Sozopol Hotels - Bulgarian Sea Hotels and Resorts

Sozopol Hotels

picturesque old fishing village; comfortable family hotels

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Located 34 kilometers south of Bourgas on a slender rocky peninsula, Sozopol is the oldest of Bulgaria's coastal towns. Founded in 610 BC by Miletian Greeks, their colony of Apollonia thrived as a middleman between the Greek world and the indigenous Thracians. Today, this charming place is a popular tourist resort best known for its casual ambiance, two sandy beaches, and distinctive nineteenth-century stone and wood houses, some 45 of which are designated national cultural monuments. While Sozopol is a bustling place during July-August, in the off-season it reverts back to a sleepy fishing village and is a favored haunt of artists, writers and other contemplative types.

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. Sea-facing Morski Skali and Milet streets are lined with small restaurants and cafes, ideal for taking in the views while digging into a plate of tasty locally-raised midi (mussels).

The small harbor is a good place to watch fishermen off-load their catches to waiting buyers from area restaurants. The nearby Taverna Apollonia is Sozopol's hottest night spot with live Balkan folk music nightly (in season). Things really get rocking when tipsy patrons get up to dance the horo - a more staid Bulgarian/Balkan dance step - alongside professional belly dancers.

Notable sights in the old town include the 17th-century Sveta Bogoroditsa (Holy Virgin) Church, built partly below ground in accordance with prevailing Ottoman dictates. Also, Sozopol's archaeological museum features a collection of amphorae, stone anchors, and model ships representative of the Phoenicians, Cypriots and other ancient mariners who sailed into Apollonia harbor. Relative to the old town, the new town is somewhat colorless although it does feature the better of Sozopol's two beaches, located on the southern side of the Harmanite ("threshing floor") headland. There are a number of cafes and thumping discos on the main drag, Republikanska street, and along the beach strip.

In addition to being an important trading colony, Apollonia was an active arts and cultural center, a tradition that continues with the annual Apollonia Arts Festival in early September which offers ten days and nights of music, theater, dance, cinema and other events set in a half-dozen venues around town.

The best beach in the area is at Dyuni, an upscale Austrian-designed resort village complex six kilometers south of Sozopol. Past Dyuni, the coast 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; tour boats routinely ply the verdant-rich lower stretch of the river to the sea (one-hour round trip;$4).

During summer, private vans and state buses provide hourly daily service to and from Bourgas. The tiny bus station (closed Mon-Tues off-season) is opposite the seaside park next to the open-air bazaar and there is a taxi stand in front. Private vans depart from a turn-around 50 meters west. Although state-supported hydrofoils are a thing of the past, private "sea taxis" venture to Bourgas, Nessebar, Varna, or practically anywhere the siren's call might tempt a seafaring traveler to go. From Sofia, a number of private companies operate comfortable coaches to Sozopol (US$8-9).

Do you need hotels or holidays in Sozopol, Bulgaria. Cheap hotel in Sozopol, Bulgaria. Book on-line an apartment, single or double room, studio, suite, 2, 3, and 4, star. Travel Bulgaria hotels package holidays in Sozopol Bulgaria. Further south, lying on the Gulf of Burgas, you can find the resorts of Snoopily, one of Ancient Greece's oldest settlements formerly known as 'Apollonian Pontiac' named after Apollo, the patron of seafarers. Near Sozopol are situated the famous Bulgarian resorts Duni Holiday Village, Kiten, Primorsko and Burgas. Today it resembles a cluster of welcoming turn-of-the century houses dotted along the rocky headland, interspersed with small garden shrines. Somewhat quieter than Nessebar, the resort also provides the tourist with two fine, sandy beaches, set off nicely against the tranquil charm of fishing life. One lies within a sheltered bay with the second, larger beach extending southwards beyond the headland. Sozopol is traversed by beautiful narrow lanes, old houses and its romantic charm has attracted artists and writers throughout the centuries.
Accommodation in Sozopol consists of a small guesthouse-inn, a former naval club, or either private room in old houses on the peninsula or else larger chalet-style dwellings in the new town. Nearby, the port of Burgas as well worth a visit. In addition to an international airport, this important commercial coastal town has an attractive centre with lively terraces and plentiful cafes, offering tourists a warm welcome. The presence of visiting ships and passing tourists lends Bourgas a certain cosmopolitan air, especially during its folk festival, held in late August. Travel Sozopol and find a hotels or holidays Sozopol Bulgaria. Find Cheap Hotels Reservations Book hotel Holiday Apartments rent Hotel Sozopol. Rent a car. Car hire, rental. Bulgarian Properties. Great deals and bargains.