Burgas to Sozopol Drive | From €12/day | BG Car Rental

Why Drive from Burgas to Sozopol?

The Burgas to Sozopol drive is one of the shortest and most rewarding routes on Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast. At just 35 km, you can do it in under 40 minutes — but most people take half a day because the stops along the way are worth lingering over. Sozopol is the oldest town on the Bulgarian coast, founded by Greek colonists in 610 BC as Apollonia Pontica. Today it’s split between an atmospheric Old Town of wooden houses creaking over the sea and a bustling New Town of beaches and seafood tavernas. If you’re [hiring a car in Plovdiv](/car-hire-plovdiv/) or [picking up in Sofia](/car-hire-sofia/), Sozopol is the perfect end point for a Black Sea road trip.

The Route: Burgas to Sozopol via E87

The most common route is dead simple: head south out of Burgas on the E87 coastal road (also signed as route 99). You’ll pass Burgas Airport (BOJ) on your left after about 10 km — handy if you’re picking up a hire car there. From the airport junction, it’s another 20 km to Sozopol. The road is two-lane, in decent condition, and mostly flat. In July and August, expect slower going because of holiday traffic, especially around the Chernomorets turn-off. Drive time is typically 35–45 minutes. Fuel stations are available at both ends but not along the stretch between — fill up in Burgas before you leave. Bulgarian petrol sits around €1.35/L (2026 pricing).

Stops Along the Way

Poda Nature Reserve (12 km from Burgas) — A wetland lagoon right beside the E87 with a small visitor centre and viewing platform. If you’re into birdwatching, this is one of the best spots on the Black Sea flyway. Dalmatian pelicans, pygmy cormorants, and glossy ibis all turn up here. Free entry, open daily 09:00–17:00.

Chernomorets (23 km from Burgas) — A small resort village with a surprisingly nice beach and a handful of decent fish restaurants. If the Sozopol crowds are too much, Chernomorets is where locals go instead. The Aheloy-Chernomorets road also connects back to Burgas via an inland route if you want a change of scenery on the way back.

Cape Atia / Atia Bay (28 km) — A narrow headland jutting into the sea with a tiny harbour and a couple of waterfront mehanas (traditional taverns). The road passes right through it. Stop for fresh mussels — the Black Sea variety is unlike anything you’ll find inland.

Parking in Sozopol

This is where having a car in Sozopol gets tricky. Old Town is essentially car-free — narrow cobblestone lanes, overhanging wooden balconies, no proper parking. The main approaches:

• Harbour parking — A large paid lot right at the port entrance. €2–3/hour in summer. The closest option but fills up by 10:00 AM in July.
• Harmani Beach car park — On the New Town side, about 600 m walk to Old Town. Cheaper at €1–2/hour.
• Street parking along Knyaz Boris I Street — Free but limited. Arrive before 09:00 or forget it.

Tip: If you’re staying overnight, ask your guesthouse about their private parking. Many Sozopol hotels have just 2–3 spaces but will reserve one if you ask ahead.

What to Do in Sozopol with a Car

Once you’ve parked, Old Town Sozopol is best explored on foot. Walk the crumbling seawall, visit the Archaeological Museum (Apollonia artefacts, including the famous 4th-century wooden anchor), and poke around the art galleries along Mesembria Street. But having a car means you can also reach things that bus tourists can’t:

St. Anastasia Island — A tiny monastic island 6 km offshore. Boats depart from the harbour from May to October (€10 round trip). You don’t need a car for the boat, but having one means you can combine it with the mainland stops on your own schedule.

Ropotamo River and Beglik Tash — 15 km south of Sozopol, the Ropotamo Nature Reserve has a navigable river (kayak rentals available) and the Beglik Tash Thracian sanctuary — a circle of massive stones that predates the Greek colony. The road to Beglik Tash is unpaved for the last 2 km; a standard hire car can manage it in dry weather, but check your rental agreement covers unpaved roads.

Primorsko and Kiten — Another 15–20 km down the coast, both are smaller, quieter resorts with long sandy beaches. If Sozopol feels crowded, push on to these.

Driving Conditions and Local Tips

The E87 between Burgas and Sozopol is straightforward and well-signposted. But a few things catch out foreign drivers:

• Speed cameras — Several fixed cameras along this stretch. The limit is 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 50 km/h through villages. Fines are €25–50 and arrive via your rental company (who’ll add an admin fee).
• Horse carts — Yes, really. Local Roma communities still use horse-drawn carts on this road, especially early mornings. They’re slow, surprisingly hard to see at dusk, and they don’t use lights.
• Pedestrians — Bulgarian pedestrian crossings are advisory, not obligatory. Locals cross wherever they like. Don’t assume someone will wait for you to stop.
• Vignette — You need a Bulgarian vignette (e-vignette) for motorway use. The E87 isn’t a motorway, so this route doesn’t require one. But if you drove to Burgas via the A1/Trakia motorway, you’ll need it. €7/week or €15/month.
• No hidden fees — When you compare hire deals through us, all mandatory charges are included upfront — no surprise insurance add-ons or fuel policy tricks at the desk.

Burgas to Sozopol at a Glance

Related Destinations

Looking for more Bulgarian road trips? Also explore our guides to the [Sofia to Varna drive](/sofia-to-varna-drive/), the [Plovdiv to Varna route](/plovdiv-to-varna-drive/), and [driving in Bulgaria](/driving-in-bulgaria/) for rules, vignettes, and road conditions.

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