Old town of Sozopol. Sozopol (Bulgaria): how to get there, where to stay, where to go and what to see, where to eat, what to bring. Inexpensive tours to Bulgaria

21.01.2024

Almost 35 kilometers south of Pomorie, on the picturesque rocky Black Sea coast, is the most ancient Bulgarian city - Sozopol. To get there I had to make one transfer and spend about an hour and a half of time. The Sozopol bus station is located next to the old part of the city, which is of greatest interest to me. Old Sozopol is located on a small peninsula, cutting into the Black Sea for almost a kilometer. The bulk of museums, architectural attractions are concentrated here: temples, chapels, residential buildings, government institutions and the remains of a medieval fortress wall.
The beginning of developed human activity on the Black Sea coast dates back more than one thousand years BC. Since time immemorial, the local people have been engaged in fishing, farming and metallurgy. From the end of the second millennium and the beginning of the first, these lands were inhabited by Thracian tribes. One of these tribes was the Skyrmiades, whose representatives were experienced miners. They mined red copper and bronze and produced products from these metals. This was one of the main items of trade with the cities of Pontus (Black Sea) and the Aegean Sea. In the bay near the settlement, many stone anchors and craft items were found, which confirms active trade and shipping in this region.
Despite the fact that the first settlement on the territory of modern Sozopol appeared at the end of the fifth millennium BC, the founding of the city is considered to be 610 BC. It was then that a colony called Anthea was founded here by immigrants from the great Greek city of Miletus. The picturesque peninsula with convenient bays for sea vessels attracted Milesian colonists who set off in search of the promised land and were inspired by the prophecies of the oracle of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The Greeks were probably aware of the mineral-rich depths of the Thracian land.
Soon after the formation of the colony, the city was renamed Apollonia, in honor of the god of light, crafts and settlers - Apollo. Some Greek cities by that time already bore the name Apollonia, so the Black Sea Apollonia had the postscript Pontic. The colony began to actively develop as a trade center and port on the Black Sea. This is where they started minting their money. The emblem of the city, the anchor, is reflected in the coins made. Apparently, there were no armed conflicts between the Thracians and the colonists. They immediately came to mutually beneficial cooperation. This is confirmed by the alliance concluded in the 5th century between the Odrysian kingdom and Apollonia. This allowed the latter to act as a trade intermediary between Thrace and other cities on the Black Sea coast, Hellas and Egypt.
At the beginning of the 5th century BC, another Black Sea city was founded - Messembria (present-day Nessebar), located almost 70 km north of Apollonia. It provided significant competition to its southern neighbor, both in trade and in mining. And in the 2nd century BC, a long war began between the cities. The beginning of a protracted conflict was the claims of both colonies to salt mines located near the city of Anchialos (now Pomorie). Interesting fact: the official signing of a peace treaty between the modern heirs of Apollonia - Sozopol and Messembria - Nessebar was signed 22 centuries later (!) in the 90s of the last century. This has become a tradition and is now considered a holiday.
During the military campaigns of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander, in the 4th century BC, Apollonia of Pontus retained its independence. By that time the city had become a center of highly developed art. A large temple was built here and a 13-meter statue of Apollo, the author of which was the Greek sculptor Kalamis, was erected.
Apollonia Pontica flourished until 72 AD. Then the Roman army, led by General Marcus Lucullus, turned the city into ruins. The Temple of Apollo was destroyed and the statue was taken to Rome.
With the collapse of the Roman Empire, Apollonia came under the influence of Byzantium. In the 4th century, the city was completely restored and at the same time changed its name to Sozopolis (translated from Greek as “city of salvation”), which later began to sound like Sozopol or Sozopol. There are two versions of renaming the city. According to one, the city was a refuge for shipwrecked people, hence the name. According to the second version, when the Bulgarians adopted the Christian faith, they decided to abandon names that contained the names of pagan gods. Simultaneously with the revival, the first Orthodox churches were erected here. During the reign of Emperor Anastasius I, Sozopol was surrounded by fortress walls, which served him for centuries. The fortress was strategically important for Constantinople, as it was located in the rear of the empire and next to the Via Pontica road.
The Bulgarian king Krum, nicknamed the Terrible, conquered Sozopol in 812. The city became part of the Bulgarian Kingdom, formed in 681 after an alliance between the Slavs and the Bulgars (ancient Bulgarians) who fought against the Byzantine Empire. However, Sozopol later came under the influence of Byzantium more than once. At the beginning of the 14th century, the Bulgarian ruler Theodore Svyatoslav (in Bulgarian Todor Svetoslav) finally returned the independence of Sozopol from Byzantium. The appearance of monasteries here dates back to this time. On the island of the same name, the monastery of St. John the Baptist (St. Ioan Krastitel) was built. The date of its construction, according to some sources, dates back to the 10th century. The Monastery of Saints Cyril and Julitta (St. Kirik and Julita) was also built on the island of the same name (now it is connected to the peninsula by a concrete pier). The date of its appearance is unknown. In the northeastern part of the peninsula, approximately in the 12th century, there was another monastery in honor of the Holy Apostles (St. Apostoli). Sozopol became one of the most important Christian centers on the western coast of the Black Sea.
In the 14th century, the Black Sea city, as a sign of disobedience, slammed the gates in front of the crusaders, for which it was plundered and destroyed by them.
The troubles didn't end there. In the 15th century, the peninsula fell under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire and Sozopol turned into a poor, neglected village, where the only means of subsistence was fishing. By 1626, all Orthodox churches and monasteries were burned or destroyed by the Turks. Despite all this, the oppressed people continued their unequal struggle for independence.
During the Russian-Turkish War, according to a plan personally approved by the All-Russian Emperor Nicholas I, the Sozopol fortress was taken on February 16, 1829. The two-day military operation under the leadership of Rear Admiral Mikhail Nikolaevich Cumani involved 3 battleships, 2 frigates, several gunboats and half a thousand paratroopers. About a month later, the Turks made an unsuccessful attempt to retake the fortress. And after another month, the base of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Empire settled in Sozopol.
The old city acquired its current appearance during the era of the so-called Bulgarian Renaissance in the 18th-19th centuries. These are narrow streets paved with hewn stone, and small houses with bay windows, a stone first floor and a wood-lined second floor. There is still no consensus about bay windows. Some believe that the reason for the appearance of this feature is the small area of the peninsula, and that due to the protruding second floor, the living space is slightly increased. Others say that having a bay window is a matter of pure aesthetics. It is known for sure that the second floor covered with wood is protection against moisture penetration into the walls.
Sozopol is a unique city with proud, independent and wayward residents. The struggle for freedom came at a great price. The city was destroyed many times, but never voluntarily surrendered to the invaders. While other Black Sea neighboring cities, Anchialos and Nessebar, paid off foreign invaders. However, this helped them save many architectural monuments for subsequent generations.
In 1942, when the most terrible and bloody war was going on, the people of Bulgaria created a partisan movement to fight fascism. The Sozopol residents helped the Soviet submarine saboteurs operating in the area of the Burgas Bay and Sozopol as best they could. And in September 1944, Bulgaria was liberated from further invaders by Soviet troops. The feat of one Soviet hero is immortalized on a tablet near one chesma in Sozopol. The words carved on black marble read: “On September 12, 1944, senior sergeant of the Red Army Ivan Ivanovich Rublev died in Sozopol, saving the lives of many citizens and children. Bow to his blessed memory. From grateful citizens of Sozopol." The feat of the Soviet soldier was as follows: on the day of the liberation of Bulgaria from the Nazis, Rublev noticed a grenade planted by saboteurs and, shouting “get down,” covered it with his body. At the cost of his own life, he saved many people nearby. Another interesting story was found in literary sources. One day, the reputable German film company UFA turned to the Bulgarian government with a sensational proposal: to set fire to Sozopol in order to film a grandiose fire of the city in one of its films. And then, on the ashes, create a resort of glass and concrete with hotels, restaurants, nightclubs. Apparently, the brazen offer was rejected. It is unknown how true this story is. Perhaps this is a tale for socialist citizens, pointing to a decaying capitalist world.
The first archaeological surveys in the area of the city of Sozopol began in 1904. They were carried out on the initiative of the French consul and French archaeologists. Then the first ancient artifacts were found - evidence of the thousand-year history of the ancient city. But the most significant excavations were carried out from 1946 to 1949 under the leadership of Professor Ivan Venedikov.
I began my acquaintance with the old Bulgarian city from the southern part of the peninsula. It was early in the morning, there were not many people, the first souvenir shops and stores were just opening. The first thing that caught my eye was the bell tower of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The temple was built in 1889 by a Bulgarian architect, a native of the city of Tryavna - master Gencho, for the needs of refugees from eastern Thrace. During construction, the church was located outside the city and services were held there exclusively on major holidays. After 1944, the basilica was converted into a warehouse, and then became a museum of underwater archeology (similar to the difficult fate of most of our churches under Soviet rule). And only in 1989 the state returned the building to the believers. The church houses a unique carved oak iconostasis, the work of masters of the 17th-18th centuries, transferred from the destroyed Church of St. John the Evangelist. In 2011, after lengthy renovations, the temple was reopened to parishioners.
A little further, at the entrance to the old part of Sozopol, between the southern gate and the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the medieval monastery of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was once located. It was discovered quite by accident during archaeological excavations near the southern fortress wall, which began in 2011. A large number of interesting finds were discovered here. Many of them suggest that the monastery enjoyed the patronage of the Byzantine emperors, for example, the imperial seal of Basil II and bronze coins. In 2012, a small pot with a lid containing bones and an oily liquid was found in a niche in the central apse.
The place in which the pot was found and the person in whose honor the basilica was named make it highly likely that its contents are nothing more than the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker himself. Later, a necropolis was discovered around the church. Christian burial structures date back to the 5th century AD. Along with this, a kiln for firing fine ceramics, samples of ceramic products, and several metallurgical kilns of the 7th-6th centuries BC were found. These finds confirm the high level of cultural and economic development at the time of the founding of the Greek colony here. Now archaeological and restoration work continues here. A pedestrian road stretches along the southern part of the peninsula. On the left it is separated from the city by a stone wall, on the right from the sea - by a rocky coast. The medieval fortress wall is the visiting card of the city. This is a symbol of pride and independence of the residents of Sozopol. Archaeologists began researching the defensive structures around the peninsula in 2010. As a result, parts of the eastern and southern fortress walls with gates were restored, and a small section of the fortification with an entrance remained on the northern side of the peninsula.
A few minutes later, the pedestrian road took me to the extreme northwestern part of the peninsula - Cape Skamini.

Here I saw the remains of the main temple of another medieval monastery. The location of the monastery in honor of the Holy Apostles (St. Apostoli) was known from surviving documents. At the beginning of 2011, excavations began at the indicated location, during which they discovered the base of the basilica, part of the walls (preserved in some places up to 1 meter high) and even a partially preserved original floor made of colored marble slabs. The discovery made it possible to appreciate the impressive dimensions of the temple: length 23 and width 11.5 meters. According to the plan, it is very similar to the Church of Christ Pantocrator-Pantocrator, located in. Scientists suggest that the monastery of the same name was formed here at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries. By the end of 2011, archaeologists discovered the remains of fortifications around the main church (presumably the "Fortress of the Lord" or "Castrum Domini") and a 13th-century necropolis. It was probably here that the Apostle Andrew the First-Called came ashore to preach the Christian faith. And some historians do not rule out the possibility of discovering the relics of one of the 12 apostles during further excavations. Archaeologists made another interesting discovery - bottles of French perfume with the inscription “Le Bon, Paris - 1882” were walled up in one of the walls. It remains a mystery how this perfume got here. Traces of a pagan cult from distant ancient Apollonia were discovered on the rocks next to the monastery. According to some sources, in the 6th-3rd centuries BC, Cape Skamini was a sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone. The excavations began with great enthusiasm. The government allocated funds and collected donations, but this was clearly not enough. The work has been frozen, the place is not guarded and there is almost no fence.
After taking a few photographs from Cape Skamini, I walked along the street closest to the shore in the direction of the remains of the southern fortress wall. Along the way, I came across many cozy restaurants that attract visitors with gorgeous panoramic views of the sea.

The remains of the northern fortress, essentially a small dilapidated wall with a passage, there was nothing special to see there, I was there for show.
Near the ruins there is a small church of St. John of Rylski (St. John of Rilski) - this is a modern building.
Old Sozopol reminded me a lot of Nessebar. The same narrow, stone-paved streets and closely packed residential buildings with bay windows, covered with orange tiles.

Winding streets led me to the remains of a basilica located in the very center of the old city. The temple was built on the site of residential premises of the 5th-2nd centuries BC. Date of construction, according to some data, IV-V centuries AD. At the end of the 9th century the temple was destroyed by fire. During the revival process, the vaults were decorated with frescoes. From XI to VIV, the temple underwent major reconstruction, as a result of which it acquired the shape of a cross. The basilica existed until the 17th century, when it was destroyed by the Turks. About 250 tombs from the 10th to 14th centuries were discovered in the courtyard and some parts of the church. Parts of the temple were richly decorated with marble, decorative brickwork, and the interior with mosaics in black, white and red. The discovered pool indicates that baptismal ceremonies were held here. Research has not yet been completed, but historians claim that the basilica was the episcopal and central temple of the city.
Next to the remains of the medieval basilica rises the bell tower of the Church of St. George the Victorious (Sveti Georgi Church). According to some sources, the temple was built in 1828, and some sources claim that in 1860. Since then, it has been rebuilt many times. Parts of the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called, John the Baptist, found on the island of St. John, and part of the Holy Cross are kept here.
By this time, there were more people on the streets, most of the souvenir shops were opened, where I decided to buy a map of the city. But this did not advance me in the search for original architectural buildings in old Sozopol. Both the information on the global network and the map turned out to be very scarce. It lacked most of the architectural sights that really deserve attention. I decided not to go to the island of Saints Cyril and Julitta, on which the monastery of the same name was once located; there was nothing to see there.
Walking around the city, I came across architectural monuments that were residential buildings of the 19th century. According to reliable information from literary sources, the interior of such houses is richly decorated with skillfully carved wooden details.
One of these buildings was the house of Ana Trendafilova, a cultural monument of national importance. Sozopol was famous for its woodcarvers, especially during the Bulgarian Renaissance. Wood carving was not limited to finishing the interior decoration of houses. Sea animals made of wood, patron gods of the seas and other wooden sculptures decorated the stems of sea ships.

There are several chapels and churches scattered around the city, which are modern buildings: the chapel of Saints Constantine and Helen, the chapel of Holy Week, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the temple in honor of St. Zosimus of Sozopol. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary deserves special attention. I was not lucky enough to take a photo of it; at that time I simply did not know about its existence. It is possible that I simply did not pay attention to her. The temple is interesting because all of its church premises are located below the sidewalk level. This building dates back to the 15th century and was erected on the site of an old medieval Christian church. Then, during the Ottoman rule, it was forbidden to build temples higher than a Turkish rider on a horse. But, apparently, the disguise was very successful - the building from the outside does not at all resemble a church. Its highlight is the unique wooden carved iconostasis with small icons. This is the result of the work of local craftsmen. Most of its original parts have been lost over time.
Unfortunately, at present there is no generalized and reliable historical information about the oldest Bulgarian city. There are not as many architectural masterpieces preserved here as in the same place. Nevertheless, Sozopol certainly deserves attention. I would like to believe that archaeological excavations will continue and ancient monuments will be restored to delight sophisticated tourists.

In ancient times, when there were not as many inhabitants on the planet as there are now, one of the developed civilizations chose a peninsula on the Black Sea coast to found a future city and named it Apolonia Pontica. The first settlers were the Greeks in 610, and the city was named after the god of health and beauty, Apollo. In honor of their patron, residents erected a 13-meter bronze statue. It is currently in the collection of the Roman Capitol, where it was transported by Marcus Lucullus, who captured and destroyed Apollonia at the end of the 1st century. In 72 BC. By the way, his campaign was destructive for the city, which regained its former glory and splendor only under the Byzantine emperors, when it received its current name Sozopolis - the City of Salvation. Throughout history, Sozopol was a major commercial and cultural center with a large port on the Black Sea coast.

Opinions about the history of Sozopol

They write that: Apolonia called the city of Sozopol in 610 BC. its founders were Milesian Greeks and erected a majestic statue of Apollo, the god of health, sun and beauty, over the city. The era of the Bulgarian Renaissance added its bright touches to the appearance of this extraordinary town, located 30 km south of Burgas - the Church of St. The Virgin Mary with a beautiful carved wooden iconostasis (XVIII century), picturesque architectural ensembles of massive wooden houses, surrounded by greenery of vines and figs. On the island of St. Ivan, which is located in close proximity to the shores of Sozopol, the expedition of Professor Kazimir Popkonstantinov found the relics of John the Baptist. Currently, the relics are in the Church of St. George in the Old Town in Sozopol.

They write that: Sozopol is one of the oldest Greek settlements on the shores of the Black Sea. There was once an ancient Greek colony here known as Apollonia Pontica, named after Apollo, the patron saint of sailors.

They write that: today's city is a scattering of houses buried in gardens from the end of the last century.

They write that: Sozopol is one of the oldest settlements on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, which has carefully preserved its glorious, more than 26-century history, the unique spirit of which and to this day can be felt in the unique atmosphere of the streets of the old town. Sozopol is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria. It was founded in 610 BC by the Iletian Greeks as a colony and was called "Apolonia Pontica" - in honor of Apollo, the patron saint of sailors. This name now belongs to the Apollonia arts festival, which takes place annually in Sozopol. Since 1925, the city of Sozopol began to be actively built in the direction of Cape Harmanite, and today the new part of the city, separated from the old, reserved part by a green park, is often called “Harmani”, in memory of the large number of mills - harmans that were located here in ancient times, from of which only one has survived to this day. With this division into old and new towns, Sozopol is surprisingly similar to its ancient historical competitor, Nessebar. New Sozopol is also located on the mainland and delights vacationers with modern residential buildings, expensive restaurants and top-notch entertainment infrastructure, which turns this amazing city into a very attractive place for tourists from all over the world.

They write that: the small town of Sozopol has a long history. In the 7th century BC. The Greeks, originally from Miletus in Asia Minor, built walls around the old Thracian settlement and gave it the name "Apolonia". During underwater research carried out in the waters of the Sozopol pier, the remains of dwellings, ceramic vessels, stone and bone tools from the Bronze Age were discovered. Many stone anchors and stocks were found in the Sozopol Bay. It is the anchor that is the emblem of Sozopol and a constant sign on the coins that were minted here in Apollonia. The city was a thriving trading center. Around this time, a 13-meter bronze statue of the god of health, sun and beauty, Apollo, was erected here, which is a true masterpiece of Greek ancient art (sculptor Kalamis). The statue can be seen today in Rome in the Capitol, where it was transported by Marcus Lucullus, who captured and destroyed Apollonia at the end of the 1st century. In 72 BC. The punitive campaign of the Roman legions led by Marcus Luculus against Apollonia, who was an ally of Mithridates IV against Rome, completely destroyed the fortress wall of the city, the temple of Apollo and many other structures. Only at the beginning of the 4th century, with great political and ethnic changes in the Roman Empire and the increasing influence of Constantinople in the eastern part, Apollonia regains its former importance and glory. The new name of the city is connected with this - Sozopolis - City of Salvation. In addition to its role as an important trading colony, Apolonia was an active artistic and cultural center, a tradition that continues with the annual "Apolonia Arts Festival" in early September.

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Reviews about the Sozopol resort

Good day everyone. I have vacationed in this town 5 times since 2005. It was very good, but on the last visit in 2015, there was a break of 3 years. Disappointed is an understatement!!! It has become dirty, the sea is a solid soup of algae and downright dirty. Prices have practically caught up with Montenegro and are slightly lower than in Croatia. But the most important thing is THIS DIRTY SEA! The problem with wastewater treatment plants, which arose with the growth of the city back in 2010, has not been solved, and is only getting worse every year. Hence the dirty sea and an abundance of algae. The sea is more or less clear only until July 10, but at this time the weather is very unstable - storms, rains. So I won’t go with children myself and I don’t recommend it to anyone. It’s a pity, but it was a very good resort specifically for families with children.
Peter, 44 years old

My husband and I were on holiday just a week ago in Sozopol (today is 06/26/2013). We really liked it there. It’s a small town, but at the same time it wasn’t boring there. There is enough entertainment. I really liked the old town. In principle, we drove through almost the entire coast and for some reason Sozopol was remembered. We rested at the villa "Radiana" 3*. I really liked the villa. Room with sea view. Located on the border of the old and new towns, which is very convenient. The owners of the villa are very nice, kind and cheerful people. The maid that works for them exceeded all our expectations. Cleaning (thorough) every day. She always made our bed, cleaned us thoroughly and even once put our slippers on the balcony to dry when they got wet in the rain)))) So I advise everyone who wants to go on a good and budget vacation . If you are interested in any details, you can write to me by email. [email protected]
Anna, 26 years old, Minsk

We vacationed in Bulgaria on the Black Sea coast with a child for 2 weeks. I liked Sozopol, it’s a very colorful town, very different from the “party” traditional Bulgarian resorts of Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and Albena. The historical center is very nice, similar to Nessebar (we went there on our own), but I liked Sozopol more - somehow more cozy, or something. We also went to the water park in Sunny Beach on our own with a child - we liked it, and to Varna - by bus it was quite tiring, especially for 1 day there and back.
Olga. 33 years old, Moscow

When looking for a place to travel, many people stop at colorful and warm Bulgaria. One of the most popular cities, according to tourists, is Sozopol. Let's take a closer look at the history of this city, what you can visit in it and where is the best place to stay.

Sozopol - a city in southeastern Bulgaria

Sozopol is a beautiful resort town, which is located in the south-eastern part of Bulgaria and annually joyfully welcomes crowds of tourists into its arms.

Geographical position

This city is located not far (only 40 km) from Burgas - another major tourist center in Bulgaria. The distance between Sozopol and Sofia (the capital of the state) is 410 km, but this does not in any way affect the number of people who want to visit this pretty town.

Sozopol Map

A little history

The foundation of this city dates back to the 6th century BC. e. The story tells that then the Greek colonists decided to create a small cozy corner on a small rocky peninsula, which is washed by the Black Sea.

Sozopol in ancient times was called Apollonia. They named it in honor of Apollo, the patron saint of sailors. There was even a 13-meter bronze statue in honor of this god in the city.

After the destruction of Apollonia at the end of the 1st century BC. e. Marcus Lucullus (Roman general) moved the statue of Apollo to the Roman Capitol, where it is kept to this day. Apollonia was resurrected only 5 centuries later and began to be called Sozopolis, which translated means “city of salvation.”

After many years, in the 19th century, the Sizeboli fortress belonged to the Turks, but during the Russian-Turkish war it was successfully taken by the Russians. Later, when the city was already called by its current name, an operational base of the Black Sea Fleet was established in it.

How to get there

From Moscow you can get to Sozopol by direct flight to Burgas, and from there by bus or minibus to your destination. The entire journey will take about 4 hours and cost $300–400 roundtrip. You can also get from Moscow to Sozopol by train or bus. As for the train, you can only take it in the summer, and it will take about 50 hours. A bus tour involves at least 4 transfers along the way, which is also not very convenient.

But it is convenient to get from Kyiv to Sozopol by bus, direct and comfortable. The journey will take about a day, but tickets are inexpensive - about 500 hryvnia. You can also take a flight Kyiv - Burgas, and then from Burgas take a bus to your destination. The price of such a trip will be from 160 to 200 dollars per person one way.

You can get from Warsaw to Sozopol in this way: first fly by plane on the flight Warsaw - Varna, then from Varna take a bus to Burgas, and in Burgas change to a bus to Sozopol. Such a trip will take about 8 hours and can cost from 200 to 500 dollars, depending on the carrier's tariffs.

Of course, you can get to Sozopol from any European city by car, but for this you need to have a Schengen visa, since along the way you will meet the borders of several countries.

Climate and weather

Sozopol has excellent conditions for tourism - it is dry and sunny almost all year round. Most often it rains in April, May and December, but the number of rainy days does not exceed 5–7 for the whole year. In winter, the temperature drops to a maximum of -2 °C, and in summer it rises to a maximum of +28 °C. Such indicators indicate that the average European resident will be comfortable staying there at any time of the year.
It is best to go to this resort from mid-June to the end of September. During this period, the sea water temperature reaches its maximum. In summer, the temperature in the city is always comfortable and there are practically no rainy days, which will appeal to any tourist.

Most houses built for rent to tourists do not have heating. Be sure to check this point with the owner of the house if you are going to Sozopol in winter.

In autumn, it’s worth going to Sozopol in September if you still want to plunge into the warm waters of the Black Sea. If you just want to walk and enjoy excursions in cool weather, you can visit the city in October and November.

In spring, the sea water is cold and not suitable for swimming. But you can, just like in the fall, deeply immerse yourself in a sightseeing tour of the ancient city.
In winter it is snowy and cool in Sozopol. Heating in Bulgaria is expensive, so few people turn it on to truly comfortable temperatures.

Which beaches are best to visit?

You can rent sun loungers at most beaches ($3-$5). If you don't intend to do this, but want to go to one of these beaches, you need to be prepared for the fact that there may not be any space for accommodation on the sand. In this case, you will still have to rent a place in the sun. However, there are also beaches where you don’t have to pay for the rental of sun loungers, since they have enough space to just sit on the sand - these are “Dune” and “Gradina”.

On each beach you can find bars that can offer drinks and food, serving it all on a tray right to your sun lounger. At some beaches, large gazebos can be rented for $10-$20 for larger families.

Sun loungers on beaches in Bulgaria are always rented complete with umbrellas, so you don’t need to pay extra for an umbrella separately.

The best beaches to visit are:

"Central". As the name suggests, this is the main city beach, located in the Old Town area. There is always a large influx of people here and the place must be occupied as early as 8 am. Tourists come here because it is close to the center and there are many cafes and restaurants nearby. The beach is clean, entry into the sea is suitable for both adults and children.
"Harmanite Beach". This beach has its own highlight - a beautiful panoramic view of the city. There are fewer people there than on the central one, the entry into the sea is gradual, which is safe for children, the beach is clean and comfortable.
. There is a lot of free space here both for people with sun loungers and for those who like to lie directly on the sand, which is very clean here. The beach is large and suitable for children.
"Smokinya". This place is located outside the city, which is why there are few tourists here. “Smokino” is cozy and calm, clean and comfortable. This is the best place for a relaxing holiday without the fuss and noise of many vacationers. The sand is clean, entry into the sea is convenient.
"Kavatsi". It is called the cleanest beach in Sozopol. There are few cafes and restaurants here, so be prepared for inflated prices. The sea is clean, the beach has a gradual sunset.
"Dune". The beach is quite far from the city, so you can find a place here even during the season with a large influx of people. It is quiet and calm here, there is a lot of greenery around. The sand is light and clean, the water is azure, the entry into the sea is the smoothest, which makes the beach first on the list for families with children.
. Beach with little traffic. It's clean, quiet and peaceful here. Suitable for families with children.

Submarine researchers found in the bay near Sozopol many bronze tools and stone anchors, which are now the emblem of the city.

Attractions

In Sozopol you can relax not only passively, lying on the beach and eating ice cream in a cafe, but also actively - visiting the sights.

Top 11 places to visit in Sozopol:

. This architectural monument is one of the few attractions that have been perfectly preserved to this day. It is free to visit and is located in the Old Town.
Southern fortress wall named after St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. These walls were built from the 5th to the 14th centuries AD. e. and they have survived to this day. Located in the Old City.
Everyone who comes to Sozopol must visit this castle. On the outside of the castle there is a park and a pond with swans. Inside you can explore the ancient towers and get into the Knights' Museum. It is located in the village of Ravadinovo, 8 km from Sozopol. You can get there by regular buses. The castle is open to tourists every day from 9:00 to 22:00, and a visit will cost 6 dollars.
. One of the city's popular attractions. They go there to look at the local beautiful views, as well as the huge jellyfish that live there. Visiting this place is free and does not take much time.
Amphitheater. This place is located next to the main square of the city. The amphitheater here has not been preserved in its original form; it has been restored so that it looks like a simple platform in the middle of the park. It is often used for concerts. Visiting is free at any time.
. This temple attracts with its unusualness - its height does not even reach 2 m. It was built more than 500 years ago, it is on the list of UNESCO heritage sites. You can find an amazing temple on Anaximander Street, 13.
. This is a younger building - built in 1857, but still worthy of visiting by tourists. Open from 13:00 to 20:00 daily, located on Apollonia Street.
. It destroys all ideas about museums - modern, stylish, beautiful. The exhibits here are very interesting - they reflect the life of Sozopol residents in ancient times. The museum is open daily from 8:30 to 17:30 and is located on Khan Krum Street, 2. An entrance ticket will cost only 3 dollars.
. Archeology and architecture are harmoniously combined here. In the museum you can see ancient vases, household items, iron coins from the Middle Ages and antiquity. Open from 9:00 to 17:00, admission costs 2 dollars for a child and 4 for an adult. Located next to the southern fortress wall.
. The works of Sozopol and national Bulgarian artists are exhibited here. The gallery combines simplicity and classics. Open from 9:00 to 18:00 daily. Entrance to the gallery is free. Located on Apollonia Street, 52.
. Located in the suburbs of Sozopol. The reserve has a river of the same name, which is 48 km long. Due to the abundance of rare plants and birds, ordinary tourists cannot simply walk around the reserve. Here you can take a boat excursion, during which you can see all the delights of the local flora and fauna. Near the reserve there are cafes and special areas for tourist picnics. Such a walk will cost from 3 dollars.

Two kilometers from the Old Town there is the island of St. Ivan, under the water near which there is a stone forest - a unique creation of nature.

Where to stay

There are three areas in Sozopol in which it will be convenient for tourists to stay: the Old Town, the center and Via Pontica.
The Old Town is quite far from the city beaches, but at the same time, there is where to walk, you can find many restaurants, souvenir shops and cafes. There are several hotels for overnight stays in the area.
Most tourists choose the center to stay. Everything is close here - city beaches, shops, and restaurants. Holidays in the center are chosen by both families and couples. The most popular streets for renting housing are Ropotamo, Vasil Levski, Odessa.
Via Pontica is a whole area consisting of villas and various complexes. Since there is no direct access to the beaches, almost all villas have swimming pools.

Private apartments and apartments

It will be convenient for a large family to rent spacious apartments or apartments from private owners. Apartments on the first line from the sea will cost from 20 to 60 euros per day. These apartments always have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and sometimes a jacuzzi or sauna. Luxury apartments and apartments will cost more - from 40 to 80 euros per day.

Every year at the end of summer an arts festival is held in Sozopol, where you can watch performances by poets, artists, dancers and singers. The festival also hosts screenings of Bulgarian films.

Hostels

There are several good hostels in Sozopol:

Hotels

The best hotels in Sozopol:

. Located within walking distance from Harmanite beach. There is an outdoor pool and spacious rooms with stunning sea views. There is a terrace next to the pool, and there is free internet throughout the entire hotel. Children can have fun here on a special playground and in a children's pool. Each room has air conditioning, a TV and a stylish bathroom. There is a restaurant on site that serves Bulgarian specialties, as well as dishes from other countries. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast daily. There is a parking lot. One night in such a hotel will cost 35 euros.
. The hotel opened in 2008 and is located 20 meters from Harmanite Beach. The rooms here are well furnished and each has a TV with satellite channels. There is a restaurant on site, tourists are offered non-smoking rooms, the rooms are clean and comfortable. One night will cost a tourist 40 euros.
. The hotel opened in 2009 and welcomes residents close to Bamboo Beach. The center of ancient Sozopol is 800 m from the hotel. Registration takes place around the clock, the hotel complex has two outdoor swimming pools, free Internet and parking. The rooms are spacious, with all amenities. Some rooms offer a kitchenette and an additional sofa. On the territory, near the pool, there is a restaurant where you can taste national and international cuisine. Guests can enjoy a sauna, hot tub, massages and darts. There is a playground for children. You can use a safe, but you have to pay extra for it. It’s convenient that you can rent a car right at the hotel. The hotel has its own private beach area and you can use the shuttle service to and from the airport. The price of a night in this beautiful place will be 35–40 euros.
. The hotel is located just a few steps from the beach on the Black Sea. There is a spa with an indoor pool overlooking the terrace. A sauna and fitness center are available. Each hotel room has a balcony, minibar and air conditioning. The hotel's main restaurant serves international cuisine, and there is a daily buffet on the terrace. Guests can also choose from an à la carte menu for dinner. Guests can also rent a bicycle here for evening walks and go windsurfing on the beach. The city center is a 5-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel offers a shuttle service, non-smoking rooms, free internet and a bar. A night in a double room with breakfast included will cost from 23 euros.
. This inn is located 5 minutes' walk from the family beach. It is located outside of Sozopol, 5 km from the Dune beach, but is still worth the attention of tourists who need a break from the influx of people during their vacation. There is a place for everyone here - there is a children's pool on the territory, a large outdoor pool for adults, and entertainment programs are held every morning and evening. There are free sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach. The hotel has two restaurants, a lobby bar, a grill bar and a pool bar. Guests who are careful about the quality of their food can order dishes and drinks made from environmentally friendly products from local farms. The all-inclusive rate here includes breakfast, brunch, lunch, barbecue and buffet dinner. Each room has air conditioning, TV, minibar, balcony. You can practice various sports for free and rent bicycles. By paying a small additional amount, tourists can visit the sauna, bathhouse and massage room. The all-inclusive price for a double room with a balcony and a park view is 60 euros.
. This hotel is located near Bamboo Beach. It offers air-conditioned rooms with free internet. Each has a TV, and some have a terrace or balcony. All rooms have a private bathroom. You can rent a car or bicycle right on site. Not far from the hotel you can engage in various outdoor activities - fishing, canoeing, hiking. They are always happy to provide guests with a free parking space and feed them a delicious breakfast. A double room for two people with separate beds will cost about $20 without breakfast.

Public transport and car rental

Basically, people in Sozopol move around the city on foot. The city is very small, all attractions can be easily reached on foot, but if you are very tired, you can take a taxi.

There are no city buses in Sozopol that can take you to different areas of the city.

You should not take a taxi to look around the city - give preference to a leisurely walk. A taxi will be useful to you to go to remote beaches, visit Burgas, and get to the airport. Taxi ranks can be found in the Old Town, near the Archaeological Museum, as well as in the center, next to Khan Krum Square.

A taxi ride to the airport will cost about $30. A tourist train runs through the city center, and a ride on it costs only $1. But even he does not have a stable schedule - he starts late and finishes his routes early, and does not run during the hottest time (13:00–14:00). Its route runs from the center to Kavatsi beach and back.

Due to the small number of residents in Sozopol, there are no specialized car rental companies. But guests of many hotels have the opportunity to rent cars, and you can also rent a car immediately in Burgas, after landing at the airport. The cheapest cars in Burgas cost from 15 euros per day.

Bulgarian cuisine

In Sozopol there is a restaurant or cafe to suit every budget. There are budget places for budget tourists, mid-level restaurants, as well as expensive restaurants for gourmet cuisine lovers.

A budget tourist can visit the following places:

This is a bistro serving Bulgarian cuisine. The establishment offers a choice of meat and vegetarian dishes. The price of all dishes is low, but the taste exceeds all expectations. The bistro is open from 9:00 to 20:00. On average, lunch costs $3. Location: st. Cyril and Methodius, 33.
"Ribari". Bistro with affordable and tasty food, cozy interior. Here you need to try the meat - it’s incredible at Ribari. Opening hours: 9:00–20:00. The average fee for lunch will be $6. Address: st. Ribarska, 53.
"Star Paradise". This is a restaurant-dining room where you can eat and drink very cheaply. Open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. An average lunch will cost $6. Located on Rila Street, 9.

"The worker on the executioner's merrymaking"

In Sozopol, Neptune's Day is celebrated annually with performances for children featuring mermaids, Neptune and dolphins.

A tourist with an average income can visit the following places:

. It combines Bulgarian traditions and a wide selection of meat dishes. Open from 10:00 to 23:30. The average check for lunch will be $7. Location: st. Sea cliffs, 27.
"Tangra". One of the best restaurants in the Old City. Here you can relax under a canopy of grape bushes, and in season you can eat them straight from the branches. It is possible to choose a table with a sea view. The establishment is open from 10:00 to 22:00 daily. The average fee for lunch will be $8-$9. Address: st. Sea cliffs, 25a.
"Neptune". Restaurant with a beautiful view of the rocky coast and sea surface. Fish and meat are served here. Opening hours: 11:00–24:00. Lunch will cost $7. The restaurant is located at st. Sea cliffs, 45.

Tourists with high demands and an unlimited budget should visit the following expensive places:

"Riviera". The restaurant is truly European level. There are many dishes of different categories here. You can watch the sunset in a romantic setting, sitting on the terrace overlooking the sea. The establishment is open from 9:00 to 23:00. The average check for lunch is $10. Location: st. Miletus, 48, public beach.
"Tivoli". The restaurant is decorated in Greek style. Here you can taste dishes of Bulgarian and Mediterranean cuisine. Those who come to Sozopol for seafood should go to Tivoli. Open from 11:00 to 22:00 daily. The average fee for lunch will be $10. Address: st. Sea cliffs, 29.
. Family-type restaurant that serves Bulgarian and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is designed in the shape of a ship's mast and offers beautiful views of the rocks and sea. Open from 11:00 to 22:00. An average lunch here is $10 for Mediterranean dishes and $7 for chicken dishes. Address: Kraybreina street, 1.

To call emergency services in Sozopol, use these numbers: police - 166, road assistance - 146, traffic police - 165, fire department - 160, ambulance - 150.

There are no large shopping and entertainment centers in Sozopol, but you can find many small shops selling souvenirs, clothing, textiles and other household goods, as well as household goods.
Various seafood products are sold here as souvenirs - shells, fossilized corals and much more. Such souvenirs are suitable for tourists with any budget.
Girls will find various costume jewelry, stone beads, small boxes and ceramic items in the souvenir shops. For bracelets and beads the price will be low - from 50 cents, but for other souvenirs, decorative items and ceramics you will need to pay from 5 dollars.
Paintings by local artists are also popular among tourists. They can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 per piece.

Often visitors to the city buy cosmetics made from rose and lavender - the main symbols of Bulgaria. Local alcohol is also popular: wine, liqueurs, rakia.
It is best to buy wine and floral cosmetics at the wholesale market, which is located on the border of the New and Old Towns, opposite it is the city hall with a clock.
The most popular places for selling souvenirs are the Old Town and the Amphitheater. Most of the shops are located on Apollonia Street. To buy cheaper souvenirs, you need to go to the end of the street. In New Town, souvenirs can be purchased on Ropotamo Street.

Sozopol is an ideal place for a calm and quiet family holiday with children. Here you can find clean beaches, beautiful architecture and a clear Black Sea. The city has everything you need for a comfortable stay - a wide selection of places to stay, many restaurants, different types of entertainment. All this is worth visiting Sozopol and returning to it again!

In the summer of 2010, Bulgarian archaeologists conducting excavations on this island discovered a casket with relics that, according to archaeologists, belong to St. John the Baptist.

After the city passed into the hands of the Ottoman Empire (1453), it became impoverished, shrank and became a small village. The main occupations of local residents were fishing, viticulture and winemaking.

Such a life in the town could lead it to complete decline, and perhaps even disappearance. But after the Ottoman Empire fell, many settlers came to Sozopol and began to restore the city. And so, at the end of the 19th century, the ancient city of Sozopol, like a Phoenix bird, was reborn from the ashes and began to flourish again.

Today, the resort town of Sozopol is interesting to tourists for its architecture preserved from the 18th-19th centuries. The city is given a unique architectural appearance by the church and ancient houses built of wood and stone.

Perhaps the most famous temple in Sozopol is the Church of the Holy Mother of God. Its peculiarity is that a significant part is located below ground level, and its interior is decorated with a throne and a carved iconostasis!

By resolution of the Ministerial Council of Bulgaria, the old town was declared a museum in 1974.

Taking a tour of the city of Sozopol , you will be able to get closer to the sights of the past and modern life of the city.

And 410 km from Sofia with a very impressive pedigree. It was founded in the 6th century. BC e. Greek colonialists on a small rocky peninsula washed by the waters of the Black Sea. The era of the Bulgarian Renaissance added its own touches to the appearance of this town.

In ancient times, Sozopol was called Apollonia. The Milesian Greeks gave this name to the city in honor of the patron god of sailors, the god Apollo - and erected a 13-meter bronze statue in his honor. The statue has survived to this day and is now kept in the Roman Capitol. It was transported there by the legionary Marcus Lucullus, who destroyed Apollonia at the end of the 1st century BC. Five centuries later, Apollonia “resurrected” and began to be called Sozopolis - the city of salvation.

Now this is a favorite place of the Bulgarian bohemia: artists, painters and musicians are attracted by the special atmosphere that reigns in Sozopol. It is created by beautiful churches, old white houses with red tiles, stone alleys and narrow cobbled streets, immersed in the greenery of vines and figs, sandy beaches and a romantic harbor, a huge variety of bars and discos.

Video test for knowledge of Bulgaria | 10 tricky questions for tourists:

Underwater explorers found in the Sozopol Bay many Bronze Age tools, rods and stone anchors, which are now the emblem of Sozopol.

In the vicinity of Sozopol there is the mouth of the Ropotamo River - a natural reserve, which is often called the local Amazon. Its shores look like a real jungle - densely overgrown with ivy and wild grapes, snow-white lilies adorn the water, and where Ropotamo flows into the sea, you can meet dolphins and seals.

Two kilometers from the ancient part of Sozopol there is another miracle of nature - the largest island of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast - the island of St. Ivan. Under the water near it there is a unique natural phenomenon - a stone forest, and on the island itself the monastery of St. Ivan Prodomos was built.

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How to call

8-10-359-5514 phone number

How to get there

Sozopol is easily accessible via the international highway that runs along the Black Sea coast and connects Bulgaria with Romania and Turkey. The journey from Burgas by car or regular bus takes 30-40 minutes. 30 km south of Sozopol there is an airfield serving small private planes.

You can also get to Sozopol by sea - the city has a marina of regional importance, which is used both for passenger and goods transportation, and for entertainment and tourist travel.

Search for air tickets to the city of Burgas (the nearest airport to Sozopol)

Weather in Sozopol

Average monthly temperature, °C day and night, water

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The climate in Sozopol is soft: moderately humid, close to the Mediterranean. There are clearly four seasons here. Summer is usually hot and rainless. Winter is cold - the average temperature in January is −6 °C. The most suitable time for relaxation is: the beginning of May - the end of September, when the average air temperature is +27...+33 °C, and the water temperature is +25...+28 °C.

Beaches

Sozopol has three sandy beaches - "Central Beach" in the old part of the city, "Harmani Beach" - in the new part and "Golden Fish" - 3 km to the north.

Sozopol Hotels

In the Sozopol resort there are many small private 3* and 2* hotels and cottages with 2-3 rooms. There are only 2 five-star hotels: “Saint Thomas” and “Santa Marina”, as well as several four-star hotels - “Blue orange”, “Green life beach resort”, “Laguna beach” and “Martinez”. In the vicinity of the city, on quiet and clean beaches, there are several campsites: “Golden Fish”, “Gradina”, “Kavatsite” and “Smokinya”.

Entertainment and attractions of Sozopol

A beautiful green park with churches divides Sozopol into two parts: the old one on the peninsula, and the new one “Harmanit”. This name comes from the word “harman” - “current”. There used to be many mills here, but only one has survived to this day.

The old part of the resort is the most picturesque and interesting. This is a Bulgarian architectural reserve under the auspices of UNESCO. The churches of the Bulgarian National Revival era, the remains of the fortress wall, ancient houses, national restaurants and panoramic views of the sea create a unique atmosphere in it.

Today only 2 churches remain operating in Sozopol. The Church of St. George, built in 1828 on the site of an early Christian basilica, is considered the largest in the city. Its unique marble altar was inherited by the church from an ancient temple built in this very place in 330 on the ruins of a Thracian sanctuary.

The Church of St. Zosima was built in the middle of the 19th century. on the ruins of a medieval temple. It is believed that Zosimus was a local medieval martyr, and therefore he is still very popular in Sozopol.

Sozopol

In honor of the patroness of the city, the Most Holy Theotokos, the Church of the Holy Mother of God was restored in the city in 1969. Built in the 17th century, it is now a cultural monument under the protection of UNESCO.

Among other attractions of Sozopol, one should highlight the “Old School” of the fishmonger Dimitar Laskaridis, within the walls of which today there is an art gallery, the house-museum of Alexander Mutafov, one of the first Bulgarian marine painters, “House with the Sun” by Anna Trendafilova, “Grandmother’s House” by Kukulisa Hadzhinikolova, where the editorial office of the local newspaper is located, the house of Marietta Stefanova, the Kreanoolui house, the house of Lina Psaryanova (now the Stenata restaurant), the Metropolis House (now a medical center) and many other buildings of the 18th-19th centuries that are under state protection.

Maps of Sozopol

Events

Once a year, Sozopol turns into a magical place with an exciting artistic atmosphere. At the beginning of September, a 10-day arts festival in honor of the god Apollo takes place here. At this time, Bulgarian and foreign artists, painters, singers, musicians, poets, dancers and spectators from all over the country come to the resort town to watch theatrical performances, films, art and photo exhibitions, folk dances, listen to songs and literary readings.