Pomorie and Aheloy – salt lake, mud baths and camping on the southern Black Sea coast

On the coast between Burgas and Nessebar lie Pomorie and Aheloy – two quiet alternatives to the big resorts. Pomorie is an ancient town on a narrow peninsula, surrounded by sea on three sides, known for healing mud, salt pans and wine. Aheloy is a small town with a long sandy beach, famous for one of the largest battles of medieval Europe. Some of the few surviving campsites on the Black Sea coast are nearby.

Pomorie

• The old town – at the tip of the peninsula. Stroll the seafront promenade among old houses and the Church of the Transfiguration. Watch the sunset from the breakwater.
• Pomorie Lake – a hypersaline lagoon, protected area and one of the most important bird sites on the Black Sea. Flamingos, avocets, grebes and gulls nest and rest here. There are viewing platforms and a visitor centre.
• The Salt Museum – the only one in Bulgaria. Salt has been made here the same way for millennia, by evaporating seawater, and in summer you can see the salt pans at work.
• Mud therapy – black healing mud from the lake is used in the town’s spa centres for joint and skin conditions. Many people simply plaster themselves with it on the lakeshore.
• St George Monastery – with a holy spring and a lovely courtyard.
• The Thracian domed tomb – a 2nd–3rd-century Roman tomb, an unusual building with a central column.
• Wine – Pomorie is known for dessert wines and Muscats, and local cellars offer tastings.

Aheloy

Aheloy is 5 km north of Pomorie. Here, on 20 August 917, the army of Tsar Simeon the Great routed the Byzantines in the Battle of Achelous – one of the largest battles of medieval Europe. A monument to the battle stands near the town. Aheloy’s beach is long and wide, and the sea is shallow and great for kids.

Camping on the southern Black Sea coast

Many people swear that camping is the most romantic seaside holiday – a tent, caravan or camper van, freedom and closeness to nature. There were once dozens of campsites along the coast. Few are left today, but between Pomorie, Aheloy and Sozopol there are still several organised campsites right on the beach, among trees, with pitches for tents, caravans and campers. They usually offer hot water, electricity, barbecue spots, a small bistro and a shop.

Important: sleeping in a tent directly on the beach is banned in most places on the Black Sea coast. Use an organised campsite.

What to bring for camping

• A well-ventilated tent and some shade (an awning). The sun is strong.
• An extension cable and power adapter.
• Mosquito repellent – there are plenty near the lakes.
• Book ahead for July and August.

Nearby

• Nessebar – an old town on a peninsula and UNESCO site, 20 km away.
• Burgas – the Sea Garden, Atanasovsko Lake and St Anastasia Island.
• Sozopol – an ancient town of cobbled lanes, about 50 km away.
• Varna – about 1 h 30 min north. See Varna.

Getting there

By air to Burgas (about 20 km). By car from Sofia along the Trakia motorway to Burgas, about 4 h 30 min. By bus – direct buses from Sofia to Pomorie, plus local buses from Burgas.

When to visit

June–September for the beach. May and October for mud therapy, birdwatching and quiet walks, when the lake is full of migrating birds.