Sozopol is  perhaps the most ancient settlement on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and has a unique location. It is situated on a scenic rocky peninsula in the southern part of Bourgas Bay and is one of the most popular resort towns on the southern coast.  Once a small fishing village, today the city is a well developed and popular tourist center. In summer there are thousands of tourists flocking from Bulgaria and abroad, and besides  the restaurants, cozy cafes, lively nightclubs and shops, they can enjoy the typical architecture of Sozopol houses and its magnificent beaches.

Sozopol was established as a Greek colony known as Apollonia (610 BC.), named in honor of the god Apollo. In the V century BC the town was renamed to Sozopolis – city of salvation- (that’s the meaning of the word Apollo in Greek).
In the Middle Ages Sozopol was a bustling commercial town which reached its best in the late XVIII and early XIX century.
The modern town of Sozopol is divided into an old and new part. In the old town there are more than 80 old houses of great architectural value, clustered among the cobbled streets and alleys.
Also within the old part are located the archaeological museum with rich collection of pottery and stone obelisks, reliefs, coins and amphorae; Virgin Mary Church (XVII century); the old cemetery; as well as the remains of the ancient fortress. There is a monastery from the XIII century on the small island of St. John.

Having a walk in the old town of Sozopol, you can stand on both sides of the peninsula which provide picturesque views. On one side you can see the islands of St. John, St. Peter and St.Kirik. You can reach St.John by boat, or a walk along the panoramic south promenade will take you to the many small restaurants and cafes, revealing wonderful views from the bay and the new city. You will find plenty of restaurants serving different meals of local mussels, fish and seafood.

Sozopol smells like romance spirit. It smells of the sea waves and oil paints. Sozopol is a town of artists, musicians, actors and architects. This is one of Bulgaria’s seaside resorts, which offers the most diverse entertainment programs to its guests. In early September each year, the city becomes a sort of cultural capital of Bulgaria. At that time of the year the city hosts the popular Apollonia Festival of Arts, named after the god of poetry and music, Apollo.

If you choose to stay in Bulgaria, and south of the Balkan range, Sozopol is a favorite place for family recreation. It is suitable for vacationing from May to late September, and throughout the season there are plenty of cultural events to enjoy and take part in. It might be a small town but you will find plenty of Sozopol holiday villas and apartments for rent to choose from.

Sozopol is one of the hundred national tourist sites and attracts tourists from all over the world.

Among the main sights of Sozopol are the architectural and archaeological reserve Ancient Sozopol (the Old Town), consisting of approximately 180 buildings of the Revival period as well as Bakarlaka or copper ridge which is a nice secluded spot where a magnificent view of the bay are revealed, and is known for its Thracian fortifications on Atia peak.

Sozopol will certainly charm and enchant you. It is a great mix of climate, location and natural beauty. Surrounded by woods, perched on rocks, Sozopol is the pearl of the Black Sea. Ancient and modern, elegant and inspiring, peaceful and full of life – this is Sozopol today.