Holidays in Bulgaria in July 2021 - weather, prices and reviews

Here's why Bulgaria is the best vacation destination in July. Little spoiler: it's all kind of sun and value.

I visited Bulgaria as part of a four-month trip to the Balkans and Eastern Europe, giving it a generous full month.

The country really deserves it: it has a comfortable climate, affordable prices, delicious cuisine and hospitable people with whom you can speak in Russian. In my opinion, you can have a great time here in any season, but it is best to come on vacation in Bulgaria in July.

Is it possible to go to Bulgaria now? And how to fly away?

Bulgaria opened to all tourists on May 1, 2021. And set the following conditions for entry:

• Or 72 hours before departure, pass the PCR test and have the result in English with you.
• Either show the vaccination certificate in English, the companion is suitable.

But in the case of Bulgaria, the headache is not caused by tests and certificates, but by the search for tickets. The fact is that air traffic with Russia has remained closed since March last year - there are no direct flights. You need to get there with a transfer, and the alignment is as follows:

• On the search engine for air tickets Aviasales, type in Moscow – Sofia or Moscow – Varna. Working (and flying) options are flights with a single transfer ticket:
  — in Vienna (Austrian Airlines) - Schengen is not needed for transit,
  — in Warsaw (LOT) - Schengen is not needed for transit,
  — in Belgrade (Air Serbia) - visa-free, but for transit longer than 12 hours, a test not older than 48 hours is required,
  — in the Stambul - and this would be the best offer, but for now flights between the Russian Federation and Turkey are covered.

Finding a hotel or apartment in Bulgaria after this is easy - on RoomGuru.

Do you need a visa to Bulgaria?

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, so yes, for travel need a visa (but not Schengen). The package of documents is standard: a completed application form, tickets and hotel reservations, a certificate from work, a certificate from a bank, insurance and a photo. The consular fee is 35 euros, plus, if you apply to the visa center, there is a service fee of 14 euros. It is worth submitting documents at least 10 days before departure.

Good news: you can enter Bulgaria on the current Schengen (days of stay in the Schengen area are not spent), as well as a multiple Croatian, Romanian or Cypriot visa (do not confuse with a pro-visa).

Beach holidays in Bulgaria - weather in July

The sea in Bulgaria is Black. As in Sochi. But the climate is close to the Mediterranean. Tourists agree that this is an improved version of the weather in the Russian middle zone: mild winters and warm, but not stuffy summers.

If we compare Bulgaria and Turkey, then in the first one the heat is transferred more easily because of the less humid air. They note that even on sultry days one can “survive” without air conditioning and without spending all the time at sea.

The season in Bulgaria opens in June and ends in September. At the same time, the most favorable weather for the beach is considered to be the weather in Bulgaria in July: the air temperature reaches + 27 ° C ... + 28 ° C, and the water warms up to + 25 ° C.

The water temperature in Bulgaria in July is not the only reason to go there at the height of summer: at this time there is almost no rainfall (except perhaps a little refreshing rain), and fruits are ripening. And for sightseeing, the July weather is quite suitable.

Temperature of water and air in Bulgaria in July

In the north of the coast, the air temperature in July is cooler than in the south.

Price for tours to Bulgaria in July - 2021

From my own experience of organizing a vacation (and tracking tours for weeks), I can say that in Bulgaria there are often last-minute deals or just great offers.

So, in order to grab similar ones cheaply, I highly recommend looking for tours on online aggregators:

• Travelata
• Onlinetours
• Level.Travel

The services collect options from all the leading tour operators (no extra charge!), Display them in order from inexpensive to luxury, and suggest the best departure dates. Ideally in case of a hot tour - it is more convenient (and more advantageous) to book in a couple of clicks than to go to the office.

✓ Prices for tours to Bulgaria in July start from ... 35,000 rubles for two for 7 days! Even Turkey with a fuel surcharge is more expensive :) If there is Schengen, in general beauty, take it and fly. True, 1-2 stars are waiting for that kind of money, but they also come with excellent reviews (read-look at the aggregators ↑).

✓ If you give preference to five-star hotels, the cost of the tours starts from 65,000 rubles per week together.

✓ Hotels in Bulgaria for "all inclusive" - ​​fours and fives - also from 65 thousand.

✓ And if you plan to travel with a child, i.e. three of us, count on at least 50 thousand rubles. "Reliable" hotels - in the region of 60-70 thousand.

By the way, most often people in Bulgaria have a rest with the tour operator Anex Tour. If you are interested, here on that link in the title - our review about him.

Resorts in Bulgaria - where is the best place to relax in July?

I can please that the question of whether it is possible to swim in the Black Sea in July is not worth it: this is the high season on the entire coast. The choice of a place of rest depends on preferences, financial possibilities and, of course, on the presence of children in the composition. I will list the main locations to help you decide where it is best to relax in Bulgaria in July.

In short:

• Burgas and Varna are big cities where locals live. Accordingly, the infrastructure is developed, prices are lower, the choice (of everything) is wider. But there is a problem with the beaches.
• Everything else is tourist reservations with overpriced but nice beaches.
• The cheapest resorts for the cost of tours are Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Saint Vlas.

ALBENA

A relatively young resort in every sense: Albena was created specifically for tourists in the second half of the last century + the number of kids with their parents is off the charts. The place was chosen well - here the Black Sea is combined with the liana forests of the Baltata reserve.

The resort quickly fell in love with Europeans, so it's not budgetary here. Wide sandy beaches, gentle descent into the sea and hotels all attract family travelers.

BURGAS

Burgas is one of the largest cities with good infrastructure and transport links, including an international airport where flights from Russia fly. Although, with its post-Soviet buildings, the city reminded me very much of some provincial settlement in Russia.

There is where to dine without repeating once during the holidays, and where to take a walk in the evening. The main attraction of Burgas is the Morskaya Gradina Park, where a sand sculpture festival opens in early July. Options for a beach holiday are also "in stock", in fact, the entire coastline is one stretched sandy beach (but not very well-groomed).

VARNA

Varna is the second largest city on the coast with an airport, where the low-cost airline Pobeda flies. It has a pretty historic center and parks, shops and entertainment for children.

We spent a couple of days in Varna and found something to do, even in the off-season. The city is suitable as a starting point for trips around Bulgaria, if seaside holidays are not a priority. It is also possible to swim here, but in this regard Varna is inferior to neighboring resorts, and the Officer's beach for many years holds the title of one of the dirtiest in the country.

NESSEBAR

Whichever of the resorts in Bulgaria you would not choose, a trip to Nessebar, in my opinion, is definitely worth it! In my personal rating, this is the most beautiful city on the Bulgarian coast: the photogenic streets and cozy houses of its historical center are protected by UNESCO.

On the one hand, coupled with good beaches and a large water park for children, this solves the issue of the cultural program, on the other hand, it negatively affects prices. The food here is above average.Do not count on a calm and measured holiday in the season: tourists from all over Bulgaria come to admire Nessebar.

OVERVIEW

If you are looking for where it is warmer in Bulgaria in July, take a closer look at Obzor. This developing resort village compares favorably with relatively low prices and warmer sea than in the neighboring Golden Sands and Albena.

There is an infrastructure for families with children (a water park and attractions) and silence for those who seek to hide from the crowds.

SUNNY BEACH

Bulgarian classics that suits everyone - from young people to grandmothers with grandchildren. A large selection of all-inclusive hotels, calm sea, easy entry into the water and 15 kilometers of clean beaches.

Other entertainments include aqua and amusement parks, bars and lively nightclubs. Therefore, grandmothers with grandchildren may seem a little noisy, they are better off choosing a hotel in the southern part of the resort. Predictably, the payback for popularity is high prices on the spot.

GOLDEN SANDS

The main competitor of Sunny Beach for the right to be considered the main resort. Greener, but also more hilly.

It is aimed rather at an adult audience: there is more entertainment for young people, and getting into the water is not for kids. Therefore, Golden Sands is positioned primarily as the center of nightlife, although it has all the infrastructure for a family vacation.

Attractions in Bulgaria - what to do in July?

If you decide to relax in Bulgaria in July, do not be tempted to spend all your time on the beach: there is something to see in the country. There is a well-developed bus network along the coast, which will allow you to travel around the seaside places as part of one-day trips.

It is better to get inland by a rented car. Note: the locals drive normally, more or less adhere to the rules. Gasoline costs ≈1 euro per liter, paid parking is common - also about euro per hour. We always rent a car on RentalCars.

List of things to do in Bulgaria in July:

Historical and cultural attractions

• Roman arena and old town in Plovdiv
• Temple-monument of Alexander Nevsky and the historical center of Sofia
  Tour price: from € 40 per person, there are also free bike tours in English
• Fortress Tsarevets and the old town in Veliko Tarnovo
• Historical center of Nessebar, protected by UNESCO
• A small town from the past - Koprivshtitsa

Natural attractions

• Rila Lakes - 7 high-mountain glacial lakes
• Stone forest and Cape Kaliakra near Varna.
  Tour price: from € 145 per group up to 4 people
• Weird rocks
• Pirin National Park, protected by UNESCO
• Lake Pomorie with curative mud
• Krushunsky waterfalls

Other entertainment

• Water parks on the Bulgarian coast
  Ticket to Aqua Paradise Water Park in Nessebar - from € 17
• Rent a sun lounger and umbrella on the beach - € 3.5-6

Of the listed sights, I liked the old town of Plovdiv the most: it is incredibly photogenic and atmospheric. Another vivid impression was a trip to the abandoned house-monument of the Communist Party "Buzludzha". Although it is not included in the standard tourist program, it is worth seeing this monument, which resembles a flying saucer landing on the top of a mountain, if possible.

Reviews about Bulgaria in July 2019 - is it worth going?

I traveled around Bulgaria, to put it mildly, out of season: in early March, when we arrived in Burgas, it suddenly snowed. This did not darken our trip, because we were primarily interested in the culture of the country. Friendly people, colorful sights and delicious food won my heart. I imagine that if the beach weather were added to this, we would stay in Bulgaria for another month.

Bulgaria was a traditional summer vacation destination back in the Soviet years, when it was treated like another Soviet republic and joked: chicken is not a bird, Bulgaria is not abroad. Much has changed since then: the conditions of recreation and the level of service in the country are striving for European standards, the flow of foreigners is growing, but you can still stumble upon the so-called "scoop". And first of all, it's about hotels.

Analyzing reviews about Bulgaria in July for 2019, the following pros and cons can be identified.

Advantages:

+ Mild climate compared to any other "summer" country (except Montenegro) and good weather: many sunny days, rains are rare and insignificant. Even if you come to Bulgaria at the end of July - during the hottest period - it will be tolerable to go on excursions.

+ Sandy beaches. If the priority is to lie on the sand by the sea, and there is a choice: Bulgaria or Montenegro, it is better to stay on the first one.

+ Sufficient choice of entertainment for children and adults: from water parks and water skiing to nightclubs.

+ Delicious and understandable food - it's not scary to dine with your child. July is the fruit season, with watermelons and plums appearing on the shelves.

+ Prices in Bulgaria for food, transport and other expenses do not shock, and sometimes even pleasantly surprise; You can relax here relatively inexpensively.

+ And most importantly: Bulgaria in July 2021 is the cheapest travel destination.

Flaws:

- July is the high season, so get ready for an influx of holidaymakers. On the other hand, there will be less people than in the same Turkey in the summer.

- The sea in Bulgaria in July is not heated to the temperature of fresh milk. In addition, it is noted that algae and unpleasant living creatures come across in the water and on the shore.

- If you look, you can see traces of devastation and gray-block architecture, reminiscent of the film-embodiment of Bratislava from Eurotour.