Golf in Bulgaria - 3 great golf resorts by the Black Sea

Golf in Bulgaria, is it something you've thought about? During our trip to Bulgaria, we visited three golf resorts, all of which are beautifully located on the Black Sea coast. Here you can combine dramatically beautiful golf courses with spas and beaches.

Golf in Bulgaria

On the Black Sea, in the bay between Varna and Cape Kaliakra, there are three 5-star golf resorts in Bulgaria: Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas and Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort. We stayed at one of these (Lighthouse Golf) and visited the other two during the day, for lunch or beach swimming.

All three resorts have their own golf courses, but also offer spas and beaches. The high season for golf is before and after the hottest summer period - when it can be almost too hot to golf. We took a golf lesson and then went to the spa and baths. Here we tell you more about the golf, food, spa treatments and beaches...!

1. Golf in Bulgaria: Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort

We start by telling you about the Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort, as this is where we stayed. This is a large hotel, located with an amazingly beautiful view of the Black Sea.

We have to say we loved our room. What's the point of a creaking and sagging wardrobe door when the view is amazing? It was really lovely to sit on the balcony here, looking out over the pools and the Black Sea beyond. The bottom of the three photos was taken from the balcony on one of the evenings. Magical, isn't it? And yes, the beds were comfortable and the bathroom was fresh.

Luxury Suite at the Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort

If you want to "step up" and stay a little more luxurious, you can choose to check into one of the hotel's two luxury suites. We got a guided tour in one of them, and of course it felt both flamboyant and large. However, it is not as financially unreasonable to stay here as we first thought. There are eight beds, so if you are a group that shares, it can be quite affordable.

Of course, if you book one of the suites, you have your own pool, almost at the top of the roof, with a great view.

Breakfast and dinner at the Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort

Breakfast is served in the hotel's buffet restaurant, Alexandra. There's plenty to choose from, and even a chef who makes eggs, omelettes and pancakes to order.

For example, you can eat in the hotel's buffet restaurant (quite ok, but not 5-star feeling) or in the slightly more exclusive á la carte restaurant Le Passage. At the latter, you sit charmingly by the pools and there was a lot of exciting to choose from the menu.

We had oysters au gratin, tuna tartare with avocado and mango and BBQ grilled jumbo shrimp, and Peter even managed to fit in a Brownie Bailyes cheesecake for dessert. The food was good, but we have to say that some of the dishes didn't quite live up to the ambition and price.

For example, our friends' exclusive wagyu steak came in cold and had to be sent back. It was also a bit funny that the oysters (which according to the menu should be 4 pieces and which we ordered to share between four people) came in 3 pieces with the justification "they were big". They were good anyway!

Golf course

When you stay at a golf resort, you have to take a golf course, right? At least if you are an inexperienced golfer, which most of our group was. We got an hour together with a knowledgeable teacher, which was both fun and educational! If you then want to continue playing, there is a nice golf course in beautiful surroundings.

Spa, treatments and pool

There are both indoor pools and a large and very nice outdoor pool. You can also choose from a wide range of treatments in the hotel's spa. It might have been interesting to choose an Ayurvedic treatment or a mud treatment, but we couldn't resist an ordinary classic massage. This was very good and the prices are lower than in Sweden, even though it is a 5-star hotel.

We also liked the pool a lot, not least because it provided a beautiful view. But we also allowed ourselves to be a little childish one of the evenings, and amused ourselves with the hotel's inflatable peacock and flamingo ...

Beaches Hero's Beach

You can also swim at a beach if you wish, and the hotel regularly runs its shuttle bus to Hero's Beach. If booked, hotel guests not only get transport, but also a sunbed on the beach.

By the way, the beach is very nice! We like these types of smaller beaches, surrounded by rocks and nature, the most. The sand is fine-grained and there are small restaurants if you want something to eat or drink.

If you are travelling with a motorhome or caravan, we can inform you that you can also stay at a campsite at this beach. The campsite is large and according to the girl at the reception you don't need to book. The price is 40 lev/day (about 200 kr).

2. Golf in Bulgaria: BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas

The BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas is just a few minutes from the Lighthouse Golf & Sparesort by car and is an apartment hotel where you can buy or rent a villa or apartment. The hotel enjoys stunning views of the Black Sea and also features an amphitheatre, where wedding ceremonies are usually held.

The hotel feels very cosy and there are several beautiful pools here, both indoor and outdoor.

Lunch at BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas

At this resort we had lunch, and while we were here there was a cookery event going on, with different chefs on different dates. During our visit, wraps with pulled meat or homemade falafel were served - not so photogenic perhaps but very good. The resort also has its own vineyards and makes its own wine!

3. Golf in Bulgaria: Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort

The third golf resort, Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort, is located just a mile east of the other two, and is also beautifully situated on the Black Sea. In addition to dramatically beautiful golf courses and beaches, there is also a modern and fresh spa. This golf resort, by the way, was named the Europe's best golf resort 2014by IAGTO (The Global Golf Tourism Association).

The view was, if possible, even more beautiful at this resort compared to the other two. The white cliffs plunge steeply down to the turquoise water, and in the background rise the intensely green hills. A great place to experience golf in Bulgaria!

Fantastic golf courses at Thracian Cliffs

The resort staff took us on a guided tour of the golf course in a golf cart, and we were really impressed with the environment. Neither of us are golfers, but it was almost a shame. If you want to play golf in Bulgaria, this must be a fantastic place!

The golf course is located along the Black Sea and offers several very special holes. Hole number 6, a signature hole designed by golfer Gary Player, is designed to allow you to hit the ball. down the a steep slope, so that it can find the hole further down. At hole number 7, you have to hit the ball over water, for it to reach its destination. There are a lot of balls on the lake bed, we can assure you!

Beaches: Argata Beach and Bensida Beach

The hotel has two beaches: Argata Beach and Bensida Beach. We went to the first of these, which is really a paradise beach, by our standards. The beach is framed by white cliffs and you can relax in hammocks or have a clam lunch with your feet in the sand.

In high season, only hotel guests are welcome on this beach. However, the other beach, Bensida Beach, is always open to everyone.

Have you played golf in Bulgaria?

Do you play golf? If so, have you played golf in Bulgaria, or is it something you would like to do? Tell us what you appreciate in a good golf resort!

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

If you want to do more than just play golf in Bulgaria, there are many other things to see and experience nearby. From the golf resorts it is relatively close to the small town of Baltjik, which among other things offers a fantastically beautiful botanical garden. Don't miss a trip to the beautiful and historically interesting Cape Kaliakra. If you want to take a longer trip, you can visit Varna, Bulgaria's third largest city.