Ahtopol Bulgaria. Ahtopol is the southernmost resort in Bulgaria. Strandzha Nature Park
In order to save time and money, and your trip to the resort was as convenient and comfortable as possible, use our services.
Ahtopol - How to get there and where to stay
Ahtopol resort does not have its own airport. The nearest airport 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 Ahtopol hotel where you decide to stay.
Hotel booking - Ahtopol
Don't know where to stay? Would you like to book a hotel at the best prices?
We will help you find and book a hotel on the most favorable terms!
Car rental - Ahtopol
Thinking about transport? Would you like to rent a car cheaply?
We will help you find and rent a car on the most favorable terms!
Ahtopol - Transfer to hotel or airport
Need an inexpensive transfer to the hotel resort Ahtopol (Ahtopol) from the airport or train station? Or vice versa, you rested at the hotel and you need to get on time for the return flight? We suggest you use the services of an online service for ordering an individual transfer in more than 70 countries around the world.
Package tours to Bulgaria
We strive to make traveling to Bulgaria as affordable as possible! With our service, you can not save money for a summer vacation, but travel 3-4 times a year. You have in your hands all the tools for finding the hottest tours that were previously available only to the coolest travel agents. Thanks to our smart search, you can save up to 70% on tourist trips and tours!
Don't forget about insurance!
Travel insurance is provided by many companies. On our website they are presented and. These are one of the largest representatives of this industry, to whom you can entrust your health, luggage and good mood.
Buying an insurance policy online is very simple. You just need to use our service. Each purchased insurance, with a liability limit of 30,000 Euros, is suitable for obtaining a Schengen visa and is accepted at the embassies of all countries. The online purchase procedure takes a few clicks and takes no more than 3 minutes. You can pay in any convenient way, including a plastic card. If there are offices of insurance companies in your city, you will be able to pay with them.
At 14 km from the Turkish border, at the foot of the 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 lack of crowds of foreign tourists, low prices and favorable climate, and the guests of the country appreciate its favorable geographical position: from Ahtopol you can easily get to any settlement in Bulgaria and Turkey. The city is ideal for a "lazy" holiday: sunbathing on the beach, swimming, leisurely walks along the beautifully decorated promenade, admiring the sea and plant landscapes. The lack of activity is easily compensated for by participating in educational excursions organized in the Strandzha park located near Ahtopol, the Ropotamo reserve and the Sozopol Tumpalov castle.
A bit of history
The first settlement on the territory of modern Ahtopol was founded by the Thracians in 430 BC. e. After some time, the city went to the Greeks, and then to the Romans. After the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, the settlement, called Agathopolis, became part of Byzantium. In the 14th century, the city was captured by the Ottoman Turks, but they did not last long, passing the baton to the Bulgarians.
During the years of its existence, Ahtopol was repeatedly raided by pirates, and in 1918 it burned down 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 the massive masonry that goes into the ground to a depth of 1.5 m, and the monastery of St. Jani.
But this is redundant
Beach holidays from 45,000 rubles. for two. Summer 2019!
The best and most popular resorts are waiting for you. First line hotels.
Treat yourself and your loved ones Hurry up to book! Discounts for children up to 30%.
Buy tour. Installment tours - no overpayment!
Rest in from 45,000 rubles. for two.
The most delicious offers for the summer of 2019! Interest-free installment for tours!
Popular resorts and verified hotels. , .
Discounts for children up to 30%. Hurry up to book! Buying tours.
Departures from Moscow — get a discount right now.
How to get there
You can get to Ahtopol from Burgas by taxi, regular bus or rented car. The journey will take a little over an hour. You can get to Burgas by plane, train from Kyiv, Moscow, Krakow, Prague, Budapest or Sofia, bus from Varna and Sofia.
Popular hotels in Ahtopol
Entertainment, excursions, attractions
Of the sights located within the city, the Church of the Ascension and the Museum of Anchors are of particular interest to tourists. The church is a modest one-story building, built of stones of various sizes, interspersed with wooden slats.
Outwardly, the temple resembles an ordinary residential building with a size of 17x7 m and a height of 2.5 m. If it were not for the cross crowning the tiled roof, it would not be distinguishable from the nearby buildings.
Inside, it is painted from top to bottom with frescoes in the Byzantine style. Not far from the church, on the street. Neptuna, 3, there is an open-air museum where you can see anchors of various shapes and sizes raised from the bottom of the Akhtopol Bay.
Strandzha Nature Park
Strandzha Nature 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 over 100 rare plants and animals live on its territory, including specially protected Mediterranean and Balkan turtles. Some trees are up to 500 years old: these giants rise above 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 study 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 (road E87, 76 km towards Malko Tarnovo).
Reserve "Ropotamo"
Not far from Ahtopol, on the river. Ropotamo near the town of Primorsko, there is another nature protection zone that deserves attention - the reserve "Ropotamo". It is home to over 70 endangered bird species and about 100 rare plants.
You can see the beauty of the reserve during a one-hour excursion on a water tram: it offers a gorgeous view of the famous rock in the shape of a lion's head, quiet backwaters with wild boars and hunting herons that came to the watering hole, coastal stones dotted with turtles basking in the sun...
Camera clicks do 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 it is enough for a dozen photo reports about the trip.
You can get to Ropotamo from Burgas, Sozopol or Primorsko by taxi, sightseeing bus or private car (a sign and a bridge will appear on the 12 km of the highway connecting Sozopol with Primorsko, after the bridge you need to turn left). Boats run along the river daily from 9:00 to 20:00, the ticket price is 10 BGN (adults), 5 BGN (children). Prices on the page are for March 2019.
Tumpalova Castle
Sozopol is located 36 km south of Ahtopol - a treasure trove of monuments of medieval architecture. However, the main attraction of the city, oddly enough, is not the ancient buildings, but quite a modern castle, built by the forces of Georgi Tumpalov and his sons. Despite the fact that the construction has not yet been completed, everyone is allowed into the territory of the structure 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 placed 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 facade of the building like a gargoyle, decorative bridges and gates, massive cast flower vases. Stepping outside the gate, you find yourself in a revived fairy tale, 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 cost of the entrance ticket is 10 BGN.
- Where to stay: in democratically priced Burgas, in Sunny Beach, comfortable for families with children, in the famous Nessebar or nearby Ravda, in the family Chernomorets, in the youth Primorsko, in the favorite resort of Bulgarian bohemia -
Sunny Beach and Golden Sands are the favorite places for tourists from Russia and Ukraine to stay 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 was known as Agathoupolis during the Byzantine Empire. After the Greeks, the Turks took over the city. Ahtopol is located 17 km from the border with Turkey and 77 km from the 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, above which rises a small mountain with numerous restaurants. I strongly advise you to dine at sunset in one of these restaurants and watch the sun go down, enjoying the peace and tranquility, as well as the almost complete absence of tourists.
We had dinner here at the seafood restaurant and received a plate of delicious mussels as a gift from the chef.
In general, there is a rule in Bulgaria: the farther from the untwisted expensive resorts like Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, the cheaper it is to stay and eat in a restaurant. Even if you choose the most expensive restaurant in Ahtopol, dinner in it will cost you much less than, for example, in St. Vlas or Albena. In Ahtopol, many locals rest. And, since the Bulgarians are not the wealthiest people in Europe, the prices in these Bulgarian resorts are very low. A bowl of soup for lunch will cost you 1-2 leva, a main course - 4-5 leva, grilled fish - 7-9 leva (divide by 2 to get the price in Euros).
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 here, as well as frequent rains. The sea in Ahtopol is very clean and warm. There is also a small promenade.
Ahtopol is an absolutely non-party city, and if you want to hang out at discos, then don’t even waste your time, because. you won't find it 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 relaxation city 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 a big city it’s quite possible. However, some other inconveniences are associated with such a savage vacation: the tourist infrastructure in the city is not as well developed as in the large resorts of Bulgaria.
- 5 km from Ahtopol is the village of Varvara, which is popular among divers. Under water there are a lot of reefs and underwater rocks. 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 for the night during a road trip from Bulgaria to Turkey.
- In Ahtopol, very tasty and cheap seafood and food in restaurants.
- In Ahtopol, hotel rooms are very cheap: for example, a good room at the 4-star Hotel Eskada Beach all-inclusive with a sea view will cost you 78 Euros for two per night in high season. Accommodation in a boutique hotel 3 stars Agata Beach on the first line from the sea will cost you only 39 Euros for two with breakfast.
To the south there is only a small village of Sinemorets and the border checkpoint 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, having fallen under the possession of the Roman Empire, Ahtopol receives 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 Turks captured the city and renamed it Ahtenbolu. The city was destroyed and plundered many times, it even got it 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, fry kebabs. On a weekday, there are 12 cars. Nobody bothers anyone. The place is extremely pleasant. Quiet river. Birdsong. Relaxing environment.
Of 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 +23...+25. The resort is an excellent place for a relaxing and quiet holiday, this resort is chosen by the Bulgarians themselves because of the small number of vacationers and maximum tranquility, excursions to Istanbul also depart from here.
Note site
Ahtopol is a very pleasant and quiet town. This is a resort of local importance, and therefore tours from Russia are not sold there. 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.
To date, there are not many hotels in Ahtopol, mostly private accommodation is 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 the arrival of summer is celebrated in the foothills of Strandzha, in the villages of Brodilovo and Kosti.
Ahtopol is the southernmost among Bulgarian coastal towns. The distance from it to Bourgas is 86 km, and to the resort towns of Obzor and (Varna region) - about 165 km. At 14 kilometers from Ahtopol, along the Black Sea coast, there is a highway of international importance, which leads from Bulgaria to Turkey.
The urban landscape of Ahtopol impresses not only with its beauty, but also with the extraordinary neatness and well-groomed buildings and streets. Houses under a tiled roof and paving stones on the road look very cozy and elegant.
Sea 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 harsh rocks.
One of the many city flowerbeds in Kazanlak. Being the geographical center of the Valley of Roses, the city is famous for a large number of pink flower beds and flower beds, which are designed by specialists.
Cape in the southern part of the bay. It is known for a very picturesque steep descent to the sea. The monastery "St. John" was located here, part of which, presumably, is still underground today.
Ahtopol embankment at night looks stunningly beautiful. It is very quiet and deserted here, because the nighttime peace of local residents and visitors is very much appreciated in the city.
The surrounding landscapes of Ahtopol look very picturesque and peaceful. The combination of red-brown roof tiles and lush green garden trees evoke associations with alpine villages.
The squat building of the ancient Church of the Ascension is located on the outskirts of one of the Akhtopol beaches, on a sheer cliff near the sea. It is built of natural stone with a thickness of about 0.9 meters.
Due to the presence of deep bays well protected from the wind, in which sailing ships are conveniently moored, Ahtopol has a transport connection with the seaports of other states. Therefore, this resort is constantly developing and looks very modern.
The Veleka River flows into the Black Sea just four kilometers from Akhtopol. The water in the local sea is calm and warm - up to 25 degrees. On the territory of the Akhtopol 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 this is a rather ancient city. Greek settlements appeared here at about the same time as in the city. After the capture by the Romans, the city was named Peronticus. As a result of barbarian raids, the settlement was often destroyed. And one of the restorations was carried out by Agathon, a commander from Byzantium, who named the newly rebuilt city after himself - Agathopolis.
In 1918, Ahtopol was completely destroyed by a severe fire, and it had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. Only small fragments of the fortress walls remained from the old city. Among the modern sights, the monastery of St. Yani and the Church of the Ascension should also be noted. In addition, the Malka Papia mountain peak, which is part of the Strandja Mountains, is located near the city.
From the sea, Ahtopol looks very attractive, green and fresh. Despite its location on a rocky terrain, the city has beautiful landscapes and a comfortable climate.
The tower of the city lighthouse 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 old lighthouse.
Akhtopol boat pier. From here, every morning, local fishermen set sail for their fishing, from here exciting boat trips for tourists begin.
It is always calm in the center of Ahtopol. Resort life is in full swing on the sea coast, and in the central areas of the city, tourists can enjoy the atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
It is very interesting to look at Ahtopol from this angle. From here you can see a rocky area that goes to the Black Sea. Southern sunny Ahtopol borders on Turkey.
On the wild beach of Ahtopol there are always a lot of local and visiting vacationers. The sandy strip near the seashore is securely 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 to the sea for a pleasant walk.
The sandy beach of Ahtopol traditionally attracts many local vacationers and tourists. On the one hand, it is washed by the azure sea, and on the other hand, it is reliably protected by a very picturesque green hill.
Picturesque nature of Ahtopol
Relic forests grow along the banks of the Veleka River, which flows in the valley of the mountain range. There is a lot of greenery around, a variety of birds live on the trees, the water is full of fish, and sometimes even water turtles are found. Therefore, the mouth of Veleka and all the local unique nature is under the protection of the state.
Akhtopol infrastructure includes hotels, private cottages, restaurants, bistros and pastry shops. Here, those who wish can taste dishes of the national Bulgarian cuisine.
Now Ahtopol continues to develop as one of the picturesque, because it is attractive in terms of construction investment.
Ahtopol is the southernmost among Bulgarian coastal towns. The distance from it to Bourgas is 86 km, and to the resort towns of Obzor and Byala (Varna region) - about 165 km.
