Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±

Sveti Ivan

LoginSave

The largest Bulgarian island in the Black Sea (0.7 sq km), Sveti Ivan lies 3km north of Sozopol's old town. The island's history stretches back to Thracian and Roman times, and includes a monastery from the 4th century AD. Sveti Ivan made international headlines in 2010 with the purported discovery of the remains of St John the Baptist. There are no scheduled excursions to the island, but private trips can be arranged along the Fishing Harbour (from around 60 lv).

Sv Ivan is also an important bird sanctuary, with some 70 species of birds reported here. Visits are restricted during the spring nesting season.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¼´Ê±¿ª½±'s must-see attractions

  • Poda Conservation Centre

    Poda Conservation Centre

    11.52 MILES

    Four lakes surrounding Burgas (Pomoriysko, Atanasovsko, Mandrensko and Burgasko) comprise 9500 hectares and represent the largest wetland system in…

  • St Anastasia Island

    St Anastasia Island

    7.39 MILES

    This small volcanic island makes for a fun day of exploring. The island, which has served as a religious retreat, a prison and pirate bait (according to…

  • Ropotamo Nature Reserve

    Ropotamo Nature Reserve

    9.8 MILES

    This nature reserve is located 10km south of Sozopol, along the main road to Primorsko. Visitors can hike or picnic, but most come for a 30- to 40-minute…

  • Pomorie Lake Visitor Centre

    Pomorie Lake Visitor Centre

    9.32 MILES

    This interactive visitor centre provides information on bird- and species-conservation efforts on Pomorie Lake undertaken by the NGO Green Balkans. From…

  • Archaeological Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    1.1 MILES

    Housed in a drab concrete box near the port, this museum has a small but fascinating collection of local finds from its Apollonian glory days and beyond…

  • Maritime Park

    Maritime Park

    11.45 MILES

    Stretching lazily along the Black Sea coast and filled with manicured flower beds, fountains, busts of Bulgarian worthies, abstract sculptures and cafes,…

  • Archaeological Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    15.36 MILES

    Explore the rich history of Nesebâr – formerly Mesembria – at this fine museum. Greek and Roman pottery, statues and tombstones, as well as Thracian gold…

  • Sveti Stefan Church

    Sveti Stefan Church

    15.32 MILES

    Built in the 11th century and reconstructed 500 years later, this is the best-preserved church in town. If you only visit one, this is the church to…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa

0.93 MILES

This 15th-century church was built below street level, as required at the time by the Ottoman rulers. Set in a courtyard with a giant fig tree, it is one…

2. Church of Sveti Georgi

0.97 MILES

This attractive church boasts a fine painting of St George and the Dragon over the entrance and an impressive 19th-century iconostasis. The custodians…

3. Southern Fortress Wall & Tower Museum

1 MILES

This museum occupies a former granary and part of the fortification walls of the medieval town, dating from the 5th century AD. At this time, Sozopol was…

4. Fishing Harbour

1.04 MILES

Boats line up picturesquely along the fishing harbour, along the western edge of the peninsula. Many of the boats can be chartered for short-term…

5. Archaeological Museum

1.1 MILES

Housed in a drab concrete box near the port, this museum has a small but fascinating collection of local finds from its Apollonian glory days and beyond…

6. Sveti Zosim Chapel

1.2 MILES

This small working church in the shady gardens opposite the bus station was built in 1837, on the foundations of a much older structure. Dedicated to the…

7. St Anastasia Island

7.39 MILES

This small volcanic island makes for a fun day of exploring. The island, which has served as a religious retreat, a prison and pirate bait (according to…

8. Preobrazhenie Gospodne Church

8.35 MILES

This most atmospheric of the town's churches is located in the oldest part of the settlement, on the far eastern end of the outcropping. The church dates…