Golden Sands is one of the pearls of Bulgaria, a resort on its Black Sea coast. Mild winters and warm summers, wonderful sandy beaches and gentle sea waves - this is what attracts thousands of tourists here every year.
For those who want not only to enjoy the rays of the generous Black Sea sun and clear sea water, the Bulgarian resort also offers a lot of interesting things. There are many sights here, both natural and historical, both that have appeared at the present time and that remember the hoary antiquity.
But where exactly should a tourist go, which parks and temples to visit first of all? What exactly to see in Golden Sands?
Top 10 attractions in Golden Sands
Chapel of St. John the Baptist
Chapel of St. John the Baptist
Located in the very center of the resort. Built several years ago. The construction of the temple was supervised by Metropolitan Kirill of Varna and Velikopreslavl himself (recently deceased bishop of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church). The architectural solution of the building is distinguished by elegance and originality; the temple is also famous for its rich interiors.
Aladzha monastery
Aladzha monastery
This historical and archaeological site is located not far from the resort; it is the ruins of a 12th century monastery. All rooms of the monastery were located in a limestone rock, directly in the caves. Before the monastery was founded here, hermits lived in the rock. In the 4th century they began to carve catacombs here.
The monastery existed for only two centuries, and then was destroyed by the Ottomans. Its name, as we know it at the present time, was given precisely by those who destroyed this monastery. It is translated from Turkish as "multicolor". Once upon a time, the monastery walls were decorated with many colorful and bright frescoes. On a limestone rock, these images looked especially colorful.
What was the name of the monastery in fact, in honor of whom it was consecrated - this is still an insoluble mystery for historians. There is only one written evidence, the authenticity of which raises doubts among scientists. According to him, the monastery was consecrated in honor of the Holy Savior. But the written source confirming this dates back to the 19th century. He recorded some ancient oral tradition - so ancient that the name of the monastery could well have been distorted over time.
For several centuries after the monastery ceased to exist, Christian hermits continued to settle in numerous limestone caves. Currently, these caves are uninhabited, but still they are not empty: many tourists come here, speaking all the languages of the world, guides lead excursion after excursion … The stream of those who come here does not dry out.
Exhibition complex "Chiflika"
Located near the resort, in the suburbs. Here are exhibits that tell about the life and customs of the local peasantry at the beginning of the 20th century. After visiting the ethnographic exposition, visitors are offered excellently prepared dishes of the Bulgarian national cuisine and local wines.
But inspection of the exposition and refreshments are not all that attracts tourists to the exhibition complex. Here you can also see one of the most beautiful local ceremonies - the wedding. And if the role of the viewer does not suit you, you can even become one of its participants.
Several craft workshops function on the territory of the exhibition complex. There are also souvenir shops where you can buy original gifts for your family and friends. An unusual souvenir will be a great addition to your story about your stay in the sunny Black Sea resort!
Cape Kaliakra
Cape Kaliakra
Although this attraction is located at some distance from the resort, excursions are regularly sent to it from Golden Sands.
It is a natural and archaeological reserve. Its rocks remember the decisive battle of the Russian-Turkish war, in which the admiral of the Russian Imperial Navy Fyodor Ushakov proved himself to be a real military genius, and the Algerian-Turkish fleet suffered a crushing defeat. These shores also remember much earlier historical events: the first fortified settlement appeared here in the 4th century BC.
One of the legends associated with the history of the cape tells about girls who threw themselves into the sea from high cliffs so as not to be captured by the Ottomans. In honor of these girls, an obelisk was erected on the cape.
But the cape is interesting not only as a historical landmark. The fauna here also attracts the constant interest of tourists. If you are very lucky, dolphins can be seen in the sea waves, and numerous cormorants nest on the rocks; the monk seal is found here - the only representative of pinnipeds in the Black Sea waters.
Central beach
Located directly opposite the Admiral Hotel and the Ferris wheel. One of the distinguishing features of this beach is the white umbrellas, placed for those who wish to hide under them from the sun's rays.
It should be noted here that the entrance to the Central Beach, like all other beaches of the resort, is free, but you must pay for the rental of sun loungers or for massage services (which are provided here to those who wish). If you decide to save money, you can simply grab a towel with you to the beach and spread it on the sand. Many tourists do just that.
There are cafes on the Central Beach. There is also an opportunity to take a shower. As well as on other beaches of the resort, here you can rent a boat, go parasailing, ride a "banana". Souvenir, corn and fish merchants walk along the beach. They can also be found on other beaches (which will be discussed below).
Mojito beach
It is especially popular with young people. Here in the cafe after sunset, cocktails literally flow like a river. They are carried by waitresses in green swimsuits, while all eyes are fixed on the dancers who perform in the cafe every evening to incendiary music.
One of the distinctive features of the beach is straw umbrellas. The sun loungers here are exceptionally white.
Riviera beach
This beach is fenced on all sides. If you want to get here, then you need to go through the pier (where there is a special small door in the fence, open during the day) or through the main entrance of the nearby hotel.
If you decide not to rent a sun lounger and bring a towel with you, you will need to stay in a special area of the beach, most of which is reserved for sun loungers.
It is an ideal place for swimming with small children, as the shore descends very gently into the water. To get to deep water, you need to walk in shallow water for a while. One of the disadvantages of this beach is the abundance of algae.
Natural Park "Golden Sands"
Natural Park "Golden Sands"
It was established several decades ago and is now one of the most popular attractions in the resort. About one and a half hundred species of medicinal plants grow here. In the park you can see woodpeckers, tits, jays, blackbirds. Its inhabitants are also deer, squirrels, martens, wild boars, rabbits …
There are 5 hiking trails under the dense canopy of the park. The shortest of them can be completed in less than an hour, and the longest takes 4 hours to complete. Some routes allow you only to admire the beauties of the local nature, while others give you the opportunity to see also historical sights. Routes, like the Moscow metro lines, are painted in different colors on the map - orange, green, yellow … The longest route is marked in red.
If the long journey tires you, you can relax on one of the special areas, where you can even have a picnic. Given this possibility, it is worth taking the necessary food with you or even stocking up on everything you need for a barbecue.
An experienced guide will help you not to stray from the chosen route. Guides here conduct guided tours in Bulgarian and English.
Aquapolis
Aquapolis
A water park known for its beauty and dizzying attractions. Located in the forest, surrounded by delightful landscapes.
Here you can slide down a water slide, enjoy a stay in a jacuzzi, climb an artificial rock, shoot at a shooting range, admire the castles built in the Moorish-Mediterranean style. These beautiful buildings, erected in our time, still recreate the romantic atmosphere of bygone eras in the water park.
It is safe to say that both children and adults will enjoy their stay in the park. It will appeal to both outdoor enthusiasts and those who prefer a quiet pastime.
At the entrance to the park, a large convenient parking lot is tripled, it can accommodate 10 buses and about 100 cars. Around the same place, there is a bar with stunning views.
A copy of the Eiffel Tower
Installed near the beaches. The famous Parisian landmark has been recreated on a scale of approximately 1:10; the height of the copy is just over 30 meters.
There is a bar on the second tier of the tower. The area on which it is located is disproportionately large (in comparison with the same tier of the original). The bar counter is located in the center of the site, tables are located along the perimeter. Here you can enjoy your favorite drink while admiring the amazing views (the area is fenced with glass panels).
The unusual bar is almost never empty; it is very popular with vacationers. The reason is not only in its originality, but also in the high quality of service, food and drink.
