Food
Famous sea delicacies include ‘chiroz’ – dried fish and Tarama – a salad made with fish roe, oil, onion and lemon.
Fish soups are also very popular. Local people say that if the chef uses more types of fish, it makes the soup richer. The fish soup on Saint Anastasia island is made with 5 different types of fish.
Fish soup Classic Black Sea fish soup from Sozopol, with bluefish, midget, and turbot in onion broth, creamy yogurt-egg filling, lemon, and herbs—authentic taste of Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast.
Мarinated fish Marinated fish from Sozopol, soaked in vinegar, spices, and oil, served cold on buttered toast with red onion—rich aroma and authentic Black Sea flavor.
Sozopol chiroz Chiroz is a traditional smoked fish snack, rich in flavor and aroma, loved on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Perfect as a treat or appetizer, showcasing local maritime heritage.
The Black Sea mussel Black Sea mussels, a Sozopol delicacy, are collected from the rocks or from mussel farms. They are prepared boiled in the shell, breaded or with rice – always offering an exceptional coastal taste.
Damga dessert Sozopol damga, a rare traditional sweet, is a crispy pastry made with eggs, flour, and sugar, fried in a special mold and dusted with powdered sugar.
Green fig jam The city’s emblematic product is the green fig jam. It has a specific aroma, taste and emerald color, encompassing all the beauty and warmth of summer
Points of Interest
The Sea Garden (Morska Gradina) is Burgas’s green crown jewel. One of Europe’s Longest Seaside Parks. Spanning about 800 decares and stretching over 5–7 km along the coast, it’s huge and perfect for long walks, jogs, or bike rides., stretching along the Black Sea coast right in the heart of the city. This lush, tree-lined oasis transforms a once-swampy, windy coastline into a vibrant promenade of flowers, fountains, sculptures, and endless sea views.
St. Anastasia Island – The Alcatraz of the Black Sea – Just 1.5 km off the coast in Burgas Bay lies St. Anastasia Island, Bulgaria’s only inhabited Black Sea island! This tiny volcanic gem (about 9 decares / 0.9 hectares) packs an incredible history of miracles, pirates, prisons, and hidden treasures.
Chengene Skele – The Bulgarian Venice – Tucked 15 km south of Burgas in the southern part of Burgas Bay lies Chengene Skele. A charming, authentic fishing village and bay nicknamed the “Bulgarian Venice” for its picturesque canals lined with colorful fishing shacks and boats. This hidden gem blends living maritime traditions, underwater treasures, and a dash of quirky history!
Aquae Calidae – The Bath for Emperors Just 15 km north of Burgas lies Aquae Calidae (Latin for “Hot Waters”), a timeless thermal wonder that’s been healing and enchanting people for over 3,000 years! This ancient spa site, built around natural hot mineral springs combines Thracian mysticism, Roman grandeur, Byzantine fortifications, Ottoman luxury, and today’s interactive tourism.
The old town of Sozopol – Architectural and historical reserve since 1974 Culture and art in Sozopol are highly valued and visible everywhere. Its charm comes not only from local artists’ works but also from the Old Town’s architecture, declared an architectural and historical reserve in 1974. Over 180 houses from the 18th–19th centuries are preserved, with narrow cobbled streets and “rimni.” Facades are simple, with bay windows and wooden paneling, influenced by Strandzha traditions.
Archaeological Museum Established in 1961
The Archaeological Museum – Sozopol showcases the city’s rich heritage and is part of Bulgaria’s “100 National Tourist Sites.” Its exhibits span from the 5th millennium BC to the 18th century AD, including the largest collection of ancient Greek vases in Bulgaria, stone and lead anchors, amphorae, marble friezes, terracotta figurines, and the oldest water supply system in the country, highlighting ancient Apollonia’s history.
South fortress wall and Monastery of St. Nicholas
The archaeological complex at the entrance of Sozopol’s Old Town was studied from 2008–2013. It spans layers from ancient Apollonia to medieval Sozopol (7th century BC – 17th century AD). Highlights include the late antique fortress walls (4th–6th c. AD), a second wall encircling the peninsula (6th–14th c. AD), and a 7th-century one-nave church with a ceramic vessel preserving saintly relics.
The Old Metropolitan The Old Metropolitan (10th–17th c. AD) is Medieval Sozopol’s largest basilica and monastery center. Excavations revealed a granary, cistern, baptistery, marble details, murals, mosaics, and over 500 graves. Beneath it lie residential and water installations (5th–2nd c. BC) and a Hellenistic temple, with Thracian, East Greek, and painted pottery showing occupation from the 7th–1st c. BC.
Ethnographic Museum Housed in the “Kurtidi” house, a Bulgarian Renaissance architectural monument, the museum recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Sozopol home. Its authentic yard features sheds and verandas with looms, wine barrels, grape-crushing tools, and household items. With over 300 donated exhibits, it showcases traditional fabrics, costumes, rugs, aprons, and tools reflecting local life and crafts.
Art Gallery The building, constructed in 1991 on a rocky shore, is a cultural monument that once served as a school and now houses an Art Gallery. Its two floors display around 300 works, including paintings, graphics, and sculptures, featuring pieces by marine artist Prof. Alexander Mutafov. The gallery also hosts seasonal exhibitions and international plein air events.
The church “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”
The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius, built in 1889 by Usta Gencho Kanev, is a three-nave basilica. Once outside the town and used only on major holidays, it later served as a museum and warehouse. Restored and reopened in 2011, it now features a 22 m bell tower. Since 2012, it houses relics of St. John the Baptist, discovered in Sozopol, and an 18th-century carved iconostasis.
The Church of St. George the Victorious
The Church of St. George the Victorious in Sozopol’s Old Town dates to the 17th century, built on an earlier basilica. Reconstructed several times, it was last restored in 1991. The church houses valuable 19th-century icons and sacred relics, including fragments linked to St. Andrew, St. Nicholas, and St. John of Rila. From September to May, it displays the relics of St. John the Baptist.
Beaches Sozopol and its surroundings offer 17 clean beaches with soft golden sand, some awarded the Blue Flag for high environmental standards. To the north are Gradina and Zlatna Ribka, known for wide shores and gentle seabeds. The small central beach suits families, while Harmani is a popular large beach. Southward lie Paradise Bay, Kavatsi, Smokinya, and Veselie, plus the protected Aleppu dunes nearby.
Castle “In love with the Wind”
Majestic castle and beautiful park with thousands of exotic trees, plants and flowers. Several deep-sea lakes with freshwater fish and waterfowl. Chapel, horse riding, petting zoo, Fountain of Wishes, beautiful marble and bronze statues and exhibitions, wooden sculptures, throne rooms, winery, Art gallery which houses the Porcelain Museum and the Museum of Ancient Maps. It is located in the village of Ravadinovo, in close proximity to the town of Sozopol.
