Sunny Beach has become one of Europe’s party capitals, attracting party-goers from all around the continent, and stealing the scene from other popular resorts like Magaluf and Ibiza.
The countless clubs and bars along the beach strip of Sunny Beach are full with holiday-makers during the peak summer months of July and August.
But there’s so much more to do in Sunny Beach than just going to the bars. That’s why I put together this comprehensive list of the best things to do in Sunny Beach to make your holiday in Bulgaria all the more fun and exciting!
Make sure to read the full article to find the best activity suited for you.
Let’s take a look at the best things to do in Sunny Beach.
Prepare for your trip to Sunny Beach
🏡 Book your accommodation in advance – find the best hotel deals for Sunny Beach here.
🤿 Find the best tours in Sunny Beach – book your adventures in Sunny Beach for an unforgettable holiday.
🚗 Rent a car – the best and easiest way to get around Bulgaria is by renting a car.
☂️ Travel Insurance – make sure you’re covered before your trip! I always use SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance which is super affordable and flexible.
The Best Things to Do in Sunny Beach
1. Enjoy the sandy beaches
Bulgarian beaches are blessed with soft golden sands and clean warm waters. It’s the perfect place for a day of relaxation and enjoying the summer weather.
Sunny Beach has a 2.5km beach strip where you can rent a parasol and sun lounger and spend the day with a cocktail in hand from one of the beach bars.
If sunbathing all day doesn’t sound too appealing to you, there’s also a number of water sports and activities you can take part in for a fun day at the beach.
2. Go on a Half-Day Catamaran Cruise in Sunny Beach
One of the best things to do in Sunny Beach is going on a catamaran cruise! It’s a really fun way to explore the area and do something a little different on your holiday.
The best thing about this half-day catamaran cruise is that it includes time for swimming and snorkelling (goggles and snorkels provided by the tour). You also get to see all the marine life of the Black Sea in its natural habitat.
And did I mention there’s a high chance of seeing dolphins in the wild during the cruise?! That’s already reason enough to get your seats booked straight away and not miss this fun activity!
The boat trip includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks at the bar, snacks and a full delicious meal for lunch! It’s perfect for both couples, friend groups and families.
3. Visit Nessebar – The Pearl of the Black Sea
Nessebar is one of the oldest seaside towns in Bulgaria and a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s located only a few kilometres away from Sunny Beach.
This historical seaside town is located within a small rocky peninsula jetting out of the Black Sea. It’s lined with numerous cobblestone streets filled with cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops selling local art and handicrafts.
Strolling on the streets you can still see remains from different civilisations and epochs that have been based in the city throughout its history. From Roman and Mediaeval walls, and Byzantine and Bulgarian churches to houses from the 18th-19th century.
Make sure to visit Eco-Bar by Michael a super cool bar located in an artificial cave. It’s a great place to cool down and have drink.
I also highly recommend that you stay for the evening to enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the restaurants overlooking the sea.
Location: Old Town Nessebar
4. Water activities in Sunny Beach
While some may prefer to spend the whole day sunbathing and chilling on the beach (a.k.a sobering up from the night before) there are a number of water sports activities you can do in Sunny Beach.
Whether you’d like to feel the thrill of jet skiing or water skiing along the Black Sea coast, riding a banana boat with friends or getting a birds-eye view of the resort while parasailing, there’s something for everyone who seeks a bit of adrenaline rush on their holiday.
You will find the prices of all water activities at every lifeguard post along the beach strip (there’s one every 100 metres).
All the prices are set but usually there’s discounts if you decide to do more than one activity or if you go as a group.
5. Go on a romantic sunset cruise with dinner & champagne
Who said Sunny Beach can’t be romantic? This sunset cruise is the perfect quiet escape from the crazy party crowds for a couple of hours.
The catamaran departs from the harbour in Sunny Beach and takes you along for a scenic ride along the coastline of Old Nessebar to enjoy the beautiful panorama of the historic town.
The vibe of this cruise is best suited for couples who are looking for an intimate sail on the Black Sea while enjoying a bottle of champagne and a nice dinner under the sunset sky, overlooking the Old Town of Nessebar.
Sounds like the perfect romantic evening, doesn’t it?
It’s definitely one of the best ways to experience the sunset on the Black Sea and something you shouldn’t miss especially if you’re visiting Sunny Beach as a couple!
6. Try the Slingshot
This is one for the adrenaline junkies! The slingshot is one of my favourite things to do in Sunny Beach that makes you scream from the top of your lungs and leaves you wanting more!
The slingshot is one of the most exciting vertical rides. It propels you 100 metres up in the air only to drop you back down in a free fall to the bottom and spin you around, and do it all over again.
It’s an amazing experience for two that will make your holiday in Sunny Beach all that more exciting! The slingshot is right next to the beach so if you’ll also have a beautiful view while flying up in the air! 😀
The slingshot has a mounted camera that records you flying into the air and your reaction, that you can purchase to keep as a memory.
Just make sure to let them know in advance that you want to buy the video. As the first time we did the slingshot ride they didn’t record us as they didn’t know we wanted the video!
Location: Slingshot Sunny Beach
7. Check out Sunny Beach’s Amusement Park
The Slingshot isn’t the only adrenaline-pumping activities in Sunny Beach. In fact, the party resort has its own luna park right by the beach and in between all the clubs and bars.
There are multiple rides to choose from or if you’re feeling extra adventurous you can buy the Adrenaline Package. It includes the Booster ride, a Roller coaster, Star Flyer and the Drop Tower.
We did a couple of the rides on our trip to Sunny Beach and it was one of the most fun experience we had!
The Booster ride was absolutely amazing although at times super scary! But if I could do it again, I definitely would!
There’s also rides suitable for children like Bungee Trampoline, bumper cars, mini ship and more.
Tip: I would recommend visiting the amusement park before you’ve had any alcoholic drinks to avoid feeling ill on the rides. Since most of them involve quite a lot of spinning around!
Location: Sunny Beach Amusement Park
8. Go on a private Jeep Safari Experience with lunch
Experience the excitement of a private 4-hour Jeep safari in Sunny Beach including lunch.
This adventure takes you through beautiful landscapes in Sunny Beach and Nessebar, offering a fun and unique way to see the area. Your guide will then take you to the perfect place to try some delicious local Bulgarian food for lunch.
The Jeep Safari includes fun activities such as a treasure hunt, looking for gold in a riverbed and experiencing a traditional dance show.
It’s the perfect tour for couples, families and friends and a great way to take a break from the beach and add some excitement to your holiday in Sunny Beach.
9. Go-Karting
The fun doesn’t have to stop with the amusement parks and water attractions. If you have a need for speed this activity in Sunny Beach will be perfect for you!
The track, initially designed as a training facility for one of the Bulgarian professional racing teams, is now a popular attraction for adrenaline-thirsty tourists.
Sunny Beach Karting track is one of the fastest karting tracks in Bulgaria and it’s a great activity for groups of friends looking for a fun high speed race during your holiday in Sunny Beach.
The karts are capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 m/h in the straight section followed by a fast flowing circuit of twists, bends and straights, stretching out for 440 metres.
The track has been designed as a miniature blueprint of some of the world’s best renowned F-1 corners such as ones from Monaco and Imola. It is also built with night lighting which allows you to experience the night time speed chases with your friends and imagine you’re doing the races in Singapore or Abu Dhabi.
Suitable both for adults and children (all children karts are equipped with speed limit devices).
Location: Go Karting Sunny Beach
Book your tickets here
10. Action Aquapark in Sunny Beach
The Action Aquapark in Sunny Beach is another one for the adventure seekers!
Here it’s guaranteed you won’t get bored all day with over 30 water attractions ranging from extreme waterslides to more relaxing rivers and pools.
There’s also a few themed bars and restaurants, and areas for relaxation and sunbathing to take a break from the slides.
This is also the first water park built in Bulgaria and it’s now one of the most fun ways to spend your day in Sunny Beach.
It’s perfect both for little ones and grown ups looking for an adventurous day.
Location: Action Aquapark Sunny Beach
Book your tickets here
11. Paint-balling
I can’t think of a better bonding activity with your friends than paintball!
The paintball facility in Sunny Beach is located right next to the karting track so it’s a great opportunity to combine them both for a full action-packed day.
The activity takes place over 5000 sq.m of land constructed with wood shacks, barrels, trenches and rattle traps. Testing your physical stamina and warfare abilities against your enemy team. All with the aim of capturing the enemy’s flag and proclaiming victory for your team. Needless to say losers buy the first round at the bar later!
Price: £25 per person for unlimited time; includes all necessary equipment and 100 paintballs.
Location: Paintball Sunny Beach
Book your tickets here
12. Airsoft
If you want to take your warfare skills to the next level and experience a Call Of Duty type of battlefield, you’re gonna love the Airsoft activity in Sunny Beach.
Curing your hangover by running around fields, shooting AK47-like modelled weapons and throwing smoke grenades never sounded like a better idea 😀
The ‘battlefield’ takes place in an unbuilt hotel surrounded by woodland for a proper authentic feel of a military mission.
It’s definitely a unique experience to make your holiday in Sunny Beach even more exciting!
Price: £35 per person
Location – Airsoft Sunny Beach
Book your tickets here
13. Visit Burgas
Burgas is the biggest city in the southern coastline of Bulgaria and only a short 30-minutes ride away from Sunny Beach. Perfect for a day trip!
It’s worth visiting for its vibrant city vibe, beautiful Sea Garden park and harbour area and enjoy a stunning meal at one of the seaside restaurants!
The central area is great for people watching while having a drink at one of the numerous coffee shops around, or if you’re a history lover you can also stop by one of the museums around such as the Archaeology Museum, Museum of Natural History or the Regional History Museum.
Other things to see in Burgas include visiting Lake Atanasovsko most commonly know as the pink lake, similar to the famous one in Mexico.
Best hotels in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria
There a many hotels in Sunny Beach suitable for any budget and preferences! Click around on the map below or read further for my recommendations for the best hotels in Sunny Beach.
My recommendations for the best hotels in Sunny Beach
1. Harmony Suites Grand Resort
Harmony Suites Grand Resort is a great budget-friendly option for all types of travellers. With a range of accommodations, including studios, 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, you can enjoy a comfortable stay equipped with a mini kitchen, balcony, washing machine, and secure storage for valuables.
The resort’s tranquil garden creates a soothing atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. It’s a great place to relax on the sun loungers by the outdoor pool or take a refreshing dip to cool off.
Families will appreciate the on-site playground, keeping children entertained and active.
For a balance of comfort, affordability, and amenities, Harmony Suites Grand Resort is a fantastic option for your next vacation destination.
2. HVD Club Bor
Embodying the “Ultra All Inclusive” philosophy, this hotel offers outstanding amenities and stellar service. HDV Club Bor has a spacious outdoor pool, sun loungers, and full WiFi coverage on its premises. With 55 rooms available, there are ample choices, suitable both for couples or families with two children.
Rooms come with a snack-stocked minibar and balconies that have beautiful sea views. Nothing better than waking up to nature’s soundtrack and the sound of the waves.
Entertainment options include billiards, darts, table tennis, and live performances, catering to both adults and children. Or you can simply just chill by the pool after a long night out.
3. BSA Boulevard Boutique Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Sunny Beach resort, BSA Boulevard Boutique Hotel is conveniently located just 150 meters from the beach and within easy reach of all the hustle and bustle of the resort including bars, shops, and restaurants.
The boutique-style, air-conditioned rooms feature comfortable beds, providing a cozy retreat for guests at affordable prices.
Its central location and budget-friendly options make it a favourite among visitors to Sunny Beach.
Final thoughts
Sunny Beach is more than just a party destination. It’s a place full of exciting activities and unforgettable experiences suitable for any age and type of traveller.
From sandy beaches, fun boat trips, exciting jeep safaris and water sports to the charm of the nearby towns perfect for day trips, Sunny Beach has something for everyone to enjoy.
So pack your bags, get ready to explore, and make the most your holiday to Sunny Beach. Happy travels!
Read my other articles about Bulgaria
⋙ 10 Most Beautiful Wild Beaches in Bulgaria
⋙ Best beaches in Sozopol, Bulgaria
⋙ Must-try restaurants in Sozopol
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