As a parent, did you ever just want to rest and do absolutely nothing for a few days?
No planning where to go or checking opening times. No deciding where we’re going to eat. No grocery shopping or cooking. Just existing and letting the day unfold however it wants.
After a very exhausting school year and an especially demanding period at work, that’s exactly what I was craving, so we went to Sunny Beach in Bulgaria with one simple plan: no plan at all.
I’d convinced myself that this could actually be a relaxing holiday. Then I remembered that we were travelling with a six- and nine-year-old. Could an all-inclusive resort really give all four of us the kind of break we needed?
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Mini Guide to Sunny Beach
Short on time? Here’s a quick guide to Sunny Beach to help you plan your trip.
Where to stay?
-North – family-friendly & quieter
-City Center – nightlife & entertainment
–DIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel (great with kids)
–Meliá Sunny Beach (close to the beach and nightlife)
When to visit?
From June to early September.
July and August are the busiest months.
What to do?
–Khan’s Tent Restaurant in Sveti Vlas – a great spot for dinner with a view
–Half-Day Black Sea Catamaran Cruise – perfect for a relaxing half-day on the water
–Sunny Beach Water & Amusement Parks – a fun choice for families with kids
Our Sunny Beach family holiday at a glance
Length: 5 days
Travelling with: 2 adults + 2 children aged 6 and 9
Hotel: DIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel
Board: All-inclusive
Main focus: Beach, pool & waterpark
Excursion: Half-day trip to Nessebar
Best thing: Being able to genuinely switch off
Why We Chose Sunny Beach With Kids
We’d heard about Sunny Beach so many times from friends and other Hungarian families that I was curious to see what all the fuss was about.
Price was another factor. When I compared it with some of the other beach destinations we were considering, Sunny Beach seemed relatively affordable. Since we’re planning a big trip to New Zealand next year, I wanted a lazy holiday this year without spending a fortune on it.
Once we’d decided what we were looking for, I didn’t spend too long searching. I booked a beachfront all-inclusive hotel with its own waterpark. Apart from our half-day trip to Nessebar, we barely left the resort and that turned out to be exactly what we needed.
We flew from Budapest to Burgas Airport and booked a private transfer to our hotel in Sunny Beach. With two children and a late arrival, it was the easiest option for us.
If you’re travelling to Sunny Beach, you can read my guide to getting from Burgas Airport to Sunny Beach and compare the different options before you go.
Why We Chose DIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel
We stayed at DIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel – All Inclusive.
Three things were the main reasons we chose it:
The splash zone designed specifically for kids under 130 cm
Just a short five-minute walk from the lobby to the sand
With two children, having all of this on our doorstep made a bigger difference than I expected. There was always somewhere to go without having to organise anything. The hotel also had entertainment and activities for kids, adults and families throughout the day. We joined in sometimes and ignored it completely at other times.
Everything You Need to Know About DIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel
Our RoomDIT Evrika Beach Club Hotel Review | Bulgaria, Sunny Beach
The room was spacious and the four of us fit in comfortably. Since we arrived quite late, we were more than happy to get settled in and enjoy the comfort of the room.
The kids had a bunk bed, which were an immediate hit. Of course, they both wanted to sleep on the top bunk, so we eventually agreed on a daily rotation.
Our room overlooked the park, so it was generally quiet and peaceful. The only exception was the kids’ club on the ground floor of our block, where they had a kids’ party every evening. Luckily, the kids slept through it without any problems. After a full day in the waterpark, they were completely exhausted anyway. We were usually the ones still awake, waiting for the party downstairs to finish.
What Our Days in Sunny Beach Looked Like
Most days followed roughly the same rhythm and I think that’s one of the things I enjoyed most. We also tried to keep a few things similar to our routine at home. We ate at roughly the same times and kept bedtime around the usual hour. I think daily routine is very important even during the holiday, which helps them stay on track and not get overstimulated.
We’d wake up and either go for a walk along the promenade or head down to the sea. We’d listen to the waves, watch the sea, talk and generally try to be present. However my son had a slightly different idea of how long this peaceful morning should last. He asked approximately every ten minutes when we were going swimming in the sea.
Then came breakfast, which in our family is usually a 1–1.5 hour event. There was a lot to choose from and everyone wanted to try different things. I also really enjoyed being able to drink my coffee while it was still hot.
After breakfast, we’d head to the pool, which opened at 10 AM. Our mornings were mostly spent between the pool and the waterpark. The kids went down the slides, practised diving underwater and played tag in the pool.
Then it was time for lunch, which was another fairly long family affair. Unfortunately for my diet, there were far too many desserts to try.
Ooh, desserts…
After eating, we’d go back to the room for a little downtime. We’d read the children’s favourite book about the owl who is afraid of the dark, play cards or just relax for a while.
In the afternoon, we’d head to the beach. We’d play in the waves, build sandcastles or bury the kids in the sand. Somtimes my daughter played in the sand while my son couldn`t leave the water. When everyone got tired, we’d sit on the beach and get something to drink from the beach bar.
Then we’d have dinner and go for a walk along the promenade. In the evening, of course, all the shops were open, which meant there was always the temptation to buy another Labubu or the 100th toy car.
We’d browse the little bazaar before heading back to the hotel.
The Pool, Waterpark, Beach and Food
The pool was one of our main morning spots. For us parents, the water felt a little cold early in the day but the kids didn’t seem to notice. They ran straight in.
The waterpark was one of the main reasons we’d chosen the hotel and it definitely lived up to expectations.
There was one part of the waterpark we could all enjoy together: a slow, lazy river where you could float around the waterpark. There was also a section where the water was propelled, which was my daughter’s favourite part.
Since she’s still under 130 cm, she spent some time in the children’s pool with slides suitable for kids under 130 cm. Meanwhile, I could go on the bigger slides with my son.
We tried a rather steep one that was very fast and we screamed all the way down. The blue slide was more of a twisty, snaky one. I could even try the biggest slide, which had a 150 cm height restriction. That one was great fun too. It ended in an onion-shaped section where you basically just dropped down into the finish.
My husband isn’t really a fan of waterslides or adrenaline activities, so I had a lot of fun going on them with the kids during our stay.
And then there was the beach.
Having it directly next to the hotel was probably one of my favourite things about the whole setup. There was no need to get everyone into a car, organise transport or walk for ages in 30+ degree heat carrying beach toys and everything else that comes with two children.
We could just walk down from the hotel.
The hotel had its own section of beach with sunbeds included, so we didn’t have to pay extra every day. There was also a beach bar with a smaller selection of drinks and snacks. If we wanted something else, the hotel’s snack bar was only about five minutes away.
The all-inclusive setup was another thing that worked really well for us.
Our children are very different when it comes to food, so having plenty of choice really mattered.
My daughter was absolutely fond of the grilled meat with potatoes and vegetables, while my son preferred the more ragù-style dishes. There was so much variety that we never even had to fall back on pasta, which is usually our backup option with the kids.
And the pizza wasn’t just an option for them. It had the thin crust that I really love, so I was more than happy to have it too.
And after all that, we somehow still managed to end every meal with dessert.
And Then There Was the Day With the Huge Waves
One of my favourite memories from the whole trip happened on a particularly windy day.
The sea had huge waves and instead of deciding that the weather had ruined our beach day we went straight in.
It turned into one of the best days of the holiday.
The kids are both confident swimmers, even in deep water, so they were jumping into the waves using two completely different tactics. My daughter would dive underneath the water just before the wave reached her and wait there, while my son preferred to jump straight into it.
When they got tired, they would sit in our laps and we’d try to reach the peak of the wave together, jumping just before it reached us. Sometimes we succeeded, sometimes we didn’t and then we simply got washed away.
We definitely didn’t have to worry about getting sand in their ears that afternoon. Even later, when we were having dinner, I could still feel the waves tossing me around.
Some of the best family holiday memories are the ones you never planned.
Our Half-Day Trip to Nessebar
We did eventually manage to tear ourselves away from the hotel.
We left right after breakfast, when the kids still had plenty of energy. Since our hotel was north of the centre of Sunny Beach, we walked to the pier, which took around 15–20 minutes.
There are a few ways to get to Nessebar from Sunny Beach, but we decided to take the ferry. The ferry itself was part of the adventure for the kids.
It’s a fairly small boat and it waits until it’s almost full before leaving. The sea was also quite wavy that morning and I was a little worried about the kids getting seasick, especially while we were still waiting at the pier. Luckily, once we were on our way everything was fine.
The kids loved being on the boat and it was a nice change of scenery without turning the day into a complicated excursion.
Once we arrived in Nessebar, I could immediately feel the history around us.
Next to the port, the first thing you see is the old city wall and that really sets the atmosphere for the whole old town. My son and husband are particularly interested in Roman history, so they were happy to explore the remains and read about them.
We spent around two hours walking around and seeing the main sights. In 30-degree heat, that was enough for us. My daughter, who is less interested in history (yet) wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about the tour. Luckily, there is a simple solution to this particular problem when you’re travelling with children: ice cream.
A little bribery and everyone was happy again.
The Morning We Spent as a Couple
After our trip to Nessebar, we agreed with the kids that the next morning they’d try the Kids’ Club. Mum and Dad wanted to spend a little time together and have a cocktail.
After breakfast we signed them up for the morning session, where they played Uno and some circle games. They don’t speak much English yet but they managed just fine and seemed to enjoy themselves.
Meanwhile, my husband and I went to a nearby bar. I had a Piña Colada, he had a Coke, and we sat and talked for a whole hour without anyone interrupting us. For some people, that might not sound like luxury but when you’re on holiday with your children and it’s just the four of you, believe me, it felt like having a mini holiday within the holiday.
And honestly? That one hour was one of the nicest little breaks of the whole trip.
What We Loved About Our Sunny Beach Holiday
Looking back, what I loved most was that we could genuinely switch off from our usual daily routine.
Choosing the right hotel made a huge difference. The kids could entertain themselves throughout the day between the waterpark and the beach, while we didn’t have to constantly think about what we should do next.
We even managed to have an hour just as a couple, which is always a gift when you’re travelling with children.
I enjoyed our little taste of history in Nessebar and I’m especially glad we went because it gave me that bit of exploration I usually look for on holiday.
But perhaps my favourite memory is still that windy afternoon in the sea. We didn’t plan it. We just went with it and came home with a memory we’ll probably talk about for a long time.
What We Didn’t Love
The biggest annoyances were fairly minor, but they were still frustrating when they happened.
Some days, there was quite a bit of seaweed on the hotel’s section of beach, which made it less inviting.
The pool sunbeds were another small frustration. If you didn’t get there early enough, finding one could be difficult because many had already been claimed.
Neither of these things ruined the holiday for us, but they’re worth knowing about if you’re considering the hotel.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely yes—if we were looking for another relaxed holiday.
I don’t think this is the type of trip we’d choose if our main goal was to explore as much of Bulgaria as possible. But we wanted five days where we could slow down, have fun with the kids and actually get some rest ourselves.
And that’s exactly what we got.
Sunny Beach was a really good fit for the kind of holiday we wanted this time.
Who I’d Recommend This Holiday To
If you’re looking for a holiday where you can explore Bulgaria every day, this probably isn’t the way I’d do it.
But if you’re travelling with children and what you really want is five days where the kids are entertained, food is sorted, the beach is outside your door and you don’t have to make a plan every morning, then this worked brilliantly for us.
Final Thoughts
We went to Sunny Beach because I wanted five days where I didn’t have to think about what came next. Somewhere between the morning swims, the long breakfasts, the ferry to Nessebar, the ice creams, and that afternoon jumping around in the waves, I realised we’d actually managed it.
We didn’t see everything. We didn’t need to.
The kids came home happy, we came home rested. Maybe that’s what made this holiday work so well for us. It wasn’t the most adventurous trip we’ve ever taken and it certainly wasn’t the most cultural. But it was exactly the holiday we needed at that moment.
And sometimes, that’s enough.
