Beach guide

The basics

Obzor's central beach is about six kilometres of fine sand. From its northern end, at the foot of the town park, you can walk south to Cape Sveti Atanas in about an hour and a half at an easy pace. The water stays shallow for thirty to fifty metres out, which is why the beach works so well for families with small children.

Central beach

It splits roughly into three sections. The northern one, by the park, is the quietest: no umbrella rentals, most people bring their own mats. The middle section, from the square down, has umbrellas and loungers for hire (usually €8 a day for an umbrella and two loungers), the Na Pyasaka beach bar, and lifeguards from mid-June to mid-September. The southern stretch toward Sveti Atanas is emptier, and that is where the water sports run: jet skis, parasailing, banana boats.

Access and parking

There are four main entrances. At the north end, park on the side streets around the town park. By the square there is paid parking with a two-hour limit. A third entrance is on the seafront boulevard across from the bus station, and the fourth is at the south end, with a smaller car park that is often full by midday.

Irakli

North of Obzor, past Cape Emine, begins Irakli beach. It runs about two kilometres, fine sand mixed with small pebbles, and lies inside a protected nature area. There are no restaurants, loungers or lifeguards here, so bring whatever you need with you. You reach it from the old E87 road (the turnoff is signed Irakli) or on foot along the new bike path from central Obzor. In summer it is a favourite with people after a quiet beach, though August weekends can fill it up.

Beach rules and local habits

The central beach lifeguard is on duty from 10 am to 6 pm, 15 June to 15 September. Outside those hours you swim at your own risk, especially under a red flag. Topless is perfectly normal; nude is tolerated, unofficially, only at the northern end of Irakli. Dogs are allowed in the northern section of the central beach and anywhere on Irakli, on a lead. The hire umbrellas usually come down for the night.

A few words about jellyfish

They show up now and then in late August and September, when certain southerly currents set in. Locals take a quick look at the water before getting in; if there are only a few, they usually clear off within a day or two.