Have the friends actually visited Bulgaria? I can't say much about Sunny Beach as have only visited it once several years ago but in Varna you need to be aware of pickpockets but this is the same in any city, I am completely paranoid when I travel up to London and hug my bag to my chest virtually. Never actually heard of a mugging but they may well occur on odd occasions. There are prostitutes around in some resorts, if you say no thanks they usually leave you alone (or so I am told). Good and bad all over the world. We have people on this forum who are regular visitors to SB and will be able to give you more info, just be sensible and enjoy yourself. Nels

I have been going to G/S for many years yes there is prostitutes and beggers but we also have them here in Britain .We have many friends in Bulgaria and you will find there all very friendly .Go and enjoy your holiday and dont believe everything you hear .As nels says just say no and never change money on the street .Going tomorrow for two weeks and cant wait .Go and enjoy netdent and make up your own mind June

thanks for the replies, just me and the wife going and both looking forward to it, heard lots of good stuff too, but it's the bad bits that stick in your mind

thanks Ronnie

I have been going to Sunny Beach for a number of years without any mishaps. Most people mugged are youngsters who are the worse for wear, seperated from their mates, and close to the beach , long after the majority are locked up in our beds.
I have never been accosted by prostitutes, but then again I don't frequent the beach area late at night. As for Mafia, they are reputed to own most of the resort so hardly think they would set out to rob you. It's more likely to be local gypsies.
Like most resorts in the world you just need to carry out basic security, only take out what you need, leave credit cards in your safe, stay out of unlit streets.
We love the place which is why we are back in September.

Toonman

Hey you go and enjoy SB we are going over on 23rd july and cant wait .love it so much we bought an appt there .All this crap about Mafia guys robbing people is just that . I have been all over the world in poor places and seen some bad things but never in Bulgaria .I see more bad people and things in UK every day in life in every big city .Just go enjoy and fall in love with the place and i guarantee you will be back again and again in years to come .

we ve just returned from golden sands for our umpteenth visit, already booked again for 2011, we love it there never had any problems, hoping to go to Sofia in October, so it cant be bad , can it

Wherever you go in the world you need to have a common sense approach to your safety, drop your guard completely and advertise the fact you have no idea where you are but have lots of money and you'll attract unsaviouries.
Bulgaria does have an issue with the gypsies and few people give them any respect, quite the opposite tbh. We were warned not to leave valuables on the beach as the beach sellers might steal. Thats true the world over and thats why its a good idea to make sure you don't take lots of valuables to the beach. We never had any issues where this was concerned.
Prostitutes apparently work at every hotel, its something Bulgaria is supposedly familiar with. I never noticed any of the sort but others holidaymakers informed us there were. If you're with family I doubt you'll notice, I didn't despite being the last back to the hotel. I'd suggest its there if you look for it but its neither obvious nor intimidating.
Mosquito - tbh I found at Sunny Beach there were very few of these. Its goverened by the amount of stagnant water nearby and, apart from a canal there's very little of this. Definitely no more a problem than other resorts.
Mafia - I think you can smell it here, I think Bulgaria, with a reputation as a corrupt place, will have this underlying anywhere that large amounts of money exist. Mafia is not solely linked to Italy, nor Italians. Whether that's agreeable or not to others the response is simple, you're not likely to see a live rendition of the Godfather.
Try to look on the good side, the bad elements that inhabit any area should be at the back of your mind but not dismissed.
Sunny Beach is a lively long and beautiful coast. Gorgeous sand, plenty of restaurants and bars, well priced and good quantity. Pork kebabs, suckling pig, chicken and some excellent local fish are in abundance, unfortunately I often found veg to go with it was similar to a garnish The series of beach trains will take you the length of the Beach and allow you to explore various areas. You'll find plenty of tattoo parlours, hair braiding, water sports and very friendly people. It does get a little repetitive with its football shirt shops, dodgy CDs/DVDs, and certain restaurants but its an enjoyable place to spend a holiday.
Its worth mentioning that the whole resort is guarded by police who restrict entrance and therefore help to keep it a safer place.
I strongly suggest visiting Nessebar old town for an Italianesque cliff top restaurant over looking the sea as a perfect way to enjoy a fish supper and watch the sun go down, all at very reasonable prices. Bourgas is worth a visit, especially if you get a trip to Sozopol too, soak up the shops, grab a bit of street cafe and do a little people watching, ahhh I can taste that iced coffee now!
Have fun

Thankyou everyone for your replies, I guess we were a bit out of sorts as we always go to Tenerife, but really looking forward to sunny beach
will take note of the places mentioned and report back upon our return

thanks Ronnie