Situated in the south-eastern corner of Europe, Bulgaria boasts land borders to five exciting surrounding countries, as well as one coastal border looking out to the inviting Black Sea on its eastern side. Perhaps best known for its football and skiing, Bulgaria also has an incredible wealth of landscapes to offer anybody interested in a golf holiday here. There are glaciers, rivers, mountains, volcanos, islands and lakes all answering any adventurous inclinations you may have during your golf holiday in Bulgaria.
Benefitting too from a much lower cost of living compared to the UK, you can be sure to see your money stretch a great deal further during your golf holiday in Bulgaria. This will give you plenty of excuses to explore the local towns and villages as much as possible, sampling the delights and delicacies of somewhere new and exciting. You may find yourself coming here for the relatively young sport of golf but staying for the thousands of years’ worth of culture.
Sounds like a dream? Think again. Direct Golf Holidays have been helping many customers to enjoy golf holidays in Bulgaria in recent years and we’d be more than happy to do the same for you too. If you’ve been toying with the idea of golfing in Bulgaria but haven’t quite made your mind up, check out our handy list of the top golf courses in Bulgaria for a bit of inspiration.
1. THRACIAN CLIFFS GOLF & BEACH RESORT
The first choice on our list of best golf courses in Bulgaria has to be, without a question of doubt, the golf course at Thracian Cliffs. Soaked in thousands of years of Thracian history across a number of empires, the landscape that Thracian Cliffs is built on speaks for itself. With an ocean view from every hole, this fairly new but well-established course is already being regarded as one of the best in the world. Imagine the White Cliffs of Dover, but with crystal clear waters and constant good weather to boot. Definitely a solid first choice for your golf holiday in Bulgaria.
- ARCHITECT: Gary Player
- LOCATION: Bozhurets Village
- LENGTH: 6452m
- TOTAL HOLES: 18
- PAR: 72
2. BLACKSEARAMA
Gary Player really found his feet in Bulgaria – and before the newer Thracian Cliffs Golf Course put the country on the golfing map – BlackSeaRama had already begun to do the leg work. Constructed within a residential estate, BlackSeaRama claims to be ‘Bulgaria’s first gated community’. It was after a phone call from the BGA’s President, Krassimir Guergov, asking the Black Knight to help bring golf to the forefront of the nation’s sports scene, that this classic links golf course was formed into existence.
- ARCHITECT: Gary Player
- LOCATION: Balchik
- LENGTH: 6648m
- TOTAL HOLES: 18
- PAR: 72
3. LIGHTHOUSE
Curated in conjunction with European Golf Design, the course at Lighthouse has a much more noticeable name attached to the architect’s credits. Welsh golfing legend Ian Woosnam helped to bring this course to life, and it’s one of only two Bulgarian tracks operating under the European Tour Properties network. Combined with the aforementioned Thracian Cliffs and BlackSeaRama, Lighthouse Golf Resort is the third new golf course to be built along the Black Sea coastline since 2008. If there was any doubt over where to head to for your golfing holiday in Bulgaria, the east coast seems like a safe bet by any stretch.
- ARCHITECT: Ian Woosnam & EGD
- LOCATION: Tabiata
- LENGTH: 6338m
- TOTAL HOLES: 18
- PAR: 71
4. PRAVETS GOLF CLUB
Situated less than an hour’s drive away from Sofia, the nation’s capital, Pravets Golf Club is quick and easy to access. This luxury resort boasts a conference centre, spa, golf academy, a four-star hotel and, of course, an 18-hole championship course. Set out against the incredible backdrop of the Stara Planina mountain range, you’d be hard-pressed for better views this far from the ocean. Since its inception back in 2011, Pravets has played host to many prestigious golf championships including both PGA and EGA tournaments.
- ARCHITECT: Peter Harradine
- LOCATION: Ezeroto 35, Pravets
- LENGTH: 6470m
- TOTAL HOLES: 18
- PAR: 72
5. PIRIN GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Just a few minute’s drive from the famous ski resort in Bansko, Pirin Golf & Country Club is reminiscent of luxury chalet complexes more commonly found in the Swiss Alps. Set within 150 hectares of land with 360-degree views, this particular club offers much more than your standard golf holiday in Bulgaria. The golf course can be enjoyed from spring to winter, from which point it transforms itself into a ski resort. This gated complex offers a five-star boutique hotel, four-star apartments, themed restaurants, bars, shops, swimming pools and spas. This is the perfect destination to bring your non-golfing friends or family along to; there’s something for absolutely everyone!
- ARCHITECT: Ian Woosnam & EGD
- LOCATION: Razlog
- LENGTH: 6220m
- TOTAL HOLES: 18
- PAR: 72
6. SLIVEN GOLF CLUB
Last but far from least on our handy list of the best golf holiday courses in Bulgaria is Sliven Golf Club. Before the most recent additions along the Black Sea coast, Sliven Golf Club was the largest course in Bulgaria and a firm favourite among tourists and locals alike. The course is owned by Air Sofia, who also owns and operates the first-ever golf club that was opened in Bulgaria near the town of Ihtiman. What these two courses lack in modern-day architecture and luxury, they more than make up for it in experience and comfort.
- LOCATION: Sliven
- LENGTH: 6010m
- TOTAL HOLES: 18
- PAR: 71
Golf holidays in Bulgaria are becoming more and more popular with international players as accessibility and prices begin to look more financially favourable. Direct Golf Holidays are one of the leading golf tour operators for European golf holidays. With our key focus on professionalism and low prices, we aim to beat any other like for like package offered to our destinations. If you’re looking for a recession beating golf holiday then visit Direct Golf Holidays and book online today or call us on (+34) 656 561530 and we will be happy to help.