Bulgaria holidays

Bulgaria holidays 2026 and 2027

Bulgaria holidays combine Black Sea beach breaks, All Inclusive stays, family holidays and last-minute escapes in one destination. Stretching from the Black Sea coast to mountain ski resorts and city breaks, Bulgaria’s mix of holiday styles gives it a year-round appeal.

If you're looking beyond the beach, Bansko is Bulgaria's best-known ski destination, with a season that typically runs from December to April. 

Bulgaria Resorts

Sunny Beach Bulgaria Holidays

Sunny Beach is Bulgaria's largest Black Sea resort, known for its wide sandy beach, All Inclusive hotels and buzzing nightlife. There’s plenty of choice here for families, couples and groups, with beach days, water sports and entertainment all within easy reach. If you like having everything on your doorstep, this is one of Bulgaria's liveliest holiday spots.
 
Golden Sands Bulgaria Holidays 

Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasatsi) is a 3.5km Blue Flag beach backed by a nature reserve. With a calmer, more upmarket atmosphere than Sunny Beach, it’s well-suited to couples and families seeking a quieter base. You'll still find plenty going on, just with a more laid-back feel, with beach days and evenings that are a little more relaxed. And it’s not far from the city of Varna, ideal for a spot of exploring.
 
Albena Bulgaria Holidays 

Albena is a purpose-built family resort north of Varna, with a wide beach, water sports and a mainly All Inclusive hotel strip. With a strong kids' club offering and activities designed for different ages, it’s particularly popular with families. Everything is close by, making family holidays feel that little bit easier.
 

Bansko Ski Holidays

Bansko is Bulgaria's main ski resort in the Pirin Mountains, with gondola-linked slopes, après-ski bars and cobbled Old Town streets. As one of Europe's cheapest ski destinations, Bansko skiing holidays offer excellent value both on and off the slopes. Bansko's traditional Old Town adds to its appeal, with cosy restaurants and bars where you can unwind after a day on the mountain. The ski season typically runs from December to April.
 

Sofia Bulgaria Holidays 

Sofia is Bulgaria's capital and its leading city-break destination, known for Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the National History Museum and a thriving café culture. Sofia works well throughout the year, from summer highlights such as Sofia Summer Fest and the A to Jazz Festival, to winter Christmas markets and festive events across the city. It's an easy city to discover over a long weekend, with historic landmarks and neighbourhoods best explored on foot. 

Best Beaches in Bulgaria

Sunny Beach (Slanchev Bryag) boasts 8km of sand, All Inclusive hotels, beach bars and water sports along the central Black Sea coast.
 
Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasatsi) is a 3.5km Blue Flag beach backed by a protected nature reserve, known for its finer sand and a more laid-back setting than Sunny Beach.
 
Albena Beach pairs a spacious stretch of sand with shallow waters and water sports, making it a popular choice for family beach holidays.
 
Nessebar Old Town Beach combines a UNESCO-listed Old Town with beaches that feel more low-key than nearby Sunny Beach, making it easy to mix beach time with sightseeing.
 
Sozopol is a historic Black Sea town with two beaches, including a family-friendly southern stretch and a smaller northern cove close to the Old Town walls.
 
Kavatsi and Smokinya Beaches sit just south of Sozopol, where dune-backed sands and a more tucked-away setting offer a different feel to Bulgaria's larger resorts.
 

Types of Bulgaria Holiday

All Inclusive Holidays

All Inclusive holidays to Bulgaria typically include meals, local drinks, snacks and evening entertainment, with plenty of options in Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Albena.
 
Package Holidays

Package holidays to Bulgaria combine your flights and hotel in a single ATOL-protected booking, helping you travel with added peace of mind. 
 
Family Holidays

Sunny Beach and Albena are particularly well suited to Bulgaria family holidays, thanks to large All Inclusive hotels, kids' clubs and calm Black Sea waters.
 
Ski Holidays

Bulgaria ski holidays centre around Bansko in the Pirin Mountains, where the slopes are just a short stroll from the resort's charming Old Town. It's also one of Europe's most affordable ski destinations. 
 
Luxury Holidays

Luxury holidays in Bulgaria focus on five-star resorts in Golden Sands, with spa facilities, private beach access and fine dining.
 
Cheap Holidays

Cheap holidays to Bulgaria are often easiest to find in May, June and September, when temperatures reach a cheery 22–26°C and prices are typically lower than in peak summer.
 
Last-Minute Deals

Last-minute holidays to Bulgaria are available throughout the beach season from May to October, with plenty of choice across the country's main resorts.

When to Go to Bulgaria

December–April

Bansko's ski season typically runs from December to April, with slopes at their busiest between January and March. Temperatures in the Pirin Mountains usually range from around -5°C to 5°C, making winter a great time to swap sand for snow. 
 
May–June

May and June bring temperatures of 20–25°C, with quieter beaches and prices that are often lower than in peak summer. Sea temperatures reach around 20°C by late May, so it’s not too cold for a paddle or a quick dip.
 
July–August

July and August are Bulgaria's hottest and busiest months, with temperatures reaching 28–32°C. If you're travelling during the school holidays or want the classic beach holiday experience, this is the time to visit, although it's worth booking early for the widest choice.
 
September

September temperatures average 25°C, and with prices often lower than August, it's one of the best-value times to visit Bulgaria. Families with younger children can avoid peak school holiday prices, while couples can enjoy beach days without the main summer crowds.
 
October–November

Temperatures in October and November typically range from 16–20°C, marking the end of the beach season for many resorts. As the summer winds down, it's a great time to trade seaside resorts for Sofia's museums, historic must-sees and café culture.
 

UK Departure Airports

We sell flights to Bulgaria from a number of UK airports, with a choice of airlines, helping you to plan the holiday that fits you best.

From England: Fly to Bulgaria from Manchester, Birmingham, London Gatwick, Bristol and Newcastle. Book flights to Varna Airport for Golden Sands and Albena, Bourgas Airport for Sunny Beach, Nessebar and Sozopol, or Sofia Airport for city breaks and Bansko ski holidays.

From Scotland: You can fly direct to Bulgaria from Edinburgh, Glasgow and other Scottish airports, making it easy to reach Bulgaria's Black Sea resorts from Scotland.

Why Book with Thomas Cook

Thomas Cook package holidays to Bulgaria are ATOL protected, with your ATOL certificate issued when you book. We're also ABTA-backed for added reassurance. You can also choose from regional departures across the UK, including Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle, rather than flying only from London.  

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Bansko | Borovets | Duni | Golden Sands Resort | Nessebar | Sunny Beach Resort