Is Sozopol's old town heritage-protected, and what does that mean for buying property?

Yes. The old town was declared an architectural and historical reserve in 1965 and confirmed by a 1974 Council of Ministers decree as the "Antique Sozopol" reserve. The protected core comes with building restrictions, while the newer development zones nearby allow more freedom. Svetlana sets out both areas clearly before you commit to a purchase.

Is Sozopol a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

No. Under Bulgarian law Sozopol holds the status of a national architectural and historical reserve, and it is not on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In this region only neighbouring Nessebar carries UNESCO World Heritage status.

How many people live in Sozopol?

As of 15 June 2026 the town counted about 4,921 residents with their main address registered there, and the municipality as a whole 13,362. During the summer season the actual occupancy runs much higher thanks to tourism and second homes.

How far is it to Burgas Airport?

According to the municipality's official figure, the road distance to Burgas is 34 km, and that is where you find the nearest airport (BOJ). Third-party sources cite different distances depending on the measuring point.

← All locations

Sozopol

Sozopol sits on a rocky peninsula along the southern Black Sea coast, about 34 kilometres south of Burgas. The town falls into two parts: the historic old town out on the headland, and a newer district built up with homes and holiday properties. It began life around 610 BC as the Greek colony of Apollonia Pontica, founded by settlers from Miletus. The old town has been under heritage protection since 1965 and was confirmed as a reserve by a Council of Ministers decree in 1974. More than 180 timber houses in the Bulgarian National Revival style still stand today. Summers run dry and the climate carries a Mediterranean influence, with roughly 2,727 hours of sunshine a year. Buyers here move between a protected old-town core and a freer new town. Svetlana walks you through what those differences mean on the ground.

View on Google Maps ↗

✈ Burgas Airport: ≈54 min (44 km)·🛣 A1 Trakia motorway (Burgas): ≈58 min (60 km)

🏙 Year-round liveability: 31/100

Local amenities

🛒 Major supermarkets: Billa · CBA · Lidl — open year-round
🏥 Medical care: hospital in town; 1 practices/clinics
🎓 Schools: school in town
🚰 Wastewater: Central sewerage Public sewerage network in place. Wastewater is treated at the Sozopol plant.

Source: OpenStreetMap; distances as the crow flies. Wastewater source: Plan für integrierte Entwicklung der Gemeinde Sozopol 2021-2027 (Fortschreibung) ↗

At a glance

·Protected old town: reserve status since 1965, confirmed in 1974 as a national architectural and historical reserve, with more than 180 surviving National Revival houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
·Peninsula setting: about 34 km south of Burgas, with Burgas (BOJ) the nearest airport.
·Ancient roots: founded around 610 BC as the Greek colony of Apollonia Pontica.
·Plenty of sun by the sea: roughly 2,727 hours of sunshine a year on the long-term average, with a dry-summer, Mediterranean-influenced climate.
·A compact place for a main residence, with just under 5,000 registered residents in the town itself and a strong seasonal rhythm driven by tourism.

Facts & figures

Population, town of Sozopol: 4,921 (permanent residence, as of 15.06.2026)Source: GRAO (Directorate General for Civil Registration), table of address-registered persons ↗
Population, Sozopol Municipality: 13,362 (permanent residence, as of 15.06.2026)Source: GRAO (Directorate General for Civil Registration) ↗
Distance to Burgas: 34 kmSource: Sozopol Municipality, official town page ↗
Architectural and historical reserve status of the old town: 1965 (first designation); "Ancient Sozopol" reserve by Council of Ministers Decree No. 320 of 07.09.1974Source: Sozopol Municipality / Council of Ministers Decree No. 320/1974 ↗
Sunshine hours per year (average 2014-2023): approx. 2.727 h/yearSource: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (ERA5 reanalysis), coordinates 42.42 N / 27.70 E ↗
Surviving National Revival houses (18th-19th c.): over 180 housesSource: Sozopol Municipality, official town page ↗
Founded as Apollonia Pontica: around 610/620 BC (Greek colony from Miletus)Source: Sozopol Municipality, official town page ↗

Price indication

Apartment: 1.519 €/m² (median) · 1.391–1.610 · Property price 93.500 €
House: 1.914 €/m² (median) · 1.562–2.292 · Property price 386.719 €
Plot: 160 €/m² (median) · 156–156 · Property price 131.658 €

Frequently asked questions

Is Sozopol's old town heritage-protected, and what does that mean for buying property?: Yes. The old town was declared an architectural and historical reserve in 1965 and confirmed by a 1974 Council of Ministers decree as the "Antique Sozopol" reserve. The protected core comes with building restrictions, while the newer development zones nearby allow more freedom. Svetlana sets out both areas clearly before you commit to a purchase.Source ↗
Is Sozopol a UNESCO World Heritage Site?: No. Under Bulgarian law Sozopol holds the status of a national architectural and historical reserve, and it is not on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In this region only neighbouring Nessebar carries UNESCO World Heritage status.Source ↗
How many people live in Sozopol?: As of 15 June 2026 the town counted about 4,921 residents with their main address registered there, and the municipality as a whole 13,362. During the summer season the actual occupancy runs much higher thanks to tourism and second homes.Source ↗
How far is it to Burgas Airport?: According to the municipality's official figure, the road distance to Burgas is 34 km, and that is where you find the nearest airport (BOJ). Third-party sources cite different distances depending on the measuring point.Source ↗