Summer City Guide: 72 hours around Irakli

After Varna and Sts Constantine and Helena, we head south to a stretch of coast with a different mood.

Around Irakli, days pass more slowly, beaches feel wilder and plans tend to involve food, a walk along the shore and a few more hours outside. For the fourth Summer City Guide, we’ve chosen places for a quieter break without giving up good flavours or views. Beach bars, restaurants with character and two natural stops show why this part of the coast keeps drawing people back. Here’s how we’d spend 72 hours around Irakli.

A beach cocktail: V.Bar at the Beach

The first stop is where an Irakli day should begin: on the sand, with a cocktail and little reason to hurry. Right on Vaya Beach, V.Bar at the Beach has spent years bringing people back for its atmosphere, music and proper beach-day feeling.

Cocktails, lemonades and fresh things to eat are made for long hours in the sun,

with musical guests often appearing during the season. Despite its popularity, V.Bar keeps the beach’s easy-going character. You can stay for hours without watching the clock.

Lunch: Panorama View & BBQ

For lunch, we climb a little higher for a view over the bay. At Panorama View & BBQ, a meal can easily last longer than planned. Under the trees, looking towards Irakli Beach, the restaurant combines familiar Bulgarian flavours with Mediterranean dishes. The seasonal focus is on the Josper barbecue, adding character to the menu. Lunch can become an afternoon of conversation and time outdoors.

The day’s last reservation: Rombo Gourmet Restaurant

At the end of the day, Rombo Gourmet Restaurant suits an unhurried evening. Part of Vaya Beach Resort, it follows a terroir-led approach, letting season, ingredients and place lead. Attention runs through the details,

from the dishes to the wines and drinks

that accompany them. A bay view and a quiet atmosphere make Rombo a fitting finish to a day around Irakli.

Where the route ends: Cape Emine

For another outing, head towards Cape Emine, where the Balkan Mountains meet the sea. Steep cliffs, a lighthouse and breaking waves reveal the scale of the coast. The long-distance Kom–Emine route ends here. Traces of the past include remains of Emona Fortress and evidence of earlier life in the area. Coastal views reward the detour towards the cape; check access before setting out. A way to see the Black Sea’s wilder side.

Kara Dere’s wild beach

North of Byala, Kara Dere sits outside the usual summer circuit. The long sandy beach has kept its natural character, drawing people who want more space and less noise. There’s little of the standard resort feel,

just dunes, rocks, greenery and nature close at hand.

Come for a few hours, walk the shore or stay until sunset. It’s one of the coastal places where the landscape still sets the pace.

Summer City Guide: 72 hours in Sts Constantine and Helena, part 2

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