The places to visit in Bulgaria and the hidden gems are countless! Let’s see the most charming ones along the North coast of the Black Sea.
Table of Contents
1. Cape Kaliakra
Typical visit time: 1 hour
Entrance fee: 3 BGN
We can’t explore places to visit in Bulgaria along the North coast and not mention one of the most beautiful fortresses in Bulgaria – the one at cape Kaliakra! Kaliakra is certainly one of the most charming things to see in Bulgaria – the views from the high cliffs will just take your breath away!
There are a few curious legends about Kaliakra. Here are two of the most famous ones:
Legend of Cape Kaliakra and St. Nicholas
The first legend is about Saint Nicholas, patron of seamen. He was running from the Ottoman invaders and God was constantly prolonging the ground beneath his feet right until the moment he was captured. This is how the cape was formed and it was the reason it is so far into the Black Sea.
Legend of Cape Kaliakra and the Forty Maidens
The second popular legend is related to a few caves that can be found along the cape. Again at the time of Ottoman invasion, when the Ottomans were taking over and ravaging the villages along the Black Sea, they decided to capture 40 of the prettiest maidens in the area. They locked them in one of the caves of cape Kaliakra and wanted to reward the bravest warriors after they feast. The maidens cried and wondered how to save their honor, until they finally figured out that the sea would be their only savior. Well, of course, some of them were hesitant, thus, they all decided to braid their hair for one another and managed to throw themselves in the waters near the cape. It was too late when the Ottomans managed to see what was going on – they just saw a large figure, as if a flock of cranes, was falling down to the sea. This sad legend also gives the name of one of the larger caves – “the cave of the 40 maidens”.
Cape Kaliakra also houses remains of ancient houses and even small Roman thermae. You will see some very good-looking arches and fort walls – they were rebuilt in recent times in efforts to recreate the fortress’ actual look. I wouldn’t recommend the restaurant (despite the pretty views!) – it’s pretty expensive for the food quality you’ll receive.
You must absolutely visit cape Kaliakra at sunset – you will truly fall in love with the place!
2. Tyulenovo (The Seal Coast)
Typical visit time: 30 minutes
The Arch of Tyulenovo is an incredibly beautiful place to visit in Bulgaria. If you like waking up very early (or going to bed super late), you should visit the arch at sunrise – it’s honestly amazing in the morning golden light! You can only get there by car (no public transport available, unfortunately) – you should just type in “Arkata” in Google Maps and head for it. The road close to it is pretty bad, but it’s not too far from the main road, so you can park near the houses. There is a separated large rock near the arch, which the locals call “The Loner” 🙂
The name Tyulenovo is not very old – it was named in the 1940s due to frequent sightings of monk seals in the region. Unfortunately, though, you can no longer see seals in Tyulenovo, mainly due to overfishing 🙁
3. Yailata
Typical visit time: 2 hours
Entrance fee: 3 BGN
Yailata has impressive 60-meter cliffs and is definitely one of the top places to visit in Bulgaria, especially along the Northern Black Sea coast. It has even been declared an important architectural landmark and some of its secrets date back 8 thousand years ago. There are numerous ancient housing facilities, a few necropoli and even rock monasteries.
“Yaila” actually means “a high pasture” from Turkish. And indeed, this is what you’ll witness – huge green fields right on the cliffs, and even gorgeous red peonies in May! If you’d like to photograph the peonies, please be careful and don’t step on them, so we can all enjoy them year after year 🙂
The early Byzantine fortress from 5th century AD is also a curious thing you can see in the region. Well, yes, it has been restored and even looks a bit modern, but it’s still pretty and worth exploring! You should also account for some time to visit the 100 caves in the area and the rock church “St. St. Constantine and Helena” which gave shelter to monks during the centuries.
4. Kamen Bryag (Rock Coast)
Typical visit time: 30 minutes
Kamen Bryag (translated: the rock coast) is one of the favorite places to visit in Bulgaria for the locals during the popular “July morning” feast 🙂 The village is located between Tyulenovo and Yailata and its views are just as stunning!
If you like camping, this would be perfect for you – you will often spot people with tents and even vans/campers! There are two very curious summer events in the area – the village’s main celebration is held on the 3rd of July, while in August you can visit the rock climbing contest! Kamen Bryag is definitely a lovely place to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast, especially if you love adventure 🙂
5. The View over Kavarna
Typical visit time: 30 minutes
Kavarna used to be very popular with different concerts and music celebrities visiting during the summer. However, this only lasted for a few years during the service of the previous mayor. I’ve often wondered why the concerts stopped and why the mayor was never reelected? Well, after I talked to a few locals, I found out that actually most of the city’s money was spent on the concerts, while the city maintenance was left behind. Unfortunately, during my last visit to Kavarna, I found out the people were right.
Kavarna is not the first city that comes to mind when we’re looking for places to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast. I even got a bit upset when I visited – not because the city is not well maintained, but because it has SO much potential! The park, the city center and even the glass pyramid (yes, it reminds a bit of the Louvre!) could really use some renovation and attract a lot more tourists.
Oh well. Let’s talk about my favorite thing in Kavarna – THE VIEW! I absolutely adore this view and I plan to go there every time I visit Kavarna from now on, especially during sunset. Here are the coordinates where you can find it: https://goo.gl/maps/BjzZnMstKfKxDhyB8
6. Shabla
Typical visit time: 1 hour
The Shabla Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Balkan peninsula (and some sources even claim it to be the oldest in Europe)! You might not know that this lighthouse marks the easternmost point of Bulgaria, so it is an important place to visit in Bulgaria. The lighthouse is indeed important – there are numerous underwater rock formations, so it has often helped ships not to wreck nearby. However, there have still been accidents in the distant past, so Shabla is also popular for scuba diving.
The Shabla lake is also a pretty sight – it’s a protected area with over 70 types of birds, which are near extinction. So please, remember to respect the animals, be careful, and don’t forget to take all your trash with you!
7. The Palace and Botanical Gardens of Balchik
Typical visit time: 1 hour +
Entrance fee 14 BGN (8 BGN + 6 BGN)
Yes, Balchik’s Botanical Gardens are just as gorgeous as these photos! It would be best to see this place to visit in Bulgaria during late spring or summer. There are numerous flowers, a waterfall and over 2,000 species of plants and cacti, as well as a pretty throne (not as impressive as the one in Westeros, though 🙂 )
I do want to get a bit real about this sight, though, and give you a bit of a warning. Currently, you need to pay two different entrance fees (you can’t just pay one of them). There are two cash registers on both sides of the entrance (you can’t pay by card, only cash is accepted), and you need to visit both in order to pay the fee – one is for the “palace”, while the other one is for the botanical gardens. Many, many tourists complain about this, and they are right to do so! It’s not the visitors’ fault that the institutions cannot get along well, right? (Btw, the toilets are pretty bad, so only use them if you REALLY need to go).
Despite these circumstances, the Palace and Botanical gardens of Balchik are definitely worth a visit. You’ll find the bridge of sighs, the wine alley, the hanging gardens and a few more stunning sights.
8. Bolata Beach
Typical visit time: 2 hours
Bolata is the only sand beach in the area of Cape Kaliakra. And how pretty it is! <3 I had been meaning to go there for quite some time until this year I visited it twice – both times on sunrise! And trust me, it is SO worth getting up super early to enjoy the sunrise there, you will remember this for a very long time 🙂
The beach is quite full during the summer, understandably. There are no beach bars here, but unfortunately, you might see vehicles on the beach. I’m sure you’ll find a parking spot – don’t park on the beach! In this way, you won’t just protect your car – you will protect nature 🙂
If you decide to spend a few hours beaching at Bolata, remember to bring an umbrella and a cooler full of beer, water and snacks 🙂 In order to reach the Bolata view (on the photo above), you need to find the small stairs up – they start at about the center of the beach, you will find them easily.
9. Rusalka Beach (Mermaid Beach)
Typical visit time: 2 hours
Entrance fee: 8 BGN
The places to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast are not endless, but you just can’t skip the lovely beaches of Rusalka (Mermaid)! A few years back, we snorkeled around the area (it’s also popular for scuba divers), but the water is so clear that the visibility is perfect even with snorkeling gear only. You will see much of the underwater rocks, fish and mussels.
There are actually 3 beaches in Rusalka (not two as most tourist boards would say). Rusalka is generally a closed complex, so this is where the entrance fee of 6 BGN comes from. When you enter, the unguarded beach is on the left. However, many people don’t know that this third beach is on the far left. In order to get there, you need to climb through a hole in the rocks. It’s smaller, but also usually less crowded 🙂
If you decide to visit these Mermaid beaches, don’t forget to pack swimming shoes, as the small rocks and seashells can harm your feet.
10. Zelenka Beach
Typical visit time: 1 hour
The beach near Zelenka is a true hidden gem place to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast <3 Zelenka (meaning greenish) is the the whole area around. If you look from above, the place is truly pretty and green!
In order to get to Zelenka, you’d need to drive down a dirt road, which makes it unpopular for most people, but it also make it empty and enjoyable! It reminds a bit of the Greek beaches – crystal clear waters and white rocks around, it’s great for swimming and diving. Well, maybe it’s a good idea to bring an air mattress if you’d like to tan, as the rocks are not so nice to lay on 🙂
11. Krapets Beach
Typical visit time: 2 hours
Krapets beach is an unmissable place to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast! Unfortunately, it’s a bit too “urban” with bars and hotels nearby. However, the beach itself is quite long and sandy, so it will be what you dream of for your summer vacation in Bulgaria.
If you choose to spend a day on this beach, bear in mind that two sunbeds and an umbrella cost about 10 BGN. Well, it’s not as bad as in other places in Bulgaria, but it’s not super cheap either. You can, however, bring your own umbrella and find a space for it 🙂
12. Durankulak Lake
Typical visit time: 1 hour
The city of Durankulak is the Northernmost point of the Bulgarian Black sea – it’s right on the border with Romania. While it’s pretty far away, it’s absolutely worth visiting its amazing lake! There are two ways you can see the lake. The first one is if you follow Google Maps – it will take you above the lake (the road is not too nice, though), but you will see an amazing watchtower with a pretty view! If you follow the signs around the city, however, you will find yourself right at the lake and you’ll be able to take some great shots 💜
Where to Stay in Bulgaria along the North Coast
Villa Allegra, Kavarna
If you’d like to see all of 11 places to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast, you will certainly be looking for a great starting point for every day, as well as a place to properly rest after the full days of exploring. I would highly recommend that you choose Villa Allegra in Kavarna for your chosen place to stay! Here are a few reasons to pick it:
- Location – it’s just 5 minutes away by car from the city center, and thus a great choice for starting location for exploring places to visit in Bulgaria along the North Coast. There is also a large supermarket (again about 5 minutes by car) where you can shop for food and even cooking.
- The beach is only a 1-minute walk – even though we, locals, often tend to complain that there are fewer tourists along our part of the Black Sea, the South Coast gets pretty full during high season. The good thing about this part of Kavarna is that there are very very few hotels nearby, so the beach is never too full for you to enjoy. One of my favorite things about this beach is that it’s pretty shallow, so it’s really perfect for kids.
- The Silence – we often underestimate the noise pollution that we are exposed to in the cities every day (and it’s really harmful, guys!) Because of its great location, Villa Allegra is one of the quietest places you can stay in the Bulgarian North Coast. And not just that – when we spent 3 days in July 2019, despite the hotel being full, we didn’t really hear the other guests. Well, the property doesn’t have noise proofing, but most tourists choose Villa Allegra namely because of how quiet it is. We got up two mornings before sunrise (so we can shoot the sunrise at Bolata and Tyulenovo), and we had no trouble sleeping until noon afterwards 🙂
- The Wi-Fi connection – as in most apart-complexes of MyVacation, you will have a separate internet connection just for your apartment! This will ensure a stable and fast internet connection at all times 🙂
- Not just a pool, but a fully equipped kitchen – Villa Allegra combines the best of both worlds – the AirBNB era and the trend for luxury hotels. You will not just have a fully equipped kitchen (there is a separate laundry room if you plan on staying longer), but you will also be able to enjoy the cute pool in the villa. In addition, there is night security and a receptionist during the day.
- Enjoy the style – the room design and furniture in Villa Allegra is really something I enjoyed! Cozy, with white and grey accents (similar to the Scandinavian style), I’m sure you will feel even better than at home 🙂
To make a reservation, you can e-mail directly to allegra@myvacation.bg , but make sure you check out their awesome offers and discounts first!
Where to Eat along the North Coast of Bulgaria
Before my last visit to the infamous restaurant “Mussel Farm Dalboka”, I had always vouched for it! Despite the bad service and questionable hygiene, the mussels were cheap, fresh and extremely delicious! We used to drive one hour just to eat there for 30-40 minutes. Before 2019, the prices were amazing – a huge pot of mussels was only 6 BGN, while the other dishes were a bit more expensive (fries were 7 BGN). Well, not anymore 🙁 Even though the restaurant is always expanding and is almost always full, the mussels now cost 10 BGN, as well as the fries. And you will absolutely NOT be able to eat for 30-40minutes, because you will wait a very long time for service. I was truly disappointed.
Luckily, I’ve found two great alternatives in the area with perfect service, and their mussels are just as great!
Restaurant Tyulenovo
We found the restaurant “Tyulenovo” by accident in Google Maps while looking for a place to eat in the area before heading to photograph the Milky Way. And what a great find that was! If my current score for the Mussel Farm is 3/10, this restaurant is definitely a 10/10! The service is just perfect, the prices are good (600 grams of mussels are 9.90 BGN), while the view is breathtaking <3 Don’t forget to try their “tarama”, I honestly think it’s the best I’ve ever had. Their home bread with butter on top is so delicious, that you’ll be too full for dessert afterwards 🙂
Restaurant Old Bridge
If you’ve chosen to stay at Villa Allegra, as I advised, this restaurant will be just a minute away from you – right on the beach! You can get mussels for just 6.90 BGN and they will surely be yummy and fresh. The service is good and the owner is very nice! 🙂 If you go for an afternoon dessert, I recommend the pancakes and cheesecake (they have a few desserts that are not home-made, so don’t forget to ask before you order). Kudos to them for taking in 8 hungry people at 11 pm and feeding us (even though their kitchen was already closed) 🙂
*Note: My stay at Villa Allegra in Kavarna was complimentary. However, all opinions expressed in this post are my own.
