Bourgas Lake, also called Vaia, is one of the three lakes that surround the coastal city of Bourgas as a ring.

The lake is an open coastal firth, situated west of Bourgas. It is the biggest natural lake in Bulgaria. The surface area is 28 sq km and the length and width reach respectively 9.6 and 4.5 km. Vaia is quite shallow and its depth is 1.3 m. Because of that shallowness, the lake is sometimes called a swamp. A channel connects Vaia to the Black Sea. The saltiness of the lake’s water varies from four to 11 percent.

Aitoska, Sunder Dere and Choukarska rivers provide the lake with water. During the summer, sea water enters it. Clay deposits cover its bottom.
Several small swamps are situated north of the lake. Breeding pools were constructed in the northwestern part. The eastern part of the lake neighbors industrial and residential Bourgas areas.

Vaia’s shores feature numerous plants among which reed and rush. Marshlands and agriculture territories surround the water.

One of the biggest bird migration routes, Via Pontica, passes over Vaia. In 2003, the lake was named an area of international importance.

Parts of the lake were named a protected area, aiming to preserve a large number of bird species nesting there.

More than 20 types of fish and 254 types of birds can be observed in the region. Apart from nesting birds, tourists can observe some species that rest there during their migration period. As a result, Vaia was named an ornithological spot of European importance.

In 2001, the channel connecting the lake to the sea was cleaned, allowing sea fish to enter Vaia. This provided suitable fishing conditions. Yet, the fish that is most often caught there is carp.

Over the past few years, students gather in the region during August and work on the creation of pelican nesting platforms. They have also set up shelters for bird watching.

Vaia features other opportunities for nature preservation or pleasant leisure time. Tourists can benefit from boat walks, allowing them to observe and photograph bird species. Observing all the pelicans and herons is truly one unforgettable experience. Opportunities for eco tourism in the region are constantly created.

The proximity to Bourgas provides additional spots for rest, accommodation and entertainment.

Ropotamo preserve is situated 50 km south of the coastal city of Bourgas. It includes the banks of Ropotamo River. Ropotamo is one of the oldest preserves in Bulgaria, named as such in 1940.

In 1962, Ropotamo lost its preserve status. Coastal over construction and the increasingly growing number of tourists made authorities name Ropotamo a protected area once again in 1992.

The preserve houses untypical for the latitude plant species. It is also well-known for the beautiful rock phenomena, dunes and swamps.

Ropotamo’s banks are covered by thick forests. Some important plant species used in the production of medicines can be seen there.

More than 100 Ropotamo plant species have been included in Bulgaria’s red book of endangered plants.

The river mouth features salty water. Some marine fish species live there and sometimes go upstream searching for food.

Nearly 250 bird species inhabit Ropotamo. The number of endangered bird species there is 71.

If you decide to explore fully the preserve, hire a local to organize a boat trip. During the hour-long boat trip you will see many of the natural phenomena and some of the animal species.

The region is very beautiful, the nature is amazing and, in combination with the fresh air, it makes the place really appropriate for a relaxing vacation.

Primorko is famous for its magnificent nature. It is surrounded by the forests of the Strandja Mountain. Over 80 holiday homs and sites, hotels and private rooms are located in a park of deciduous trees. Primorsko is known as a youth’s resort. At reasonable prices young people can find there various attractive places- cafes, disco clubs, restaurants, bars, sweet shops, an open- air theatre and sport grounds. There is an International Youth Centre which attracts students from different countries. The resort renovates and there are more and more comfortable holiday establishments, offering excellent sport and tourist conditions. The beach strip is 10 km long and has fine aurifrous sands. It is one of the longest and most beautiful beaches on the Bulgarian Black sea coast. The climate is similar to the Mediterranean – summer is sunny and warm, with average temperature of 24 degrees centigrade. The breezes and the forests refresh the air in the daytime, and the nights are cool and pleasant. The unique nature is favorable for a long tourist season.

Southward to the town are the Ropotamo River and the Maslen cape which wild and unforgettable beauty attracts the tourists with its fiords.

An area of 379.4 ha located in the lake’s western part has been designated as a protected site to preserve the breeding colonies of Night Herons, Little Egrets, Squacco Herons and other water birds. Of the wintering species of greater conservation interest are the Pygmy Cormorant – up to 5800 ind.; the Dalmatian Pelican – over 300 ind.; the White-fronted Goose – over 20 000 ind.; the White-headed Duck – over 2000 ind.; the Red-breasted Goose – up to 6450 ind.; the Pochard – over 13 000 ind.; the Shoveler – over 6000 ind.; the Tufted Duck – up to 16 000 ind. Of the breeding birds the Cormorant numbers over 200 pairs, the Night Heron numbers up to 10 breeding pairs, the Little Egret – over 25 breeding pairs, the Squacco Heron – about 10 pairs, the Grey Heron – over 15 breeding pairs, etc.

In the past the Bourgas lake was of the highest bioproductivity in Bulgaria. Annual amounts of fish harvested from Bourgas lake came to hundreds of tons. After the oil refinery ‘Neftochim’ was built the lake’s economic value was almost completely lost. Its ecosystem was especially hard hit during the 1970-ies when no treatment of the refinery effluents was even attempted. However, for several years now pollution of the lake waters has been terminated and it has started gradually to restore its former valuable biodiversity.

The name of Klisura has always been associated with the heroism of its habitants during the April Rebellion. The village was a center of the revolution and Borimechkata (the Man who struggles a bear) who lived in the village was one of its leaders.

The spirit of the rebels could be felt up to the present day. Places of main interest are the church “St. Nikolai”, the Town`s Historical Museum, Chervenakov’s house, Pavurdziev’s house, Kozinarov’s house, etc.

Klisura is the birth place of Hristo Danov- the founder of the first Bulgarian printing house in Plovdiv.

1,5 km away from Klisura is located a historical place called Zli dol (Evil glen) where tourists can find the Auto-tourist complex of the Union of the Bulgarian drivers. The complex includes 15 small houses with total of about 60 beds, a restaurant, a bar, a playground, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, an equestrian place with superb horses and a guarded car park.

Klisura is a starting point for many itineraries to the National park “Central Balkan Mountain” and to two peaks- Vezhen in the Balkan Mountains and Bogdan in Sredna Gora. The town is easily accessible because of its location: it is only 1 km distant from the Fore- Balkan principal highway thoroughfare Sofia- Bourgas and it has two railway stations.

It’s situated on the seashore,in a vast bay in the thick of a pine forest and has a magnificent beach. The beach is 4-5 long and more than 100 m wide and is thick with delicate sands. The sea gradually become deep and the beach is “Blue Flag ” winner thanks to its echo friendly conditions. Most recently, some hotels have been constructed and Duni wins recognition as one of the most attractive sea resorts. The bay is suitable for wind surf and other water sports. The holiday village of Duni has 7 tennis courts and several swimming pools. Against payment tourists can enjoy a variety of sport activities like table tennis, darts, and water ski, water ball, gymnastics, stretching, tae bo etc.

South of Duni is located a reserve called Alepo. It is a maritime marsh where birds migrate, therefore it’s a favorite place for ornithologists. Very close to Duni is an island called St. Thomas or Snake Island. There are many types of Cactus in this island. The marsh “Arkoutino” is located half kilometer away from Duuni.

Only 10 km to the south of the village is situated the national park “Ropotamo”, famous for its water lilies and its river that is rich in fish.

The holiday village Duni offers exellent conditions for fun and relaxation.

History and General Info
A small village called Emona can be found 2km away from the cape in inland direction. The village’s name, Emona, comes from the ancient name of the Stara Planina mountain range, Aemon (later called Hemus). The village is famous for being the birthplace of the Thracian king Rez. He participated in the Thracian War and was killed by Odysseus and Diomedus according to Homer’s “Iliad”. During the Middle Ages, the cape hosted a virtually inaccessible fortress, called Emona. The fortress was part of a system of similar forts, controlled by the Karvuna autonomous principality. During the same period, the cape was surrounded by monasteries, inhabited by hermits. The remains of the fortress and those monasteries are considered to stand behind the ancient Greek name of the area and later – of the very fortress, Paleokastro (meaning Old Fortress).

Transport
The village of Emona is off the main road connecting Bourgas and Varna and hence buses in and out of the village are of a relatively low frequency. The village is not a popular seaside resort among Bulgarian and foreign tourists alike, and hence private taxis and minibuses are also not to be relied on. The cape can be reached on foot or by car from the village.

The village was not popular until recent days, because it was part of a border zone, with special access control.
It is now being rediscovered to the nature lovers, as it offers a lot of positive energy.

Sinemorets is located far away from all the big industrial centers and crowded sea resorts!

It is the most southern point on the Bulgarian Black Sea shore 90km South from Bourgas. The town is situated near to the mouth of the River Veleca in the area of the National Park Strandza.

Here you can find a perfect combination of clean sandy beaches and fresh oak woods.Green woods finding their way to the blue sea, through dark cliffs and yellow sand. Thousands of birds, sharing blue canvas of the sky with snow white clouds.