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After years of being overlooked as a ‘Plan B’ summer vacation, the Black Sea region is poised for historical expansion in the post-pandemic landscape, with some even dubbing it the ‘new Mediterranean’ — but what is it that makes it so attractive right now?
A Low-Cost Alternative to the Med
The Black Sea is a cross-border marginal sea whose false moniker sometimes scares away inexperienced vacationers. It is far from an uninviting, brooding, black sea, as any fast search will reveal: it is stunningly blue and quiet, with sandy beaches that spread for kilometers and countless swimming sites.
[WooZoneProducts asin=”amz-B077XS4739″][/WooZoneProducts]Granted, it is not as clean as the waters around Greece or Croatia, but it is just as lovely and postcard-perfect — and, worth mentioning, it is not one degree cooler than the Mediterranean during peak season. Consider the color contrast between Cancun’s teal-tinged Caribbean Sea and the Mexican Pacific’s darker blue.
We wouldn’t consider spending 76.7% extra for a trip to Ibiza worth it unless being able to see your legs when submerged in transparent water is that important. And believe us when we say that the Black Sea Coast is still quite clear and much more reasonable as a sunny trip, with all of the nations that line it providing reduced vacation rentals and consumer pricing.
[WooZoneProducts asin=”amz-B000WO84Z2″][/WooZoneProducts]International travel has already increased by 43% year on year in certain sections of the Eastern Balkans, demonstrating the Black Sea’s growing appeal as a destination. Furthermore, with the COVID setback, all Black Sea nations reopened for tourism, forming one of the world’s most open travel zones.
Looking at consumer costs, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular right now:
- Vacationing in Burgas, Bulgaria will cost you 24.4% less than in Malaga, Spain.
- A lunch in a low-cost restaurant in Sinop, Turkey, will cost you around USD$1.86 on average.
- Long-term rentals in Batumi, Georgia are 53.2% less expensive than in Nice, France.
- The cost of living in Romania is approximately 58.7% cheaper than in Western Europe.
We know it’s difficult for some to envision a European summer without island hopping in the Aegean, eating gelato in a little village in Liguria, or taking romantic strolls at sunset in Valencia, Spain, but here you’ll also discover lots of:
- Sun, beach, and good times
- Resorts on the beach (except they are usually half the price)
- Beautiful drives
- Nature is breathtaking.
- Many millennia before many Mediterranean ports, there were ancient cities.
Which countries border the Black Sea?
The following is a comprehensive list of Black Sea tourism destinations:
Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Riviera is brimming with golden sand crescents, marine parks, and charming, stone-built towns that have somehow escaped the Instagram crowds and are demanding to be discovered. Passenger counts at the area’s two main airports, Burgas and Varna, have increased by 59% year on year.
Georgia
Due to its generally frigid temperatures throughout the year, Eurasia’s number one digital nomad center is not typically listed in summer holiday lists, although it does attain nice temperatures in the mid-80s or 90s between June and early August. The busy coastal city of Batumi and the seaside resort of Kobuleti are the ideal places in the Caucasus to get a tan.
Romania
Romania, which borders Bulgaria to the north, features a 152-mile-long Black Sea coastline filled with fishing communities, ancient ruins, and water parks. Constanța is the largest city bordering the sea, where visitors may rest by the gorgeous Plaja Eforie Nord, see Roman remains, and enjoy the city center’s classical architecture.
Turkiye
Turkiye’s most popular attractions are on its Aegean and Mediterranean shores, but the underappreciated Black Sea province is home to a plethora of hidden jewels that have yet to be spoiled by mass tourism. Trabzon, for example, is rich in Byzantine antiquities and late-nineteenth-century historic buildings with rococo façade, whilst Asmara is most known for its quiet beaches and laid-back atmosphere.
Ukraine and Russia border each other along the Black Sea, however, they are not listed here owing to the current conflict, which makes visiting them highly unsafe.
Get There While It’s Still a Secret!
The Mediterranean has traditionally been a popular spring and summer destination for Americans crossing the Atlantic. This region is known for its pleasant mild weather and Roman legacy, but the Black Sea has its beauty and multitude of historical landmarks, and it won’t be calm and tranquil for much longer – especially in the age of viral TikToks.
In terms of cuisine, the Southeastern European diet is high in both protein and fish. Every day, red meat, pig products, dairy, and fish are consumed, along with locally grown vegetables and potatoes. Winemaking is also a distinguishing feature of several Black Sea states: in fact, Georgia is the birthplace of wine, having invented it 6,000 years ago.
As savvy travel experts have previously stated, the expense of traveling to Southern Europe has risen across the board – even Croatia, which was formerly seen as a low-cost alternative to Italy, has succumbed. Fortunately, you now know that the Mediterranean is not Europe’s sole warm sea.
