October 12, 2026, 3:33 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Beach vacations in Bulgaria–some might first think of the well-known spots Sunny Beach and Golden Sands. But the country has much more to offer than just party vacations by the sea. The town of Sozopol on the southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast is located in the Bay of Burgas on several small rocky peninsulas. Not only is its location special, but also its history. Sozopol is considered one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria. The city was founded by the Greeks as early as 610 B.C., then known as Apollonia. Today, you can still experience history at every corner during a visit.

History as Far as the Eye Can See

Sozopol is divided into two parts: the old town and the new town. The old town is located on the rocky Skamnij Peninsula and is connected to the new town by a land bridge. In some places, the former fortress wall still stands. The old town itself was officially designated as an architectural and historical reserve under monument protection in the 1970s. It includes 180 residential houses built from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century. These buildings house accommodations, apartments, museums, and restaurants. They were constructed from stone and wood and are part of the so-called Black Sea architecture, as stated on the Bulgarian Tourist Information website.

In 2010, researchers discovered holy relics attributed to John the Baptist during archaeological excavations on the nearby island of St. Ivan. These relics are now accessible to the public in the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Sozopol. Anyone interested in delving deeper into the city’s history should also plan a visit to the Archaeological Museum.

Here you will find content from third-party providers

To interact with or display third-party content, we need your consent.

Activate

In order to display embedded content, your consent to the processing of personal data, which can be revoked at any time (via the switch or via “Revoke tracking and cookies” at the bottom of the page), is required. Data may be transferred to third countries such as the USA (Art. 49 para. 1 lit. a GDPR). By switching to “on” you agree. You can find more information here.

More on the topic

Current Analysis Germany Ranks 4th! Europe’s Best Hidden Gem Destinations

Little known The Beauty of the Czech City Tábor

Sozopol’s Beaches

But Sozopol offers not only history but also relaxation. The city has two beach sections. One is Harmani Beach, which is particularly wide with fine sand and offers numerous beach bars and activities such as beach volleyball, jet skiing, or surfing. It provides a perfect view of the peninsula.

If you prefer something more natural, Kavatsite Beach is the place to be. Although it is not a secluded natural beach and there are loungers, dining options, and umbrellas, the fine sandy beach is directly adjacent to the Pontic white dunes, which are protected as a natural monument. The beach is about three kilometers south of Sozopol–a trip is definitely worthwhile, especially after a long day of sightseeing.

Travel and Best Time to Visit

If you’re now eager to travel to Sozopol, the quickest way is a direct flight from Germany to Burgas. From there, it’s about a 60-minute drive by car or bus to Sozopol.

The best time to visit Sozopol depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to combine a city trip with a beach vacation, the summer months are ideal. However, sightseeing can be quite hot during this time. In spring or fall, you might be lucky with mild temperatures that still allow for a beach day.