Obzor is located right in the middle of the road that connects the northern and southern resorts of Bulgaria. Only 65 km separate Obzor from Varna , and 60 km away is another well-known seaport and the regional center of Burgas . The archaeological capital of Bulgaria , Nessebar , is located 30 km from Obzor , and Sunny Beach sparkles with fun 25 km away .
The population of Obzor barely exceeded 2,000 people. Administratively, the city is part of the community of Nessebar, Burgas region.
The national currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN).
Despite its small size, the city has more than 3 thousand years of history. The first inhabitants of this area were the Thracians, who founded the settlement of Navlakhos . A few centuries later, the place was chosen by the Greeks, who founded the city of Heliopolis (city of the sun). The Romans dedicated a city called Theopolis to the supreme god Jupiter . By the way, the ruins of the temple of Jupiter have been preserved in Obzor to this day.
In the 16th century, the Ottoman Turks, who replaced the Romans, named the city Gozeken , which means “beautiful view” or Obzor in Bulgarian .
The town of Obzor was founded as a resort already in the 20th century. Its modern history dates back to 1934. And since that time, the resort has been gradually developing, turning into a very successful tourist center that enjoys stable demand among European tourists.
Is it worth going to Oglyad on vacation with children?
Obzor is a fairly popular Bulgarian resort on the Black Sea coast in recent years. Although it has been a resort for eighty years, the reason why we are talking about recent years is that in the last ten years , new and modern hotels with excellent infrastructure for a comfortable and full-fledged rest have appeared in Obzor . This attracted a large flow of tourists not only from the countries of the former Soviet Union, but also from all over Europe. It is located approximately in the middle of the way between Varna and Burgas, so you can get to it both from one and from the other city where the airports are located. But this information may be of more interest to those who decide to come to Obzor on their own.
Unlike such well-known Bulgarian resorts as Golden Sands or Sunny Beach , which are quite lively and fun in terms of various entertainment, Obzor is a fairly calm resort that is perfect for family vacations with children of any age. In addition, a sandy beach with a smooth and shallow entry into the sea contributes to this, which is very important when relaxing with children.
As for hotels in the resort, there are more than three dozen of them for every taste and budget. There are those that operate under the “all inclusive” system, and there are apartments that are ideal for those who like to travel independently and not depend on the meal schedule and the menu provided. It is also a good option for tourists with small children who need to prepare meals on their own and for large families, where apartments can consist of three bedrooms and accommodate up to eight people or more at the same time.
Among the hotels operating under the “all inclusive” system, we can recommend ” Sol Luna Bay Resort “.
Quite a good hotel with children’s entertainment, a game room and pools for children, as well as a playground. At the moment, a water park is being built on the territory of the hotel , which is planned to open in the middle of July this year, so that children will have additional entertainment. “Sol Luna Bay Resort” is located on the first coastline, which is very convenient for vacationing with children.
Obzor Beach Resort 4 * remains the most popular hotel for family vacations with children .
It consists of several buildings located on the very shore of the sea, which is very convenient for children and parents. Food, however, is somewhat monotonous and you can do without it if you want to cook yourself or eat in a cafe. The apartment rooms of the hotel have a kitchen!
The ability to leave a child with a babysitter for several hours, playgrounds and rooms, super animation for children and adults – these are just a few advantages of the hotel. The beach is simply made for little children’s feet. The sand here is fine and very convenient, a safe step into the sea with clear and transparent water.
We have given examples of what you can expect from hotels in Obzor , but as we have already said, the list is quite large and everyone has the right to choose the one he likes best.
The season at this resort, as in principle at all Black Sea resorts in Bulgaria, begins at the end of May and lasts until the end of September. If we talk about the best period for recreation with children, then if there are schoolchildren, it is best to rest in the month of August. At this time, the water temperature in the sea is at its maximum mark within + 25 + 27 degrees. However, according to the price of accommodation, August is considered the most expensive and crowded, so when planning your vacation for this month, you should think about booking a hotel in advance. With children of preschool age, in our opinion, it is better to rest in September, or rather in the first half of it. It is not so stuffy during the day, the evenings are quite warm, during which you can take pleasant walks, and the sea is quite comfortable, in the region of + 23 + 25 degrees.
While vacationing in September, despite the fact that this month is considered the driest and most stable here, it is better to take something warm for children, such as batniki or blouses just in case. For small children, it makes no sense to take a large supply of diapers or food. Everything you need can be found in the city’s shops at quite reasonable prices. I would like to note that you will need cash in the national currency, which can be exchanged at cash desks or, as a last resort, at the hotel, if it has such a service. Although if you have a bank card, you can freely pay with it, almost all shops accept them for payment without problems.
There are no large entertainment centers for children in Obzor itself, but if you wish, you can go to the largest water park on the Balkan Peninsula, located in Varna, or visit the dolphinarium located there. Before reaching Varna, a new park with various attractions called “HAPPY LAND” opened , which is forty kilometers from Obzor . In general, with a great desire, you can always find entertainment for any taste, so when you go on vacation to Obzor with your children , you will not have to be bored and regret it, the main thing is to choose the right hotel or place of residence.
What entertainment is there in Olyad?
If we talk about Obzor and entertainment, we should immediately warn that Obzor is a very quiet resort and it is more suitable for a full-fledged family vacation, when you want to soak up more water on the beach, take a leisurely walk along the shore and enjoy peace and comfort. So, if you are young and you want a drive, then it is better to take care of the rest option in Golden Sands , which is full of discos, night clubs and bars. In Obzor , everything is much simpler with this, but this does not mean that there is nothing here at all. There are, and there are very good places. Well, as an example, this is the “Castle” entertainment complex , built right on the beach not far from the center of Obzor. An ideal place to relax with children. Many attractions, including water attractions, bars and restaurants, concentrated on a rather small area. In the evenings, a disco is held in the “Castle”, but we did not notice a large number of people here. Maybe we were just unlucky.
Another thing is the “Space” disco , which was built quite recently on the outskirts of Obzor , but is already popular with vacationers not only in Obzor , but also in nearby Nessebar. During peak holiday seasons, there is really no place for an apple to fall on the disco dance floor. A very big advantage of Space is the democratic prices for alcohol. Compared to similar establishments of Golden Sands or Sunny Beach, it is significantly cheaper here. By the way, the appearance of the discotheque is very original and if it weren’t for the bright neon sign, few people would have guessed that this large futuristic-looking hangar is a discotheque.
And otherwise, all Obzor ‘s entertainment is typical. This is hotel animation for both children and adults, sports games on the beach, horseback riding and parachuting.
PS This year, they promised to complete the construction of the water park on the territory of the Sol Luna Bay hotel, which will be accessible from other hotels as well.
The main sights of Obzor
Places that must be visited if you are coming to Obzor for the first time .
The most interesting historical and architectural monuments of the city are the ruins of the majestic Roman Temple of Jupiter , miraculously preserved to this day, the fortress wall of Kozyak and the central park of Obzor , where the columns of the ancient ancient temple are located . An elegant modern Orthodox church is also located here , which harmoniously complements the ancient image of the park. In the southern part of the city limits, on Cape Emine , you can see fragments of the Bulgarian fortress of the same name, built in the early Middle Ages. In these same places, according to folk legend, the king of ancient Thrace Retz was born, who participated in the Trojan War. For book lovers and people who are interested in the culture and traditions of the Bulgarian people, the City House of Culture is of great interest , with its huge library and the Chitalishte Hall , which houses about 17,000 volumes of various book archives. Nowadays, solemn events and creative evenings dedicated to certain events of cultural life are regularly held in the building. In addition, Obzor is directly related to many traditions associated with national folklore. All kinds of holidays and festivals are held in the city every year, which gather a significant number of people and are wildly celebrated by the townspeople.
Visit the outskirts of Obzor – the ancient villages of Emona and Byala . According to legend, the Thracian king Rets, who participated in the Trojan War, was born in EMON. In the village of Byalo, you can taste and buy the best types of Bulgarian wines. On Cape Emine, you can admire the fragments of the old lighthouse .
You will find all these historical monuments on the map of Obzor with attractions, which can be purchased in the city. Use the hints of the scheme, and you will not miss any important historical monument.
For people who are interested in the culture and traditions of Bulgaria, it will be important to visit the city’s cultural center, where there is a large library and a reading room, the Chitalishte, which contains about 17 thousand volumes of book archives. Many important cultural events of Obzor take place in Chitalishte . The resort is famous for all kinds of festivals and holidays, which gather many fans of traditions and culture of Bulgaria.
What currency is better to take with you to Obzor?
Despite the fact that Bulgaria is a full-fledged member of the European Union, to resorts located near the town of Obzoryou can travel with both euros and dollars. Of course, you can also use hryvnias, they can be changed both in exchange offices at hotels and in exchange offices on the street, but the exchange rate is so extortionate that it is not necessary to do better. Only if you have already spent a lot on vacation. But the exchange rates of the first two currencies change quite adequately and are practically identical to what we have in Ukraine. It is best to exchange money in the city, or in bank branches, where the exchange rate is a little worse than in private exchange offices, but it is fair and without a commission, or in exchange offices, but here you have to be extremely careful, because half of them have commission or the so-called “minimum course”. This clever caveat means that if you exchange more than 100 dollars or euros, then the exchange takes place at the rate indicated on the board, but if it is less, then the rate is much lower. Moreover, the difference can reach 10-15%.
You can and should take credit and debit cards with you, because 99% of hotels, restaurants, and shops accept them willingly, and if you pay with them, there are no losses, except for conversion. However, withdrawing cash is not profitable at all. Several factors are combined here. The exchange rate is not very favorable, the commission of the bank issuing the card for the transaction and the commission of the bank of the owner of the ATM for issuing cash.
By the way, there are not so many ATMs, that is, it is impossible to say that they are on every corner.
City beaches of Obzor
Obzor Beach stretches for 8 km along the city, it is free, sandy, very clean and not crowded, because no matter how many people come to rest by the sea, there will be more than enough space for everyone.
On the beach, you can rent a deck chair and an umbrella for about 3-4 leva (2 euros), or you can use your own blanket and umbrella.
Lovers of active recreation will be happy to go surfing, go water skiing, jump on the waves on a banana. Children will want to swim in the children’s pools, play on the playground or ride the attractions. In general, Obzor beach is ideal for families with children – the descent into the water is gentle, the bottom is sandy, and the water warms up perfectly.
Along the entire coast there is a huge number of hotels, aparthotels, guest houses, apartments, and housing prices in the review are the lowest in all of Bulgaria.
A double room in a hotel by the sea in June will cost 20-25 euros. The same room in August will cost you about 30-40 euros.
Wild beaches of Olyad
If you prefer wild beaches, you will find them just outside the city. Turning to face the sea, go to the left, towards the neighboring village of Byala, there you will see more than one wild beach – choose any. And the bonus is a wonderful view and the sound of the sea.
Embankment of Obzor
Obzor is not only a beach, but also wonderful nature and an embankment planted with oleanders and boxwood bushes, which lies along the same beach.
On the embankment you will find cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as souvenir shops and shops with Bulgarian cosmetics. It is on the embankment that you will buy the best souvenirs for your loved ones. Pay attention to rose cosmetics (it is sold here at every turn), layered salt (flavored salt mixed with spices), local wines and liqueurs (you can buy them in supermarkets).
Aquapark Obzor
One of the hotels in Obzor has a small water park that offers its visitors 10 slides, several pools, a bar and cafe, as well as a spacious outdoor terrace for sunbathing. Those staying at Sol Luna Bay Resort can visit the water park for free, everyone else has to pay an entrance fee.
Food prices in Obzor: cafes, supermarkets, shops
Obzor , as we said before, is one of the cheapest resort towns in Bulgaria and this applies to everything, including the prices of products in shops and cafes.
You can have breakfast in a seaside cafe for 2-4 euros. A full two-course lunch will cost you about 5-6 euros. If you decide to eat only the salad, you will pay about 4 euros for a large portion.
Rent a car in Obzor
There are many very interesting cities around Obzor – Varna with its beautiful Old Town, the largest Bulgarian port of Burgas, the most luxurious Bulgarian resort of Sunny Beach and the more democratic Golden Sands, Nessebar and colorful Sozopol, all within 100 km of Obzor .
You can plan your trip by public transport, i.e. by bus, or rent a car. The Rentalcars service offers the most favorable conditions and the newest cars . They work on the same principle as aviasales – they collect thousands of offers from the most popular car rental companies and offer you the best and budget options.
How to get to Obzor inexpensively
The nearest airport is Burgas airport .
Varna airport is located at the same distance as Burgas airport, only on the other side of the city.
If you are vacationing in Nessebar and decide to go to Obzor , it will be more convenient and cheaper to use public transport – a bus (travel time 50 minutes, fare 5 leva or 2.5 euros), but you can also go by taxi or search inexpensive transfer. In this case, the transfer will cost about 40 euros (the same as a trip from Varna or Burgas, but they are further away), so it is still cheaper to go by bus.
How to get to Obzor resort from Burgas and how much it costs
A direct flight ticket from Kyiv to Burgas will cost you 100-150 euros. There are often tickets with good discounts, but you need to start looking for them several months before your trip.
Tickets are always more expensive in summer than, for example, in spring or autumn. For example, in September, prices fall by 20-30 percent, and by June they rise again.
It is easier and cheaper to get from Burgas to Obzor by bus that departs from the Burgas bus station (address: Bulair St., Burgas).
The fare is 3-7 euros. Travel time 1 hour 15 minutes. Buses run several times a day, but the schedule often changes and needs to be confirmed at the station, which is inconvenient for those arriving early in the morning or late at night. In this case, it is more convenient to take a taxi or even order a transfer in advance.
A Kiwitaxi transfer from Burgas to your hotel in Obzor will cost approximately 40 euros (depending on the class of car you choose).
How to get to Obzor from Varna and how much it costs
A Kyiv-Varna flight in the summer costs approximately 120-150 euros one way. If you search for tickets several months before your trip, you can buy a ticket with good discounts.
You can get from Varna to Obzor by bus, taxi or order a transfer in advance.
Buses depart from the Varna bus station (address: 158 Vladyslav Varnenchyk Blvd., Varna). Tickets can be bought at the ticket office of the station. The fare is approximately 10 leva or 5 euros. Travel time is about 1.5 hours.
The fastest and most convenient way to get from Varna to your hotel in Obzor is by taxi or transfer. A taxi can be caught at the exit of the airport terminal or called by phone, and a transfer can be ordered in advance. A Kiwitaxi transfer driver will meet you at the airport with a name plate, help with luggage and deliver to any address for a fixed amount from 40 euros (depending on the class of the car you choose). You can order a transfer on the official Kiwitaxi website.