SEA TOURISM

NATURAL WEALTH OF THE BULGARIAN BLACK SEA

The Black Sea is an intercontinental sea, connected with the Mediterranean to the south via the straits of Bosfor and Dardanelles. Its water has low saltiness – only 18 ‰ and this, together with its moderate temperature during the summer (22-24ºС), makes it especially pleasant for bathing. The high and low tides of the Black Sea are insignificant. Here there aren’t strong water streams or dangerous animal and plant species, which could be serious threat to the health and life of the tourists. The Bulgarian Black Sea coastline is 378 km in length. All along it are situated approximately 70 beaches, covered with fine golden sand, with total area of about 9 millions sq. m. Some of them are exclusively vast (100 000 – 400 000 sq. m.) and allow hundreds of visitors to take pleasure of the bounteous sun, while others are small and peaceful, huddled in picturesque sea coves with incredible landscape. At many spots, where the sea failed to prevail over the hard rocks and turn them in tender sand, steep cliff shores were formed – an ideal place for those who love romance and intimate seclusion, fishing and scuba-diving. The presence of impressive rock phenomena and the perfect combination between sea and mountain (in the central and south parts of the coastline) are another great advantage, because of which it is worth spending your vacation at the Bulgarian Black Sea. With its climatic features this region occupies intermediate position between the overheated Mediterranean resorts to the south and the fairly cold resorts to the north, while at the same time combines their best characteristics. The average annual temperature of the air is about 12ºС. The average temperature during the month of July is 22 - 23º С, but the sea breeze creates a sensation of freshness even during the hottest summer days. The season with temperature of the air over 18º С continues for 100-110 days at the north to 120 days at the south Black Sea coastline and the water temperature keeps level over 18º С for a period of 130-140 days (from the end of May till the end of October). Picturesque rivers with plenty of fish flow down into the Black Sea. The river mouths are surrounded by thick and cool moisture-loving forests. Some of them are floatable for small motor boats and offer the tourists unforgettable trips downstream. The numerous coastal lakes – lagoons and firths, are shelter for enormous diversity of rare plants and animals (especially birds). In some of them are found large deposits of curative mud, which, in combination with the hundreds mineral springs along the seaboard, sets Bulgaria at one of the first positions, among the wealthiest of spa resources countries in Europe. The specific plant and animal life gives to the entire sea coast an exotic appearance. In some particular regions some of the most important habitats of endangered flora and fauna in Bulgaria and Europe have been preserved. For the preservation of the unique biological diversity in the region was established a broad network of protected territories, which includes the Natural Parks “Strandja” (to the south) and “Golden Sands” (to the north), as well as multitude of reserves and natural phenomena with national and international importance.

THE BEAUTIFUL NATURE…

The Black Sea coastline of Bulgaria is not only a magnificent nature, amid which you can forget all your daily worries, but is also a cradle of ancient civilizations with wealth of historical layers and dynamical cultural life. Here you can see remains from the time of the Thracians, ancient Greeks and Romans (Varna, Sozopol, Pomorie), well preserved medieval monuments (Kaliakra, Nessebar, Aladja monastery), authentic architectural ensembles from the period of the National Revival (Nessebar, Sozopol) and exquisite buildings from the beginning of the XX-th cent. (Varna, Balchik, Bourgas). Beside the seashore you will feel the wisdom of the centuries and will get in touch with the spirit of the Bulgarians, reproduced in art (crafts, music, dances and painting). Long consecutive line of cultural events creates one particular mood and unique atmosphere in the seaside resorts – the Movie Festival called “Love is madness” (Varna), the International Music Festival “Varna Summer” and the International Ballet Contest (Varna), the International Folklore Festival (Bourgas), the National Song Contest “Bourgas and the Sea”, Feasts of the Arts “Apolonia” (Sozopol), musical and theatrical festivals, art-planners and exhibitions. Along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast are situated more than 30 resorts, exclusively different in their size and characteristics. There, anyone can find everything that he looks for, according to his interests and financial resources – comfortable lifestyle and plenty of attractions in the tourist complexes, authentic atmosphere and direct communication with the local culture in the seaboard towns and villages or the romance of the camping sites – closest to the nature and far away from the noise of the “civilized” life. Some of the resort complexes are big, traditionally proven trademarks of the Bulgarian tourism, which underwent dynamical progress during the last decade and each year attract thousands of visitors (Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena, St. Constantin and Elena). The others are small, more tranquil vacation settlements, often working on a club principle, with the ambition to respond to the highest world standards for quality of the tourist product (Russalka, Riviera, Slanchev-den, St. Elias, Elenite, Duni). The modern attraction, sports and healing and prophylactic facilities turn the resort complexes not only in a favorite place for sea holidays during the summertime, but also in frequently attended centers for spa and congress tourism during the whole year. If you want to see more, each of them can be your starting point for an exciting trip in the secrets of nature, history and traditions of Bulgaria. In case that you want to submerge into the “living existence” and insist on communication with the locals, you can stop in one of the numerous small towns and villages, where the tourism is a way of life (Balchik, Nessebar, Sozopol, Pomorie, Primorsko, Kiten, Sinemorets), or you can stay in the big cities-resorts of Varna and Bourgas – the two main administrative, economical and cultural centers of the region. With their international airports they also function as main “distributive” centers, respectively Varna for the north and Bourgas for the south Black Sea resorts. Wherever you choose to go, the sea will offer you generous sun and hospitality. Here you will find excellent conditions for recreation, inexhaustible opportunities to enjoy yourself and exciting challenges to touch one different way of life. The culinary delights of the sea and national cuisine and the magical flavor of the wine will add the final stroke in the pallet of the new experience.