Day trips from Obzor

Nesebar

Half an hour south on the E87. The old town sits on an island joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, and it is UNESCO-listed for its medieval churches and cobbled lanes. You come in through the old gate, head down toward the sea, and find yourself among churches, nineteenth-century timber houses and souvenir shops. There are good restaurants right above the harbour. The catch is the crush, especially in July and August, so go before ten in the morning or after six in the evening.

Sozopol

An hour and fifteen to the south. Smaller than Nesebar but in the same key: ancient Apollonia, narrow lanes, a fishing harbour, museums. The old quarter is separated from the modern town by Harmani beach, which is decent right in town. Fewer tourists here, a slower pace, and slightly friendlier prices.

Cape Emine

A walk close to home. From the centre, take the new bike path or drive the old E87 to the Cape Emine turnoff, then carry on foot along the trails. You get the lighthouse, the ruins of the Sveti Nikola monastery, and the official end of the Balkan range, the point where the mountains drop into the sea. It is about an hour and a half each way, so bring water.

Byala

Fifteen minutes north. A smaller town without the resort crowd, with the same kind of beach as Obzor. Worth half a day if Obzor starts to feel crowded, or dinner with a different view. Near Byala stand the White Cliffs (Beli Skali), white marl formations noted as far back as Roman navigation charts.

Sunny Beach

Twenty minutes south. This is a big resort with mega-clubs, a long beach and thousands of British and Western European youngsters in July and August. If that is your kind of night, go straight there. If not, drive through for half an hour just to see it, then carry on to Nesebar.

Sveti Vlas

Between Obzor and Sunny Beach, with one of the finest yacht harbours on the Black Sea. Smaller and tidier than Sunny Beach. Lovely for dinner if you enjoy a view of the boats.

Further afield

Varna is an hour north: the Roman baths, the archaeological museum (home to the Varna Gold, the oldest worked gold in the world) and a large city beach. Burgas is an hour and a half south: museums, Lake Atanasovsko (flamingos in spring and autumn) and the Sea Garden. Both cities are best kept for a full day rather than half.