You won’t meet lovers of sand beaches in the Bulgarian seaside village of Tyulenovo (Тюленово), simply because there is no sand in the area. Along the entire coastline there are only majestic cliffs, plunging 20-30 m (65-100 ft), with curious folds, pinnacles and hollows shaped by the crashing waves. Below them lie many underwater caves, while the remains of ships that have wrecked against the dangerous coast lie scattered across the sea bed. Relics from ancient civilizations have been found in rock niches throughout the years – maybe many more still remain undiscovered.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

What you will find in Tyulenovo

Lovers of diving and rock climbing, fans of wild sea beaches, explorers of ancient cultures and nature photographers are drawn to this place. Some pitch their tents right on the rocks, despite the strong wind, while others stay in family hotels and guest houses. But in Tyulenovo, everyone is searching for that extraordinary one thing that keeps popping up in your mind months after your visit.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

The seals of Tyulenovo

Although its name translates from Bulgarian as “the village of seals,” there are no longer any seals in Tyulenovo. They disappeared years ago, probably in the 1970s, although a lack of exact data makes it impossible to know for sure. Almost as blurry is the story of how they came to be in the village in the first place. Many put the seals’ presence down to Maria, a Romanian queen who loved to spend her holidays at her summer residence in the nearby town of Balchik (the present-day Castle of Balchik, open to visitors). In the 1930s she raised a pair of seals, then decided one day to let them free. The seals settled near Tyulenovo, which was at the time named Kalach Kyoy. The village was renamed Tyulenovo (“of the seals”) in 1942 because of those seals.

Even if you can’t dive, even if you can’t climb a rock, even if you don’t find a single cave once inhabited by the Thracians, it’s enough to wake up before sunrise, sit by the rock bridge and watch the sun shimmering off the waves.

Tyulenovo, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

We challenge you to…

…get up before sunrise and welcome the sun on the rocky coast – an unforgettable experience!

Useful information:

The village of Tyulenovo is 80 km from Varna. You can take a bus from Sofia and Varna to Shabla, then a bus from Shabla to Tyulenovo. However, that bus runs only twice a week, so it’s faster to hitchhike or rent a car.

A map of the best vantage point in Tyulenovo:

Pin it to your travel board:

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Where the road to the lighthouse at Shabla village ends, the easternmost point of Bulgaria starts: Cape Shabla. If one day you want to say that you have traveled Bulgaria from end to end, then you’d better come here – otherwise it doesn’t count.

The lighthouse at Cape Shabla

The oldest lighthouse in Bulgaria is here – it has operated officially since July 1856, when Bulgaria was still under Ottoman rule. Standing at 32 m high, it is the tallest lighthouse along the Black Sea coast. Although today the lighthouse is in a military zone and is usually locked, on special days in the summer you can go inside. Interestingly enough, in the sentry-box there is a built-in monogram of the Ottoman sultan Abdulmecid – a rarity in those days, proving that the lighthouse was definitely an important building. This is the only multicolored lighthouse in Bulgaria – red and white. Until the 1930s it was entirely white. Later, the region of Southern Dobrudzha became part of Romania and the authorities decided to add the red color.

The monogram of sultan Abdulmecid, Cape Shabla, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

Where the paved road ends, there is a summer house with benches right on the coast – you can sit down and contemplate, enjoy the magnificent view or simply hang out without a care, whistling your favorite tune. Right under the summerhouse there is a miniature shell beach full of natural treasures for those who seek, including shells, rapana and pebbles. This place truly is the easternmost Bulgarian fairy tale.

A view of the Lighthouse in Shabla, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

What else to see in the area around Cape Shabla

If you feel like going to the beach, you will be happy to hear that 22% of Bulgarian Black Sea beaches are in the region of Shabla. North of cape Shabla the shores are sandy, to the south – rocky. There are also designated campsites as well as free camping zones.

On every road you choose to take, you will meet interesting birds and animals in several protected areas – Durankulak Lake, which boasts an ancient town on one of its islands, Shablensko-Ezeretsko Lake, and the salt lake-lagoon of Shablenska Tuzla with its healing mud.

On the way to the top, the Lighthouse in Shabla, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges 

A view from a window on the way to the top, the Lighthouse in Shabla, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges 

A view from the top, the Lighthouse in Shabla, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

Useful information

Shabla is 80 km from Varna, and the cape is another 5 km from town. After you enter Shabla, follow the main road until you reach the cape. You can check when the lighthouse is open at obshtina@ob-shabla.org and mayor@ob-shabla.org.

All photos: © Maria Angelova/ 203challenges

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The renovated four-star family hotel is an island of elegance in the heart of Golden Sands and has its own aquapark to make your stay truly memorable. It is located 350 m from the main promenade and the beach but far enough from the noise so you can sleep at night. You can choose from 7 deluxe suites, 137 double deluxe rooms and 8 double comfort rooms and enjoy a first-class all-inclusive vacation.

Spa center and swimming pools

Natural light fills up the spa center where you can find a Jacuzzi, gym, sauna, and indoor heated swimming pool (30°C). Book a relaxing massage or visit the beauty parlor if you feel you need to return your glamour.

The outdoor pools go with free sunbeds, umbrellas, and towels. And what a better way to celebrate the hot summer afternoons than with a refreshing cocktail at the pool bar!

Aquapark

The hotel’s aquapark is accessible free and exclusively for the guests of Prestige Deluxe Hotel Aquapark Club. Children and adults alike will (re)discover the joy of water fun. There is a swimming section, two pools, indoor and outdoor water slides, fountains, fairy tale characters and a pool bar. If this doesn’t sound fun enough, as a guest of the hotel, you are privileged to also use all the facilities of the nearby club hotel, Prestige Hotel and Aquapark, including its aquapark.

Children Fun Center Gymboree

Special attention has been paid to the little guests who are welcome to the outdoor children center where professional animators will make their days unforgettable. There is an inflatable trampoline, slides, swings and games, all set among lush greenery.

Other services and amenities

All inclusive package vacations are available to book on the hotel’s website here. The all-inclusive restaurant has 280 seats with food choice including an a la carte restaurant, confectionery, and a stylish lobby bar. The internet is free and accessible all over the hotel. There is a free parking lot, too.

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