Sozopol

Located 34 km south of Bourgas on a slender rocky peninsula, Sozopol (see map) is the very oldest Bulgarian coastal towns. Founded in 610 BC by Miletian Greeks the settlement was initially known as the ancient Apollonia. Today this charming place is a popular beach resort best known for its casual ambience, two sandy beaches, and distinctive 19th-century stone and wooden houses, some 45 of which are national cultural monuments. A stroll along the Old Town's twisting, narrow cobblestone lanes reveals a host of National Revival-era houses, their stone foundations and overhanging upper stories of weathered wood topped by Mediterranean-style red-tiled roofs. The small harbor is a good place to watch fishermen off-load their catches to waiting buyers from the local restaurants. While Sozopol is extremely busy during July and August, in the off-season months it reverts back to a sleepy fishing town and is a favored quiet place of artists and writers. The national bulgarian Art-fest "Apollonia" takes place here every September with many concerts, exhibitions, theatrical plays and various cultural events.
There are two lovely beaches in Sozopol and many other beaches situated north and south of the town along the beautiful bulgarian coastline. One of the longest and most beautiful beaches in the area is at Dyuni, an upscale Austrian-designed resort village complex, 6 km south of Sozopol. South of Dyuni, the scenic road passes by the Arkutino swamp, a 62 hectare area of floating water lilies, irises and creeping liana vines. A few kilometers further south is the Ropotamo river nature reserve.