Sunny Beach

The Black Sea's biggest and most popular resort, Sunny Beach lives up to its name and the huge swathe of powdery golden sand enjoys several undisturbed months of sunshine, between late-May and late-September. In fact this resort began its days in the communist era in 1958, when tourists flocked to the natural mineral baths. In recent years the resort has been hugely affected by Bulgaria's property boom, with many (especially British) buying villas here, spotting a relatively cheap place by the sea. Of course, the sheer amount of new construction means that what was once a single line of hotels along the waterfront has become dozens of rows. This makes for a lively resort, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, watersports, bars and clubs to choose from and an increasing number of visitors every summer. Off the middle of the 8km (5 miles) beach, a walkway leads to most of the shops, supermarkets, bars and restaurants, plus facilities like the post office, travel agents and the bus station.

Pretty much everyone who comes here is on a package holiday, mostly from Britain, Ireland and Germany, including many families. The northern end of the beach is a touch more exclusive, therefore quieter and attracting older people. Further south along the beach the party atmosphere is ever present.

Sunny Beach is in the southern part of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, on the east of the country. The port city of Bourgas lies 35km (22 miles) south, and Varna is 95km (59 miles) north. The nearest airport is Bourgas (BOJ).

The resort lies on a semicircular bay, closed to the north by the Balkan mountain range. To the south is the small peninsula with the ancient town of Nesebar.

Sand, sand and more sand - around 8km (5 miles) of powdery white sand and a gentle surf with no strong current, and an official Blue Flag beach. The umbrellas and sun loungers are laid out in predictable rows, with the ‘free' areas located behind. There are plenty of watersports on offer from the stalls dotted along the beach, including jet-skiing, waterskiing, banana boats, parascending - and even quad-biking at night. The water is warm between July and September.

Horse-riding at night, from the ranch near Sunny Day Hotel (northern end of the beach), is a wonderful way to experience the beach after sundown. Yachts can be hired for small groups either on an organised trip or a private party, which start from nearby UNESCO-town Nesebar. A karting track is located opposite the Action Aquapark (see Family Fun) or for calming relaxation there are plenty of spas at the top hotels for some decadence, including the opulent Victoria Palace Hotel (north end of the beach).

The small Aquapark Kuban (on the grounds of Hotel Kuban) has waterslides and pools, and much larger is the Action Aquapark (Sunny Beach West), on the western edge of the resort. An 18-hole mini golf course (in front of Helios Palace Hotel) will hone the skills of the next Tiger Woods, and the ranch (see Beyond the Beach) has small horses for children. Four-seater pedalos can be hired opposite the Hotel Chaika Beach. Children over eight can get pleasantly spooked walking through Horrorwood (in front of Pirin Hotel), a haunted house complete with ghosts and skeletons. The organised evening trips to a nearby traditional village with food, music and a folklore show are great for families.

The main shopping area is around the halfway point of the walkway heading in from the beach, by the Globus Beach Hotel. It links to a huge road that runs parallel to the beach. Shops are small and offer many choices of beach clothes, shoes and accessories, jewellery and CDs. Typical souvenirs include crystal ornaments, Russian dolls in many designs and sizes, hand-crochet tablecloths, painted ceramics and wooden handicrafts. There are also a couple of supermarkets. The top hotels like RUI Helena Sands and Victoria Palace sell good quality jewellery and clothes. The daily market, near the crossroads of the walkway and the road, sells fruit, vegetables and clothes. Serious shoppers could head 35km (22 miles) south to Bourgas for a great selection of boutiques.

It's easy to get sucked into the fun at Sunny Beach and at any given time, between sunrise and sunset, there will be a happy hour with discounted drinks somewhere! Bars along the sands include African-style Makalali Club (behind Globus Hotel). Larger bars and clubs are off the beach, like Mexican Bar (Hotel Kuban) with karaoke every night, and the huge club Lazur (opposite Pomorie Hotel) has impressive lasers and a poolside terrace. Many of bars have live music, including Hollywood Select (Victoria Hotel) and Orange (next to Balkan Hotel).

Like the shops, many of the restaurants cluster along the walkway from the beach. In addition to the plethora of traditional mehanas serving local dishes like grilled pork, chicken and seafood, like Chanove (opposite Globus Hotel), the resort caters for all international taste-buds: pizzas, burgers, fajitas and English breakfast are never far away, including Felice Ristorante Italiano and Tropicana (both next to Hotel Alba). Enjoy a decadent night at Hanska Shatra (see below) or a civilised coffee with a divine home-made pastry on the terrace of the Victoria Hotel. The fish restaurants in the ancient harbour town of Nesebar, 3km (2 miles) south, are a little quieter, with a more traditional ambience.

The long resort, stretching around 8km (5 miles), is serviced by local buses which travel down the main road running parallel to the beach. The bus station is off this main road, approximately halfway along the resort, with regular services to Bourgas, Nesebar, Varna and Pomorie.

Private travel agents organise boat trips to the mouth of the Ropotamo River at Primorsko, around 50km (31 miles) south. The UNESCO-protected ancient town of Nesebar just 3km (2 miles) south makes for a popular trip, and the northern Black Sea city of Varna, 95km (59 miles) away has plenty of historical sights, from Roman baths to ornate cathedrals. Other resorts along the coast include the more peaceful Sozopol (easy to get to via Bourgas) and Ozbor. The waters of Pomorie, 18km (11 miles) south have healing qualities, and since Roman times have been attracting visitors for mud therapies and balneological treatment.

Although this is tailor-made for tourists, the dinner and folk show at Hanska Shatra is a unique night, atop a hill several kilometres north of Sunny Beach. The secluded wooded setting with beautiful views of the coast was supposedly where Khan Krum had a military encampment in the first century. The stunning interior is the venue for superb traditional food, served by costume-clad waiters, with traditional music and show. Hotels and agents run special buses to the venue.

Bourgas Airport (BOJ)