Sunny Beach - If you havent booked already, dont!

[gav_pop]

Myself and a few friends went to Sunny Beach last year and had a fab time.
We thought we'd try to reproduce some of the fun again this year, but have found sunny beach to have severely gone down hill.

I've returned today and have to say I'm glad to be home.

All the prices have gone up by a large degree. Last year we could get a round of drinks for fiver or less...this year its about �8-�9.

Pretty much every single bar/pub/restaurant charges you to use the toilet (approx 30p), so factor this into your budget. I find this an incredibly depressing attitude towards a natural bodily function.

And to top the holiday off, we got mugged. We only lost about 50levs, but there was more than one report of groups losing much more. One lad even got mugged at gun point.

If you are reading this, and planning a holiday to Sunny Beach, my recommendation is dont.
Bulgaria was one of the last Bastions of a cheap holiday, but sadly, once you've factored all the costs in (including muggings), it isnt any more.
And the locals are not very nice people.

Go somewhere else.

Gav.

PS...If you do go, purchase some pepper spray from the many stores that sell it.....as chances are you'll need it to defend against the muggers.....no joke.

[Jetter]

Thank you so much ,we have been looking at Bulgaria for next year, NOT NOW.

[Brissy]

Hi Everyone

I would just like to say that Sunny Beach is not that bad, yes there may be incidents (not that I have heard of any) but then there is in any holiday destination, I went to the coast of Goa last year to a tourist resort and got mugged, but I would still recommend going there, it happens anywhere I am sorry to say!

Most people are very nice in Bulgaria and can't do enough for you, yes there are some grumpy ones, but hey there are far more in the UK!

As for the prices going up, yes I am afraid they are, no denying that and it is a shame, it will end up like Spain etc which once used to be a cheap holiday. But at the moment it is still relatively cheap if you don't go to the glitzy bars and nightclubs.

Regards

[simplythe]

my friends (family of 4) are just back and have had a great time,said it was cheap and weather great. 38 for a round of drinks sounds good value to me,i think the fact that you were mugged has made you have this point of view but everyone i t alkto that has been to sunny beach have only good things to say so i would not let the above post put you off

[baby_girlx]

Thanks for posting all your views.my best mate and i have booked to travel to sunny beach on26th august but we have now called our travel agent to make an appointment to change it!we have been very put off from reading reviews and also some of our friends who have been there. basically the opinions we have heard about it is that its dirty, the food is disgusting unless you like mcdonalds then you'll be ok. the place where we booked to stay (palm court) is a DIVE.apparently the beaches are also dirty, and its like blackpool, full of louts, devoid of any culture unless you go into other towns, and like a building site.i know there are probably many who will enjoy bulgaria, but i dont think its the right destination for us anymore, and we are 2 23 year olds who love to have a drink and go out so thats sayng something if we have been put off it!

[scoobydoo22167]

So sorry you feel like that baby-girl,but i would'nt be put off by some of these reviews,i;ve been going to sb for years and love it,the food is great in bars,restaurants etc but the hotels are not that great,as for going out to party and enjoying a few drinks there is no place better and no place cheaper yes the prices are rising but far more cheaper than the euro.
As for muggings i went to spain twice and was mugged twice, been going to sb for 8 years and never seen a bit of trouble,and yes there are lots of younger people going coz it's so cheap and it can be rowdy but is is not like that in any popular resort .the beach is one of the best in europe,a blue flag beach and as for the locals they can't do enough for you,very friendly people.
Gav how many people were in your party?

[partygal!]

in response to baby_girl, yes palm courts is a complete dive, its the worst hotel in the resort but everywhere else is great, id change your hotel, not your whole holiday, you would have a brilliant time

[kutzon]

Guys.... hold yer horses, will ya!!

I could write several things here, but I've done so already, so anyone considering changing their holiday plans because of this, please read the thread "Sunny Beach - Young and Lively?"

A few comments to Gav though:

SO prices are up from last year - sure, but Bulgaria is STILL one of the least expensive places to go! Anyone who thinks Sunny Beach is expensive - is just plain old frugal. No offense!

So you think one should put TOILET VISITS in the holiday budget??? Whoa.... (but they charge for this in Greece, Spain, Portugal etc. too...)

So you got mugged... I'm truly sorry. But it could've happened anywhere.

So you don't think the locals are nice people. Some may not be. But if you have yet (in two visits) to meet a nice local in Sunny Beach, then YOU have an attitude problem.

I'm really sorry your holiday this year weren't as succesful as last year. But please DO NOT blame Sunny Beach alone. It's ok to speak for yourself, but to warn people from going... not fair.

Regards,
Jacob - three time SB-visitor, going again late august.

[suemackey]

gav pop

we have been going for many years, and have our own place over there

i would like to say that if you would rather spend your money on getting drunk expect to have to go to the loo obviously you would rather spend your money on booze. Boozy crowds attract attention so expect to be the centre of attention, if you are obviously drunk you are not in the right frame of mind so you wil get mugged if you dont pay attention this happens all over the world.

If you treat the Bulgarians with respect they will treat you the same I have never met a rude Bulgarian since i have been going

I suggest you go to Blackpool for you holidays next year, but think about this if an english person mugged you there would you slate them as you have slated Bulgaria.

Just because you have had a bad experience does not mean to say other people will

[suemackey]

baby girl

Sunny Beach is one of the nicest cleanest beaches I have been to in the world, as for the lager louts I am afraid to say that many of them are British and give us a bad name