Sozopol from Burgas: how to get there and what to see
Sozopol is the oldest town on the Bulgarian coast: Greek Apollonia stood here, founded in 610 BC by settlers from Miletus. Wooden houses, narrow lanes and quiet bays, calmer than Nessebar. It is about 35 km from Burgas.
- ≈35 kmfrom Burgas
- 610 BCApollonia founded
- 180+18th–19th century houses in the old town
Distances, travel times and prices are approximate and timetables change with the season. Check them at the South bus station before you go.
Getting there from Burgas
Bus from the South bus station
Buses run along the coast from here, including to Sozopol and further south. Timetables change with the season, so check at the station.
By car
About 35 km on the E87. The old town is pedestrian: leave the car in the car parks outside and walk, especially in summer.
From Burgas airport
It is the farthest point from the airport: about 36–44 km, 40–42 minutes by car, transfer €53–56. With a change: bus no. 15 to the South station (25–30 minutes), then a bus to Sozopol.
A day plan
Sozopol works well as a separate day, the third day of the route “Burgas in 3 days”: a walk through the old town, lunch and the beach.
Data collected from open sources and our own coast pages.
Old town
A museum reserve since 1974: more than 180 houses from the mid-18th to early 19th century in the Black Sea style. Famous houses include those of Marieta Stefanova, Kreanoglu, Todor Zagorov, Kurtidi and Dimitar Laskaridis.
Archaeological Museum
Finds from ancient Apollonia, including traces of the temple of Apollo the Healer with a 13 m statue of the god (according to ancient sources).
Church of Cyril and Methodius
It holds the relics of John the Baptist, found in 2010 during excavations on St Ivan island. Pilgrims come here.
Islands of St Ivan and St Peter
Small islands off the town. A historic fortress and a monastery.
Apollonia festival
An arts festival in early September; it marked its 40th anniversary in 2024.
Data collected from open sources and our own coast pages.
Beaches and the sea
Central Beach and Harmani
Central Beach and Harmani are in the town itself, with Kavatsi and Golden Fish nearby. Central Sozopol was on the 2021 Blue Flag list; the list is updated every year.
With children
Shallow water and a gentle entry: Central Beach in Sozopol and Harmani.
Cliffs and jumping
There are cliffs for swimming and jumping by the old town, but the sea is deep and can be rough: only for confident swimmers.
Data collected from open sources and our own coast pages.
Tips
What to eat
Sozopol mussels, fish soup and pickled fish: lunch on the old-town waterfront.
Walking
The old town is pedestrian; flat shoes are easier on the cobbles.
Where to stay
You can stay in Burgas and come for a day, or spend the third night of the route in Sozopol.
Data collected from open sources and our own coast pages.
Questions and answers
How long is the trip from Burgas to Sozopol?
About 35 km on the E87. Buses leave from the South bus station; check the timetable for the season.
What to see in Sozopol?
The old town with its 18th–19th century houses, the Apollonia archaeological museum, the Church of Cyril and Methodius with the relics of John the Baptist, and the islands of St Ivan and St Peter.
When is the Apollonia festival?
In early September; in 2024 it marked its 40th anniversary.
Data collected from open sources and our own coast pages.
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External sources
Distances, travel times and prices are approximate and timetables change with the season. Check them at the South bus station before you go.