Ahtopol Bulgaria. Ahtopol is the southernmost resort in Bulgaria. Strandzha Natural Park
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Ahtopol - How to get there and where to stay
The Ahtopol resort does not have its own airport. The closest to Ahtopol is Burgas Airport; the approximate distance from Ahtopol to Burgas Airport is 86 km by road. It is very convenient and inexpensive to get to the Ahtopol resort by ordering an individual transfer. You will be met with a sign at Burgas airport and taken to the hotel in Ahtopol where you decide to stay.
Hotel reservation - Ahtopol
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Car rental - Ahtopol
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Ahtopol - Transfer to the hotel or airport
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14 km from the Turkish border, at the foot of the city of Strandzha, there is a tiny town with amazingly beautiful golden beaches, clean, like a tear, coastal waters and a homely cozy atmosphere - Ahtopol, the sunniest and warmest resort in Bulgaria. Local residents appreciate it for the absence of crowds of foreign tourists, low prices and a favorable climate, and guests of the country for its favorable geographical location: from Ahtopol you can easily reach any locality in Bulgaria and Turkey. The city is ideal for a “lazy” holiday: sunbathing on the beach, swimming, leisurely walks along the beautifully decorated embankment, admiring the sea and plant landscapes. The lack of activity is easily compensated by participating in educational excursions organized in the Strandzha Park, Ropotamo Nature Reserve and Sozopol Tumpalov Castle located near Ahtopol.
A little history
The first settlement on the territory of modern Ahtopol was founded by the Thracians in 430 BC. e. After some time, the city fell to the Greeks and then to the Romans. After the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, the settlement, called Agatopolis, became part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 14th century, the city was captured by the Ottoman Turks, but they did not last long, passing the baton to the Bulgarians.
Over the years of its existence, Ahtopol was repeatedly raided by pirates, and in 1918 it burned almost to the ground as a result of a fire. The fire destroyed all the buildings, with the exception of the Church of the Ascension, which survived thanks to massive stonework that went into the ground to a depth of 1.5 m, and the monastery of St. John.
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How to get there
You can get to Ahtopol from Burgas by taxi, regular bus or rented car. The journey will take just over an hour. You can get to Burgas by plane, train from Kyiv, Moscow, Krakow, Prague, Budapest or Sofia, or by bus from Varna and Sofia.
Popular hotels in Ahtopol
Entertainment, excursions, attractions
Of the attractions located within the city, the Church of the Ascension and the Anchor Museum are of particular interest to tourists. The church is a modest one-story building, made of different-sized stones interspersed with wooden slats.
Externally, the temple resembles an ordinary residential building measuring 17x7 m and 2.5 m high. If it were not for the cross crowning the tiled roof, it would be indistinguishable from the buildings located nearby.
Inside, it is painted from top to bottom with frescoes in the Byzantine style. Not far from the church, on the street. Neptune, 3, there is an open-air museum where you can see anchors of all shapes and sizes, raised from the bottom of the Ahtopol Bay.
Strandzha Natural Park
Strandzha Natural Park is located on the mountain of the same name at an altitude of 300 m above sea level. The uniqueness of the reserve lies in the fact that its territory is home to over 100 rare plants and animals, including specially protected Mediterranean and Balkan turtles. Some trees are up to 500 years old: these giants tower over the heads of visitors, forming a dense, impenetrable tent of branches and leaves. The park is divided into 14 areas: it will take more than one day to explore them thoroughly.
In addition to unique natural sites, there are several villages in the park, where you can see the world-famous Nestinar dances on red-hot coals - a truly unforgettable sight!
You can get to Strandzha Park from Burgas by regular bus or private car (E87 highway, 76 km towards Malko Tarnovo).
Ropotamo Nature Reserve
Not far from Ahtopol, on the river. Ropotamo, near the town of Primorsko, is another conservation area that deserves attention - the Ropotamo Nature Reserve. It is home to over 70 endangered bird species and about 100 rare plants.
You can explore the beauty of the reserve during an hour-long excursion on a water bus: it offers a magnificent view of the famous rock in the shape of a lion’s head, quiet backwaters with wild boars and hunting herons who come to drink, coastal stones dotted with turtles basking in the sun...
The clicking of cameras does not stop for a second: tourists are in a hurry to capture the inhabitants of the reserve in their natural habitat. At the end of the trip, so many pictures are collected that there is enough for a dozen photo reports about the trip.
You can get to “Ropotamo” from Burgas, Sozopol or Primorsko by taxi, excursion bus or personal vehicle (at 12 km of the highway connecting Sozopol with Primorsko, a sign and a bridge will appear, after the bridge you need to turn left). Boats ply the river daily from 9:00 to 20:00, ticket price is 10 BGN (adults), 5 BGN (children). Prices on the page are as of March 2019.
Tumpalova Castle
36 km south of Ahtopol is Sozopol - a treasure trove of medieval architectural monuments. However, the main attraction of the city, oddly enough, is not considered to be ancient buildings at all, but quite a modern castle, erected by Georgi Tumpalov and his sons. Despite the fact that construction has not yet been completed, everyone is allowed into the building for a small fee. There really is something to see!
Near the entrance there is a statue of the owner of the castle in the armor of a knight, surrounded by a fountain with live sturgeons. No less interesting compositions are located along the entire perimeter of the castle territory: a fountain with nymphs, skillfully carved bas-reliefs and statues, a sculpture of winged Icarus crowning the façade of the building like a gargoyle, decorative bridges and gates, massive cast flowerpots. Once you step through the gate, you find yourself in a fairy tale come to life, where you want to return again and again.
The castle is located in the suburbs of Sozopol, near the village. Ravadinovo. The easiest way to get to it is by car (42.388354 (latitude); 27.671412 (longitude)). The entrance ticket costs 10 BGN.
- Where to stay: in affordable Burgas, in Sunny Beach, comfortable for families with children, in the famous Nessebar or nearby Ravda, in family Chernomorets, in youth Primorsko, in the favorite resort of the Bulgarian bohemia -
Among the coastal Bulgarian towns, Ahtopol is the southernmost. The distance from it to Burgas is 86 km, and to the resort towns of Obzor and (Varna region) - about 165 km. 14 kilometers from Ahtopol along the Black Sea coast there is a highway of international importance that leads from Bulgaria to Turkey.
The city landscape of Ahtopol amazes not only with its beauty, but also with its extraordinary neatness and well-groomed buildings and streets. Houses under tiled roofs and paving stones on the road look very cozy and elegant.
Marine panorama of Ahtopol. The nature here is so picturesque and diverse that tourists can enjoy the soft sand of the beaches, admire the grandeur of centuries-old pine forests and rugged rocks.
One of the many city flowerbeds of Kazanlak. Being the geographical center of the Valley of Roses, the city is famous for its large number of rose flower beds and flower beds, the design of which is carried out by specialists.
Cape in the southern part of the bay. It is famous for its very picturesque steep descent to the sea. The monastery of St. John was located here, part of which, presumably, is still underground today.
Ahtopol embankment looks stunningly beautiful at night. It is very quiet and deserted here, since the city highly values the nighttime peace of local residents and visitors.
The surrounding landscapes of Ahtopol look very picturesque and peaceful. The combination of red-brown roof tiles and lush green garden trees evokes associations with Alpine villages.
The squat building of the ancient Church of the Ascension is located on the outskirts of one of the Ahtopol beaches, on a steep cliff near the sea. It is built of natural stone about 0.9 meters thick.
Thanks to the presence of deep bays well protected from the wind, in which sailing ships can conveniently moor, Ahtopol has transport links with the seaports of other countries. Therefore, this resort is constantly developing and looks very modern.
The Veleka River flows into the Black Sea just four kilometers from Ahtopol. The water in the local sea is calm and warm - up to 25 degrees. On the territory of Ahtopol beaches you can find many secluded places to relax. Summers here are cool and dry, and the average temperature during the season is 26 degrees. During the day, the wind blows from the sea, and in the evening from the shore - so the air is constantly refreshed, and the heat is easier to bear. The tourist season lasts from May to October.
Brief history of the city
If you explore the history of Ahtopol, it turns out that it is a rather ancient city. Greek settlements appeared here at approximately the same time as in the city. After being captured by the Romans, the city received the name Peronticus. As a result of barbarian raids, the settlement was often destroyed. And so one of the restorations was carried out by Agathon, a commander from Byzantium, who named the newly rebuilt city by his own name - Agatopolis.
In 1918, Ahtopol was completely destroyed as a result of a strong fire, and it had to be restored almost from scratch. Only small fragments of the fortress walls remain from the old city. Among the modern attractions, the monastery of St. John and the Church of the Ascension should also be noted. In addition, near the city there is the Malka Papia mountain peak, which is part of the Strandja Mountains.
From the sea side, Ahtopol looks very attractive, green and fresh. Despite its location on rocky terrain, the city is distinguished by beautiful scenery and a comfortable climate.
The city lighthouse tower is visible from all coastal parts of the city. In the evening, couples in love come here, dreaming of plunging into the romantic atmosphere of the ancient lighthouse.
Ahtopol boat pier. From here, local fishermen set sail every morning for their fishing, and exciting boat trips for tourists begin from here.
The center of Ahtopol is always calm. Resort life is in full swing on the sea coast, and in the central areas of the city, tourists can enjoy the atmosphere of silence and tranquility.
It is very interesting to look at Ahtopol from this perspective. From here you can see the rocky area that overlooks the Black Sea. Southern sunny Ahtopol borders Turkey.
There are always a lot of local and visiting vacationers on the wild beach of Ahtopol. The sandy strip near the seashore is reliably hidden from prying eyes by a high picturesque cliff.
Boat pier. Local fishermen leave their boats here and supply the city with fresh sea fish every day. From the pier you can go out to sea for a pleasant walk.
The sandy beach of Ahtopol traditionally attracts many local holidaymakers and tourists. On one side it is washed by the azure sea, and on the other side it is reliably protected by a very picturesque green hill.
The picturesque nature of Ahtopol
Relict forests grow along the banks of the Veleki River flowing in the valley of the mountain range. There is a lot of greenery around, a variety of birds live in the trees, the water is full of fish, and sometimes there are even aquatic turtles. Therefore, the mouth of the Veleka and all the unique nature here is under state protection.
Ahtopol infrastructure includes hotels, private cottages, restaurants, bistros and pastry shops. Here those interested can taste dishes of national Bulgarian cuisine.
Now Ahtopol continues to develop as one of the picturesque cities, because it is attractive from the point of view of construction investments.
Among the coastal Bulgarian towns, Ahtopol is the southernmost. The distance from it to Burgas is 86 km, and to the resort towns of Obzor and Byala (Varna region) - about 165 km.
To the south there is only the small village of Sinemorets and the border point of Rezovo. Ahtopol has about 3,000 inhabitants and is located 85 km southeast of Burgas, 16 km south of Tsarevo and 14 km from the border with Turkey.
Ahtopol is considered one of the oldest settlements on the territory of Bulgaria. The city was founded by the Thracians in 430 BC, and there was also a Greek colony here. Then, coming under the control of the Roman Empire, Ahtopol received the name Peronticus. Much later, during the Byzantine rule, the city received a new name Agatopolis (“City of Happiness”). At the end of the 14th century, the city was captured by the Turks and renamed Akhtenbolu. The city was destroyed and plundered many times, it even suffered from sea pirates, so there are practically no old buildings in the city.
5 km south of the city is the mouth of one of the most picturesque rivers in Bulgaria, Veleka.
Note site
On the opposite bank of Veleka from Ahtopol there is a small recreation area. Bulgarians come there to sit, chat, and barbecue. On a weekday there is 12 cars. Nobody bothers anyone. The place is extremely pleasant. Quiet river. Birdsong. Peaceful environment.
Among the attractions today in Ahtopol, the Church of the Ascension of Christ (1796), the ruins of the monastery of St. Yani (XII century) and parts of the Thracian fortress wall have been preserved.
Ahtopol is the sunniest city in Bulgaria, the average air temperature in summer is +23...+28, and sea water temperature is +23...+25. The resort is an excellent place for a relaxing and quiet holiday. Bulgarians themselves choose this resort due to the small number of vacationers and maximum tranquility; excursions to Istanbul also depart from here.
Note site
Ahtopol is a very pleasant quiet town. This is a resort of local importance, and therefore tours there are not sold from Russia. If you still decide to relax there, then you will have to book a hotel room or a room in the private sector directly in Bulgaria. Be also prepared for the fact that there may be some problems with the Russian language.
Today there are not many hotels in Ahtopol; private accommodation is mainly offered. Today the city is famous for its wines, orchards and abundance of fish. Also in this region, ancient traditions have been preserved, such as the feast of St. Constantine and Helena (May 21), dancing on hot coals, this is how they celebrate the arrival of summer in the foothills of Strandzha, in the villages of Brodilovo and Kosti.
Sunny Beach and Golden Sands invariably remain the favorite holiday destinations for tourists from Russia and Ukraine in Bulgaria. In this post I will tell you about the cozy and quiet Bulgarian town of Ahtopol, located in the very south of Bulgaria. It is notable for the fact that it is not as crowded as the popular resorts.
The city of Ahtopol was founded by the Greeks, and during the Byzantine Empire it was known as Agathoupolis. After the Greeks, the Turks took possession of the city. Ahtopol is located 17 km from the border with Turkey and 77 km from Strandzha National Park.
The places here are very beautiful, almost untouched by crowds of tourists. Ahtopol is connected to other Bulgarian cities by regular bus services.
The city has a large sandy beach, overlooked by a small mountain with numerous restaurants. I highly recommend having dinner at sunset at one of these restaurants and watching the sun set, enjoying the peace and tranquility, as well as the almost complete absence of tourists.
We dined here at a seafood restaurant and received a plate of delicious mussels as a gift from the chef.
In general, in Bulgaria there is a rule: the further you are from popular expensive resorts like Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, the cheaper the cost of accommodation and meals in a restaurant. Even if you choose the most expensive restaurant in Ahtopol, dinner there will cost you much less than, for example, in St. Vlas or Albena. Many locals vacation in Ahtopol. And, since Bulgarians are not the wealthiest people in Europe, the prices at these Bulgarian resorts are very low. A plate of soup for lunch will cost you 1-2 leva, a second course – 4-5 leva, grilled fish – 7-9 leva (to get the price in Euros, divide by 2).
The best time to visit Ahtopol is from the second half of June to mid-September. In the first half of June there can be big waves, and rain is also common. The sea in Ahtopol is very clean and warm. There is also a small embankment here.
Ahtopol is an absolutely non-party town, and if you want to hang out at discos, then don’t even waste your time, because... You won't find that here. Ahtopol is ideal for families with children.
So, why do I advise you to spend at least a couple of days in Ahtopol?
- Ahtopol is a kind of relaxing town without crowds of tourists. If you are tired of people and want to lie on the beach and not look at anyone, then this is a great option for you. Perhaps it’s not worth going here for a week, but for a couple of days after the noise of the big city it’s quite possible. However, there are some other inconveniences associated with such a savage holiday: the city’s tourist infrastructure is not as well developed as in the major resorts of Bulgaria.
- 5 km from Ahtopol is the village of Varvara, which is popular among divers. There are a lot of reefs and underwater rocks underwater here. Thus, if you get tired of lying on the beach, you can go diving there.
- Ahtopol is located just 330 km from Istanbul, so it will be a convenient place to stay overnight during a road trip from Bulgaria to Turkey.
- Ahtopol has very tasty and cheap seafood and food in restaurants.
- In Ahtopol, hotel rooms are very cheap: for example, a good room in the 4-star Hotel Eskada Beach all inclusive with sea views will cost you 78 Euros for two per night in high season. Accommodation in the 3-star Agata Beach boutique hotel on the first line from the sea will cost you only 39 Euros for two with breakfast.
