Things To Do in Obzor

This place does what it says on the tin, really – it’s a restaurant shaped like a Spanish galleon. On the menu, you’ve got a good trawl of fish, with plenty of steaks and salads, too. And they happily serve up smaller portions for children. You’ll find the place next to the Mirimar Hotel – not that you’re likely to miss it.

Obzor’s main square is a sociable spot to have dinner. The restaurants here have al fresco terraces where you can sip a cooling drink with views of the fountain and palm trees. Food-wise, tuck into the sizzling pork kebabs or try one of the Eastern European stews. And do give the Dimyat white wine a go – it’s produced in neighbouring Byala and has many fans.

Sitting bang on the town square, The House combines a laid-back bar atmosphere with a delicious and varied menu of grills, pizzas, salads and pasta dishes, as well as traditional Bulgarian food. There’s plenty of space inside and out, so you can sit on the terrace under the parasols and enjoy a view of the paved square’s palm trees and central fountain.

The main after-dark players here are the family-run restaurants. Most have bars attached, and transform conveniently into relaxed nightspots where you can enjoy a chat and a tipple on the terrace as dusk falls. Some of the beach-front bars have live music on offer, and if you have the urge to dance there’s a good-sized nightclub on the main road.

The nightlife here centres on the family-run restaurants, which have bars where you can happily while away your evenings in drinking wine and playing cards. You might catch live music at one of the beach bars on the seafront, and if you do want to ramp things up you’ve got a pretty big disco club on the main road.

The coastline around Obzor is long and straight, so a gentle breeze rolls in off the ocean – which is great news if you’re windsurfing, sailing or just taking a leisurely pedalo ride. For dry-land activities, you’ve got beach volleyball and bungee ropes. Or there’s always the lazier option – sunbathing, then a spot of lunch.

The main street down to the beach is lined with stands selling jewellery, T-shirts, trainers and sunglasses. They do a good line in animal puppets here, too. It’s worth haggling for a bargain – not everyone speaks English, though, so you might want to write the prices down.

You’ll find some of the best restaurants around the central square, with terraces overlooking the fountain. Fill up on Eastern European specialities like meat and veg stew, or tuck into the tasty pork kebabs. It all goes down rather well with the local Byala wine – this tipple was made just minutes down the road, so don’t be surprised if the friendly waiters insist that you try it.

Big dinosaurs, tables made of stone and fake sabre-tooth tiger-skin cushions – no, it's not the Flintstones, it’s Obzor’s top themed bar. The decor may be wacky, but the drinks here are cheap as prehistoric chips. The place can get quite lively, so expect dancing and foam parties.

The Romans liked Obzor so much, they built a temple to Jupiter here. You can still see remains of some of the columns and statues when you wander through the town’s park. History buffs might want to pop into the museum here, too. For a small place, it packs in a lot of exhibits, taking you from the 5^th-century BC right up to the 20^th century.

This bar-on-the-beach is open 24 hours a day, but it only gets really busy after midnight, when the laser light show and techno music kick in. During the afternoons and early evenings, though, you can just laze in one of the pillow-strewn booths with a cold drink or find a shady spot beneath one of the massive parasols that sweep over the seating area.

If you like all things folklore, this annual festival should do you. It’s a mixed bag with international singers, dancers and musicians joining in with the local talent. The event is all about getting people together – so do try to go along and join in.

Obzor’s got a good selection of market stalls and souvenir shops, especially on the main street down to the beach. You’ll find T-shirts, trainers, sunglasses and jewellery along with all kinds of mementos and knick-knacks. Not all the sellers speak English, but you can write your best price down if you want to haggle.

The long sweep here may look like a crowd magnet, but it stays peaceful even in the summer peak. The gentle breeze is great for sailing and windsurfing, and it won’t trouble you if you prefer to pedalo either. Back on dry land, you’ve got 6 volleyball nets and a kid-friendly bungee trampoline to play with.

The Roman emperors may have gone, but they’ve left a bit of history – if you wander over to the park you’ll see the remains of the Temple of Jupiter. While you’re here, pop into the museum next door where you’ll find over 1,000 exhibits that give you the full story on Obzor’s past. You’ve got some model dinosaurs around the grounds, too – good for a Jurassic Park-style photo op.