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Sveti Ivan
The largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea (0.7 sq km), Sveti Ivan lies 3km north of Sozopol's old town. The island's history stretches back to…
Will Sanders
Sozopol
Ancient Sozopol, with its charming old town of meandering cobbled streets and pretty wooden houses, huddled together on a narrow peninsula, is one of the coast’s highlights. With two superb beaches, a genial atmosphere, plentiful accommodation and good transport links, it has long been a popular seaside resort and makes an excellent base for exploring the area. Although not quite as crowded as Nesebâr, it is becoming ever more popular with international visitors. There's a lively cultural scene, too, with plenty of free concerts and other events in summer.
The new town, known as 'Harmanite', lies south of the tiny bus station. The best beach is in this part of town, but otherwise, it's mainly modern hotels and residential areas.
Explore Sozopol
- SSveti Ivan
The largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea (0.7 sq km), Sveti Ivan lies 3km north of Sozopol's old town. The island's history stretches back to…
- AArchaeological Museum
Housed in a drab concrete box near the port, this museum has a small but fascinating collection of local finds from its Apollonian glory days and beyond…
- CChurch of Sveta Bogoroditsa
This 15th-century church was built below street level, as required at the time by the Ottoman rulers. Set in a courtyard with a giant fig tree, it is one…
- SSouthern Fortress Wall & Tower Museum
This museum occupies a former granary and part of the fortification walls of the medieval town, dating from the 5th century AD. At this time, Sozopol was…
- CChurch of Sveti Georgi
This attractive church boasts a fine painting of St George and the Dragon over the entrance and an impressive 19th-century iconostasis. The custodians…
- FFishing Harbour
Boats line up picturesquely along the fishing harbour, along the western edge of the peninsula. Many of the boats can be chartered for short-term…
- SSveti Zosim Chapel
This small working church in the shady gardens opposite the bus station was built in 1837, on the foundations of a much older structure. Dedicated to the…
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Sozopol.
See
Sveti Ivan
The largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea (0.7 sq km), Sveti Ivan lies 3km north of Sozopol's old town. The island's history stretches back to…
See
Archaeological Museum
Housed in a drab concrete box near the port, this museum has a small but fascinating collection of local finds from its Apollonian glory days and beyond…
See
Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa
This 15th-century church was built below street level, as required at the time by the Ottoman rulers. Set in a courtyard with a giant fig tree, it is one…
See
Southern Fortress Wall & Tower Museum
This museum occupies a former granary and part of the fortification walls of the medieval town, dating from the 5th century AD. At this time, Sozopol was…
See
Church of Sveti Georgi
This attractive church boasts a fine painting of St George and the Dragon over the entrance and an impressive 19th-century iconostasis. The custodians…
See
Fishing Harbour
Boats line up picturesquely along the fishing harbour, along the western edge of the peninsula. Many of the boats can be chartered for short-term…
See
Sveti Zosim Chapel
This small working church in the shady gardens opposite the bus station was built in 1837, on the foundations of a much older structure. Dedicated to the…
Guidebooks
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