Located 33 kilometers south of Bourgas on a slender rocky peninsula, Sozopol is the oldest of Bulgaria's coastal towns. Founded in 610 BC by Miletian Greeks, their colony of Apollonia thrived as a middleman between the Greek world and the indigenous Thracians. Today, this charming place is a popular tourist resort best known for its casual ambiance, two sandy beaches, and distinctive nineteenth-century stone and wood houses, some 45 of which are designated national cultural monuments. While Sozopol is a bustling place during July-August, in the off-season it reverts back to a sleepy fishing village and is a favored haunt of artists, writers and other contemplative types.

         Places of Interest
         The sights of Sozopol are many, but none of them can be separated from the rest since all of them impact the visitors as an attractive ensemble. Among these are two ancient churches from the Renaissance period - St. Zosim Church and The Holy Virgin Church. The ancient atmosphere of the town is further fed by cobbled streets and high fences in front of which the old women sit and chat, knit laces and sell jams. Interestingly, one can still hear Greek speech among natives, particularly in the old town. Interesting places to visit are the Archaeological Museum and the Art Gallery. Moreover, at the beginning of September each year the town hosts the big Apolonia International Art Festival, which attracts artists and art lovers from all over the country and abroad.

       The best beach in the area is at Dyuni, an upscale Austrian-designed resort village complex six kilometers south of Sozopol. Past Dyuni, the coast road passes by the Arkutino swamp, a 62 hectare area of floating water lilies, irises and creeping liana vines. A few kilometers further south is the Ropotamo river nature reserve; tour boats routinely ply the verdant-rich lower stretch of the river to the sea. 

        During summer, private vans and state buses provide hourly daily service to and from Bourgas. The tiny bus station (closed Mon-Tues off-season) is opposite the seaside park next to the open-air bazaar and there is a taxi stand in front. Private vans depart from a turn-around 50 meters west. Although state-supported hydrofoils are a thing of the past, private "sea taxis" venture to Bourgas, Nessebar, Varna, or practically anywhere the siren's call might tempt a seafaring traveler to go. From Sofia, a number of private companies operate comfortable coaches to Sozopol.