Tsarevo Holidays

Tsarevo has had several names over the years. The current moniker means ‘royal place’ and it earned this title because it was once a favourite holiday spot with the Bulgarian royal family. So what made them choose this place? It may have had something to do with the crowd-free streets, peaceful beaches, and charming old towns nearby.

Though Tsarevo itself is pretty quiet, there’s lots to explore in neighbouring Sozopol, a 35-minute drive up the coast. The old town here is a maze of narrow, cobbled streets and historical wooden dwellings. A handful of Medieval churches offer leafy refuge from the summer sun. And nature lovers can hop on a boat to nearby St John’s Island, a one-time monastery that has been converted into a wildlife sanctuary.

The Ropotamo Nature Reserve is a 30-minute drive north of Tsarevo. Here, there are several walking and hiking trails that cut through marshland and sand dunes alike, plus a river that you can cruise along on a boat while tucking into a picnic lunch. The reserve is also a great spot for birdwatching, as it’s home to over 200 species of birds.