Cozy Studio at Camping Gradina

We liked one of the beach restaurants, where the food was tasty and the service good. The other places we tried were poor and overpriced. Our bungalow was modern and right by the beach, though a row of caravans stood between us and the sea. Cleaning was disappointing: we expected it daily, but over five days it happened only once or twice, and even then it was very superficial. The bungalow could have been cleaner in general. The location and bungalows are decent, but the campsite around them felt dirty. There was even a sewage smell at times.

The biggest change we noticed this year was that the camping lanes have been paved. There’s much less dust now, and it’s more comfortable to walk around. We’ve been coming to Camping Gradina for four years in a row, largely because it’s right on the beach and close to restaurants and shops. Each bungalow also has its own beach umbrella and sunbeds. The upkeep has gone badly downhill, though. The beach sand doesn’t seem to get cleaned regularly, and cigarette ends are often scattered around. The beach sunbeds are worn and uncomfortable, and there aren’t enough beanbags for everyone. Inside, the kitchen and bathroom fittings are dated and visibly used. There are stains on the shower and sink, cobwebs by the sofa, and old stains across the worn floor. Even the bathroom bin and veranda drying rack are rusty and unpleasant to use. It’s frustrating to see a great location deteriorate like this, especially at the current prices. Unless cleanliness and the facilities get serious attention, they could lose loyal visitors. Camping Gradina has the potential to be one of the best spots on the Bulgarian seaside, and I hope management takes this feedback seriously.

There’s a lot to choose from here, which is something we’ve always liked: fancy beach bars and restaurants, a simple fish and chips place with wooden benches, and even a barbecue where you can cook your own food. The bungalows are meters from the water, and the location is amazing. We’ve been coming since 2021. But the condition has changed. At first the bungalows were new, clean, and well cared for. Now the bathroom window is broken, some tiles are missing, the curtains are stained, and the patio furniture is broken. There’s also a huge pile of rotting grass and rubbish beside the last row of bungalows, and a bad smell around the trailer park’s shared bathrooms. Such a shame. This used to be a fantastic holiday destination.

The campsite’s own supermarket has good prices, though most of the beach bars are too expensive. 30BGN for a Margarita is too much. Parking by the bungalows is free, and you can leave your car at the campsite until 6pm on checkout day. The bungalows are well maintained, and the staff were very nice and helpful. It’s a great place for a vacation. The road to the campsite is really bad and dangerous, though. On nights when „dirty Gradina“ is open, we could still hear and feel the music’s bass from our bungalow, which was on the opposite side of the camp from Dirty Gradina.