single room for yourself and then bring a girl back? It would probably be fine but that depends on the hotel. Also, if hotels are very strict, then it doesnt matter about room size, because if you get a double room its still only just for you, a random girl would not be “staying” at the hotel, if you know what i mean. You cant get a room and “book a girl in” for yourself
I am sure it would be fine though.
Michael
posted on Tuesday 10th August, 2010 at 17:01 []Hiya we have been back from SB a week now …. we stayed in the Hotel Ivana Palace which was about 5 mins walk from the main bit!!! Great beaches and water was warm and ok. Kids loved it … In the hotel we were paranoid as maid was not friendly and complained there was blood on the sheets!!! well that was from my little girls loose tooth where she had dribbled in the night
The reception staff were great and said no problem. The SB promenade was ok but did feel a little seedy at night girls dancing on tables seductively!!! Much to my 10 and 13 yr old lads amusement lol. Went in the Victoria Palace hotel WOW if went back would stay there!!!! Wouldnt rush back but it was a great break and lovely and hot!!!! Oh and Thank you to Micheal the doc who helped my middle son when he had the ear infection from the pool like most others 
there were lots of comments going round about the Russian mafia ?????? Bit scary eh ?
posted on Friday 20th August, 2010 at 14:55 []Oh there were gypsies too children as we crossed the road from hell which my kids enjoyed givin the very small change too awwwww poor things!!!! Gave it straight to their parents who were smokin lol Wondered if they were anything to do with the horse and carriages ?
posted on Friday 20th August, 2010 at 14:58 []Glad you had a nice time Kirsty, i think the Victoria is the one next to the one i was in, 2 massive hotels
posted on Friday 20th August, 2010 at 19:27 []What do you think? Have your say