Which is better, Bulgaria or Montenegro for relaxation? Where to buy real estate for living and recreation: Bulgaria or Montenegro. Quality of hotel infrastructure

Located on opposite sides of the Balkan Peninsula, Montenegro and Bulgaria are quite popular places recreation among Russian tourists. Where is it better to relax: in Montenegro or Bulgaria? It is not difficult to answer this question, because these countries are very different from each other. Below we will compare them and help you decide where it is better to relax: in Montenegro or Bulgaria.

Visa
Russians need a visa to visit Bulgaria, but not to visit Montenegro. So in this regard, Montenegro is a more attractive option, although obtaining a visa to Bulgaria is not difficult. And its cost is not very high.

Weather
Montenegro offers slightly warmer weather than Bulgaria. The holiday season here lasts until the end of September, while in Bulgaria there are very few tourists already in mid-September. It is also worth noting that the sea water in Montenegro is warmer than in Bulgaria, although in summer some of Bulgaria's shallow beaches offer quite warm water.

Sea
Since we are talking about the sea, it is also worth saying that Montenegro is washed by the Adriatic Sea, and Bulgaria by the Black Sea. For some tourists, this is an important point from a psychological point of view, since the Black Sea is considered to be “ours” (after all, Sochi and other resorts Krasnodar region washed precisely by the Black Sea), while the Adriatic Sea is completely “foreign”.
As we said above, the Adriatic Sea is generally warmer than the Black Sea.

Tours
On average, the cost of tours to Bulgaria is slightly cheaper than the cost of tours to Montenegro. This is mainly due to cheaper airfares. Still, the flight to Bulgaria is noticeably closer than to Montenegro.
Different tour operators sell tours to both countries. You can buy a tour to Bulgaria or Montenegro with both regular and by charter flight.

Beaches
It is safe to say that the beaches of Montenegro are more beautiful and more varied than the beaches in Bulgaria, where long sandy beaches. However, the beaches in Bulgaria are better suited for families with children, as they are covered with soft sand and are generally quite wide. There are not many long and wide sandy beaches in Montenegro.

Hotels
Bulgaria has noticeably more all-inclusive hotels than Montenegro. Basically, these hotels are located right on the seashore and have a compact territory of their own. There are also all-inclusive hotels in Montenegro, but there are much fewer of them, and they are not always located right on the seashore.
If you don't need the all-inclusive concept and are looking for a simple hotel where you can spend the night and relax between excursions and walks, then you will find many suitable hotels in Montenegro and Bulgaria.

Excursions
If the main purpose of your trip abroad is to visit some beautiful places, then I would recommend going to Montenegro. Although Bulgaria also has many beautiful natural sites and interesting historical buildings, they are not as grandiose as similar sites in Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro alone is worth something.
We would like to add that from Bulgaria you can go on excursions to neighboring countries(Romania and Turkey), and from Montenegro you can go on excursions to Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Conclusion
In my opinion, Bulgaria is better for an all-inclusive beach holiday. This country is especially suitable for tourists with children. Montenegro, in turn, is better suited for those who like to travel a lot around the country and explore beautiful places, take photographs.
However, it is worth adding that it is important to pay attention not only to the choice of a country, but also to the choice of the most suitable resort in this country.

Montenegro and Bulgaria are similar in many ways: their beaches and ski slopes are popular with tourists from all over Europe, and real estate in these countries has long been chosen by buyers from Russia and other CIS countries. At the same time, there are differences between the real estate markets of Bulgaria and Montenegro, knowing which you can make the best decision for yourself when buying a second home.

Price issue

As a rule, real estate prices in Montenegro are higher than in Bulgaria: the average purchase budget here ranges from 50 to 170 thousand euros. For an apartment with one or two bedrooms on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro you will have to pay about 50-100 thousand euros, and for a house - about 130-170 thousand.

In Bulgaria, prices are slightly lower: studio apartments on Black Sea coast And ski resorts can be bought for about 30–50 thousand euros. The cost of individual houses is about 100 thousand euros. Don’t forget that prices are affected by the condition of the property and its location.

Like many other European countries, house prices in Bulgaria and Montenegro peaked in 2008, before the global economic crisis, and then plummeted. In Bulgaria they remained at a relatively low level until 2013, and in 2014 they increased by 2.05%. In the first half of 2015, the cost of houses and apartments in this country increased by another 4%. Local realtors believe that the real estate market has begun to recover.

A similar picture could be observed in Montenegro: in the post-crisis period, prices remained at a relatively stable low level. In this regard, right now in the markets of both Bulgaria and Montenegro the most favorable moment has come for buying a second home - subsequently the value of real estate will most likely begin to increase.

Main locations

The most popular locations among foreign property buyers in Bulgaria and Montenegro are seaside and ski resorts.

The best locations to buy a second home in Bulgaria

The most popular resort towns in Bulgaria are located in the east of the country, on the Black Sea coast, and the ski slopes are in the south, in the Pirin Mountains.

Varna- one of the largest Bulgarian cities located on the Black Sea coast. The main advantage of Varna is its high transport accessibility: You can get here by air and by railway, including from Russia, as well as by ferries. Since Varna is a large city and very popular both among tourists and real estate buyers, the supply of houses and apartments here is varied, and housing prices are high and second only to those in Sofia.

Burgas- another coastal resort popular with tourists, in 2013 it was recognized the best city for life in Bulgaria. Burgas is also in demand among those wishing to improve their health: the city has a famous balneological treatment center. In Burgas you can find real estate for every taste and budget, however, there is a lot of dilapidated housing on the secondary market, which may require significant investments after purchase.

City Pamporovo located 250 km from Sofia, in southern Bulgaria. One of the most promising ski resorts in Europe, Pamporovo is located in the Rhodope Mountains and from December to April (and the season here lasts just that long) is invariably very popular among fans alpine skiing and snowboarding.

Property prices here are somewhat lower than in the seaside resorts of Bulgaria, but in Pamporovo you can also find luxury residential complexes with a swimming pool, spa and restaurant.

Bansko- one of the most famous ski resorts in Bulgaria. It is located 150 km from Sofia, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, on the slopes of which there are routes for both beginners and experienced athletes. Bansko has many restaurants and bars, as well as ancient fortresses - historical monuments ancient city. At the resort you can find both modern townhouses and apartment buildings, as well as old housing in need of renovation. Prices in Bansko, as in other ski resorts in Bulgaria, are approximately two times lower than the national average.

Capital of Bulgaria Sofia is not a resort town - it is located 400 km from the Black Sea, so real estate here will be of interest to students who can study at the oldest university in Bulgaria - Sofia University. Entrepreneurs whose business is connected with Bulgaria can also become home buyers in the capital. At Sofia's rich history: The city has many attractions that attract cultural lovers. Real estate in the Bulgarian capital is approximately 24% more expensive than the national average,

The best locations to buy a second home in Montenegro

The coast of Montenegro is being urbanized and developed due to increased demand from foreign home buyers in recent years. Such resorts are especially popular among them.

Bar- the largest port of Montenegro with a yacht marina for 1,000 ships. From the capital of Montenegro - Podgorica - you can get here by rail. This city is extremely popular among Serbian and Montenegrin tourists, who are attracted by gently sloping beaches and pine groves. The Bar is dominated by modern buildings, and there are almost no old houses. At the same time, local real estate is slightly lower in price than the Montenegro average.

Budva is one of the most popular cities in Montenegro among foreigners. This port is located 25 kilometers from international airport in Tivat. At peak tourist season It’s crowded here - Budva’s five magnificent beaches attract fans of a leisurely holiday from all over Europe to the city. Local real estate is mainly represented by apartment buildings and hotels, but there are also many luxury properties, for example on the island of Sveti Stefan.

Tivat- another seaside resort on the Adriatic coast. There are not as many beaches here as in Budva, but they are ideal for families with children. The main advantage of Tivat is the presence of an international airport. Tivat is dominated by five-story apartment buildings, as well as mansions and villas. Like Budva, this city is popular among buyers of luxury real estate.

Kotor located on the shore of the bay of the same name, 85 kilometers from Podgorica. This city is considered cultural capital Montenegro. Part of this ancient settlement is the object world heritage UNESCO. Because Kotor is ancient city, you won’t find a wide variety of new buildings here, but you can buy an old house and reconstruct it.

Buying property in Herceg Novi will be an excellent choice for beach lovers, nightlife and cultural recreation. Herceg Novi – largest city The Bay of Kotor with a four-kilometer-long promenade, two environmentally friendly beaches awarded the Blue Flag, and ancient architecture. Thanks to the hilly landscape, almost every local house has a view of the sea. Real estate in this city is diverse: here you can find both houses and apartment complexes, including in the elite price segment.

Many property buyers prefer Bulgaria and Montenegro to others European countries due to the relatively low cost of maintaining housing.

On average, the cost of maintaining real estate in Bulgaria and Montenegro is approximately the same, but taking into account more low prices, the tax on Bulgarian real estate will be lower than on Montenegrin. At the same time, insuring an object in Montenegro will cost less.

Time to buy

So, if you are looking for property by the sea or in the mountains, in a location with developed infrastructure, but are limited on budget, it is better to opt for a house or apartment in Bulgaria.

If you want to buy a second home on a cleaner coast Adriatic Sea and be closer to central Europe, then it is better to consider options in Montenegro.

Real estate buyers from Russia should also remember that since 2007, Bulgaria has been a member of the EU. At the same time, the decision on its accession to the Schengen zone has not yet been made, therefore, to stay in Bulgaria, Russians need a national visa, which does not give the right to enter the Schengen countries. At the same time, in Montenegro citizens Russian Federation can stay without a visa for up to 30 days.

However, many people ask the question: what is the point of buying housing abroad when “our own home” is becoming cheaper? The answer is simple: if you consider the purchase of overseas real estate not only as the purchase of a second home, but also as a savings investment, then it is better to invest in housing in a stable or growing market, rather than a falling market. Property prices in both Bulgaria and Montenegro have generally stabilized, so buying a home in these markets today is a smart investment. Moreover, having bought a house or apartment in resort town, you get a bonus - the opportunity not only to live here on your own, for example, during vacation, but also to rent out real estate during the months when you are in your country of origin and receive foreign currency income.

Ivan Chepizhko, "Tranio"

Among the popular tourist destinations in Europe, Bulgaria and Montenegro are at approximately the same level in terms of price-quality ratio, offering travelers excellent beach holiday and a solid list excursion routes. And for many tourists it’s not enough to just make a choice: Bulgaria or Montenegro - where to go on vacation? To make a final decision, it is worth finding out about the features of holidays in each of these countries and making the right decision based on personal preferences.

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If the applicant plans to visit the European Union for the first time, a short-term visa to Bulgaria is issued as usual. It will take 4 business days to receive it (counting starts from the date following the day the relevant application is submitted). At the time of submitting the application, the validity of the passport should not expire earlier than after 3 months.

When applying for a tourist visa to Bulgaria on your own, the applicant provides visa center or Consulate standard package of documents. These include a completed application form, international passport, photograph 3.5 * 4.5 cm, medical insurance (policy), copies of round-trip tickets, certificates from the place of work and from the bank, hotel reservation, as well as a receipt for payment of the mandatory consular fee in the amount of 35 euros. The visa fee is estimated at 20 euros.

A major advantage of a holiday in Montenegro is that there is no need for a visa. For Russians planning to stay in Montenegro for no more than 90 days, a visa and insurance are not required. Customs and border control procedures have also been simplified.

Only large sums of money need to be declared. The only export ban applies to objects of artistic and historical value. To the territory of Montenegro Russian tourists You are allowed to carry 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of strong alcohol and 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars).

Best time to relax

Sunny and hospitable Bulgaria is good in any season of the year, but the maximum tourist influx is recorded here during the period when beach holidays come to the fore. Black seaside resorts Bulgaria begins to actively fill with foreigners already in May, but the full swimming season starts a little later. The sea warms up to comfortable temperatures only in early June.

Until this time, tourists prefer to sunbathe on the shore, go on excursions and have fun at resort discos. The season is ending summer holiday towards the end of September. Bulgarian ski season depends on the chosen resort and is considered quite short - no more than 2-3 months. The peak occupancy of hotels in Borovets, Bansko and Vitosha occurs in January-February, but in some years the ski season ends only in April.

Montenegro boasts a longer beach and swimming season: on its Adriatic coast you can fully relax from the first ten days of May until the end of October. During the entire warm half of the year, the water in the sea has a temperature of no lower than +22°C, and there is little precipitation even in autumn.

Popular resorts

Bulgarian beach resorts attractive for their affordable prices and variety of hotel facilities. Golden Sands, Helena and St. Constantine boast the best resort infrastructure. The most vivid impressions and pleasant acquaintances await tourists in the party resorts of Bulgaria, such as Sunny Beach, where there are many attractions, bars and clubs. Those who are looking for a measured, have a relaxing holiday with family or alone.

In cases where a beach holiday needs to be supplemented with a quality excursion, travelers should consider destinations such as Sozopol and Nessebar.

Montenegro, having a very compact size, can be explored far and wide by travelers. In just one day you can ride around everything Adriatic coast and explore the most famous resorts of Montenegro.

The best resorts on the Budva Riviera are Budva, Przno, Sveti Stefan, Petrovac, Rafailovici, Becici, Milocer, Bar and Sutomore. The Ulcinj Riviera is famous for resorts such as Ulcinj and the island of Ada Bojana. Among the popular places for a beach holiday on the coast of the Herceg Novi Riviera, Herceg Novi and Tivat stand out especially clearly.

Entertainment

Summer holidays in Bulgaria are beach tourism, complemented by active water activities, including numerous water parks - Aqualand on the outskirts of Lauta Park in Plovdiv, Aqua Paradise in Nessebar, Aqua Planet in Primorsko, Action on Sunny Beach. Popular Bulgarian water parks are also Aquamania in Albena and Aquapolis in Golden Sands. All of them operate only during the warm season, opening at the end of May and ending the season in mid-September.

You can have extreme relaxation and recharge yourself with a generous dose of adrenaline in the Cocolandia adventure park, located in Sofia. Then you should visit the local zoo - the oldest in the country. And in the vicinity of Varna, tourists have the chance to visit the largest in Bulgaria family park Happy Land. Since Bulgarians love holidays very much, each such event is held on a grand scale. And since anyone can attend spectacular celebrations, festivals and holidays have long become one of the favorite entertainments of tourists.

Of particular interest to travelers are the May Rose Festival, the Day of Bulgarian Education (May 24), the Day of National Awakeners (November 1), the September Plum Festival, and the Young Wine Parade held at the very end of autumn. In spring and summer, Bulgaria turns into a huge festival site. Musical, culinary, cinematic, Orthodox, children's events... the cultural program in Bulgaria is more than rich.

Montenegro, despite its measured way of life, in the sphere resort entertainment achieved no less success. Popular tourist activities here include beach holidays, diving, shopping, gastronomic and wine tourism.

The list of festivals held in Montenegro is no less impressive than in Bulgaria. Local residents love the festive atmosphere and organize one or another festival at every opportunity. It often happens that, despite the theme of the event, the holiday ultimately comes down to dancing, songs and endless tasting tables filled with national food.

Favorite holiday events local residents and tourists consider it Christmas, New Year and Old New Year. In the summer calendar of events, the July blueberry festival in Plav, the August olive fair, the Herzen Novi film festival, the Beran honey festival and the large gastronomic festival in the village of Njegusi deserve special attention. At the end of August, large-scale farewells to summer are also held in Petrovac and the Kotor Carnival.

Excursions

Compared to others tourist countries In Europe, Bulgaria has a more modest excursion potential, however, there are also many interesting routes and memorable sights. The most popular sightseeing tours around Sofia and Burgas, a photo walk through old Neserb, a trip to the mountain gorge of the goddess Bastet with a visit to waterfalls and an ancient sanctuary.

Tourists leave many rave reviews after visiting the Strandzha Nature Reserve, where the so-called “kissing” stones are located and, according to legend, the ancient spirits of Bulgaria live. An excursion to fairytale castle With unusual name“In love with the wind”, a guided walk around Sozopol and a trip to north coast Black Sea.

There are more attractions in Montenegro, and the list excursion destinations more extensive. The richest in attractions is the Montenegrin resort of Budva and its surroundings. The guidebooks list mandatory visits as a walk through the old town in Budva, a car tour of the monasteries of the Budva Riviera, trips to Lake Skadar and to the Lovcen nature reserve.

Travelers vacationing in Montenegro should not miss the opportunity to visit cozy Petrovac, see the most beautiful fjord of the Mediterranean (the Bay of Kotor), and explore the Montenegrin shrines - Ostrog, Zeta Athos, Cetinje Monastery and Dajbabe. If you have time in Montenegro, you should definitely visit the “sea” capital of Kotor, explore the romantic Herzen Novi, explore the country’s “wine roads” and go on a boat trip from Bar.

Hotels

Most Bulgarian hotels were built in the second half of the last century, and in recent years the process of their reconstruction has been actively underway. Some of them are being completely rebuilt, others are being modernized and improved. But the trend is that there are more and more quality hotels in the country. At the beginning of each tourist season, all hotels undergo cosmetic renovations, which tourists with small children rush to take advantage of when planning a vacation for May-June.

The country’s hotel potential is represented mainly by 3* and 3* luxury hotels operating on a “breakfast only” food system, but there are not so many “fours” and “fives” in Bulgarian resorts. You can stay for a couple of nights in Sofia not only in three-star city hotels, but also in budget hostels.

However, the trend of recent years demonstrates that hoteliers prefer to invest in the construction of modern 4* and 5* hotels, since the number of wealthy tourists choosing Bulgaria for their holidays is growing year by year. Bulgarian sanatoriums, which are very popular among foreigners, deserve special attention. The most famous of them are located in the vicinity of Burgas and Pomorie.

In Montenegro, the situation with hotels is similar, except that the choice of five-star hotels here is still wider. Most luxury hotels can be found in resorts such as Sveti Stefan, Budva and Kotor.

There are hotels with affordable prices in any resort town in Montenegro, and holidays in Ulcinj are considered one of the cheapest. In addition to standard beach hotels, travelers can stay in guest house, rent a villa on the coast or an apartment. When booking accommodation for a long period, the owners provide tourists with a substantial discount.

Service

Most Bulgarian hotels aimed at foreign guests maintain a European level of service, but there is no need to talk about luxury and pomp. The rooms have everything you need, including a safe. But only expensive hotels have a minibar. In general, the service in Bulgaria is much better than many travelers who vacationed in this country during the Soviet Union think.

Waiters, tour guides and hotel staff in Bulgaria do not refuse tips. And although this reward is provided solely on a voluntary basis, clients traditionally leave a tip of approximately 10% of the amount in the check.

Tourist service in Montenegro lags behind the European level in many respects. This applies to the equipment of hotel rooms, the list of available services, and landscaping of the territory. Four “stars” in Montenegro and, for example, in Nice are not at all the same thing, but any tourist can count on cleanliness in their room, friendly service and a delicious buffet.

Most often, beach and city hotels in Montenegro operate on a “breakfast only” basis, but modern hotels offer guests half board or even all inclusive. Tipping is appreciated but not required. Their size is also not regulated and depends entirely on the impression that the client has about the quality of service.

Tour prices

Bulgaria and Montenegro belong to the same price segment European tourism. Prices for tours are comparable to each other, so tourists only have to decide on the direction. In both cases, the holiday will be on a budget: compared to well-known tourist countries in Europe, Bulgaria and Montenegro offer quite affordable prices.

The most expensive trips will be at the height of the beach season, as well as during Christmas and New Year's holidays, spring and autumn holidays, as both of these countries are deservedly considered family destinations. The cost of the tour is also influenced by the chosen resort, the star rating of the hotel and the type of food. You can save a lot on your vacation by purchasing a last-minute tour or early booking.

All inclusive or breakfast

Both Bulgaria and Montenegro are characterized by a “breakfast only” holiday. This type of food is very convenient for tourists combining beach and excursion types tourism, especially since there are no problems with food here. Restaurants, cafes, pizzerias and supermarkets are found at every turn.

Married couples with children sometimes prefer hotels that offer boarding meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - or rent apartments with a kitchen to cook their own meals. Hotels operating according to the " all inclusive", in these countries there are very few, but if you want to pick up suitable option Maybe.

Beaches

The main seaside resorts in Bulgaria have equipped free beaches, so during the season the shore can be crowded. However, most beaches are awarded Blue flag– European guarantor of environmental friendliness.

The coastline of Montenegro is represented by 73 kilometers picturesque beaches. Here you can find sandy and pebble, wide and narrow, wild and public beaches for every taste.

Holidays with children

Bulgaria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe for budget holiday with small children and teenagers. The local beaches have a large number of water attractions, children's and sports grounds, inexpensive cafes and eateries. Resort water parks operate only during the “high” season.

Hotels provide cribs for small guests, and high chairs are available in restaurants. As for the children's menu, it is not presented in all hotels, so young parents often prefer apartments with their own equipped kitchen as an accommodation option.

In Montenegro, young tourists are quite comfortable and have fun. Most beaches are perfect for children's recreation, and the infrastructure and entertainment on the shore are fully adapted to the tastes and needs of children and their parents. The best place Petrovac is considered for children's tourism, where in addition to a wide, clean beach there is an extended walking area, excellent observation deck and comfortable hotels.

Shopping

Shops and shopping centers Most Bulgarians work seven days a week, but there are still some whose operating hours in the old fashioned way include serving customers from Monday to Friday. As food souvenirs they bring fruit vodka rakia, pink liqueur, anise mastic, Turkish delight, Plovdiv sweets, confiture from rose petals, nut nougat, as well as local raw smoked sausage “lukanka”.

Other useful purchases will be rose oil, Bulgarian cosmetics, ceramics, leather shoes, clothing and accessories. The cost of bags made of genuine leather starts from 1300 rubles, wallets – from 1100 rubles, suitcases – from 2300 rubles. For a pair of high-quality shoes they will ask for 1,500 rubles, and at the height of sales - half that. One gram of silver in Bulgarian jewelry stores costs from 200 to 800 rubles. The cost of 1 ml of rose oil starts from 750 rubles. Prices for ceramics start from 150 rubles per product.

The most famous shops are located on Vitosha Boulevard and Pirotska Street in Sofia, on the main shopping alley in Varna, on Aleksandrovskaya Street in Burgas and on Prince Alexander I Street in the center of Plovdiv.

In Montenegro, shops begin their work at 6 a.m. and close at 10-11 p.m. Many of them work seven days a week. There are 24-hour grocery stores in all cities of the country. From their trip, tourists bring clothes and accessories with resort symbols, wickerwork, and local wine. One of the most popular is the Vranac wine, which costs about 8 euros per bottle.

The ranking of gastronomic souvenirs from Montenegro continues with prosciutto (14-16 euros per kilogram) and olive oil (good ones cost no less than 8-10 euros for a half-liter bottle). Best shopping- in Bar, where new collections of clothing, accessories, shoes and jewelry are delivered directly from Italy by ferry. Prices are much lower than in the Italian retail chain.

Conclusion

Bulgaria and Montenegro - budget tourist destinations, which compare favorably with their European neighbors due to the successful ratio of affordable prices and a decent level of service. Beach, excursion, gastronomic and ecological types of tourism are equally available to tourists in Bulgarian and Montenegrin resorts.

Dear forum users, please advise where it is better to go with a one-year-old baby. “We are torn” between Bulgaria and Montenegro (Petrovac).
Priority: quiet, as possible in early July, uncrowded beach, clean sea, convenient entry into the sea, the presence of children's entertainment complexes (slides, swings). If we choose Montenegro, we plan to stay in a villa, maybe some of you had experience of such a holiday, we will be grateful for the names of mini-hotels). Where is the best place to live with a child in Bulgaria? I read that renting an apartment there is also possible.

The only “+” of Montenegro in your option is that you don’t need a visa. Needed in Bulgaria.
Everything else is in favor of Bulgaria.

Alenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan you have no idea even how many babies there are in Montenegro who are over a month old! and there are sandy beaches here (and quite a few!), and the sunset is gentle, and the salinity of the sea is only beneficial (neutralizes all kinds of intestinal infections, which have freedom in the Black Sea, which is why Bulgaria and Turkey lead in the number of “stomach problems” per season)
Our son and I went to ChG when he was 5 months old (for 3 weeks), then when he was a year and a half old (for the whole summer) and came now (my son is 3.5, my daughter is 10 months old), again for the whole summer
everyone is happy!

But we were all happy too: we’ve been vacationing in Bulgaria with our child for 10 years (Albena), everything was 5 for him. And in Montenegro - in September, everything would be fine, but in Petrovac on the beach in September there are so many people that for You won’t find anyone on the beach in Albena all summer.

True, I haven’t been to Montenegro, but I won’t go to Bulgaria again. Nothing bad specifically happened to us and the choice of place for us was correct, but in the area there were so many children, and not only children, who were “suffering in their stomachs,” as someone wrote here, that this put a lot of pressure on the psyche.
By the way, regarding Turkey, we went there more than once, including with a baby, and nothing bad ever happened to us or to those around us, in terms of illnesses.

In Bulgaria you need to choose the right resort, in Albena there is a medical center (if that), but in Turkey I wouldn’t bother with medicine for babies at all. If there is a “quiet, uncrowded” beach - in Albena hotels Nona, Elitsa (they are on the edge of the resort, standing on the shore), or Sunny Day, Riviera (closed resorts)... In Montenegro, I repeat, it’s good, but: the language barrier (our the hostess did not speak any language except her own, they explained themselves on their fingers, you still need to look for a wide beach (certainly not Petrovac), Budva is not crowded

Honestly, I would prefer Bulgaria to ChG for many reasons. Although I will remain in my opinion that with such a small child, it is better to stay at home for 2-3 years - this has been written about here a million times. And about zhel. infection in Bulgaria, which mothers constantly write about, I will say one thing: children must be constantly monitored so that their hands and sand are dirty, as well as food that has been lying in the sun for a while. several hours without putting it in your mouth! That's the whole truth about these infections. And in the end: Bulgaria is more attractive for children's holidays than ChG...

As for the stomach infection and that you need to monitor the child, then everything will be OK, you certainly said that correctly. But this is why adults also get sick, with a slightly lower frequency than children, but they do get sick.
Adults get sick more easily, but they still get sick.
I personally felt sick on the day of departure. The flight was a nightmare for me. For three days after my return I was also sick - headaches, runny nose, sore throat and vomiting, of course.

In terms of hygiene, I am very scrupulous, so I sin at sea: a day or two before I got sick, I accidentally swallowed water in the sea. It is possible that she picked up something in the hotel restaurant, but neither her husband nor her five-year-old daughter got sick. So it’s still the sea (we don’t go to the pool)
By the way, regarding medicine, in Turkey we went to see a doctor with our child through insurance - everything was very professional. I also bought medicine for myself in Turkey at the pharmacy (an antacid) - it’s amazingly effective, otherwise I was ready to go to the wall, as my stomach ached, and I had already used up my medicine for an ulcer.
In general, the goods there, it seemed to me, are of better quality than in Russia

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We had to (((no complaints: the child fell from a slide, within 12 hours an x-ray, a tomograph, consultations with specialists... normal pain with modern equipment... certainly better than in many of our regions... I’m generally silent about the countryside

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Nothing like that, we had a family holiday in Bulgaria 4 times, once for 1 day my husband was not feeling well, once for a couple of days for me, my daughter only felt bad on the last visit on the penultimate day, it’s good that the next day, on the day of departure, everything was already in order. At the age of 12, they don’t play in the sandbox, don’t put their hands in their mouths, and don’t drink water from the pool or sea; I’m generally silent about adults. It depends on your luck.

It is wrong to compare the Black Sea and the Adriatic. The Black Sea is considered the dirtiest sea on the planet.
when citizens of the USSR had no choice where to relax, then a trip to Krasnodar resorts seemed the height of happiness...
Now that there is a choice and prices are comparable, I would swim in a cleaner place.

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you have limitations along the way.

Leilochka I go to the forum extremely rarely, but I remember you! You are always praising Turkey and rinsing BR =)

Bulgaria is better for a small child. In general, as a doctor, I do not recommend taking a child to a sudden change in climate before the age of 3. And if you export it, then at least for a couple of months! In children, the acclimatization period is up to 3 weeks.

Hello, forum users, I am interested in one question. Last year we had a family holiday in Albena, Bulgaria. I didn’t like either the holiday, or Bulgaria, or Albena itself. This year we are going to Montenegro. On the forum I read a lot of unflattering reviews about it and in terms of price it is more expensive than Bulgaria. Is Montenegro very different from Bulgaria, I mean in terms of service, hotels, beaches, cuisine and conditions for children. Their nature is different, as I understand it.
And where would you recommend a vacation with a 3-year-old child (beach vacation), except Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey and Egypt. In advance Senkyu.

I can also recommend Cyprus.

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In terms of service - more expensive, in terms of quality of service - very ambiguous - like our South in the 90s.
For hotels - now, thanks to the hype of the last three or four years (like, visa-free entry, “...they love us there,” etc.), prices are completely inadequate (hotel holidays).
The cuisine is South Slavic cuisine - a lot of grilled meat. Fish is quite expensive.
On the beaches - in Bulgaria - sand, in Montenegro - pebbles/small pebbles. For children - the best beach in Bulgaria; but in Montenegro pure water(unless in places where vacationers gather) and the Adriatic.

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Thank you, of course, Vladimir67, for your comprehensive answer about Montenegro. But regarding Spain, the question was not actually asked to you and it is not for you to discuss it. I don't think I did anything very unpleasant by asking this question. Be more positive, after all, we communicate on the forum.

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Wherever there are good sandy beaches)
In Europe these are Spain, Greece and Cyprus. As you were advised above.
Calmly study the reviews and forums for these countries and choose. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time before summer.

Regarding Montenegro, Vladimir noted everything correctly.
Good luck!

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We went to Bulgaria for two years in a row. On a sunny day. In general, I think that on the entire coast this is the only place where it’s worth going on vacation. Now it seems there are a couple more good hotels near Burgas, but they are more focused on adult SPA holidays.

Montenegro, IHMO, like Croatia, is good for children with obvious bronchopulmonary and allergic problems. It’s wonderful to breathe there and everything that came out at home passes through.
If you need the sea as such, then these two countries are not very suitable - rocky beaches, cold sea, unstable weather even during the peak season.

From the “seas” I was in Spain (I didn’t like it at all), Turkey (good, but eternal infections in hotels), Egypt (possible problems with the gastrointestinal tract, so you constantly have to think about what you are eating and drinking), Bulgaria (liked it), Croatia (average due to the reasons listed above), Cyprus (I wouldn’t go there with a child, it’s not green), Crete (on south coast excellent sandy beaches, but to get to them you need to drive for more than 2 hours along a serpentine road, in the northern part you need to look for sandy beaches, but they are also very good), Tunisia (it’s worth going in September).

I’m going to Balaton myself this year. We decided to change the sea to a lake.

Quote: I agree about the beaches of Montenegro, mostly pebbles turning into coarse sand, but as for the sea and the weather, it’s complete nonsense. During the season, the sea is warm, the water is clear, and the weather is excellent.

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Oh well? I spent July 5 to August 19, 2005 in Cavtat. Croatia. The border of Montenegro is a little more than 25 km. The water on July 5 was +18, on August 19 +20. “Warm” water was about +24 for one week in early August, when the air temperature was +33, the rest of the time the water was like in the Atlantic +22 at best. During this month and a half, it rained three times and the temperature dropped to +10. Would you like to bet?

For two years in a row, in July 2007 and June 2008, the water in the Black Sea (Bulgaria) was +24 +26 (did not fall below 23), the only rain was in June and the temperature did not drop that much. The climate in Bulgaria is much more stable - it was always warm. Maximum light blouse in the evening. In Croatia I wanted to put on a jacket.

From July 5 to July 19, 2008 rested in Budva. The water temperature was no lower than +24, the air temperature for two weeks never dropped below +30. Once there was a dry thunderstorm, and that was at night. It never rained. The guides complained that this weather had been like this since mid-June .Bet?

Natashashushechka! In Boka, near the Island of Flowers, the water temperature was 27 already in mid-June! True, this is not an indicator, because The water is always warmer there. In August the heat was terrible (for me), 38, we went to the mountains to recover, it was 29 there))). Water - accordingly. On September 10th there were no people on the beaches, the water was also very warm. The last time I swam last year was on October 5th at Mogren, the water was 23 degrees.

Last year is not an indicator at all - all of Europe has been on fire since mid-July. If you remember what a nightmare it was.

I was in Montenegro and Croatia in early September 2007. It was warm for several days, and then it was very cool - we wore jackets. Most of my friends say that they also had a very cool holiday in Montenegro.

Your 2 weeks, sorry, are not an indicator - I spent 1.5 months in Croatia and a little more than a month each time in Bulgaria. Therefore, I believe that my observations are more objective. Although, again, it doesn’t change from year to year, and the climate changes.

In general, the climate in both Croatia and Montenegro is considered very moderate. Those who cannot stand the heat well go there to relax.

Thank you all for the answers and interesting discussion; as they say, the truth is born in a dispute. As I understand it, the climate and nature in Montenegro can please us, but the beaches are unlikely. Are there sandy beaches anywhere in Montenegro? What resort and hotels do you recommend so that there are conditions for the child and for young parents to go somewhere, we are going with a nanny.

Quote: Where? On the coast? Then why deny the obvious - the climate is not stable. There will be no guaranteed heat like in Greece or Turkey. Even in Bulgaria it is more stable.

Well, or there is another option - you and I have a different concept of heat - for me, for the sea, air below 25 is cold. I won't go swimming.