Yeppers! How cool is that? The very first day I walked to Nessebar South Beach, I discovered them. Since then, I have been exploring various areas along this part of the coast of the Black Sea, just to frolic in the amazing sand dunes of Bulgaria!
![Amazing Sand Dunes in Bulgaria](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dune-10-1024x768.jpg)
A Rare Phenomena
Covering an area of about 10 hectares, these sand dunes are quite a rare and special feature. They have been here for thousands of years and are home to several unique species of plants.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dune-15-1024x768.jpg)
Walking in the Dunes
Many of the areas of dunes close to the town of Nessebar, have been fenced off, and I hope it is to protect them and this fragile environment.
Other areas of dunes, for example, those I walked through to get to Sunny Beach, had wooden boardwalks to keep people following specific trails. I thought this a great strategy to preserve these dunes, especially because of the high volume of visitors this beach sees every year.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/sun-beach-2-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/sun-beach-7-768x1024.jpg)
Some dunes don’t seem to have any protection at all. Perhaps they are unmarked private land? When I have walked through these, I always, without exception, stay on the sandy bits and never venture into the brush and plants. Respecting these dunes allows me to bask in their beauty and know that I have not endangered any of the plant life.
Flowers
This time of year, the very hottest and driest, I was surprised to see any flowers at all. But when you really look, there are all kinds! Most of very small and almost all are on spindly little stalks.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flower-38-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flower-43-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flower-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flower-39-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flower-41-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/flower-40-768x1024.jpg)
I was even more surprised to find grapes! Yes, beautiful grapes growing along the ground within the dunes.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dune-30-1024x768.jpg)
I wonder what this vegetation would look like in the wet winter months and spring time? Perhaps a gorgeous display of lush green with bright pops of colour.
Accessibility
The most accessible dunes I have found so far, ones that have no signage or fencing, are near the St. Panteleimon Beach Hotel. Here, the dunes are atop a cliff that towers over the most northern end of Nessebar South Beach.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dune-23-1-768x1024.jpg)
The sand is lusciously soft and fluffy, I am usually walking through here barefoot and it feels sooooo good! I have very tender tootsies and my feet feel like they are walking through silk. It is beyond marvellous.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dunes-nes-9-768x1024.jpg)
I was so surprised to find these dunes here in Bulgaria near the Black Sea. I had not heard about them prior to arriving in the area. What a discovery, they are a magical place to visit.