Kamen Bryag and Yailata: where Bulgaria’s romantic sunrises meet the Black Sea

Turquoise waters, inaccessible cliffs, and windswept steppe landscapes define the untamed Bulgarian Black Sea coastline north of the city of Varna. Here, across the rolling Dobrudzha Plateau, the road gradually climbs toward Kamen Bryag (The stoney coast) and Yailata - two of the most captivating corners of Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast.

Towering limestone cliffs riddled with caves alternate with secluded rocky coves hidden among lush vegetation, creating a dramatic seascape that feels untouched by time. The rugged terrain attracts adventurous travelers who combine solitary days by the sea with challenging ascents along steep coastal slopes.

Yet breathtaking panoramas, solitude, and outdoor thrills are only part of the appeal of this enchanting stretch of coastline. Kamen Bryag has also become synonymous with one of Bulgaria’s most beloved summer traditions: welcoming the first sunrise of July to the sound of classic rock anthems such as July Morning by Uriah Heep.

For many visitors, it is the magic of these dawn gatherings - the first rays of sunlight emerging from the sea and illuminating the cliffs - that inspires a return year after year. In spring, the landscape is transformed once again as wild peonies and cornflowers paint the plateau in vibrant colors.

Just two kilometers south of the village lies Yailata, a protected area where history and nature converge in remarkable harmony. This cultural and archaeological reserve preserves traces of civilizations spanning millennia: prehistoric cave dwellings, Thracian sanctuaries and necropolises, the remains of a Roman harbour, a Byzantine settlement fortified by stone walls, and an Orthodox church dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helena.

The timeless beauty of the site may even have captivated the ancient Roman poet Ovid, who, according to local accounts, spent part of his exile in one of the caves overlooking the sea.

Today, Yailata continues to draw visitors eager to immerse themselves in its rich past while enjoying sweeping views of the Black Sea and the endless rhythm of the waves. Among them is Nikita Georgiev, who has returned to the reserve more than once.

“What makes Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast so special is that it remains far less developed than the southern coast,” he says. “Many wild places still exist here, and cultural and historical landmarks are experienced in the midst of nature, which makes them even more meaningful.”

For Nikita Georgiev, Yailata offers something rarely found elsewhere: a journey through 7,000 years of human history in a single location.

“Here you can trace the evolution of civilization across seven millennia,” he explains. “The cave dwellings reveal evidence of human presence dating back some 5,000 years.

Then we follow the Thracian period, followed by the Roman and Byzantine eras. At the same time, when you climb above the plateau and look westward, you see the modern world in the form of wind turbines, while airplanes cross the sky overhead. These are 7,000 years gathered in a single place, this can be seen very rarely.”

The lengthy route that runs across the coastal terrace, covering a total area of 45.3 hectares, is dotted with information panels that spark the imagination and bring the site’s many stories to life.

“Overall, I would like to see the area developed a little further,” says Nikita, expressing hope that one day visitors will be able to learn more fascinating details about the archaeological discoveries unearthed here.

And there is certainly no shortage of tourists, even on weekdays.

“People do come,” says Tatyana Atanasova from the Yailata Visitor Centre. “It varies - there are more visitors on weekends, while weekdays are quieter. We receive Romanians, Czechs, Poles. People come from all kinds of nationalities. Archaeological excavations and the study of the site’s cultural layers are continuing. Partial restoration work is also being carried out on some of the monuments.”

Directly above Yailata passes Via Pontica, one of Europe’s major migratory bird routes. Around 50 bird species nest in the cliffs of the reserve itself, including the European roller, the Mediterranean shag, and the Eurasian hoopoe. The reserve is also home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, with more than 270 animal species recorded in the area. In addition, 19 rare and endangered plant species can be found here.

Where dramatic cliffs, ancient history, and untamed nature converge, Kamen Bryag and Yailata offer a journey through millennia - one that is crowned each summer by some of the most memorable sunrises on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

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Bulgaria's Southern Black Sea Coast expects more tourists this summer

English: R. Petkova