Sozopol is a famous beach resort in Bulgaria that has several stunning sandy beaches. The beaches of Sozopol are considered one of the best on the entire Bulgarian Black Sea coast.
Below we will briefly talk about the main beaches of Sozopol. You can find more detailed information on each beach on the pages of our website.
Sozopol city beach
Located on the southern Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, Sozopol is a famous beach resort and the main beach here is considered to be the city beach, which is located on the eastern side of the Old Town. It's a golden sand beach and the perfect place to relax with a cocktail in hand. The entrance to the sea is gentle here, so the beach is suitable for families with children. The seabed is covered with sand, but sometimes underwater holes can form. In addition, this beach offers a wonderful view of the castle.
Harmanite Beach
Harmanite beach has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award. This is a long and wide beach with many umbrellas and sun loungers. The water around this beach is blue and quite calm. During high season, the beach is often crowded with tourists. Around Harmanite beach there are many bars, clubs, discos, so this beach is a favorite place among young people, although it is also great for families with children, as it is located close to many hotels.
Beach Goldfish
The beach at the Golden Fish camp is considered one of the most famous beaches on the southern coast of Bulgaria. The beach is wide and long, the sand is fine and golden. The water is shallow, warm and almost always calm. Goldfish Beach has many types of water attractions, and along the beach you will find restaurants and bars. Although you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach, many tourists relax here on towels under their own umbrellas. Unfortunately, the water in the sea near Goldfish Beach is declared dirty by the European Union. However, many people continue to visit this beach every summer and consider it one of the most beautiful beaches on the southern coast of Bulgaria.
Kavatsite beach
Kavatsite beach is located in a bay, about 3 km south of the city of Sozopol. The beach is located near the old road Sozopol - Dunes and is surrounded by a small poplar forest, from which it gets its name (“kavak” means “poplar” in Turkish). Kavatsite beach has fine, yellow sand. The bottom here is flat and sandy. It is possible to rent umbrellas and sun loungers, but there are also vacant plots, which are mainly in unguarded areas. Near Kavatsite beach there are hotels and bus stops where you can take a bus to Burgas, Primorsko and Tsarevo.
Bulgarian resorts are one of the attractive holiday destinations for Russian tourists in 2019. Sozopol is a small town located 30 km from Burgas and has ancient origins and an extensive history. The city was founded back in the 6th century. BC e. on a small rocky peninsula and retains many touches of the Greek founders and was touched up by the Bulgarian Renaissance. We will tell you about holidays in Sozopol, attractions, entertainment, prices in this article.
The central part of the city has been declared a nature reserve and is protected by UNESCO. Just there, about two hundred ancient wooden houses have been preserved, on narrow cobbled streets from the time of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
Today, thanks to its special atmosphere, this place is chosen by Bulgarian bohemians: artists, painters and musicians, and is also an amazing resort for guests from all over the world.
Sozopol on the map:
There is no airport in Sozopol, there is one nearby in and. Airplanes fly from Moscow airports several flights a day, especially during high season. By car you can get there from the airport in 30-40 minutes. There is an excellent international route along the coast connecting Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Sozopol: climate and beaches
This small resort town is characterized by a mild climate with moderately humid air. Unlike many other Bulgarian resorts, Sozopol has clearly defined four seasons. In summer the city is hot and rainless, and in winter it is cold up to -6 degrees.
The most favorable time to visit the resort is considered to be May and September; during this period, the average daily temperature varies between 27-33 degrees, and sea water warms up to 28 degrees.
If we talk about beaches, then in Sozopol there are three sandy ones:
- "Central Beach", located in the old part of the city. It is popular among vacationers with children due to the fact that it has a gentle entrance, as well as virtually no waves and clean, clear water. The beach is long and narrow, so places on it should be taken in the morning; being on its territory does not require payment; funds will be needed to rent sun loungers and umbrellas.
Getting to know the ancient city
Lead seals in pots and boats in the basement
Sozopol, like many old European towns, is divided into an old and a new part. The old town is a labyrinth of narrow streets with stone pavements, where hundred-year-old two-story houses from the Ottoman Empire are perfectly preserved. An interesting detail: the basements are designed for storing boats in winter.
As a result of excavations in recent years, fortifications were discovered on the coast. The fortress wall, 8 m high, had a gate in the center with massive towers on the sides. And the most interesting thing comes next: behind the first wall a second one was discovered. For what? As it turned out, between the two walls there was the Church of St. Nicholas. So, it was visited by sailors who came to the port. For safety, they were “met” outside the city walls.
Pots with lead seals were also found in a small room at the gates of the fortress. At that time, according to the treaty of 716, all states trading among themselves were required to mark each product with a seal as a sign that payment of all fees had been made. It was precisely these unused lead seals that were discovered.
What is the connection between a horse rider and the Orthodox Church?
Excavations in 2010 uncovered the remains of John the Baptist, one of the most revered saints in the world. His relics are kept in the Church of St. George (1860). This is a small brick church with a wooden porch and one bell tower. It was built on the site of a Thracian sanctuary.
Above the entrance is an image of St. George the Victorious. Why should you pay attention to this small temple? In addition to icons from the late 19th century and the relics of John the Baptist, people come here to venerate the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called and see part of the Holy Cross. Notice the marble altar. Many tourists note the extraordinary atmosphere inside the temple.
Temple of the Virgin Mary, the unspoken name of the Church of the Holy Mother of God. It looks like a basilica with three domes, and it is unique in its height, which barely reaches the shoulder of an adult, and all events taking place in it are held underground.
During the rule of the Ottoman Empire, the Turks did not prohibit the building of churches. But they should not be higher than the rider on the horse, so as not to block his view. Of course, the rulers naively believed that churches would not be built. Orthodox Christians found a way out: the church premises went deeper. Just such a church of the Blessed Virgin Mary can be seen in Sozopol.
After restoration in the 19th century, a carved wooden iconostasis appeared inside, made by Macedonian craftsmen. Also in the church are two ancient icons of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The temple is under the protection of UNESCO, entrance fee is 1 lev. Photo and video shooting inside the church is prohibited. On a hot day, the coolness of the interior (you need to go downstairs) will come in handy.
The Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an Orthodox church built at the end of the 18th century and has the appearance of a single-nave basilica; inside there is a carved iconostasis created by masters of the Debar school of the 17th-18th centuries. In 1944, the city museum was located here, then there was a warehouse, and a museum of underwater archeology.
The premises were returned to the Orthodox Church in 1989, and opened to parishioners only in 2011. The visit is free and what is unusual is that women do not have to cover their heads.
In Sozopol, tourists will encounter many Orthodox churches, ancient ones and sanctuaries restored on the site. The Chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is located near the port and belongs to the young architectural monuments. It is adjacent to the archaeological museum. The chapel was built at the request of local sailors and fishermen, because Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered their patron. There is a water fountain and benches at the entrance. Sit down, relax, admire the green beauty of the local nature.
Sozopol is a major cultural center in Bulgaria, as many significant events and celebrations take place on its territory. In addition, the city is famous for a considerable number of places that will be interesting to its guests. If you are planning a vacation in 2019 on the territory of this Bulgarian resort, then you should include an acquaintance with the local amphitheater in your cultural program of exploring it.
Erected in the second century. In the 70s of the last century, as a result of a landslide, part of it was exposed, which was subsequently restored by local craftsmen. This place is steeped in antiquity, and its stage is still active to this day.
Yellow River and Lion's Head
Ropotamo Nature Reserve, located 20 km from Sozopol. More than 250 species of birds live on its territory, 70 of them are listed in the Red Book, and about 100 species of vegetation grow, some of which are also listed as rare specimens. On the territory of the protected area, tourists are offered walking tours or a boat excursion with the wonderful name “Boat for Rendezvous”.
Ropotamo is a picturesque natural area. You will see streams of yellow river water flowing from the mountains and flowing into the Black Sea. The silhouette of a lion's head can be seen in the surrounding rocks. Interestingly, at the mouth of the river the salinity of the water is increased (since it flows into the sea), so marine fish are also found in the river waters. And local guides will tell you extraordinary legends about the rocks.
An interesting point is that the city is divided into two distinct zones by a bright green park with churches: the ancient city on the peninsula and the new part “Harmanit”. The first part is the history of the resort, and the new part contains modern villas, hotels and commercial buildings.
If you get to Sozopol at the beginning of September 2019, you can see how a ten-day festival dedicated to the god Apollo takes place on its territory. It includes many theatrical performances, film screenings, art and photography exhibitions, folk dances and songs, and literary readings.
Forget about diet
About Sozopol, as well as about any other Bulgarian resort, we can say that it is one big eating place. Many cafes, restaurants, bars, small taverns filled the streets and beaches of the resort. The food is very tasty and the portions are large, this should be taken into account when ordering. Delicious soups, probably many have encountered them at other Balkan resorts, these are chorba and shopska. This is a thick soup with chicken, beef or vegetables. Soup price from 1.8 to 2.5 levs, serving 300 g (!!!)
Greek moussaka in the Bulgarian version is also delicious. Cost 3.8 lev. Try sach, a meat dish cooked in a huge frying pan over coals. This dish should be ordered for four people. That's a lot of delicious meat. It looks like “meat under the net” - the calling card of the former Yugoslav republics.
Fish in Sozopol is the main dish; it is prepared in different ways, but is always very tasty. There is a cafe on Ropotamo Street where you can try freshly fried fish. Nearby is a counter where fresh mussels are fried, which are grown in Bulgaria on special plantations.
In small stalls on the street, try pancakes with different fillings, the price of one is 2-3 leva. Some cafes offer tourists a set lunch for 4.5-5 leva. You should definitely try the Bulgarian dish kavarma. Various meats with vegetables and seasonings are stewed in a large clay pot.
A portion costs 12 leva, designed for at least two people. On Odessa Street there are two restaurants, “Tony’s” and “Palma,” where friendly staff will offer delicious national dishes.
Easy to choose accommodation
In a city that lives off tourists, there are no problems with housing. There are many small private hotels of 2-3 stars. There are only two five-star hotels: Saint Thomas and Santa Marina. Prices from 700 rub. up to 3500 rub. per day. You can rent a very decent apartment, next to the sea, for 35 euros per day.
Holiday prices in Sozopol
If we talk about the cost of a holiday in Sozopol, then it is almost at the level of other Bulgarian resorts. Prices for tours to the resort vary widely and depend, first of all, on the chosen level of hotel comfort and room service.
Thus, the minimum cost of a seven-day trip to Sozopol in 2019 for two adults in the warm season will be around 35 thousand rubles. This price is based on accommodation in a two-star hotel without meals and departure from Moscow. Accommodation in an average hotel (3-4 stars) under the all-inclusive program will cost at least 50 thousand rubles for two vacationers.
A little more about Sozopol in the video:
The beach is located 3 km from Sozopol, in the direction of Burgas. In fact, it is part of the campsite of the same name. Mostly surf lovers relax here.
Goldfish Beach is quite long both in length and width, and it is also much calmer here compared to some neighboring beaches. Entrance to the beach is paid - 25 cents per day. Entering by car will cost more, as will renting an umbrella.
Topless sunbathing is allowed on this beach, but nudism is prohibited (however, sometimes, despite the ban, in remote corners of the beach you can see violators without swimsuits). At the surf school, which is located next to the beach, you can rent equipment and try to learn how to ride the waves on a board. And a little further away there are several restaurants where you can have a snack.
Central beach of Sozopol
The central beach is a nice, free, sandy beach, a corner of privacy and tranquility practically in the center of the resort civilization. The water here is clean, the sea is partially protected from waves by the peninsula of the Old Town. The beach is quite narrow, so it’s better to come for your dose of “relaxation” early in the morning. A great place to relax with the whole family; you can also sunbathe topless here. However, the attitude towards nudists on the beach is rather negative. For those who really want to, it is better to visit the beach in May or October, when the water is already warm, but many tourists still do not think so.
As for entertainment, there is a full range - from jet ski rentals, banana boat fun and beach volleyball to sweets, dancing and drinks. The beach vendors are very nice and accepting of bargaining.
Duni resort beach
The length of the beach at the Duni resort is 4.5 km long and more than 100 m wide. Like many other beaches in Bulgaria, the sand here is fine and golden, with small dunes. The sea in this area is calm, the bottom is flat, and the depth of the sea increases gradually and quite smoothly, so swimming here is absolutely safe.
You can go exploring in the outskirts of the village, hiding completely “wild” corners and quiet small bays hidden between steep cliffs. Fans of windsurfing and other sea sports prefer to relax here. In addition to extreme entertainment, the resort has several tennis courts and swimming pools.
Beach Smokinite
Smokinite is another campsite, which is located 5 km south of the resort of Sozopol.
If you want to experience a youthful atmosphere while on vacation, then head here. As a rule, this beach is visited by romantics, young people, and, sometimes, nudists. The shore here is strewn with fine golden sand, the water is clear, clean and warm. There is also a drawback - in some places there are strong undercurrents and waves. Smokinite is also perfect for families traveling by car.
The beach is not guarded, so be careful - and then nothing will ruin your holiday.
Sights of Sozopol
The Bulgarian town of Sozopol is today a popular Black Sea resort. , there is no desire to change the situation and get out of it. There is an abundance of everything that might interest a tourist: antiquities, cultural heritage, entertainment and three excellent beaches where there is a place in the sun for everyone.
The beach strip of Sozopol stretches along the coast for several kilometers. The capes cutting into the sea divided it into three bays, which formed the two main beaches of the city: Central and Harmanite (Harmani). The main ones, because they are located within the city, but on the outskirts of the Sozopol community there are other beaches, in particular Kavatsi (just south of Sozopol) and Zolotaya Rybka beach 3 kilometers north of Sozopol on the road towards Burgas.
Central Beach is located in a closed bay between the Old and New Towns, and thanks to this, it always has the highest density of vacationers. Everyone who chooses to live closer to the center flocks here. There is a maximum of entertainment here: water attractions, catamarans, cafes, massage services. The sea in the bay is shallow, you will have to walk a good hundred meters to fully swim. Both the bottom and the beach itself are sandy, so there is complete freedom for children on the Central Beach. Like other beaches on the coast, there are both areas with paid sun loungers and umbrellas, and free ones where you can bring your own mat. But on the Central Beach there are fewer free zones and they are quite miniature, so those who like to save money without sacrificing comfort will better like the neighboring beach - Harmanite.
Harmanite – the largest beach in Sozopol. On its wide and extended strip there is a place for everyone. There are many free areas and they are spacious. There is less entertainment, and therefore noticeably quieter. The beach is adjacent to excavations of an ancient necropolis, discovered in 1993. Tired of idleness at sea, you can take a walk to the ancient stones and tombs, protected from tourist incursions by roughly knocked together shields “Vlizaneto is taken away.”
Kavatsite beach located 3 km south of Sozopol. The beach is very long and wide, With golden sand.
Beach Goldfish . The beach is long and wide enough, Here completely calm sea compared to other beaches around. Very nice place and lots of space on the beach. Located nearby surf school that offers surf lessons. One or two small restaurants nearby They offer fast food. M you can stay at camping with a tent for a fee.
The beaches of Sozopol seem to be created to satisfy the various purposes of tourists. The bustling Central, where life is in full swing, the spacious Harmanite and secluded beaches near Sozopol will not let you get fed up with the resort, so colorful and multifaceted.
Beaches of Sozopol on the map of Bulgaria
There are several of them and they are all municipal and sandy. Those. Sozopol does not have its own fenced-off hotel beaches. You can freely settle down for swimming and sunbathing in any place on the coast you like.
The most popular and famous beach in Sozopol is Smokini beach. You can get to it by train from the Black Sea Square in the city center. The schedule hangs at the city public transport stop. The train runs every half hour, a ticket for one costs 2 leva. Get on the trailer and in 15 minutes you are at the final stop. Walk forward 100 meters and turn left onto the beach. This is Smokini.
Smokini Beach. Sozopol.
Here there is coarser sand and, in my opinion, the cleanest water. Sun beds and umbrellas here, as on all beaches of Sozopol, are paid, 20 levs per set for the whole day. But if you have your own umbrella, then you can sit with it on the beach anywhere, except in places where paid umbrellas are installed, from there you will be politely asked. You can buy an umbrella and straw mats in any store in the city. There are several cafes on Smokini Beach where you can buy water, beer or drink coffee. Next to Smokini beach is Kavatsi beach. More precisely, Kavatsi beach gradually turns into Smokini beach, if you count from Sozopol. On these beaches you can hunt for kalkan flounder. It hides at the bottom in the sand at a depth of 1.5 - 2 meters and only an experienced diver can see it.
In general, it’s nice to snorkel here; there are a lot of shells, brine and crabs at the bottom. If you arrive at this beach in the morning, keep in mind that the train takes a break from 12.30 to 15.00. Those. until three o'clock in the afternoon you will have to stay on the beach, because... There are no other ways to return to Sozopol, except by taxi.
By Sozopol Every half hour two trains run, one green, the other blue. Route - from the beach "Golden Fish" to Smokini beach. The fare is 2 leva per person.
Central Sozopol city beach. Located between the Old and New Towns. If you stand in the middle of the beach facing the sea, there will be rocks on the right and you can see the Coral Hotel on them. Next to these rocks is the rotten place. Algae accumulate here, rot and emit an unpleasant odor. No one swims in this place, they only sunbathe, mostly topless.
These are the algae that live in August and September on beaches of Sozopol.
The sea on the central city beach in Sozopol is shallow. To reach the neck-deep depth, you need to walk about seventy meters from the shore. Then you swim another 30 meters and again you can reach the bottom with your feet. Sun beds and umbrellas are also paid here, but you can sit anywhere with your own umbrella. But not among paid sunbeds.
Central city beach. Visible in the distance Old town of Sozopol , and on the left along the shore there are many cafes and restaurants.
Cost of sunbeds and umbrellas on the central city beach of Sozopol.
On the city beach of Sozopol you can ride a pedal catamaran, a jet ski, a banana boat and other sea attractions. Muscular Bulgarian guys walk along the beach shouting “Tsarevitsa, male.” These are corn farmers, they offer boiled corn to tourists. “TsarevItsa” is corn, “molya” is please.
Everyone who did not pay for umbrellas and sunbeds sat on their own mats and with their umbrellas in a free place. There are changing facilities on the beach.
There are many cafes and restaurants along the beach where you can drink cold draft beer or just have a snack. There are no problems with this. When darkness falls, a tractor with a flashing light drives out to the beach, levels the sand and sifts it at the same time. However, there are still a lot of cigarette butts and debris in the sand. We often saw sunbathers smoking freely on the beach and immediately burying their cigarette butts in the sand, even though there was a trash can located a meter away from them. What kind of people?
This beach is located in the new part of Sozopol. One of the most popular and visited streets in the city of Ropotamo runs along it. Harmonity beach is not bad, cozy, but in August the entire shore of the beach is also covered with algae and mud.
Uncollected dried seaweed lies on the shore, which does not provide comfort for swimmers. Swimming here at the end of August and September is also specific due to the presence of many green algae in the water. The beach is also sandy and there are umbrellas and sunbeds for money. For children at all beaches of Sozopol complete freedom, it’s shallow here and they have something to do.
Children will always understand each other. Sand castle on the beach.
Goldfish Beach. Actually, “Golden Fish” is a car camping and it is located outside of Sozopol, but really, not far. You can also get to this beach by train from the Black Sea Square in about ten minutes. It was noticed that when the sea was stormy on the central city beach, there were almost no waves on the “Golden Fish”. Apparently because the beach is located in a closed bay. The sand here is clean, and there are also several attractions, including parasailing behind a boat. Surf lovers can rest their souls on this beach; there is a surfing club here.
Camping "Golden Fish" is located ten minutes by train from Sozopol.
Goldfish Beach.
The water on the "Golden Fish" is clean and transparent.
However, in the surrounding area Sozopol not all beaches are sandy. There are secluded corners for those who like to dive in clear water among the stones. One of these beaches is located on the outskirts of the Old Town near the port. There is only one inconvenience on this beach: it is difficult to enter the water over sharp stones, but you can find the entrance if you want. The water here is always clean and transparent, every pebble on the bottom is visible. If from this place you walk along the stones to the right, then there is another wonderful place among the stones. In this place, fishermen usually fish, and young people jump from the rocks.
This place is good for snorkeling.
These rocks are located just beyond the seaport on the edge of the Old Town.
Sozopol has wonderful sandy beaches, but the algae spoils everything.
