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Bulgaria remains one of the most accessible and family-friendly seaside destinations: fine sandy beaches, the warm Black Sea, historic towns, impressive mountains and hotels for every budget. If you start planning early, you get a clear advantage: more options, better room categories, convenient travel dates and special early booking offers.
Below you will find a complete guide to early booking in Bulgaria: why it is worth considering, how the discounts work, which resorts and beaches to choose, which hotels are suitable for families with children and how to get there comfortably from Chișinău – either with your own car or on a tourist coach.
Up to ~35% off the package price thanks to special early booking rates and reduced agency fees.
Better rooms: seaview, balcony, convenient floor, baby cots and family-friendly layouts still available.
Resorts for every taste: Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena, Nessebar, Pomorie, Sozopol, Svety Vlas and more.
3★, 4★ and 5★ hotels with All Inclusive, aqua parks, kids’ clubs, animation, spa centres and sport facilities.
Easy access from Chișinău: self-drive (about 600 km) or comfortable coaches with transfer directly to your hotel.
Why choose early booking for Bulgaria?
Booking tours to Bulgaria in advance allows you to choose the best hotels in their category for your holiday in Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and other regions of the country. If you reserve the hotel earlier, you can request a room with a beautiful view from the window (for example, towards the sea) or a balcony (when the hotel offers such an option).
If you inform the hotel that your trip coincides with a birthday or honeymoon, they can plan a special decoration of the room, while guests with disabilities or families with children can request a room on the ground floor. When travelling with babies, early booking allows you to reserve baby cots in advance.
Fans of an active summer holiday can, in autumn or winter, easily choose popular areas with well-developed entertainment infrastructure while there is still good availability.
By planning your seaside trip early, you can arrange it for the period that suits every family member. If you only start looking for a summer tour in March or even later, the best rooms and dates may already be gone.
Why is early booking in Bulgaria so advantageous?
The main advantage of early booking in Bulgaria is the price. By using this promotion, you can get a discount of up to about 35% off the tour package, because hotel owners offer special rates for early reservations. The most favourable period for buying tours is usually up to 31 December of the current year for any departure dates from May to October of the following year (which means the most profitable months for early booking in Bulgaria are typically October, November and December). Additional bonuses for early booking are offered by the travel company (reduced agency fee and minimal transfer price to the hotel).
*Note: when booking tour packages to Bulgaria on an early booking basis, you do not need to pay the entire amount at once – an advance payment is enough.
If you want to save money, remember the unplanned expenses during your holiday (on average around 10%), which usually increase in the case of a spontaneous trip. When you have enough time to prepare, you can avoid last-minute spending on toiletries, sun protection, clothes, shoes and other essentials.
For those who own a car: with early booking you have several months to prepare a self-drive trip, which is often more economical for a large family.
Holiday season in Bulgaria
The high tourist season in Bulgaria is from June to September. These are the best months for a summer trip: the average sea temperature is around +25 °C. During this period, beach holidays are especially popular. Some visitors travel to the sea as early as May, and the “velvet season” has its fans and lasts until the end of October. Sightseeing programmes in Bulgaria’s ancient towns and mountain routes usually run from March until late autumn.
Holiday in Bulgaria: what to see?
Bulgaria has become a crossroads of cultures, and today it has 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ancient Christian monasteries stand next to architectural monuments from the times of Ottoman rule and the Bulgarian Revival. One of the UNESCO-protected sites is the entire town of Nessebar, known for more than 3,000 years. The natural and archaeological site Beglik Tash is often called the “Bulgarian Stonehenge”, and on Cape Kaliakra the ruins of Thracian buildings have been discovered. Bulgaria’s mountain ranges preserve traces of ancient settlements: excursions to the Rhodope Mountains often include Trigrad Gorge, where the Devil’s Throat Cave and Yagodina Cave impress visitors – there you can see the remains of prehistoric dwellings (from the Chalcolithic period, about 4,000 years BC) and grand clusters of stalactites.
Tourists are always impressed by the views of the Smolyan Lakes, the “emerald eyes of the Rhodopes”, and the Rose Valley near Kazanlak. Many Christian pilgrims visit the rock monastery of Aladzha and the Bachkovo Monastery, known since 1083.
The best resorts in Bulgaria
Once early booking for hotels in Bulgaria opens, you can choose any region, focusing on your own requirements for beaches, resort infrastructure and proximity to attractions.
The town of Nessebar offers not only beach holidays but also excursions to sites from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
A stay in Pomorie is often combined with treatment using healing mud and spa procedures.
In Sozopol you can immerse yourself in Bulgaria’s bohemian life – many local artists and actors relax here.
The town of Svety Vlas , known since the 2nd century AD, attracts visitors not only with its beaches and yacht trips, but also with excursions around the old settlement, once inhabited by Greeks and later home to a monastery built in Byzantine style.
The most famous tourist regions in Bulgaria are Sunny Beach (with numerous aqua parks and a whole industry of water activities) and Golden Sands , where hotels are surrounded by forests, the beach sand is considered among the best in Europe and mineral springs help you recover quickly.
Bulgaria’s best beaches: top 5 according to travellers
All beaches in Bulgaria are covered with wonderful, soft sand, attracting tourists with very different expectations. For holidays with children, the slope of the seabed is important; some guests look for water attractions; others want to sunbathe in nature on “wild” beaches with tent camping, and some holidaymakers prefer nudist beaches (there are more than 10 paid nudist beaches along the Bulgarian coast).
Cacao Beach, Sunny Beach. The resort town of Sunny Beach is famous for some of the best beaches in Bulgaria; from May to October the area enjoys around 1,700 hours of sunshine. The most popular beach here is Cacao Beach. People sunbathe during the day and enjoy parties and discos at night. This dune beach with fine golden sand and a gently sloping, clean entrance to the sea has changing cabins and showers, and is suitable both for young people and for families with children. It is divided into free and paid zones; cafés, restaurants and attractions are located all along the seafront.
Golden Sands – the second most popular beach, about 4 km long, which received the “Blue Flag” eco award in 2019 for its cleanliness. It is famous for its soft, fine golden sand, gently sloping entrance to the sea and excellent tourist infrastructure. Besides the beautiful combination of deep-blue water and warm golden sand, travellers highlight the coastal section called Mojito, a lively place where young people gather (thanks to the nearby Mojito beach bar), and the Riviera area, ideal for families with children, with a very gentle entrance to the sea and a safe seabed.
Dunes Beach (7 km from Sozopol) – ranked as the third beach in Bulgaria, and one of the most luxurious and well-equipped (also awarded a Blue Flag). One part of the beach is protected by a breakwater and is perfect for families, while the other is popular with surfers and kitesurfers: here the waves reach the right height, and the sand is particularly light, almost white.
Svety Vlas – often called the Bulgarian Saint-Tropez. Sailing regattas take place on the beaches near this town and yachting is actively developing. The beach is located at the foot of a high mountain and is known for its fine sand, special microclimate (beneficial for people with bronchopulmonary conditions) and excellent fish restaurants.
Central Beach, Albena – this beach is located within a nature reserve, surrounded by forest, and is marked with the Blue Flag award. Guests often combine pleasant beach time with visits to the aqua park and amusement park, between which a small electric train runs. The resort infrastructure is fully developed: showers, sports grounds, cafés, restaurants and children’s attractions.
Key attractions in Bulgaria: where to go?
Bulgaria combines seaside relaxation with a wide range of cultural and natural attractions. Here are some popular places:
Open-air museum – the old town of Nessebar.
Baltata Nature Park (Albena).
The Stone Forest (Albena area).
Ruins of the fortress in Kranevo (Albena area).
Amusement park in Albena.
Botanical garden and former residence of Romanian Queen Maria in Balchik.
Aquapolis water and amusement park in Golden Sands.
Aladzha rock monastery.
Rila Monastery.
Monastery of Saint George in Pomorie.
History museum in Pomorie.
Dinevi yacht marina (Svety Vlas).
Early hotel booking: choosing the best options
Early hotel booking is an excellent service for those who love quality holidays. While most rooms are still available, you can reserve in advance the hotels that are especially popular among tourists. It is important to carefully study hotel ratings and guest reviews on independent travel websites.
Make sure to find information about the meal plan. Regardless of the number of stars, the All Inclusive system is not available in all Bulgarian hotels – more often, only breakfast is included. You will also find half board (breakfast and dinner), All Inclusive (breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, with local drinks included) and Ultra All Inclusive (free meals throughout the day, plenty of fruit and imported alcohol included).
In Bulgaria it is very easy to organise your own meals (there are always many cafés and restaurants nearby), so choosing an All Inclusive hotel is not always justified from a financial point of view. Paying extra for included alcohol is also not always necessary, as beer and other drinks can easily be bought close to the hotel.
When travelling to Bulgaria by car, check whether the hotel offers free parking (sometimes it is paid or located outside the hotel grounds).
3-star hotels: comfort at an affordable price
According to statistics, most Bulgarian hotels are rated 3 stars. Standard services include free breakfast (sometimes half board or All Inclusive), Wi-Fi, TV, safe, gym and sometimes parking. Bulgarian 3-star hotels do not differ dramatically in service from 4-star properties: they may, for example, offer excellent food but be located a bit further from the sea, or they may not have a pool. Most often these are small, well-maintained hotels with pleasant service.
BAIKAL 3* SUNNY BEACH – hotel on the second coastline, just a 5-minute walk from a beautiful beach. It consists of several buildings with a large outdoor pool and a separate children’s pool. Meal options: breakfast, breakfast plus dinner or All Inclusive. The hotel is located in the centre of the resort, close to many eateries and shops.
KINI PARK 3* GOLDEN SANDS – hotel located in an oak grove, about 600 m from the sea. The meal plan is All Inclusive, and guests can leave their car in the free parking area. Visitors particularly enjoy the large terrace where live music is played in the evenings. It is about 1 km from the resort centre, making it a great place for a quiet family holiday. You can diversify your meals in nearby restaurants – Havana Steak House, Restaurant Exotic and Steak House Old Oak Staria Dab are highly recommended.
KALIAKRA MARE 3* ALBENA – hotel on the first coastline, surrounded by greenery and located next to popular shopping alleys, cafés and small restaurants. The property offers entertainment for the whole family, with animation, a children’s pool and a playroom. Rooms have a private balcony, TV, fridge, safe and minibar. Breakfast is included and paid parking is available on site.
4-star hotels: the sweet spot between price and quality
Booking a 4-star hotel in Bulgaria means getting a quality service package at a reasonable price. Standard rooms usually offer free Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, air conditioning, safe, hair dryer and more. If you want a carefree summer escape on the Bulgarian coast, it is worth reserving a room in an All Inclusive hotel; if you are curious about the local cuisine and enjoy trying different cafés and restaurants, it may be better to book a hotel with breakfast only.
DIAMANT RESIDENCE HOTEL & SPA 4* SUNNY BEACH – hotel in luxurious classic style, 300 m from a fantastic sandy beach. It is suitable both for romantic trips (restaurant, bars, indoor and outdoor pool, spa, etc.) and for holidays with children (kids’ club, animation, children’s section in the pool). For group trips, the 80-seat conference hall is a valuable asset. For drivers, note that on-site parking is small and free of charge.
GOLDEN LINE 4* GOLDEN SANDS – modern apart-hotel near Varna, offering spacious apartments with kitchenette and living area. Each room has a furnished balcony, flat-screen TV, air conditioning and blackout curtains. In such conditions it is easy to organise your own meals by booking a package with breakfast only, but All Inclusive is also available. Facilities include free parking, kids’ club, pool and babysitting services.
PRIMASOL RALITSA AQUA CLUB 4* ALBENA – a bright and spacious hotel complex, perfect for young and active travellers. Guests enjoy free access to the “AquaMania” water park (including sunbeds and umbrellas); there are indoor and outdoor pools with slides, kids’ club and babysitting services, sports grounds, yoga classes and bike trips. Meals are served under the All Inclusive Plus system (breakfast, lunch, dinner, themed evenings and snack bars on the beach and by the pool).
5-star hotels: luxury and exclusivity
5-star hotels represent the premium segment of Bulgaria’s hospitality industry. Each project is not only functional but also unique in terms of architecture and design. Hotel grounds feature landscaped parks, pools, terraces and promenades; there are spa centres, sports facilities and various activities. As a rule, 5-star properties offer diverse high-quality cuisine and rooms with extra amenities.
ROYAL PALACE HELENA PARK 5* SUNNY BEACH – a splendid hotel on the first coastline, built in national style with red-tile roofs. The service and stylish interiors, decorated with works of modern art, have been highly appreciated by professionals; the hotel has repeatedly received the Golden Medal by Thomson Holidays and TUI Holly awards. Here you can fully relax and improve your wellbeing: in addition to the Ultra All Inclusive concept, there are vegetarian and diet menus, fresh fruits, snacks and drinks throughout the day, plus infrastructure for both relaxation and active recreation. Young guests can swim in a shallow pool and play in the kids’ club under the supervision of animators.
MELIA GRAND HERMITAGE 5* GOLDEN SANDS – an elegant hotel just 100 m from a private beach, decorated in refined French style and offering an All Inclusive meal plan. The hotel’s care for guests is reflected in every detail: bathrobes and slippers, make-up mirror, bidet and blackout curtains are provided. Free evening shows with live music are organised every night. The price also includes sports activities (billiards, aerobics, archery, darts, volleyball etc.). Children have a rich entertainment programme: kids’ club and animation, water slides, children’s discos and a separate pool. The special Kidsdom by Meliã programme adds extra charm: a kids’ reception, a personal hotel passport and a welcome drink on arrival. Parents will appreciate the children’s menu and highchairs in the restaurant. Another feature is the presence of 8 conference halls with capacities from 16 to 400 seats.
MARITIM HOTEL AMELIA (ex. AMELIA) 5* ALBENA – a new luxury hotel with beautiful rooms equipped with extended beds and sofa beds. All surfaces in the living areas are hypoallergenic; beyond the standard set, you will find a coffee machine and blackout curtains. A distinctive feature is the rooftop pools on the two 7-storey buildings. The hotel’s design was inspired by the image of pioneering aviator Amelia Mary Earhart, and themed decor adds a unique touch to the minimalist interiors. Guests can choose between breakfast only, half board (breakfast and dinner) or full-board Ultra All Inclusive.
THERMA PALACE 5* KRANEVO – a unique hotel in “grunge” style, with details reminiscent of the refined aesthetics of old European castles: massive fireplaces, ceiling beams, wooden furniture with patina, silk tablecloths and large crystal chandeliers. However, the hotel is popular not only for its interiors and excellent cuisine (you can choose breakfast, half board or All Inclusive); its main advantage is the use of healing mud and natural minerals for health recovery. The famous spa centre offers Finnish, Turkish and Japanese baths, a salt room, Vichy shower and Kneipp path, hydro-massage and comprehensive wellness programmes.
Early booking for a family holiday
If you have a large family and small children, the advantage of early booking is not only saving money (thanks to seasonal discounts) and securing optimal travel dates, but also having a wide choice of family-oriented hotels. Not all properties offer the necessary facilities, and by booking in advance you can still secure those that are specially equipped for summer holidays with kids. It is a big plus if the hotel has animators and babysitters, kids’ clubs and playrooms – adults can relax while children enjoy new impressions and friendships.
Some hotels create a dedicated children’s infrastructure, with children’s pools, water slides of different heights and various attractions. In some places kids receive a mini “hotel passport” and a welcome drink upon check-in; there are special activities and shows. Parents really appreciate hotels that offer children’s menus and highchairs.
Ideally, there should be child-friendly places near the hotel – planetariums, zoos, amusement parks. As such options are harder to find in high season, parents have a great opportunity to book a family tour to Bulgaria right now with Admiral Travel.
What to do in Bulgaria during your holiday
Bulgaria is ideal if you want to combine lazy beach days with excursions, child-friendly attractions and time in nature. Here are a few ideas for your programme:
Spend relaxed days on the beaches of Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Albena or Svety Vlas, with swimming and seaside walks.
Explore historic towns like Nessebar, Sozopol and Balchik, and visit famous monasteries such as Rila, Bachkovo and Aladzha.
Go on mountain trips to the Rhodopes, Trigrad Gorge, Devil’s Throat Cave and Yagodina Cave.
Visit aqua parks and amusement parks in Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Albena – perfect for children and teenagers.
Take yacht cruises and sunset boat trips in the Svety Vlas area and along the coast.
Relax in spa centres and enjoy mud and mineral treatments in Pomorie and specialised spa hotels.
Suggested 1-day itinerary: beach & old town
Morning: depart from Sunny Beach or Svety Vlas to Nessebar. Walk through the old town, visit churches, ruins and narrow cobbled streets, then enjoy coffee with a sea view.
Lunch: enjoy Bulgarian cuisine in a local tavern, followed by free time for photos and souvenir shopping. In the afternoon, return to your resort and spend a few more hours on the beach or at an aqua park.
Evening: stroll along the promenade, visit a funfair or amusement park in Albena/Sunny Beach, and finish the day with dinner in a fish and seafood restaurant.
Suggested 2-day itinerary: resort, nature and culture
Day 1: arrival and check-in at your hotel in Sunny Beach, Albena or Golden Sands. Time to explore the resort and relax on the beach. In the afternoon, visit an aqua park or amusement park; in the evening, walk along the promenade and enjoy dinner with local dishes.
Day 2: take an excursion to Nessebar, Sozopol, Balchik or to one of the monasteries. Combine walking tours in historic towns with visits to the botanical garden, natural parks or famous monasteries.
This itinerary can easily be adapted for couples, families or groups of friends, keeping a pleasant balance between beach time and cultural discoveries.
Travelling to Bulgaria from Chișinău
– If you are an experienced driver, are not afraid of a route of about 600 km, are travelling with several family members and enjoy independent trips, driving to Bulgaria in your own car is usually the most economical option (fuel costs are around 90–130 USD, depending on the car and route).
– If you do not have a car or simply prefer to relax from the very first minutes of your holiday, you can choose organised tours to Bulgaria on comfortable coaches. Departures are daily (except on Sundays) from Chișinău in the afternoon (Botanica district, S. Lazo monument). In the morning, tourists are already at the resort, with transfer directly to the hotel. The journey takes about 14–16 hours and is usually well tolerated by passengers.
(Note that for early booking packages, the tour price includes a minimal amount for coach transfers.)
Early booking Bulgaria 2026 (All Inclusive and other options) is a chance to secure a carefree holiday at the best price. Admiral Travel will ensure safe reservations at some of the best Bulgarian hotels, where sunny beaches, friendly staff, delicious cuisine and countless wonderful places are waiting for you – everything that makes this country so unique. Do not miss your chance to enjoy the Bulgarian resorts to the fullest!
Bulgaria is waiting for you! Book your holiday in advance and receive exclusive discounts and bonuses. Start planning your trip now!
FAQ: early booking for Bulgaria from Chișinău
What does early booking for Bulgaria mean?
Early booking means purchasing your holiday package several months before departure – usually from autumn until the end of the year for the following summer season.
How much can I save with early booking Bulgaria?
Depending on the offer, discounts can reach around 30–35% of the package price, thanks to special hotel rates and reduced agency fees.
Do I need to pay the full amount right away?
No. For early booking it is usually enough to pay a deposit. The remaining amount is paid closer to the departure date according to the agreement with the agency.
When is the best time for early booking Bulgaria 2026?
The strongest offers usually appear in October, November and December of the previous year, when hotels publish their early booking campaigns for the next season.
Can I change my travel dates after booking?
This depends on the hotel’s policy and the fare rules. Sometimes changes are possible for a fee or penalty, so always check the conditions before confirming your booking.
In which months is the sea warmest in Bulgaria?
The sea is comfortably warm for swimming from June to September, with average temperatures of around 24–26 °C.
Do all hotels in Bulgaria offer All Inclusive?
No. Some hotels offer only breakfast, others half board, and some have All Inclusive or Ultra All Inclusive. The meal plan depends on each individual property.
Is All Inclusive always the best value?
Not necessarily. In many resorts you will find plenty of cafés and restaurants, so sometimes it is more economical – and more interesting – to book only breakfast and explore local food on your own.
What type of hotel is best for families with children?
Look for hotels with kids’ pools, water slides, kids’ clubs, animation, children’s menus and highchairs – ideally with babysitting services as well.
Which resorts are calmer for a family holiday?
Many families prefer Albena, Svety Vlas or quieter parts of Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, where there is a gentle entrance to the sea and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Which resorts suit young people and nightlife lovers?
Sunny Beach and Golden Sands are the liveliest, with clubs, bars, beach parties, aqua parks and evening entertainment.
What is more convenient: own car or tourist bus?
For large families, driving your own car can be more economical, while tourist coaches are ideal if you want comfort and relaxation from the very beginning of your trip.
How long does the journey from Chișinău to the Bulgarian coast take?
On average the trip takes around 14–16 hours, both by coach and by car, depending on the route, border formalities and breaks.
Can I combine beach time with excursions and nature?
Absolutely. You can alternate beach days with trips to Nessebar, Sozopol and Balchik, visits to monasteries and nature parks, tailoring the programme to your family’s rhythm.