Sozopol: Ancient Apollonia & Coastal Sailing
Located 34 km south of Burgas, Sozopol enchants visitors with 2,600-year-old Greek defensive walls, wooden Renaissance mansions, and pristine sailing bays.
⚡ Sozopol Excursion Snapshot
- Distance from Burgas: 34 km south via the four-lane National Road II-99 coastal expressway.
- Driving / Bus Duration: 30 minutes by car; 35 minutes by regional bus.
- Bus Connection: Departs every 30 minutes from Burgas South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug, Gate 4) for €3.50 (~$3.80).
- Ancient Roots: Founded in 610 BCE by Milesian Greeks as Apollonia Pontica, home to the legendary 13-meter bronze colossus of Apollo by sculptor Calamis.
- Sailing Excursions: Luxury day catamaran cruises with Mediterranean lunch, open bar, and wild cove swimming available from €96.00 (~$103.70).
- Christian Heritage: In 2010, archaeological digs on neighboring St. Ivan Island uncovered authentic 1st-century relics attributed to Saint John the Baptist.
The History of Ancient Apollonia Pontica
Sozopol is the oldest coastal settlement in Bulgaria, established by Ionian Greek colonists from Miletus in 610 BCE. Named in honor of the sun god Apollo, Apollonia was an economic powerhouse that controlled maritime trade across the southern Black Sea basin.
In 72 BCE, the Roman general Marcus Licinius Lucullus captured the city, dismantling its towering 13-meter bronze statue of Apollo and transporting it to the Capitoline Hill in Rome as a war trophy. Under early Christianity, the town adopted the name Sozopolis ("City of Salvation").
Top Things to See & Do in Sozopol
- The Southern Fortress Wall & Tower: A reconstructed section of 5th-century Byzantine ramparts overlooking the sea, featuring subterranean exhibition chambers and seaside battlements.
- Archaeological Museum of Sozopol (€2.50): Displays antique painted Greek kraters, Thracian anchors, and the marble reliquary that held the bone fragments of Saint John the Baptist.
- Church of Saint George: Houses the venerated relics of St. John the Baptist, an exquisite 19th-century wood-carved iconostasis, and miraculous coastal icons.
- Harmanite & Central Beaches: Relax on golden fine sands buffered by shaded beach clubs and casual open-air grill taverns.
- St. Ivan Island Excursions: Book a small motorboat from the marina to cruise around the largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea, famous for its submerged ancient temple and yellow-legged gull colonies.
Top 4 Burgas & Regional Tours Compared
Dual pricing in EUR and USD. All experiences include free cancellation up to 24 hours prior to departure and certified English-speaking local guides.
| Parameter |
🏆 #1 Maritime Bestseller
St. Anastasia Island Catamaran Cruise
€39.00 (~$42.10)
Round-trip cruise & museum pass
|
🏛️ UNESCO World Heritage
Nessebar Old Town & Black Sea Wine Tasting
€30.00 (~$32.40)
Transfer, guide & wine cellar
|
⛵ Premium Riviera Sailing
Sozopol Catamaran Cruise & Lunch
€96.00 (~$103.70)
All-inclusive lunch, swim & drinks
|
🌿 Natural Healing & Roman Spa
Lake Atanasovsko Lye & Aquae Calidae
€28.00 (~$30.50)
Full day salt pass & Roman hammam
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Hours | 5 Hours | 6 Hours | 4 Hours |
| Booking Partner | Viator (Tripadvisor) | Viator (Tripadvisor) | Viator (Tripadvisor) | GetYourGuide |
| Departure Hub | Magazia 1 Terminal (Port of Burgas) | South Bus Station / Hotel Pickup | Sozopol Marina / Central Shuttle | Solnitsite & Vetren Mineral Park |
| Key Inclusions | High-speed catamaran cruise, island museum entry ticket, audio guide access | Return AC transport, certified art guide, 4 vintage wine tastings, Old Town walk | Sailing on luxury catamaran, Mediterranean buffet, open bar, snorkel gear | Solnitsite mineral lye pools, black mud bath, Roman hammam 3D show |
| Cancellation Policy | Free cancellation up to 24 hours | Free cancellation up to 24 hours | Free cancellation up to 24 hours | Free cancellation up to 24 hours |
| Rating & Reviews | ⭐ 4.68 / 5.0 (25 reviews) | ⭐ 4.90 / 5.0 (42 reviews) | ⭐ 5.0 / 5.0 (9 reviews) | ⭐ 4.85 / 5.0 (18 reviews) |
| Best For | Families, island lovers, historic maritime scenery | Couples, wine enthusiasts, Byzantine architecture | Summer luxury, swimming in wild coves, scenic views | Health seekers, natural mineral therapy, Roman history |
Frequently Asked Questions
Authoritative answers based on municipal transit rules, official schedules, and local conditions.
Take an intercity bus from Burgas South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug, Gate 4). Buses depart every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 21:30, take 30 to 35 minutes along Route II-99, and cost €3.50 each way.
While Nessebar is famous for its dense Byzantine stone-and-brick basilicas, Sozopol is renowned for its romantic seaside wooden architecture, bohemian arts culture, wider sandy swimming beaches (Harmanite), and luxury catamaran sailing charters.
The relics discovered on St. Ivan Island in 2010 are housed inside the Church of Saint George (ulica Apollonia) in the Old Town of Sozopol. Entry is free for worshippers and visitors.
Yes, Sozopol Marina is the premier sailing hub on the southern Black Sea coast. You can book organized 6-hour catamaran sailing tours with lunch and swim stops starting at €96.00 (~$103.70), or rent private skippered sailing yachts.
