Lozenets lies at the edge of Strandzha — the oldest and most densely forested massif on the Bulgarian coast. That means there are things within half an hour of the beach that exist nowhere else along this shoreline. Here is what is worth seeing, ordered by distance.
Beglik Tash — 14 km
A Thracian megalithic sanctuary on a hill above Primorsko, in use from the Bronze Age onwards. Huge stone blocks, a sun clock, a “labyrinth” and a rock with a view of the whole coast. The marked path takes an hour to an hour and a half. Early morning or before sunset is best — there is almost no shade at midday.
The Ropotamo reserve — 15 km
The mouth of the Ropotamo river is one of the oldest nature reserves in Bulgaria. Boats run up the river from the jetty — a half-hour trip between the cliffs and the water lilies, past Snake Island and the Lion’s Head rock. The reserve also holds the Arkutino dunes and the marsh of the same name. Leaving the marked paths is not allowed, but you see plenty from them.
Tsarevo — 10 minutes
The nearest town. It has a harbour, a seafront promenade, the Church of the Assumption and several good fish restaurants. The Vasiliko peninsula at the northern end is a pleasant evening walk. Tsarevo also has the nearest cash machines, pharmacies and a larger supermarket.
Sinemorets and the mouth of the Veleka — 30 minutes
The most photographed spot on the southern coast. The Veleka river meets the sea and forms a freshwater lagoon separated from the beach by a sand spit. You can swim in both, and boats run upriver. There is a viewpoint at the turn-off before the village — stop for five minutes even if only for the view.
Strandzha Nature Park
The largest protected area in Bulgaria. From Lozenets you enter through Kosti, Brodilovo or Byala Voda. This is the country of the Strandzha rhododendron, ancient oak forests and villages of authentic old houses. In June the village of Balgari still holds the fire-dancing ritual on the feast of Saints Constantine and Helena — one of the few living rituals of its kind in Europe.
Primorsko and Sozopol — 30 and 40 minutes
Primorsko is the busy resort next door — a water park, amusements and a long central street. Sozopol is the opposite: an old town on a peninsula, wooden Revival-period houses, churches and art galleries. A walk through old Sozopol in the evening is the classic half-day trip from Lozenets.
If you are travelling with children
- The Ropotamo boat trip — short enough for younger children.
- The water park in Primorsko.
- The Veleka lagoon — shallow and warm.
- The fishing harbour in Lozenets early in the morning, when the catch comes in.
Everything listed here is within a 40-minute drive of the hotel, and in summer several of these places are also served by organised excursions leaving from Lozenets.
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