IF you want to be ahead of the curve, there’s a country three hours from the UK with beautiful coastal resorts, high summer temperatures and cheap beer.
Not only that, but there are more flights from the UK and with new hotels opening – so it’s set to be the must-visit destination of summer 2027.
Bulgaria has it all from vibrant cities like Sofia to coastal resorts like Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Albena.
In the summer, Bulgaria has highs of 30C – and in June, return flights to Sofia as little as £62.
It’s affordable too, according to Wise, as beer in Bulgaria can be as little as 90p with an inexpensive meal at a restaurant costing around £6.
TUI has a number of hotels in Bulgaria already, but is expanding in time for next summer.
One of those is the TUI BLUE Arabella in Golden Sands near Varna, which is currently undergoing renovation and is set to reopen in summer 2027.
When open, guests will be able to paddle in its four swimming pools, one main pool, a children’s pool, one for relaxation and the indoor one too.
There will be on-site restaurants and bars, wellness area with a sauna, gym and tennis court.
On-site are 290 rooms which will range from suites to double and family rooms with sea views and balconies.
Guests will also have access to the waterpark at nearby GRIFID Bolero hotel.
Another is in the SUNEO collection which is budget-friendly stays with 3- and 4-star beach getaways.
Called the TUI SUNEO Compass 4*, the pretty hotel is set within peaceful gardens and is also set to open next summer.
Already existing hotels include the TUI SUNEO Serenity Bay in Tsarevo and TUI SUNEO Perla in Sunny Beach.
An all-inclusive stay at TUI SUNEO Perla in May starts from £591.33pp – or £84.47pppn.
This includes a stay for seven-nights in a Deluxe Double Room with a balcony or terrace and return flights – it also has an outdoor swimming pool and restaurant.
Another of the existing TUI hotels includes the TUI BLUE Nevis in Sunny Beach which offers all-inclusive family holidays.
It has a huge swimming complex with swimming pools, splash zone and waterslides as well as kids’ clubs and a buffet restaurant.
There are plenty of flights from the UK too – TUI has flights to two destinations in Bulgaria, Sofia and Bourgas from 21 UK and Ireland airports.
TUI Group CEO Sebastian Ebel said: “Bulgaria has enormous potential as a tourism destination. The country combines attractive beach holidays on the Black Sea with culture, nature, hospitality and very good value for money.”
Jet2 also flies regularly to Bulgaria with flights from 11 UK airports to Bourgas.
These include London Stansted, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford, Bristol, Newcastle, London Gatwick, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, and Manchester.
From Bourgas, it’s easy to get to Sunny Beach, Nessebar, and St Vlas.
Adding to its popularity for next year, Bulgaria will be the host country for the Eurovision Song Contest after winning this year.
It will take place on May 11, 13, and 15 at the Arena Burgas – and in time for the event, Jet2 will add new flights from the UK to Bourgas.
Otherwise want a mega cheap holiday? Loveholidays has four-night all-inclusives from £219pp.