Obzor beach

The honey-coloured sand of this beach stretches for almost 4 miles. Less crowded than other beaches on the Bulgarian coast, this long extension of golden sand is an invitation to relax. And in the crystalline waters, you can also partake of activities such as windsurfing or water skiing, or have fun with water scooters and banana boats, very popular with the kids.
The Hotel Riu Helios Bay is located on the seafront, and offers privileged views of the Black Sea.

Obzor

Although it may lack the attractions of other places in terms of culture and heritage, the serene village of Obzor is worth a visit. The houses with their orangey-coloured roofs are located on a gentle slope of the green mountains of Stara Planina.

In the centre there are bars and restaurants shaded by tall trees. The main square, which has a beautiful fountain and several terraces, is one of the loveliest places possible in which to spend some time away from the beach. Beside it some Roman columns that formed part of the Temple of Jupiter still stand, one of the few remains from the ancient era.

The streets in the high part of the town contain houses with vegetable and flower gardens, and sometimes you can even still see horse-drawn carts pass by, living witnesses of a present that still has close connections to the countryside.

Varna

Many Bulgarians call Varna the “Jewel of the Black Sea”. Aside from its beaches, which are crowded in summer, Varna is an attractive town with elegant churches, buildings and parks.

One of the biggest highlights is the Cathedral, the second-largest church in the country after that of San Alexander Nevsky, in Sofia. This remarkable building has a beautiful Byzantine design, and is profusely decorated on the inside, which also has stained rose windows. It was constructed in 1884 to honour the independence from the Ottoman Empire.

The Church of the Virgin Mary, made of wood and adorned with Orthodox icons, and that of Saint Nicholas, where sailors go to ask for protection from their patron, are two of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria.

Another symbol of the town is the clock tower, which rises up above the other buildings. It is situated in the heart of a wooded park, behind the elegant Varna Theatre, another interesting site.

The Evksinograd palace, which was once used by Tsar Boris III, contrasts with the city's predominant Byzantine style. Its architecture and fantastic gardens are similar to the 18th-century French style.

The Maritime Garden lies opposite a beach. Apart from the naval and natural history museums, there is also an aquarium here, with species from the Black Sea, plus a planetarium and a dolphinarium. This park is a good alternative to the extensive range of culture on offer in Varna.

Another interesting place is the lake, the deepest on the Black Sea coast. Separated from the sea by a strip of sand alone, it is one of the most visited places in the town.

To the north of the town you will find the necropolis, with objects dating back to 5000 BC. Here you can see tombs and ceramic and copper decorations. These sites are some of the most important in Eastern Europe.

Aladzha Monastery

This fascinating monastery stands at a height of 40 metres, hidden amongst the trees and sculpted from the same stone as the vertical cliff face. By means of some steps you can access both its levels, containing rooms, communal areas and a chapel. Some of the colourful frescoes which formerly covered nearly all the monastery’s walls are still intact. Its age of splendour came during the Ottoman occupation in the 13th and 14th centuries, when the construction of new churches was forbidden. It continued to be inhabited by monks until the 18th century, when it fell into disuse.

Nesebar

This beautiful town is located on a peninsula connected to the coast by a narrow isthmus. As tourist-orientated as it is beautiful, in its streets old churches and wooden houses alternate with bars, restaurants and souvenir shops.

It is calculated that there were formerly over 80 churches in the old town of Nesebar. Nowadays fewer remain, but they are still very beautiful. In the centre of the town lie the ruins of the Basilica (6th century), the oldest of those still standing. One of the best-preserved temples is the 14th-century church of Christ Pantocrator, with its characteristic Byzantine style. The 10th-century church of Saint John the Baptist has one of the best-preserved murals in the country.

Since being founded by the Thracians over 3500 years ago, the town has been inhabited without interruption. Strolling through its streets steeped in history is an authentic pleasure. The sea breezes that have always blown through the town help cool you down on summer days, when the sun really does beat down.

The road from Obzor to Cape Emine

This road to the south passes through dense woods; along the way, modest mountain villages afford fantastic views of the sea. Occasionally you will pass through vineyards, still visible although their presence has greatly diminished.
Cape Emine, along with Cape Kaliakra, is one of the most beautiful headlands in the Black Sea. There are wonderful views to be had from the lighthouse. A 60m high cliff that plunges down almost vertically into the sea hides a lovely, quiet beach.

Trip to the Kamchia Nature Reserve

Elms, oaks and maples line the river that lends its name to the area. At times the vegetation is so dense that the sunlight can barely shine through. The area is also characterised by its wetlands, the habitat for many species of amphibians and birds.

In some parts of the river one can see the white flowers of water lilies, one of the most representative species of this area. Many river trips are available, running through this paradise of flora and fauna, naturalists and biologists.

Specialities

Bulgarian cuisine is tasty, spicy and very similar to that of its Balkan neighbours. The Turkish influence is considerable. At times, the difference between a Bulgarian, Greek, Turkish or Serbian dish resides solely in its name or one ingredient more or less.

Meat: Highlights are kavarmá, a kind of stew containing pork, leeks, wine, chilli and fresh herbs; méshana skara or mixed grill; and sarmí, well-spiced minced meat wrapped in vine or cabbage leaves.

Yoghurt: Without doubt this is the culinary symbol of Bulgaria. In fact, the microorganism that transforms milk into yoghurt is called 'Lactobacillus bulgaricus' or ‘Bulgarian milk bacillus’. Yoghurt is an indispensable component of the cold ‘tarator’ soup, which also contains cucumbers, garlic, oil and walnuts, and is eaten like gazpacho. Another popular dish is ‘airán’, diluted yoghurt with a little salt.

With regard to cheese, ‘sírene’, made with cow or sheep milk, is used in many dishes like the ‘shopska salata’, a salad made using tomato, cucumber, green pepper and onion.

Desserts: Ottoman influence can be felt in the typical sweets such as ‘baklavá’, a pastry gateau filled with walnuts and honey; ‘tolumba’, a fritter with syrup; or ‘kadaif’, vermicelli with walnuts, cinnamon and syrup.

Wines: Although Bulgarian wines have lost their splendour and the markets they had during the Communist era, they are still very good quality. The country has many local grape varieties such as Mavrud, Gamza, Pamid and red Misquet, among others, which produce excellent wines. The crisis in the sector saw the introduction of international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Rkatsiteli, of Georgian origin.

Shopping

Because of its small size, there are fewer shops in Obzor than in other tourist towns. You will, however, find some gift shops and others selling beach articles in the centre.

Local farmers sell fresh fruit and vegetables in the stalls that can still be found in the village. Don’t hesitate to buy some – the quality and flavour of the produce is excellent. You will also be making a contribution to the region’s battered rural economy.

Popular Bulgarian crafts are like the country’s history, a mixture of influences. We recommend you purchase ceramic and copper objects, and the hand-embroidered items. You will also find typical Orthodox icons, very similar to those found in Greece.