Sozopol – The town of Salvation!

Situated on a rocky peninsula jutting deeply into the Black Sea and surrounded by small islands. The passage of time has obliterated much and only archeological excavations and written sources testify to the existence of Thracian settlers and of ancient Apollonia.

In 610 BC Greek settlers from Miletus founded a rich city state with its own army and fleet. Red and black figural vases, colored glass vessels and beautiful jewellry remind of the prosperity of its former inhabitants. A 13-m tall statue of the town’s patron god, Apollo the Healer, which was removed by the Roman legions in 72 BC, once rose outside a magnificent church.

In the Middle Ages the town had already become known as Sozopol – the Town of Salvation. It was frequently shifted to and from the boundaries of Byzantium and Bulgaria. During Ottoman rule it turned into a small fishermen’s settlement. A visible recovery, typical of the Bulgarian National Revival, started in the 18th century.

More than 150 houses, typical examples of Black Sea architecture, form a beautiful ensemble. Cobbles lanes wind below stone walls and lead right up to the shore. Sozopol’s houses preserve the spirit of their inhabitants. The ground floor is a symbol of security, while the timber-faced upper floor is an expression of the desire for space. The windows have wooden shutters and vines shade the cosy verandas. Strings of fish are left to dry below the eaves. Fishing nets are stretched out in the small yards and even in the streets.

The house of A. Trendafilova is interesting both in an architectural and decorative respect. The St. George, the Blessed Virgin, St. John the Theologian, St. Zosimus and the St. Cyril and Methodius churches form an integral part of the Sozopol landscape.

There are many restaurants where you can taste the variety of dishes offered at the Black Sea Coast. The Shopska salad is a great way to start, followed by peppers in tomato sauce, taramasalata, fried zucchini with garlic sauce and fresh fish. For the main course, we recommend the traditional dishes of stuffed peppers, moussaka, and tarator. Make sure to stop by the Turkish bakery on Apollonia Street afterward, to eat one of their delicious creations.

The Old Town beach is right in the center of town, so it is easily accessible. If you want to explore a bit more, you can always head to the beaches of the nearby camping sites, Kavatzi and Smokinya. The Gradina camping site is also a great option, in the direction of Bourgas, the nearby town.
The main streets in the Old and the New town are home to lots of little shops. You can get a portrait, a caricature, a henna tattoo, handmade jewelry, sea-related souvenirs like shells, dried starfish and jewelry, and many other unique gifts. Do not be afraid to buy a jar of fig jam or fresh fruit from an old woman on the street: they are good.

Sozopol today is a romantic oasis for fisherman and artists. Everything here is bright, attractive and conductive to inspiration and creativity. It is no accident that the town hosts the traditional Apollonia Festival of the Arts.

What to see

Sozopol Amphitheater

The amphitheater in Sozopol is located near the sea. It has a unique panoramic view and is great for walking, taking pictures and relaxing. Access to it is directly from the park alleys. There are playgrounds near it, which are great for families with children. The capacity of the amphitheater is 390 seats.

Arch of the ancient city of Apollonia

The old part of the city is impressive and to this day many remains of the fortress wall of the ancient city of Apollonia are preserved. The fortress was built in the middle of the 5th century during the reign of Emperor Anastasius (491-518). Apollonia grew as an important trade and port center in the Black Sea.

Sozopol Monastery "St. Apostles"

It is located on Cape Skamni, in the northeasternmost part of the peninsula, where Old Sozopol is located. Before the opening of the present monastery, it was known only from documents that there was a city monastery on Cape Skamni. The largest discovery of the archeological expedition led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krastina Panayotova NAIM at BAS is the discovered monastery temple – a large three-nave basilica with a length of 23 m and a width of 11.50 m. Today the church of the medieval monastery “St. Apostoli” is completely uncovered, it is to be restored and preserved, which will give the valuable historical monument a finished look.

Sozopol Art Gallery

The Art Gallery of Sozopol, also called the Art Gallery, was established in 1991. It is housed in the building of the old school “St. St. Cyril and Methodius ”on the street of the same name at the end of the old town, overhanging the rocky beach. The building has been declared a cultural monument. The permanent exhibition of the Art Gallery includes 287 paintings.

Riviera Restaurant

Riviera Restaurant is located on the beach. Extremely suitable for a quiet lunch or a romantic dinner. It offers a wide range of culinary masterpieces and alcoholic and soft drinks. The quality of service is at a high level and would satisfy even the most refined tastes. They offer home-made caviar and green fig jam!

Archaeological Museum

The museum is located in the old part of town. Sozopol is the oldest Black Sea town in Bulgaria, existing since the distant 4 – 3 thousand BC. There is reason to believe that it was founded much earlier – as early as 6 thousand BC. This is due to the rich collection of the Archaeological Museum. If you are curious and interested in history, a visit to the museum will definitely impress you.

Snake Island

The island gets its name from the many gray water snakes that inhabit it and feed on fish in the waters around it. It is one of the places in Bulgaria where wild cacti are found. Cacti are especially beautiful in June, when they actually bloom. Extremely beautiful place for photos and tour.

Central beach Sozopol

The beach of the Central Beach of Sozopol is spacious with fine golden sand. The sea water in the bay is shallow and calm. There are rarely big waves. Visitors to Sozopol have the opportunity to enjoy the many beaches near the city. In Sozpol itself there are two beaches – central and Haramanite, and around Sozopol are some of the most popular shores on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – Zlatna Ribka, Kavatsite, Gradina and others.

Cape Agalina

It is located between the town of Sozpol and the resort village of Duni and is a collection of small bays and rock formations in an area with specific coastal flora and fauna. Of main interest is a rock phenomenon resembling a fjord, declared a natural landmark. The place is liked by tourists because of the easy access, which is close to the road. It falls about 9 km south of the center of Sozopol.

Tours which include Sozopol

Wine, Sun and Sea – South Coast – 7 nights

Did you think that just having a summer holiday at sea is not enough for you? You want beautiful beaches, sunshine and variety? If you wish to combine a wine tasting holiday, we offer you our program Wine, Sun and Sea – 7 nights on the South Coast of Black Sea

SPA and Recreation Holiday – Pomorie and Sozopol

10 days/9 nights on the Black sea Coast. The most valuable asset of Pomorie is its healing lye and mud extracted from Lake Pomorie. The Pomorie Bay is suitable for yachting, and on the breakwater you can regularly see fishermen trying their luck. The Black Sea coast offers the best conditions for growing white wine varieties. Many of the good Bulgarian wines are born here from the varieties Chardonnay, Aligote, Dimyat, Riesling, Traminer, Muscat Otonel, Tamyanka, Juni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc.

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