Information about the Bulgarian Black sea resort - Obzor

The town of Obzor has a population of over 2000 inhabitants. It is situated 65 km south of Varna, 73 km north of Bourgas and 530 km east of Sofia. It lies on the ridges of the Stara Planina Mountain that slope towards the sea and along the Dvoynitsa River. The ancient name of the town was Navlohos in Hellenic times, then it was given the name of Heliopolis (Town of the Sun) and in Roman times it was Templum Jovis (Jupiter’s Temple).

During the Middle Ages the town was named Kozyak and was part of the Karvun principality and the fortress, successor of the ancient town. The Ottoman conquerors ruined the fortress to the last stone. Its present name Obzor was given to the town in 1935.

The town beach is long and extends from Cape St. Atanas to the north to the southern Cape Mona Petra. It is followed by a small nestling cove and a beach named Irakli. Once there was a village with the same name there, inhabited by Greek settlers who left it and settled to live with the Bulgarians in Obzor. Cape St. Nickola is several kilometres to the south where the Balkan Mountains touch the Black Sea. Then the central cape of the Stara Planina Mountain called Emine comes and it is considered to be the end of the Balkan Mountains. During the Middle Ages there was a fortress - Emona and the place around was called Paleokastro. Many monks and hermits lived in the rocks in those days and there were lots of small chapels and monasteries.

There are three camping sites with bungalows and enough space for tents between the village of Byala and the town of Obzor. Luna Camping and Prostor Camping work without advance reservation, as well as the Sluntse (Sun) Camping. The Ticha Hotel (medium category), Amore Tourist Hostel (low category) and plenty of private lodgings at moderate prices during the holiday season are located there.

In addition to the hotel restaurant, there is an emblematic establishment - Starata Kushta Restaurant (The Old House). There are small restaurants and refreshment stalls along the coast, as well as grocer’s shops and fresh fruits and vegetables.

The village of Byala is situated not far to the north of Obzor. Once there was an ancient Greek fortress named Aspro. The camping site called Kristina is situated near the village. The wine of the extremely fine “Dimyat” vintage is produced in the village. There is a wonderful roadside establishment – Jackson Restaurant to the north on the road to Staro Oryahovo. The village of Emona near Cape Emine, to the south of Obzor is famous for being the birthplace of the Thracian king Rez. He participated in the Thracian War and was killed by Odysseus and Diomedus according to Homer’s Iliad.