Best sea resorts for buying property in Bulgaria: Recommendations?

I am currently researching real estate options along the Black Sea coast and would like to know which towns offer the best investment value. My main interests are Sunny Beach and Sozopol, but I am open to smaller coastal villages if they have reliable infrastructure. Could anyone share their recent experiences with property management and rental yields in these specific areas? I am specifically looking for a location that is lively during the summer but not completely deserted during the winter months.

Sunny Beach is definitely the most popular for short-term rentals, but as you mentioned, it becomes a ghost town in the winter. If you want a place that stays active, I'd suggest looking at the Sarafovo district in Burgas. It has the beach feel but with all the city infrastructure that stays open year-round.

I've looked at Sozopol recently. It’s beautiful and has a much more authentic vibe than the purpose-built resorts. However, with the global economy, I had to research is it safe to buy real estate in Bulgaria right now? before committing. The Old Town area holds its value very well compared to the newer developments.

Regarding property management, most companies in Sunny Beach charge between 10% and 15% of the rental income. Yields are generally around 5-6% if you have a frontline apartment, but keep in mind the season is quite short—mostly just July and August.

If you are open to smaller villages, take a look at Chernomorets. It's much quieter than Sozopol but only 10 minutes away by car. It has a permanent population, so the local shops and pharmacies don't close down in October.

When calculating your ROI, don't just look at the purchase price. You need to account for the hidden costs of buying property in Bulgaria - what should I expect? like the annual maintenance fees and transfer taxes which can be surprisingly high in gated complexes.

Saint Vlas is a great middle ground. It's right next to Sunny Beach so you get the rental demand, but it has a much higher percentage of year-round residents and better air quality because of the mountain proximity.

I've had an apartment in Sozopol for five years. The rental market there is more focused on Bulgarian tourists and families, which makes it a bit more stable than the international-heavy Sunny Beach. Property management is key though; don't try to manage it yourself from abroad.

Pomorie is another option worth considering. It’s famous for its balneology and salt baths, which attracts tourists even in the shoulder seasons. It’s much more 'lively' in the winter than the purely seasonal resorts.

Infrastructure-wise, the south coast generally has better connectivity to Burgas airport. If you're looking for investment value, look for properties with a 'BTI' (Act 16) certificate, as this ensures the building is fully legal and connected to the grid at domestic electricity rates.