With prices continuing to creep up across Europe, many Brits will be on the hunt for family getaways that won’t break the bank.
Whilst tourists have traditionally headed to Magaluf, Benidorm and Amsterdam for cheap getaways, the once-overlooked party country of Bulgaria has gained popularity thanks to its incredibly cheap holiday deals.
One stunning seaside resort ticks all the boxes – boasting golden-sand beaches with turquoise-blue water, balmy temperatures and drink, hotel and flight prices that cannot be beaten.
Sunny Beach on the Black Sea coast topped the annual Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Resort in 2024, having looked at the prices in some of the most popular destinations to find out where families can save money.
At just over £110 for 10 items – including lunch and evening meals, snacks, drinks, suncream and insect repellent, Sunny Beach took the top spot despite seeing an almost 10% rise in prices since July 2023.
Yet, prices for a family evening meal remained lower than most, at £59 for three-courses, including drinks – a rise of just £3 from the previous year. Prices overall remain pretty cheap, with a pint costing around the £1.30 mark.
Getting there is also reasonable, with flights to Burgas and Varna airports with Ryanair available for £144 return in June 2025, according to Skyscanner, and hotels nearby at just £37 per night for two.
Created in 1958 as a weekend getaway for Bulgarian families, Sunny Beach has become the largest tourist spot in the country. It has grown to include a wide variety of recreational activities and services, gambling establishments, sports and music venues, and two waterparks near the resort, with a third to be built soon.
The main strip of high-rise hotels backing onto the beach is three miles long and extends along a wide bay between Sveti Vlas and Nessebar.
During the summer the sea temperatures stay around 26C, with air temperatures of 26 to 31C in July.
Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: “Doing some holiday homework before leaving home could help to reduce the chances of busting the budget while abroad”.
Current Foreign Office travel guidance includes warnings about crime, local laws and cultural differences and last year Bulgarian authorities stepped up patrols in popular areas like Sunny Beach where scams and thefts are prevalent.
It warns: “Tourists are targeted by thieves and pickpockets in Sunny Beach and other larger cities and resorts. Thefts on the bus from Nessebar to Sunny Beach have also increased. Do not take valuables to the beach and be wary of poorly lit roads around the resort at night.”
The advice also stated that some tourists had been the victims of overcharging in “gentleman’s clubs” in the seaside resort: “Overcharging can amount to hundreds of pounds. Victims can be threatened with violence if they refuse to pay”.
“Get recommendations for bars and clubs from your hotel or other holidaymakers. When paying by card make sure the transaction is completed in your presence and be wary if asked to re-enter your PIN.”
For those planning on enjoying a couple of drinks while partying till dawn, the FCDO warns: “Offences relating to drunken, disorderly behaviour and hooliganism may be treated more seriously than in the UK. Police can arrest or fine anyone for loud and boisterous behaviour or urination in public places”.