You’ll easily see why Golden Sands is one of the biggest and most popular holiday destinations along Bulgaria‘s northern, Black Sea coast. Not only does it boast a spectacular beach, it’s comes equipped with a whole travel guide’s worth of outdoor activities to match.

From a cave-dwelling monastery to a nature park and the resort’s ever-popular bars and clubs, there’s certainly no shortage of holiday activities in Golden Sands. You can dial the energy down with stints along the coast involving a sun lounger and umbrella, or crank it way up with all-night pool parties. Golden Sands is one of those sunny spots that suits every holiday goer and budget.

Have you ever seen yourself as a PADI-licensed diver? Here you can gain that status, that’s if you’re not too busy trying your hand at paragliding, parachuting or joining in with a spot of volleyball. Refreshing drinks, snacks and of course ice cream spots are always close by to keep those energy levels up.

The highlight of Golden Sands

Yes, the name of the resort is in reference to the Blue Flag award-winning beach here and also yes, the beach is undoubtedly the main attraction. Stretching out for more than three kilometres, the beach at Golden Sands features plenty of wide open spaces perfect for families, as well as no rocks in sight, and shallow shores for the little ones. There’s also a waterfront promenade that extends more than a kilometre along the sands and is backed with plenty of restaurants and bars – it’s the perfect spot for a sunset stroll.

The beach here is rife with spots to kick back and top up your tan, plus watersports and diving opportunities out in the waves. It’s the perfect way to spend a low-cost day and keep your cheap Golden Sands holiday in budget without missing out – after all, the beach is the main attraction!

More than a beach

The beach may be the highlight of the Golden Sands, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of other activities and places to explore that are just as fascinating.

History lovers listen up, it is rumoured that the treasured town of Golden Sands gets its name from the fact that it was once raided by pirates who discovered a ton of gold here. Mother Nature then transformed this gold into the long, medallion, stretch of sand that it is today.

On the other hand, keeping the kids entertained has never been easier. We’re talking mini golf, go-karting and fairground rides, including a Ferris wheel where you can get some impressive views of the coastline. The best part is, this entertainment is within walking distance of most of the hotels, meaning you won’t have to spend a penny on transport.

Aladzha Monastery

Located three kilometres above Golden Sands is the Aladzha Monastery, a mysterious place of worship carved into a cave. It’s believed to have been built in the 12th century, and consists of a monastery and nearby catacombs, the former of which is decked with elaborate mosaics and frescoes. The woods surrounding the monastery were believed to have been sacred and protected by a demon, but nowadays they’re demon-free and visited by holidaymakers keen to see the small museum and light shows during the summer.

Admission here is very reasonably priced and it’s guaranteed to be a fascinating day out.

Malls aplenty

Big plates and even bigger parties

When it comes to dining in Golden Sands, you can take your pick from the area’s huge array of cuisines. There are classic Eastern European bites local to the resort, plus a selection of steakhouses and barbecue food, Chinese, seafood, European and Mexican fare. Many restaurants are gathered right along the waterfront with views of the sea, but others will require a little bit of a walk into town and away from the action.

Once night falls, the energy doesn’t slow down. Quite the opposite – there are a number of bars and big time clubs where neon lights and dancing into the wee hours of the morning are a regular deal. Aside from colourful cocktails and pints of beer, you’ll also find onsite swimming pools and themed parties to keep your nights nothing short of interesting.

With the clue in the name, Party Street is the place to be when the sun goes down. One of the hotspots here is the Muppet Bar – offering a different experience to house and techno this place has the karaoke on every night along with plenty of cheap drink options. For a more laid-back evening, there’s a restaurant and bar that’s shaped exactly like the Eiffel Tower, head up to the top for some fantastic views of the promenade.

There’s plenty of Self Catering, Bed and Breakfast and All Inclusive hotels in Golden Sands so however you choose to dine, you can do it within your budget. Maybe you want to try your hand at cooking your own dishes, or you just simply want to keep the cost down, Golden Sands holidays accommdate for all.