Share the article
Last update
Southern Europe is overcrowded and many sunny spots on the coast are moving to limit tourism, with Italy going so far as to enforce a traffic ban on certain days on the picturesque Amalfi Coast and France launching ticket sales systems. tickets for certain natural parks.
Understandably, a growing number of Americans crossing the pond this summer are now wondering where should they go for less crowds and, most importantly, fairer prices.
In case you haven’t heard, much of the Mediterranean is about to see record price increases, including previously comparatively affordable destinations such as Croatiathe newest member of the eurozone and an increasingly westernized nation.
Fortunately, the Black Sea has not yet been invaded by touristsAnd with sandy beaches, blue swimming spots and great weather, it’s the strongest competitor in the Mediterranean this season.
Where is the Black Sea?
The Black Sea is a partially enclosed body of water surrounded by Eastern Europe and the Anatolian peninsula in Turkey.
Total, six countries have ports on this sea. It is bordered by Bulgaria and Romania to the west, Ukraine and Russia to the north, the small nation of Georgia to the east, and Turkey to its southern tip.
While Russia and Ukraine are not yet allowed to travel, due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the remaining four countries that straddle the Black Sea are perfectly safe for visitors and have enjoyed a surge in popularity as tourist destinations.
Here are four of the region’s top-rated vacation spots:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans for 2023 from $10 per week
Batumi, Georgia
batumi is the Georgia’s largest spaa nation nestled in the Caucasus Mountains between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
Known as Georgian Las Vegas, Batumi is famous for being home to a high concentration of casinos and entertainment venues, and is the country’s gateway to the Black Sea, packed with luxurious beachfront hotels.
The cityscape has gleaming Dubai-style skyscrapers lining the entire length of the gray-sand municipal beach, but apart from modern development sites, Batumi is famous for its traditional Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau, and more than 10 km of municipal beach.
Last year, only 5.4 million tourists landed in Georgia.
Not all of them would have fulfilled their stay in Batumi, since the main entry points to the country are in the capital city of Tbilisi and Kutaisi, so Batumi a not so busy beach getaway.
Trabzon, Türkiye
Trabzon is Turkey’s Black Sea jewel, just a 3-hour drive from Batumi in Georgia.
Serving as the capital of the homonymous province, it is a kind of melting pothaving been inhabited since time immemorial by native Anatolians before it was colonized by the Greeks and eventually conquered by Roman colonizers, who established a strong Black Sea presence at the height of the Empire.
Eventually, Trabzon would become a major transit stop along the Silk Road, as well as a major Ottoman trading port later on.
Unsurprisingly, all these contrasting influences are still scattered throughout the city, be it Byzantine churches or Ottoman-era bazaars, but Trabzon’s true splendor lies in the stunning nature it offers.
Providing guests with easy access to the ocean, it encompasses numerous Black Sea beaches, the most famous being Camburnu Beacha sandy strip delimited by calm waters.
South of Trabzon, nature lovers will find the Pontic Mountains, with hiking trails leading to picturesque alpine lakes, ancient villages and secluded Roman ruins.
However, unlike Antalya or Bodrum, two other Turkish destinations in the Mediterranean provinces that are exploding in popularity right now, Trabzon still falls under the radar for most Westerners, and is one of Türkiye’s last hidden gems.
Eforie Nord, Romania
In the European section of the Black Sea, Eforie Nord is one of the most popular vacations in the basin.
A small beach town, it boasts a long sandy beach lapped by brilliant blue seas, dotted with colorful umbrellas and beach bars.
Accommodation options are more limitedand occupancy rates are high during the summer, mainly due to Romanians traveling on vacation, but since Eforie Nord is yet to attract the attention of foreignerswho flock to Constanta, Romania’s largest port city, or Sunny Beach, in Bulgaria.
This means that you should expect fair prices and less gentrification, as well as more authentic experiences, since this is a traditional Romanian resort. mostly frequented by locals.
Nightly rates at four-star hotels in the area start at just $62, though there are plenty of much cheaper options available in booking.com.
Eforie Nord is where Romanians travel to relax, soak up the seaside atmosphere and tan under the scorching Balkan sun, so it might not be the right choice for you if you’re looking for something a little more exciting.
In that case, try the aforementioned Constanta instead, a vibrant city that’s home to nearly 300,000 people and an extensive list of casinos, entertainment venues, and nightclubs.
Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria
Sveti Vlas is a resort town and development zone that is part of Nesebar Municipality, the most picturesque of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.
Since most tourists flock to neighboring Sunny Beach, where all the beachfront resorts and nightclubs are concentrated, Sveti Vlas has a more traditional and quaint feel: is, above all, a historical destination.
Originally founded as a Greek colony, its Hellenism was evident in the demographics of the city and the way of life of the locals until the early 20th century, when the native Greek families of Sveti Vlas had to emigrate to neighboring Greece following the redesign of the borders.
Today, Sveti Vlas is largely populated by Bulgarians, who bring their South Slavic culture and tradition to the mix. Besides strolling through the streets and trying tasty Eastern Balkan cuisine, tourists can relax on the beach. golden sands, not pebbles – or take boat trips along the Black Sea coast.
In total, there are 14 five-star listings in the Sveti Vlas municipality in booking.comwith nightly rates ranging from US$208 for an entire studio at the Jardín del Eden Complex, up to US$638 at the HVD Reina del Mar, a all inclusive luxury retreat in Obzor, 16 km from the village.
If you’re looking for a quieter Black Sea resort that also feels more exclusive and ‘expensive’ than Sunny Beach or Constanta in Romania, tthat’s where you should head.
traveler alert: Don’t forget travel insurance for your next trip!
↓ Join our community ↓
He Travel Off Path Community FB Group It has the latest news, talks, and Q&A on the reopening every day!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST PUBLICATIONS
Enter your email address to sign up for the latest travel news from Travel Off Path, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
