Sozopol is the oldest town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, founded as the Greek colony of Apollonia in 610 BC, and its atmospheric old town occupies a narrow rocky peninsula that juts into the sea with a timeless charm that sets it apart from Bulgaria’s more developed coastal resorts. The streets are lined with characteristic 18th and 19th-century wooden houses built on stone foundations, their upper floors projecting over the narrow lanes in a style unique to the Black Sea region, their dark timber facades draped with grapevines and flowering bougainvillea.

The old town’s intimate scale invites leisurely exploration past ancient churches, art galleries, and small restaurants serving freshly caught Black Sea fish and mussels. The Archaeological Museum houses fascinating artifacts from the town’s Greek and Roman past, including an anchor stock that is among the largest ever found in the Mediterranean world. Two beautiful sandy beaches flank the peninsula, offering swimming in remarkably clean waters, while the town’s southern sea wall provides a dramatic promenade where waves crash against the rocks below and sunsets paint the sky in vivid orange and purple. Each September, the prestigious Apollonia Arts Festival transforms the old town into a vibrant stage for music, theater, and visual arts.

Pro tip: Book accommodation in one of the restored old town houses for an authentic experience, and walk the sea wall promenade at sunset when the town takes on a golden glow. For the best seafood, follow the locals to the small family-run restaurants on the quieter streets behind the waterfront rather than the tourist-facing establishments on the main strip.