Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast: Kaliakra to Sozopol

Route description

Varna is Bulgaria’s summer capital, with a long sea garden, Roman baths and a museum holding the world’s oldest worked gold. Head north into the forest above Golden Sands to the Aladzha Monastery, cells carved into a cliff.

Follow the E87 north to Balchik, where Queen Marie of Romania’s palace and botanical gardens step down to the sea. Beyond, the steppe runs flat to Cape Kaliakra, a narrow red headland with fortress ruins and seabirds; the coast here is wild and almost empty.

Turn south past Varna on the E87, crossing the Stara Planina hills where they meet the sea. Nessebar’s old town stands on a small peninsula linked by a causeway, packed with medieval churches; visit early or in the evening, as it is very busy in July and August.

The last stop, Sozopol, has an old quarter of wooden houses on a rocky point and good beaches nearby. The quieter southern coast continues towards the Strandzha hills. June and September are ideal; many coastal campsites have become resorts, so book ahead in high season.