Europe’s Secret Beach Paradise Is Breaking All-Time Tourism Records This Summer

What would you say Europe's last frontier is for Americans to discover for beach vacations?

It's certainly not France, Spain, Greece, or Portugal. At Travel Off Path, we've peeled back the curtain on numerous coastal gems ranging from the UK to cheap resort towns in Bulgaria, and that may be the answer.

Bulgaria has always been a draw for budget travelers, especially digital nomads nowadays.

Though most Americans have never ventured to the Black Sea coastline, often referred to as the “Bulgarian Riviera”.

Even as gateways to the coast like Vargas are seeing record numbers of tourists this year, a new report revealed it's the “Copacabana” of Bulgaria, having its best summer ever.

Those up for an adventure to discover some of Europe's most pristine waters (backed by a new study) still have time to pack in a summer trip to the lesser-known paradise of Primorsko.

Travel Tip: Before diving into Bulgaria's surging beach town, make sure to check out Travel Off Path's new 1-Minute Trip Check, an all-encompassing pre-flight tool to ensure a seamless trip abroad. Bon voyage!

Get Here Before The Secret's Out!

They say “secrets, secrets are no fun…”, but that couldn't be any further from the truth for avid travelers.

We all love secrets — the cool bar nobody knows about, hidden coves with no crowds, and trendy hotels.

In this case, you have the chance to discover one of Europe's tight-lipped destinations before word gets out and spoils the allure.

While no known visitor numbers were provided, Primorsko mayor Ivan Gaikov described this summer as his beloved town's ‘best summer season ever'.

As travelers seek out hidden gems away from the masses, there may be a limited time to enjoy what still feels undiscovered.

Primorsko boasts expansive golden beaches and vivid blue waters — and it's super affordable for such an up-and-coming destination, but that's a huge draw for much of Bulgaria's underrated shores.

Circling back to Varna, that's one of the best ways to reach Primorsko, following the most convenient option, Burgas, approximately 40 minutes away by minibus.

Just know Burgas's airport will be undergoing runway renovations in the next year, which will impact flight schedules.

Squeaky Clean & Pristine: Truly One Of Europe's Top Beach Destinations

If you were to guess Europe's cleanest beach escape, Bulgaria probably wouldn't come to mind. Maybe a remote island in Greece or some other off-path Mediterranean destination would.

And you wouldn't be wrong. According to the aforementioned report, Cyprus is the top beach destination in terms of water quality, followed by Bulgaria, which is led by Primorsko's crystal-clear seawater.

Locals have known about this for years, but word has trickled out, drawing in more tourists to take advantage of as much of Europe's household names see elbow-to-elbow crowds and tomfoolery, leaving behind trash and various eyesores.

Besides the far-flung island nation of Cyprus, it quite literally does not get any better than Primorsko.

With fewer crowds, spotless shores, and affordable beach hotels, I don't know about you but I'd say it's time to start planning your trip!

There are a plethora of beaches to choose from once you get here. According to TripAdvisor, Perla Beach takes the cake

There's also North Beach, arguably the most popular, and Ropotamo Beach, a secluded cove seeing fewer beachgoers as it's only reachable by foot or water, and it's advised to bring bug spray during summer.

Cheap Stays & Surprising Attractions, Including Bulgaria's “Stonehenge”

If you're the type of traveler to fly across the world to see a pile of unexplainable rocks, then Primorsko's Beglik Tash is right up your alley.

Often compared to the UK's iconic Stonehenge site, Beglik Tash is a Thracian rock sanctuary, once believed to mark a sacred place for cult rituals and astronomical observations, but nowadays serves as a cool photo-op, earning rave reviews from visitors.

For true adventurers, there's also St. Nikolay Chudotvorets, an underwater chapel popular for scuba diving.

But one site all tourists will surely enjoy is the Historical Museum of Primorsko, now showcasing a pirate exhibit where you'll learn local swashbucklers were less Jack Sparrow and more sailing businessmen with a penchant for looting.

While Primorsko isn't a proper resort town with ample all-inclusives like Golden Sands up the coast, there are very affordable stays here with ocean views, ranging from cozy boutique hotels to 5-star accommodations.

My top pick is Hotel Primorsko Del Sol, a 5-star hotel under $100 per night!