Sozopol holidays are a brew of ancient Greek history and Balkan-meets-Mediterranean grub. The cherry on top's the Blue Flag beach.

Sozopol through the ages

People have been living around Sozopol since the Bronze Age, when Greek settlers set up shop here. You can learn about this side of the town in its museums. They’re packed with displays that show off everything from ancient pottery to swords and tools. You’ll find most of them in the old quarter, where you can also potter Sozopol’s collection of churches and 19th-century wooden houses.

Blue Flag beachfronts

Trundle down to the waterfront, however, and you’ll see that Sozopol’s got more than just historic landmarks up its sleeve. The crème de la crème’s Harmanite Beach, a Blue Flag sandy swathe. The water here’s bath warm and knee deep for the first few metres – spot on for sprogs to splash around. Plus, it’s bordered by a smorgasbord of souvenir shops – rose-scented soap and wooden Russian dolls are popular picks – sea-view restaurants, bars and clubs.

Seafood and sweet treats

The food scene in Sozopol’s a mainstay in its own right. The town’s perched on the edge of the Black Sea, meaning the seafood offering’s top drawer. Head to one of the tavernas near the old town harbour and chow down on a meal of mussels or octopus, or get stuck in to a meaty kebab. Palachinki – Bulgaria’s take on crepes – are another local favourite, with sweet and savoury options both up for grabs.

At a Glance

  • Stroll through cobbled streets in Sozopol’s old town
  • Sunbathe on a Blue Flag beach
  • Munch on a fig-jam-filled crepe