Hourly buses head from Sunny Beach to SVETI VLAS , 6km away on the northern shoulder of the bay. Increasingly popular as an elite vacation venue for Bulgarians, the village is currently groaning under the weight of over-hasty development. New hotels abound, and there are the makings of a good beach, 1km away from the village across untidy scrubland. One of the best of the new hotels is the three-star Mars , (tel 0554/68425, fax 68614; US$18-36), which offers comfortably furnished studios with TV and fridge. A slightly cheaper option is the Alfa-Beta , (tel 0554/68847 or 68841, fax 68829; US$9-18), which has a decent restaurant, as well as its own fitness centre, though it's further back from the beach.

Buses continue northwards to the ELENITE HOLIDAY VILLAGE , 6km further up the coast, a predominantly package destination divided into two villa colonies sharing restaurants, bars and discos. It's a well-run, well-looked after resort with pristine two- and three-storey villas, a good beach, good sporting facilities, and childcare provision in a central kindergarten, although it can seem rather isolated if you're after more than just a beach holiday. A central reception desk (tel 0554/68811, fax 68450, elenite@nesebar.com ) allocates rooms, although costs are high for independent travellers, with prices of around US$70 per person per day in the high season - meals, daytime drinks and entertainment are all included, though. The villas themselves come with cable TV, fridge and kitchenette (although the choice of food in the local store is limited, making the idea of self-catering less appealing).