Dark side of Brits’ 80p-pint paradise with swindlers, stun guns and rabid dogs
Holidaymakers looking for cheap drinks, rowdy clubs and all-night-parties have been flocking to Sunny Beach in recent years.
Around 100,000 Brits fly to the Bulgarian town to enjoy the sun and 80p pints – but it seems there are some major downsides to the resort.
After party destinations like Magaluf and Amsterdam cracked down on "nuisance" behaviour with fines and strict regulations, some Brits are partying in Sunny Beach instead.
READ MORE: Brits flock to party town with topless women, 80p pints, Viagra jellies and £9 rooms
However the coastal town has a dark side that holidaymakers should be wary of – from violence, to rabid stray dogs to scam artists.
In a recent six-part docu-series on E4, Emergency On Sunny Beach, women and men stripped off their tops in public while drunk tourists are seen wandering around unable to find their hotels.
Plus, lads could be seen passing out unconscious after a heavy drinking game and others labelled the town "Blackpool abroad".
Apart from the extreme drunkenness on display there are also several safety issues reported in the area.
The gov.uk website lists warnings for Brits heading to Sunny Beach and if you’re thinking of booking a trip you should be aware of the risks.
It states: "Tourists are targeted by thieves and pickpockets in Sunny Beach and other larger cities and resorts.
"Don’t take valuables to the beach and be wary of poorly lit roads around the resort at night.
"There has been an increase in thefts on the bus from Nessebar to Sunny Beach.
"Burglaries have been reported from hotel rooms in Sunny Beach.
"Make sure you lock your room (including windows and balcony doors) and keep your valuables locked in a safe.
"Don’t change money on the streets in Sunny Beach, only at licensed exchange points, banks or hotels."
Unfortunately, it’s not just on the streets where you might be the target of crime.
Some entertainment venues are also risky to visit.
The government advice continued: "Some tourists have been victims of overcharging in strip clubs in Sofia and in some resorts like Bansko, Borovets and Sunny Beach.
"Overcharging can amount to hundreds of pounds and victims have been threatened with violence if they don’t pay."
You may also be overcharged by taxi drivers in Sunny Beach.
The government warns: "There are regular reports of robberies and threatening behaviour by taxi drivers in Sunny Beach.
"Use a taxi recommended by your tour operator or accommodation provider.
"Most taxis are on a meter and yellow taxis are generally considered reliable.
"Avoid taxis parked outside hotels or in tourist areas.
"Check the licence sticker and the tariffs on the window before getting in as they can vary considerably.”
If you rent a car you must be vigilant as a worrying scam has been reported.
Gov.uk states: "There have been reports of car tyres being deliberately punctured across Bulgaria.
"While investigating the puncture, someone distracts the driver and personal belongings and documents are stolen from the vehicle.
"Be vigilant if you have to stop in these circumstances and make sure your belongings are secure."
In Bulgaria, you can also buy a number of weapons in shops that are illegal in the UK.
"Stun guns, torch stun guns and other weapons like knives, pepper spray and CS gas can be bought in shops in and around Burgas and Sunny Beach," official travel warnings state.
If you bring these items back to the UK you could face a prison sentence.
On top of the scams and weapons you should also be careful around any animals you see in Sunny Beach.
Government advice states: "Stray dogs are common and dangerous.
"Avoid getting too close to stray dogs, especially if they are in a pack.
"Take any animal bites seriously and seek immediate medical advice as rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Bulgaria."
Travel blogger Nomadic Matt certainly had plenty to say about Sunny Beach – mainly that he hates it.
While Matt noted that there’s a great water park nearby he was disappointed in the beach which was "covered in beach chairs" so he couldn’t find a place to sit.
He added that the water "is polluted and filled with an algae bloom so large that the shoreline turned green".
Matt claimed that locals say the water is "usually nice", but he looked like a "swamp thing" when he climbed out.
The blogger added: "Sunny Beach is tacky tourism central."
Over on Twitter, other holidaymakers shared their thoughts on the holiday hotspot.
A man named Jordan said last year: "The world must know that Sunny Beach in Bulgaria is dreadful.
"Yes everything is cheap and occasionally lively but you go to take a p*ss in a public ally and some mafia guys come round and corner until you pay the alotted ‘150 lev’ fine. Awful."
While Max Greyhound added: "Sunny Beach, Bulgaria.
"Awful place, animals paraded about on chains and filthy accommodation."
Mairead commented: "I’m sure Bulgaria is a lovely country but Sunny Beach was awful.
"I remember saying to one taxi driver, surely if you’re nicer to people they will come back, he just said tourists always come. (It’s sunny).
"He didn’t need to be nice to us. It was my worst nightmare. Food was dreadful."
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