Suspicious tender: a caravan campsite may appear on a scenic beach near Sinemorets

Tsarevo municipality has leased four municipal plots totaling nearly 35 decares on the first line of Butamyata beach for a caravan campsite. The tender raised suspicions due to the participation of two connected candidates, one of whom was disqualified as an individual. The winner, company 'Pepe.bg', secured the site for three years at €6,700 per year, planning to accommodate 85 caravans, 20 campervans, and tents, straining the infrastructure of Strandzha Park.

On June 6 around 8 p.m., firefighters in Kardzhali received a report of a German family stuck in a campervan in a wooded area near the village of Dolishte. Navigation led them onto a rain-washed road. Rescuers and locals freed the vehicle; the tourists were escorted to the village of Kaloyantsi for the night.

An increasing number of Bulgarians are choosing camper van travel over traditional hotel holidays, according to Dimitar Peev, who rents out camper vans. Travelers value the flexibility to change routes spontaneously and stay closer to nature. Modern camper vans come equipped with beds, kitchens, heating, and refrigerators, making the experience accessible even for beginners through rentals. Regulations on wild camping in Bulgaria and neighboring countries are gradually being clarified.

Vetovo Municipality (Bulgaria) plans to participate in a project under the Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria 2021-2027 program. The project includes building a bike path connecting the 'Green Harmony' project with Giurgiu Municipality and the village of Pisanets, restoring a hut in Pisanets, creating a bike workshop, and a permanent exhibition of Roman fort models. The Bulgarian Camper Association expressed interest in joining, proposing to equip a rest stop for motorhomes with electricity and water connections. The application deadline is June 30.

Bulgaria's Krapets-North beach, a Natura 2000 protected area, has banned vehicle access and caravan parking on its sand dunes. The measure aims to curb vandalism and pollution that plagued the site for years. Local business owners fear a drop in visitors, while residents report a cleaner and calmer environment. Cleaning costs for illegal dumps had exceeded 120,000 leva.

Authorities in the Bulgarian municipality of Shabla have restricted parking of cars and caravans on the sand dunes of Krapets-North beach, part of the Natura 2000 network. The measure aims to protect dune formations and reduce waste: the municipality annually removes over 500 tonnes of trash from wild camping sites, spending more than 120,000 leva on cleanup. Fines will be enforced from October 2026, with a warning period currently in place. Instances of damaged signs and fences have already been reported. Local opinions are divided: some support the restrictions, others fear a decline in tourism and harm to local businesses. Authorities are reviewing applications for legal camping areas with infrastructure.