Sinemorets

Sinemorets sits at the southern end of the Bulgarian coast in the Strandzha nature park, and its distinguishing feature is the river mouth: the Veleka comes down through forest and turns to run parallel to the sea behind a sand bar before breaking through, so the beach has salt water on one side and fresh on the other and you can swim in both within a few metres. There is a second, larger beach at Butamyata south of the village. Behind them the Strandzha forest runs inland to the border. The village was closed as a border zone until 1990 and developed late, which is why the coast around it is less built than further north, though building has increased steadily since.

History

Pottery of the 5th-4th centuries BC, ancient anchors and the metal sheathing of ships have been found in the Potamya inlet south of the village, which is first named in an Ottoman document of 1496, when pirate raids had left it only 16 families. The Austrian diplomat Wenzel von Brognard counted 17 houses in 1766, living from timber exports, and in 1824 it had 30 houses set back inland because of raiding pirates; once called Galazaki or Kalanca, it took the name Sinemorets, place on the blue sea, in 1934 (Wikipedia, Sinemorets).

What's there

• The Veleka river mouth - fresh and salt water separated by a sand bar.
• Butamyata beach - the larger strand south of the village.
• Strandzha forest behind - the woodland running inland to the border.
• A late-developed coast - closed as a border zone until 1990.

When to go

June to September; the water is warm from late June and most businesses close by October. A day, or several as a base. July and August are busy and prices rise. September is warm and much quieter.

Practical notes

Building has increased sharply and the village is losing its character. Currents at the river mouth can be strong. Facilities close outside summer. The road down from Burgas is slow. Parking near the beaches is limited.

Nearby

Ahtopol is north; the Strandzha park runs inland and south.