The Shabla Lighthouse at Cape Shabla dates back to 1768 and is the oldest operational lighthouse in the Black Sea–Mediterranean region. The archaeological complex of Karon Limen lies right next to the oldest lighthouse on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. It preserves the remains of a Roman bath and a fortress wall. Maritime history and archaeological evidence thus meet at the cape.

Coast and Archaeological Heritage

Cape Shabla is Bulgaria’s easternmost point. Shabla Municipality has about 40 kilometres of Black Sea coastline; its beaches account for 22 percent of all beaches on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. This regional scale shows that coastal attractions are not limited to a single place. At the same time, the landscapes described here differ considerably, ranging from the dunes and beach at Krapets to the rocks, cliffs and caves at Tyulenovo.

Another archaeological focus lies on the shore of Durankulak Lake, near the village of Durankulak. The “Durankulak-Hamandzhiya” complex includes the “Big Island” settlement mound and associated necropolises. Its distinctive features include the oldest stone architecture in continental Europe and the largest excavated prehistoric necropolis from the 5th millennium BC. Karon Limen and Durankulak thus represent different historical themes: Roman structural remains at the cape, and prehistoric architecture and burial sites by the lake.

Lagoons and Birdlife

Durankulak Lake (Durankulashkoto ezero) is a shallow, enclosed lagoon. It formed from former coastal bays that were separated from the sea by a sandbar. The protected area is designated as a Ramsar wetland and a BirdLife International Important Bird Area. The lake is an important wintering site for waterbirds worldwide, particularly because of the large concentrations of geese. Its significance is therefore especially tied to winter and bird migration.

The Shabla Lake protected area (Shablensko ezero) also consists of two coastal lagoons: Shabla Lake and Ezerets Lake are connected by a canal. A total of 247 bird species have been recorded in the Shabla-Ezerets Lake Complex. Shabla Tuzla (Shablenska tuzla) is another natural brackish-water lagoon; a sandbar about 80 metres wide separates it from the sea. The mud of Shabla Tuzla is used for mud therapy. Together, these bodies of water showcase different lagoon types and natural features within the municipality.

Rocky Coast and Beach at Krapets

At Tyulenovo, reefs, steep sea cliffs and undeveloped sea caves define the coast. The caves lie above the waterline, partly underwater or entirely underwater. The rocky coasts north and south of Tyulenovo are part of the Natura 2000 sites “Kaliakra” and “Kaliakra Complex.” Sea fishing and underwater tourism are possible in Tyulenovo. The focus there is therefore different from that at Krapets’ approximately 7.5-kilometre-long undeveloped beach, which also has dunes.

In Krapets, a cultural venue adds to the landscape: the activities and initiatives of the Narodno chitalishte “Slantse 1871” are aimed at both local residents and visitors to the village. This gives local culture its own place in travel planning alongside archaeological sites.

Getting There

Shabla Municipality is mainly served by the I-9 highway. It is designated as E-87 and forms part of the international corridor between Romania and Turkey. Both road designations are therefore useful when planning your route; check current road conditions before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Shabla, Krapets, Durankulak, Tyulenovo, Ezerets, Gorun, Bozhanovo, Krushari.

For the broader travel overview: Dobrich Province.