In the summer of 2025, we headed to Sozopol – one of those towns where history and the sea seem to go hand in hand. We chose a small family-run hotel very close to the Old Town, and from the moment we arrived, we had the feeling this would be one of those holidays we would remember for a long time. For the first five days, we were joined by friends from Germany. The days passed almost unnoticed – coffee at sunrise, then the beach, followed by long evening walks through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, good food and ice cream. We enjoyed beautiful sunrises, watched the sun set over the harbour and immersed ourselves in the atmosphere that only Sozopol seems to have during summer. After our friends left, we decided to use the remaining days to explore as much of the area around Sozopol as possible. Curiously, during the entire holiday we never made it to Central Beach or Harmanite Beach. Instead, every day took us to a different part of the coast, and that is how we created some of our favourite memories from the trip. But before we tell you about the beaches, we have to show you why Sozopol itself won us over so completely.
Sozopol
Sozopol is one of the oldest and most loved seaside towns in Bulgaria. Built on a small rocky peninsula, it brings together beautiful beaches, a rich history and a sense of calm that is difficult to find in the larger resorts. From the first steps along the cobbled streets of the Old Town, you are surrounded by old Revival-era houses, vines, small courtyards and views towards the sea.
The town was once known as Apollonia Pontica, an ancient Greek colony founded more than 2,600 years ago. Over the centuries, Sozopol became one of the most important ports on the western Black Sea coast, and traces of its long history can still be found almost everywhere today – in the fortress walls, archaeological remains and the romantic atmosphere of the Old Town.
Today, Sozopol offers something for almost everyone – beautiful beaches, cosy restaurants overlooking the sea, good food, small souvenir shops and quiet streets where you can wander for hours.
One of our favourite traditions became welcoming the sunrise from the rocks of the Old Town and then walking through the almost empty streets. At that hour the town is quiet and peaceful, while the first sunlight falls across the old houses and the sea in a completely different way.
The evenings are entirely different. The streets come alive, the restaurants fill with people, music can be heard along the waterfront promenade, and the amphitheatre hosts concerts, theatre performances and different events for both children and adults almost every evening. After dinner, we nearly always went for another walk through the Old Town, simply enjoying the atmosphere and the life unfolding around us.
Kavatsi Beach and Smokinya Beach
Kavatsi and Smokinya are two of the most popular beaches south of Sozopol. They almost merge into one another, forming a long stretch of fine sand, shallow water and numerous beach bars. The area is popular both with families with children and with younger visitors looking for a livelier atmosphere during the day.
We spent the first days of our holiday here with our friends. We simply relaxed, talked for hours and enjoyed an occasional refreshing cocktail from the Kuche i Kuche beach bar. The days seemed to pass effortlessly, and in the evenings we returned to Sozopol for dinner and another walk through town.
Drivers’ Beach (Alepu)
Drivers’ Beach is one of the well-known places along Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast. Its name dates back to the time when truck drivers often stopped here to rest while travelling along the old road towards the south. Even today there are almost always cars parked beside the road by people heading down to the beach, so it would be easy to assume that this is where the name comes from. In fact, it has survived from much earlier times. The beach lies directly beside the protected Alepu area and is known for its broad sandy shore and frequent waves.
At one end is the Duni holiday village, while at the other stands the Saint Thomas hotel. Every time we passed the beach, the sea was rough, with large waves and strong wind. We stopped here one evening to watch a beautiful sunset, which I photographed with the drone. Although we never went into the water, the view was worth every minute.
Arkutino Beach
Beyond the Saint Thomas hotel lies Arkutino Beach. It sits in a beautiful bay surrounded by sand dunes and rich vegetation. There is a well-organised area with sunbeds and places to eat, but also plenty of space for visitors who prefer the free section of the beach.
When we visited, the sea was calm, but somehow the atmosphere was not quite for us. There were many tiny flies and insects, which made the stay less enjoyable. We did not remain for long and decided to look for another beach. Even so, we told ourselves that perhaps we had simply chosen the wrong day and that we might give it another chance sometime.
Perla Beach
Perla Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches along Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast. It lies beside the former Perla government residence, once used by Todor Zhivkov, while the forest of Ropotamo Nature Park begins just behind it. The beach occupies a wide, sheltered bay where the sea is usually calm and the water crystal clear. The combination of forest, fine golden sand and the open sea makes it feel quite different from many of the other beaches along the coast.
We arrived before sunrise. We parked close to the old residence and walked towards the almost empty beach. After watching a beautiful sunrise, we chose a couple of sunbeds and stayed for the entire day. The beach became much busier later on, but the atmosphere remained calm and pleasant. Sometimes it really is worth allowing yourself a little extra comfort.
Gradina Beach and Zlatna Ribka Beach
Together, these two beaches form one of the longest sandy stretches along Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast. The area is known for its campsites, bungalows and relaxed atmosphere, attracting both people who enjoy camping and those simply looking for a beautiful place to spend the day. Along the coast there are beach bars and restaurants, but also plenty of quieter sections where you can enjoy the sea away from the busier areas.
Parking is not particularly easy – most people leave their cars beside the road or use one of the paid parking areas. After looking at several different spots, we eventually stopped at a wonderful place almost halfway along the beach.
The place felt truly special. There were several bungalows directly beside the beach, and we could not help feeling a little envious of the people who woke up there every morning with the sea outside their door and the chance to watch the sunrise without going anywhere. Even though it was Saturday, we had no trouble finding a quiet place for ourselves. There were beach bars and restaurants nearby, but the enormous stretch of sand meant that everyone could still find their own corner.
The water was crystal clear, warm and completely calm. This definitely became one of our favourite places around Sozopol.
A Reason to Return
When we left Sozopol, we had the feeling that we had seen only a small part of everything the area has to offer. We never managed to reach Begliktash or the mouth of the Ropotamo River, and we did not explore all the beautiful headlands along the coast – Chervenka, Agalina, Saint Dimitar and many others.
And perhaps that is the best part. There should always be a reason to return.
Sozopol is more than just a beautiful seaside town. It is a place where you can welcome the sunrise on a quiet beach in the morning, discover new bays in the afternoon and lose yourself among the romantic streets of the Old Town in the evening.
Those were the memories we took home with us, and we are certain that one day we will return to continue our adventure.
