Sozopol has some of the best and most beautiful beaches in Bulgaria! Here you can find everything a beach lover could ask for – soft sand, calm clear waters and a relaxing ambiance. If you enjoy chilling and sunbathing on the sand or doing some water sport activities, you’ve come to the right place!
Keep in mind that the beaches in Sozopol get very busy in the peak summer months so expect lots of other holidaymakers. The earlier in the morning you go to the beach, the better chances you have of getting yourself a spot closer to the water.
So with all of this in mind, below I’m sharing with you the best beaches in Sozopol so you know where to go during your holiday in Bulgaria!
Looking for a place to stay in Sozopol? These are my top recommendations for hotels in Sozopol.
Hotel Coral, Sozopol – small boutique hotel with stunning views over the bay of Central beach, Sozopol.
Amon Ra Hotel, Sozopol – modern beachfront boutique hotel with incredible sea views and cozy interior.
Solinaria Boutique Hotel, Sozopol – a beautiful hotel in the quiet part of Sozopol close to the beach and with a outdoor pool with stunning sea views.
The Best Beaches in Sozopol
1. Central Beach, Sozopol
This is my favourite beach in Sozopol! The Central Beach is nestled in the bay between the Old town and the New town with just a short 500m stretch of golden sands line. The water is very shallow and clear, making it perfect for snorkelling near the rocks. The location of the beach near the fortress walls makes for beautiful scenery both during the day and at sunset time.
The beach gets very busy during the peak months of July and August, so if you’d like to use the sun loungers and umbrellas, make sure to get there early in the morning (before 9am). The price for the umbrellas and sun loungers is 7lv each (€3.50). There’s also a ‘free’ area at the end of the beach if you just want to place your towel on the sand.
For the adventure seekers, there are a bunch of water activities in Sozopol offered by Water Sports Sozopol .They are located right on the beach offering a variety of activities including parasailing, jet ski and banana boat – fun for any age group!
There are plenty of great restaurants and cafes nearby where you can grab a drink or have some staple summertime Bulgarian lunch – potato fries with feta cheese, sprouts and cold beer. Make sure to also come here at sunset to enjoy a romantic walk alongside the beach, followed by a candle-lit dinner in one of the beautiful restaurants overlooking the sea.
P.S If you’re an early bird, I highly recommend you come here for sunrise – it’s absolutely incredible!
Location: Central Beach, Sozopol
2. Harmanite beach, Sozopol
Harmanite beach is located in the New town of Sozopol just a few short minutes walk from the Central beach. It has a long and wide sand stretch and holds the prestigious Blue Flag award for its crystal blue water and cleanliness.
It’s a lot bigger than the Central Beach so you’re more likely to find available umbrellas and sun loungers even if you come a bit later in the day.
Similar to the other beaches, there is an area where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas as well as a ‘free’ zone where you can place your towel on the sand and use your own umbrella if you have one. The price for the umbrellas and sun loungers is again 7lv each (€3.50).
Water Sports Sozopol operates on this beach as well, so you aren’t going to miss out if you’re looking to have some fun in the water!
We did the parasailing here and it was truly a one-of-a-kind experience that made our holiday in Sozopol even more fun! The crew creates an amazing party atmosphere on the boat making you forget all your fears you may have of flying!
If you’d like to grab a bite or a drink while relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of restaurants and beach bars to choose from.
We kept going to the same area of the beach which meant we could easily enjoy a healthy drink from Lolly Beach Bar steps away from our beach towels on the daily.
Location: Harmanite Beach, Sozopol
3. Smokinya / Kavatsite beach
If you like beaches that are a bit more wild and untouched, you’ll probably like Smokinya/Kavatsite Beach.
It has that close-to-nature feel and it’s not only perfect for day-time relaxation but it also offers great conditions for overnight camping.
In fact, it has long been a popular campsite spot for domestic tourists, and it’s perfect for bungalows, caravans and tents.
Nowadays, the beach is more urbanised with the introduction of beach bars, restaurants and paid zones with umbrellas and sun loungers.
The good news is that it’s still possible to find a vacant spot in the ‘free’ areas where you can enjoy the unspoiled surrounding wilderness. You really have the best of both worlds here!
The beach is also home to the only co-working place in Sozopol, Beach Hub Kavatsite.
So if you work remotely and have to attend that last minute Zoom meeting while on holiday in Sozopol, you can easily do so just steps away from the beach – and freshen up in the water during the breaks!
Location: Smokinya / Kavatsite beach, Sozopol
4. Zlatna Ribka, Gradina and Tsarski Plaj
Another wild beach just outside of Sozopol that you can visit is actually split into three beaches – ‘Zlatna Ribka’, ‘Gradina’ and ‘Tsarski Plaj’ camping sites.
They are all located on the same 4km long beach curve between the towns of Sozopol and Chernomorets.
Parts of the sand stretch are still pristine making it perfect if you’re looking to be closer to nature and away from the urbanised beaches.
The water is shallow and calm, but still perfect to enjoy water sport activities.
In fact, this beach is one of the best spots for water sport activities in Sozopol since apart from the regular ones, here you can also take surfing and sailing lessons at Adventure Beach Camp.
They also organise adventures along the coast and offer kayak rentals if you are looking to do something different during your holiday.
There are multiple hotel resorts and restaurants alongside the sand strip which still makes this beach a very popular spot in the area.
However, because of its sheer size and length, you’re more likely to find an empty spot here than in the other smaller beaches in Sozopol.
Location: Zlatna Ribka, Gradina, Tsarski Plaj
Other amazing beaches worth visiting outside of Sozopol
1. Veleka Beach, Sinemorets
This stunning beach, mainly popular with domestic tourists, is truly a hidden gem!
Just about an hour drive away from Sozopol, Veleka Beach in Sinemorets is a beautiful and unique combination of sea, sand, river, forest and rocks.
The one-of-a-kind beach strip has the wavy Black Sea on one side, and the calm Veleka river on the other.
The whole place gives out a proper laid-back hippy vibe, and you’re sure to enjoy your time here whether you want to sip on delicious cocktails on the beach, or go paddle boarding in the river or surfing in the sea!
Location: Veleka Beach, Sinemorets
Distance from Sozopol: 58km (36 miles)
2. Wake Up Varvara
If you’re looking for a small secluded beach, Wake Up near the village of Varvara, might be just the perfect place for you.
Located just an hour away from Sozopol, this beach is popular for the nomads and free-spirited souls, who enjoy music, dancing and fun laid-back events on the beach.
Wake Up Varvara regularly organises music festivals and well-being sessions (like Chakra cleaning on the beach) so make sure to check their Facebook page for their latest events.
Location: Wake Up Varvara
Distance from Sozopol: 45km (28 miles)
3. Pearl beach, Primorsko
Taking its name from the shape of its sand strip, Pearl beach is located about 45 minutes drive from Sozopol amidst a green forest and protected sand dunes.
The crystal clear water and soft golden sands attract a sizable crowd of holiday makers, but not to worry there’s plenty of space for everyone both on the beach and in the restaurants and bars alongside it!
The water conditions are perfect for water sports, so you’re in for a treat with Akasha Surf if you’re looking to learn how to surf or if you want to try a yoga session on a sup!
Location: Peal Beach, Primorsko
Distance from Sozopol: 26km (16 miles)
If you don’t already, make sure to follow me on Instagram @voyagewithmel for more adventures and tips for travelling to Bulgaria and beyond!
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