GRADINA
Situated between Chemomorets and Sozopol, Gradina, or Garden, is one of the most popular beaches. The bay is suitable for windsurfing, water and jet skiing and many people are aware of it. At the height of summer, the beach, which offers golden sands, several bars and was the first to provide wireless Internet access three years ago, can be quite busy, but it is quieter in September. Its fame as a favourite haunt of surfers and TV stars was tarnished a little by last year's arguments between caravan owners who had paid for their first-sea-line sites months earlier and the concessionaire, who collected additional fees for the same thing.

VESELIE
The different parts of the wide stretch of beach south of Sozopol are named after the respective camping sites. Veselie, or Gaiety, is after Kavatsite, or the Poplars, and Smokinya, or Fig, and is easy to recognise because of the rock that lies in the sea. As well as for its fine white sand, clear water and magnificent view of the bay, it is known as one of the oldest naturist beaches in Bulgaria. Nearby is the Sand Lily nature reserve. The last - though not least - charm of Veselie is the total absence of beach umbrellas for hire.



ROPOTAMO
The beach and the large lagoon swamp formed by the flow of the Ropotamo River into the Black Sea 12 km, or 8 miles, south of Sozopol, are part of the Arkutino nature reserve, which is the habitat of lianas and water lilies and the nesting site of colonies of cormorants and swans. South of the beach with preserved sand dunes is Maslen Nos, or the Oil Cape. It was named after the olive-oil laden Greek ships that sank near its rocky shore and is suitable for diving. What this beach has escaped so far is visible from the north end of the bay. A hotel complex has appeared in no time on Cape Humata.



KARAAGACH
In Turkish, karaagach means "black elm". On the southern Black Sea coast, however, this is the name of a river, also known as Kitenska, and the name of the bay where it flows into the sea. Its estuary is overgrown with reeds and changes its shape every year and there are wild vines hanging from the steep cliffs on either side of it. The river has formed a beach with pale yellow sand and poplar, elm and oak trees have gradually appeared on it. This is a place not only for holiday makers: the migratory birds flying south along the Via Pontica route also pass through the area.

DELFIN
There is a small picturesque promontory between Varvara and Ahtopol, covered with the cabins of the Delfin, or Dolphin, campsite in the summer. To enjoy the beaches situated north and south of the promontory, you don't have to rent a cabin. The north beach is small and accessible via a steep path which goes through thick shrubs. This makes it perfect for naturalists, who are its most frequent visitors. The south beach is larger, "clothed" and has lifeguards. If you are lucky, you can see the dolphins that sometimes swim close to the shore.



SINEMORETS
The former village is situated in a nature reserve which embraces the valleys of the Veleka and the Rezovska rivers, the coast and the Strandzha. In Communist times, it used to be part of the border area with Turkey and its five beaches were the wildest along the whole Bulgarian coast. The north beach, called Kosata, is formed where the Veleka flows into the sea via a lagoon-type estuary. This explains its ever-changing shape and high waves. The most popular beach is the central one. Because of the legend that the sea there simultaneously pulls (buta) and thrusts (myata), it is called Butamyata. The steep path through the rocks on the opposite side will take you to Lipite, or the Limes, and less than two miles further south is Listi, or Leaves beach, which is only accessible on foot. Silistar has a shallow cove and is perfect for surfing and though it is Part of a nature reserve, it already has a bar.