Bulgaria property news and articles

More sunshine, high temperatures, warmer seas, smaller towns, affordable prices and individual beaches are making the southern Black Sea coast more and more attractive to property buyers and investors.

Tourism
With more than 700,000 foreign tourists expected for this summer in the area of Nessebur alone, it is this kind of development in tourism which will lead to better services and infrastructure for the southern Black Sea coast, increasing its popularity with purchasers.

Thomas Cook, Thompson and First Choirce all say that according to their bookings there will be more English tourists than ever on the Black Sea this year. The first tourists have already arrived here – quite early, on the 4th April. The main tourism companies expect an increase in tourists of around 11% compared to last year.

Bourgas Airport
Kalin Barzov who is the Executive Director of the airport presented the project for the much needed new Bourgas airport terminal on March 30th this year. Once finished the airport capacity will enable one million passengers to pass through each season. He said that the entrance to the new terminal will be constructed in the Museum of Aviation and the baggage hall extended to some 1,000 sq.m. The project also includes 30 additional bus spaces in the parking lot and 80 additional car parking spaces.

Characteristics
The main characteristics of this area are small towns and the beaches. There are numerous individual small beaches separated by rocky peninsulas justting into the sea. This creates deep bays with really clear water also protecting the beaches from cold winds during the winter, making this area more suitable for all year tourism.

Towns in this southern region of the coast tend to be smaller and quieter, often offering more affordable property. However, as this area rapidly develops, prices are rising fast in line with the trend of most of the market but are still usually lower than around the Varna area. Apart from the prices, the sea here is generally 1 to 3 degrees warmer than in the northern part of the coast and the region also offers a longer period during the year of temperatures over 20 degrees C.

Although building is going on apace and infrastructure improving all the time, most of the local authorities in this region are very anxious to avoid over-building and over-crowding of the area – in their own words We dont want another Benidorm!.

There is a wide choice of property available, from off plan right on the coast, through land plots with great views to build your own dream house, to run-down rural houses for renovation away from the coastline. As ever, those properties just that bit inland are significantly cheaper than front line seaside ones.

Where to buy
Asking the agents who specialise in this area where are the property hotspots and the answer always seems to come back the same – the whole of it!

Apart from the obvious spot of Golden Sands, Sunny Beach and leaving aside the towns of Bourgas and Nessebur, heres a brief run-down of the key property buying areas, starting at Sozopol and going south :

Sozopol with its old town and ambience is fast becoming a main target for property purchases. Prices lower than Varna. Still possible to find affordable prices. Off plan developments here tend to be smaller. Some lovely developments on the cliffs with stunning views reminiscent of Italy.

Duni holiday village is a recent resort complex, set along a beautiful beach of some 4.5 kms. The resort consists of three originally designed main zones, forming separate architectural ensembles with their own characteristic style and atmosphere:

Heading south from here the coastline becomes even more beautiful. The forests of the Strandzha mountain are close to the sea here and provides an extraordinary area of forest and sea for investment.

South of this is Stomoplo. This coastline is better known as the northern beach of Primorsko resort. Here is a 2,300m long beach, nice and wide with sand dunes. Primorsko and Kiten (a little gem) have become well known beach resorts and are popular with property buyers.

South of the small peninsula where is Kiten, can be seen the magnificent Atliman Bay. From this point, again heading south, there are beautiful untouched small beaches : Karaagach, Lozen, Gochov Ergek, Popadiiski, Tzarevo, Varvaski and Ahtopol. These are being discovered more and more with purchasers, prices are very favourable and affordable.

Right at the southern end now, youll find the villages of Sinemorets and Rezovo (right on the border with Turkey). Sinemorets village was part of the restricted border area when Bulgaria was under communist rule. No access was allowed to outsiders but this rule has now been abolished and it has become very attractive to wealthy Bulgarians who have both bought land and built large villas here.

Prices in the area range from a lovely traditional house just inland at 13,000 euros, to apartments in Pomorie starting at 74,000 euros and, under construction, apartments in Varvara starting at 43,965 euros – right through to a luxury newly built villa with air conditioning, swimming pool, stunning bay views, 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms at 240,000 euros.

If you want to know more about investing in Bulgaria – Quest Bulgaria is the specialist English language magazine about Bulgaria and Bulgarian property. A monthly guide for those searching for property in Bulgaria whether as a holiday home or as an investment. It is the leading point of reference for those seeking comprehensive, impartial and independent advice on Bulgaria.

Monthly Printed Magazine – Subscribers Discount Scheme – Ask the Expert online Advice Board – Property Quest BG property portal

Jain Goodall
Quest Bulgaria Magazine