The Truth About Staying in Golden Sands, Varna
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Varna is one of those places that makes for the perfect holiday. Beaches, sun, good food, reasonable prices, great hotels… We absolutely loved it! But our most difficult decision was choosing where to stay in Varna.
Of course, Golden Sands was at the top of the list, but in person, we came across things that people didn’t mention online. That’s why in this blog, I am sharing the unfiltered truth about Golden Sands, so you can figure out if it’s the right area in Varna for you.
Mini Eiffel Tower and Internation hotel from Golden Sands beach in Varna
Where to stay: Our top Golden Sands hotel picks
Before diving into what Golden Sands is actually like, the type of hotels can be the main reason why you choose Golden Sands. These are the three hotels I’d book if I were to visit again:
Splurging on the best all-round
If you want a hotel where pretty much everything is included, GRIFID Noa is the one for you. It’s perfect for families, but also great for couples, since it has an exclusive adults-only floor with its own infinity pool. The best part? All rooms include access to the Calma Spa Centre, which is perfect if you are looking to fully relax.
Ideal for families
If you’re travelling with kids, Hotel Continental is our top pick for families because they offer spacious two-bedroom suites that give everyone their own space. A minor downside is that it’s not beachfront; however, this makes it more affordable, and it’s still a short walk from the beach.
Best for couples (adults-only)
If your idea of relaxation is an exclusive adults-only hotel, GRIFID Metropol Hotel is the beachfront hotel we’d choose. Rooms are spacious and modern, but our favourite part is the infinity pool with stunning sea views.
Although I've shared links to Booking.com, to find the best deals I'd suggest checking Vio. It's a platform that compares rates from different hotel providers in one place, saving you time researching and helping you find the best deal in seconds.
Why Golden Sands is worth considering
When we first arrived in Varna, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect from Golden Sands. But once you see it in person, it is incredibly easy to understand why it’s so famous. If you are looking for a classic beach holiday, there are a few massive reasons why this resort might be exactly what you need.
The beach lives up to the expectation
This is the absolute best part. The sand is genuinely soft, fine and golden. The beach strip is incredibly long and wide, which is good to not feel super claustrophobic. The water is clean, calm and perfect for swimming. If your main goal is to lie on a sunbed with a cold drink, you’ll love it here
Everything is on your doorstep
The entire area is built around the pedestrian promenade that runs right alongside the beach. You can walk out of your hotel lobby and immediately be steps away from restaurants, beach bars, shops, and pharmacies. For food recommendations, you can check our Google Maps list with over 70 locations in Varna. It will genuinely save you time planning your trip.
Varna: 70+ Best Locations
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Where nature meets the sea
Golden Sands is uniquely beautiful because it sits right on the edge of the Golden Sands Nature Park. If you are into hiking through lush, green hillsides, this could be a great thing to do in Varna.
Aladzha Monastery views of the Black Sea and Golden Sands
The downsides of staying at Golden Sands
You are stuck in a tourist bubble
The biggest downside to Golden Sands is that it doesn't feel like real Bulgaria. It is a purpose-built resort town, which means everything is heavily commercialised. The streets are lined with identical souvenir stalls, and the vibe can feel a bit soulless if you like exploring local neighbourhoods, historic streets, or authentic culture. In that case, we’d recommend staying in Varna city centre or St. Constantine and Helena.
Tourist shops at Golden Sands' promenade in Varna
Premiums on everything
Bulgaria is famous for being incredibly budget-friendly, but everything in Golden Sands at a higher price, since it’s aimed at tourists.
The noise and crowds
During the peak summer months of July and August, the area turns into a massive party hub. The main promenade gets incredibly crowded, and bars can open until very late at night.
It’s a bit far from Varna city centre
If you are planning on visiting the centre often, Golden Sands can be inconvenient. It’s about 30 minutes by car and around one hour by public transport. What a lot of people do, and what we actually recommend, is renting a car. Not only does it make reaching Varna city centre easy, but it also gives you the freedom to explore the rest of Varna and go on some amazing day trips.
How easy is it to get around from Golden Sands?
For total flexibility, the easiest option is to rent a car. We strongly recommend using QEEQ, since they consistently offer the best deals and have no hidden fees. It’s the platform we use every single time. However, if you prefer not to drive, there are a couple of other options depending on your travel style:
By bus
This is by far the cheapest option. To get to Varna city centre, you’ll need to grab line 9 or 409, but to get to and from the airport, you will need to catch line 409. Just be prepared for a long-ish ride.
By taxi
A taxi will get you to the city centre in around 30 minutes. But make sure to use a local taxi hailing app, like Hippo Taxi, Triumph Taxi, or the Moby App. To get to your hotel from the airport, we’d recommend pre-booking your taxi via GetTransfer.com. This way, you have a stress-free arrival with a driver waiting for you.
We’ve actually broken down how expensive Varna is on this blog: How Expensive is Varna? What to Expect for Your Trip.
The best food spots in Golden Sands
Since Golden Sands is dominated by all-inclusive resorts, most people end up eating the majority of their meals at their hotels. However, if you are looking to step outside your hotel for lunch or dinner, the promenade has a few good spots:
Magdalena: Great seafood options like shark steaks and breaded calamari. Do bring cash, since they may not accept credit cards.
The Zone: Convenient food like pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and a few Bulgarian dishes.
Remember that we’ve included a few more options on our Varna Google Maps list, so make sure to check it out!
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