site.btaSveti Vlas East Beach Wins 17th Blue Flag Award

Sveti Vlas East Beach is among the Bulgarian sites to receive the Blue Flag Award in 2025, Sveti Vlas East Beach manager Georgi Chapkanov told BTA's Galya Teneva Thursday.

The accolade is bestowed by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education, whose programme now covers more than 50 countries. To qualify, beaches must satisfy and maintain stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.

The strip has won the award for the 17th time, Chapkanov pointed out.

“This means that we are working in the right direction and the level in our country is very high,” Chapkanov said, noting that the certification is granted for one season and requires a fresh application each year.

More than 30 criteria were met in 2025, covering safety, information, maintenance and water quality. The team conducts regular physical and chemical tests of the seawater and issues monthly bulletins, while the beach is cleaned and maintained throughout the year. The Blue Flag will again fly on a twelve-metre pole on the sand, Chapkanov said.

The 215-metre strip is a small, quiet beach with fine golden sand. Hotels stand directly behind the dunes. Access for people with disabilities, another award criterion, is in place, and visitors have use of a medical team, showers, changing rooms and toilets. Umbrella and sunbed prices remain unchanged at BGN 8 each. Water attractions on offer include jet skis, pedalos, banana boats and inflatable chairs.

BTA is presenting all 30 Bulgarian beaches and harbours awarded the Blue Flag by the international jury of the programme in Copenhagen. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Bulgaria’s first award: the pilot Blue Flag was raised on Sunny Beach on July 4, 1995.