Holidays to Sveti Vlas

With gorgeous hot weather and highs of 30°C in summer, beach holidays to Sveti Vlas are perfect for couple getaways, as well as holidays with family or friends. Dating back to the 2nd century, these days Sveti Vlas has been transformed into a modern resort. Famous for its port, Marina Dinevi, the smart marina is a stylish hub for the yacht set, with a wealth of restaurants and bars to match. Incidentally, the best way to explore the Black Sea coast is to rent a yacht and let the crew take care of your trip.

Whilst you’re in Sveti Vlas, you can rent a car and drive to Varna, which is about 56 kilometres away. Home to the striking Aladzha Monastery and Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, Varna is a hub of culture that also boasts the Varna Archaeological Museum. The Varna Aquarium and Ticha Stadium are also great places to spend time. But if you’d prefer to get away from the town, Golden Sands Beach and national park offer the best of Bulgaria’s natural attractions.

Stretches of soft sand make up the coastline, so you won’t struggle to find a nice little spot to sunbathe on your Sveti Vlas holiday. The sun seems to always shine on the beaches, due to the coast facing south, creating a natural Riviera. The beaches are broad, clean and covered in fine-grained golden sand. As the Pearl of the Black sea, with three beaches to choose from, it’s the middle beach that draws in the crowds. At a kilometre long, the sand at Central Beach is ideal for making sandcastles, with rows of parasols and sunbeds, as well as calm waters that are made for dipping into the sea.

The exclusive New Beach, next to the marina, is ideal if you want to mix sand with cocktails as it sits alongside a whole host of restaurants and bars. It’s also the proud recipient of a Blue Flag award. If you need peace, then the quiet pebbled East Beach, or Campinga, is for you.

The once simple village has kept with the times when it comes to dining. New restaurants continue to pop up in the centre of Sveti Vlas and along the seafront, offering lots of local and international dishes. You cannot take a holiday in Sveti Vlas without sampling the freshly caught fish from the local fisherman. The village’s seaside location means that you can enjoy the best seafood Bulgaria has to offer. Next to the marina is the celebrated seafood restaurant of Gloria Mar. Complete with an al fresco terrace, you can expect a rich and seasonal menu with the freshest of ingredients, including octopus.

If you’re feeling a smidge more carnivorous, then NOTI Restaurant and Piano Bar not only serves Bulgarian and imported meats, but also game. Sourcing produce from eco-friendly farms in Bulgaria, NOTI will offer you a guilt-free dining experience. Bulgaria is also famous for home-style cooking, featuring flavoursome herbs and vegetables that usually make their way into slow cooked stews and salads. To accompany your tasty, heart meals, why not enjoy a glass of Rakia, made with grapes or plums, or the aniseed spirit mastika.

To make the most of your holiday to Sveti Vlas, make sure you head out for the evening to experience Bulgaria’s wonderfully varied night life. The village has some incredible bars and clubs, so whether you're hoping to relax with a cocktail or dance the night away, you'll be able to find what you are looking for.

Boasting some of the most luxurious night life, the Dinevi Marina is a famous destination for those looking for an up-market evening. Two of the most popular clubs here are Planet Yacht, with an open-air bar covered in real fine sand, plus a lavish palatial indoor area where you are welcome lie down, overlooking the dazzling lights of Sunny Beach. Magnitto on the other hand, offers a sushi and piano experience and comes alive with live Bulgarian music. Further south, on the curved bay is the night spot of Sunny Beach. Known for its party scene, there are tons of bars and clubs to spend the early hours in, like Iceberg, which hosts entertaining live music.

Lazy days on the beach, face painting in the village centre and a couple of water parks nearby; there’s lots for the whole family to enjoy on your Sveti Vlas holidays. At the beach there is a dedicated children’s area, complete with an inflatable castle, a bungee ride and frequent live entertainment.

Sveti Vlas’ lively neighbour, Sunny Beach has much more to offer you and the little ones. The Luna Park has many amusements, including thrilling rides and lush green lawn to relax on. Elsewhere, Sunny Beach Paintball Park provides a little more adventure. Loaded with 100 paintballs, a paint-gun and protective equipment, you have an expansive battlefield go wild in. Action Aquapark boasts 30 water attractions, a long Lazy River and a mini zoo, surrounded by tropical palm trees and Mediterranean shrubs. An unforgettable day waits at Aqua Paradise. 20 minutes outside of Sveti Vlas is the other popular water park in Nessebar. The largest of its kind in the Balkans, this aqua park has over 40 attractions and slides, along with hidden gardens and bubbling waters.

There’s nothing more romantic better than a cold bottle of Dimiat, two glasses and a picnic blanket on the beach, to watch the breath-taking sunset over the Black Sea. Coupled with the backdrop of the Stara Planina mountain range, Sveti Vlas holidays are made when the sun goes down. If you’ve got a taste for the local wine, then take a trip to Chateau Medovo and spend an afternoon sampling some of the best. Located outside of Sunny Beach, the Medovo Winery offer two separate tasting sessions, one for red and white wines and the other for their brandies and Rakias.

For an extra special evening, you and the other half can over-indulge at the exclusive Amorato restaurant in nearby Sunny Beach. With a menu you that extends beyond Bulgaria’s borders, the seafood and rare cuts of meat are complimented by limited edition wines - the perfect ingredients for an amorous evening.

While you could spend your entire holiday in Sveti Vlas lounging on the beautiful beaches, you should leave the warm sands and hike into the nearby Balkan Mountains. The protected area of the Central Balkan National Park is the perfect starting point to take a long hike through the outstanding snow peaks of the Balkans.

If you crave a gentler pace, yet still want an adventure, then head out of Sveti Vlas to the famous Bulgarian forests for a hike. Ortoto is another protected area that offers tranquil and cool greenery which provides a refreshing way to clear your mind and take in fresh air. Away from Sveti Vlas’ beaches there are the obligatory water sports, including jet-skiing, water-skiing and windsurfing. Away from the coast are other activities like, swimming pools and tennis, as well as golf courses and horse riding nearby.

Sveti Vlas dates back to 2nd century AD and was built by Thracians and Greeks. Although you won’t find many cultural attractions on your Sveti Vlas holiday, you will find plenty of nearby towns which are packed with history. The ancient Old Town of Nessebar is an architectural and archaeological reserve that is included on the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. The town features the iconic Bulgarian wooden houses and many churches that date back to the 13th and 14th centuries and are not to be missed.

Farther still, is the 13th century Aladzha Monastery, carved into the sarmatian limestones cliffs, outside of the town of Varna. If you want to immerse yourself in the Bulgarian national customs and culture, the village of Medovo is home to a folk-style complex, with a street dedicated to local crafts.