Golf in Bulgaria is relatively new in European terms, but Gary Player‘s Thracian Cliffs and BlackSeaRama resorts and Ian Woosnam’s Lighthouse resort have put it firmly on the golfing map.
In recent years the country is making significant investments in the sport, with more courses and facilities being developed, and the lower cost of living and the generally warm coastal climate make the country an attractive destination for golfers on vacation. The golfing season runs from April to October, with the peak months being June, July and August.
Thracian Cliffs Resort – Perched on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea, Thracian Cliffs is a signature championship course designed by Gary Player where the ocean is in view on every hole. The 6th is particularly memorable, on top of a cliff with the green set 40 meters below carved in to the hillside surrounded by lapping waves. This is one of the most dramatic courses you’ll ever play which in 2013 hosted the 50th Volvo World Match Play Championship.
Thracian Cliffs is located in the renowned golf destination of Cape Kaliakra on the Black Sea Coast. Facilities include 2km of private beaches, a Moroccan wellness centre, and six fabulous dining venues. The accommodation is in two village-like settings divided by a lake. Guests are accommodated in luxury suites, and there’s infinity pools and the 5-star service includes a private butler service. It’s perfect not only for golf but also for a summer beach holiday.
BlackSeaRama Golf & Villas – Located on top of coastal cliffs along the Black Sea Coast with views of the beautiful Cape Kaliakra, the 5-star BlackSeaRama resort is home to a stunning Gary Player-designed championship course set within a gated residential estate of deluxe villas. The resort boasts a golf academy, wellness centre, four restaurants, and is just minutes away from two other world-class courses, Lighthouse designed by Ian Woosnam and Thracian Cliffs.
“BlackSeaRama is a special golf course – you have to see it to believe it!” said Player, the legendary South African golfer – and he’s not wrong. Set 200 metres above the sea, it’s a classic links course with fantastic views. When it opened in 2008, it was the first championship signature course in Bulgaria.
With more than 260 days a year sunshine, beautiful surroundings and first-class facilities, BlackSeaRama is a great holiday destination for golfers and non-golfers alike. The resort features luxurious villas and apartments for sale or rent. The residential area consists of one or two-storey buildings in four districts across the resort. All accommodation has five-star hotel service.
Lighthouse Resort – This is a spectacular 5-star luxurious hotel with world-class service located just outside of Balchik. It’s an hour outside of Varna, along Cape Kaliakra, a wonderful area for golfers along the Black Sea. There’s 180 rooms, Spa & Wellness centre, a range of restaurants, and beach and pool bars.
The hotel features sea views and it is close to the clubhouse, the golf academy and a road leading to sandy beaches. It offers luxurious rooms, suites and penthouses, some of which offer private pools. Woosnam’s beautiful parkland-style course offers a challenging round in the most picturesque of surroundings. His championship golf course is a links design and he has made the most of the stunning scenery and natural landscapes with a brilliant selection of holes.
Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort– Located on the edge of Pravets Lake with superb views of the Balkan Mountains, this 4-star all-inclusive hotel is just half an hour from Sofia. The picturesque property features 244 contemporary rooms and suites, a spa with a 25-meter heated indoor pool, gourmet restaurants, and an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course.
Designed by renowned architect Peter Harradine, designer of the National course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Golf Cortina in Italy among many other great courses, the parkland-style golf course at Pravets boasts glorious views of the surrounding Balkan Mountains. It’s one of the top golf courses in Eastern Europe and alongside it is the floodlit Pravets Golf Academy, one of the top learning facilities in Europe with teaching studio, simulator, practice range bays and a dedicated short game area.
Pirin Golf & Country Club – This resort is set in a beautiful valley surrounded by three mountains: Pirin, Rila ad Rodopi, and is just minutes away from the well-known ski resort Bansko. The resort provides a unique opportunity for a golf, ski and spa vacation throughout the whole year. The Bansko Ski Lift is located just 7.5 miles away. During the ski season, the hotel offers a complimentary 10-minute shuttle service to and from the lift hourly during the day.
You will find a boutique 5-star hotel, a comfortable apartment complex and private luxury chalets. There’s several restaurants, supermarkets, bars, shops, Wellness Center, seven swimming pools, and a golf academy.
The highlight of the resort is the outstanding 18-hole course, designed by Woosnam. The course takes you on an adventure through rough and rugged terrain, designed to challenge golfers of all levels, with 80 bunkers, mountain vegetation, four lakes and a river. The mountain views are spectacular. And there’s a bonus 5-hole course which is one of the most beautiful mini courses you could play. Carved through a towering coniferous forest with stunning mountain views, the 5-hole Pirin Pine course is full of fun and a feast for the eyes.
St. Sofia Golf Club & Spa – Located on the outskirts of the capital Sofia, this course is one of the newest additions to the Bulgarian golf scene. The course was designed by Paul McGinley and offers brilliant views of the countryside. There’s fast greens and several water hazards, but it’s suitable for golfers of all levels. There’s also a 12-bay driving range. The club is open to all visitors, and also has a spa and several restaurants. Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, well worth a visit, now has a golf course that can sit proudly alongside other European cities.
