Sinemorets: Silistar Beach

 Silistar Beach is the southernmost big beach on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The hospitable sheltered bay, the wild forest behind the beach, the lack of buildings together with the incredibly clear waters, the elongated rocky capes at both ends make it a favourite beach for the many vacationers who chosen the local area as a holiday destination.

The beach is attractive to both adventurers and vacationers seeking solitude, as there are two completely wild beaches nearby that one can reach along а coastal eco-path. Those are the beaches “Lipite” and “Listi”.

Silistar Beach lays between the resort settlements of Sinemorets (6 km) and Rezovo (7 km) and from the regional city Burgas is 88 km south. Can reach the beach by car, there is also parking in the woods.

Silistar Beach – map



USEFUL: For planning your visit to the place or accommodation in the nearby settlements, can use the collection of assistive tools – Google Road Map with calculator in km, flights to Bulgaria, rental cars, weather forecast, hotel search, timetables of buses in the region, see this link.

Lifeguards take care of the safety of vacationers. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available, as well as a free area where everyone can place their towel. Besides, there is a small restaurant on the beach that offers meals and drinks. The length of the sand strip is about 550 m, and the maximum width is 110 m. When we visited Silistar Beach, we determined the waters as extremely clear by diving on snorkel, similar to those at the Veleka River Mouth (Sinemorets).

View of the Silistar Beach from the North Cape
View of the Silistar Beach from the North Cape
View of the beach from its southern end
View of the beach from its southern end

The bay is supposed served as a pirate hiding place in the late Middle Ages for so-called “Lazi” pirates (Caucasian pirates). At the present time, the name “Silistar” itself contains the word “ληστής” (robber in translation from greek). Probably it has come from the closest phonetic combination of Greek – στη ληστερό (Stilistero), which in translation means “the Robber’s.”

The high cliffs close to land at Silistar Beach, Sinemorets
The high cliffs close to land – the perfect hiding place for the pirates in the past

Silistar Beach in summer
Silistar Beach in summer – view of the northern cape. During these months it is hugely populated because of its great popularity – many tourists visit it.
 Silistar Beach in the spring when it is entirely deserted
Silistar Beach in the spring when it is entirely deserted
Silistar Beach - the wild forest behind the sand strip
The wild forest behind the sand strip. For easy access to the beach, there are wooden paths, especially for holidaymakers.
A small bridge for crossing the Silistar River
A small bridge for crossing the Silistar River

It is advisable to avoid bathing at stormy sea – the sea currents, especially near the southern cliffs, are very dangerous. Also, powerful whirlpools form there that have taken many victims over the years.

 The southern end of Silistar Beach
The southern end of Silistar Beach, where are the dangerous rocks into the sea

Preservation of the beach and protected area “Silistar”

The location of Silistar Beach is into the territory of Strandzha Nature Park, and besides, the field has forest status. The area surrounding the beach belongs to the Protected Area Silistar, which is also part of Strandzha Nature Park and the European ecological network Natura 2000. That until now, has saved the beach from gross encroachment and construction. The area is considered one of the most important wetlands for the protection of waterfowl.

Therefore some rules should be observed in case you visit the forest and the coast surrounding the Silistar Beach. For more details, or if you intend to carry out particular activities other than rest on the beach or tourist walk, the full text of the laws can read here.

  1. Protected area “Silistar” – current prohibitions and regimes ( the page of Bulgarian “Executive Environment Agency”)
  2. Strandzha Nature Park – current prohibitions and regimes ( the page of Bulgarian “Executive Environment Agency”)
  3. Bulgarian Forestry Act
 The Silistar River Mouth
The Silistar River Mouth, which gives shelter to waterfowl as well as rare fish to be preserved
Silistar Beach - panoramic view
A view from above of the Silistar River, whose mouth is at the northern end of the beach
A mute swan at the Silistar River Mouth in the spring
A mute swan at the Silistar River Mouth in the spring

Silistar Beach is the southernmost, whose dunes are the habitat of the rare Sea daffodil

On the Silistar Beach, there are some rare plants, among them the Sea daffodil – a protected species, forbidden for tearing.

 Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum)
Sea Daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) – included in the list of the protected species according to the Bulgarian law. Flowering is in July.

Continue of the walk

As a matter of fact, some tourists, lovers of adventures come to the beach along the hiking trail coming from Sinemorets. In addition, along this trail could visit two completely wild beaches (Lipite and Listi), and the route is passing around impressive rock formations – as a result of volcanic activity millions of years ago.

To diversify your stay, in case you visit Silistar can head north along this trail and reach the wild “Listi Beach” in about 1 hour.

Around the area, you can also visit:

  1. Sinemorets village (6 km to the north) where there are lovely beaches and interesting rock formations (the Sphinx and the Ships)
  2. A small pier on the Veleka River (near Sinemorets) for a motorboat or kayak stroll
  3. See the best view of the Veleka River Mouth. Further, you can go for a walk to Ahtopol along the coastal hiking trail past volcanic formations. For this purpose, follow the described route, but in the opposite direction, beginning from Sinemorets (the North Beach or the steel bridge)
  4. One more opportunity for a hike nearby Sinemorets is to take a walk along the coastal trail (mentioned above) leading to the wild beaches Lipite and Listi.
  5. The fabulous Kastrich Bay (2 km to the south), which is a peaceful place with lovely nature.
  6. Rezovo village (5 km to the south) where is the border between Bulgaria and Turkey. There is also a dramatic cliff coast, a small beach and old wooden houses.
  7. The resorts Ahtopol (12 km), Varvara (17 km) or Tsarevo (27 km) for other beautiful beaches, landmarks and picturesque seascapes.

USEFUL: To get a quick and easy idea of ​​where these places are – see the destinations marked on our Google map. There all the landmarks we’ve written about, are marked as tags with links.

To plan your trip to them, you can use the selection of assistive tools: Google Road Map with calculator in km, flights to Bulgaria, rental cars, weather forecast, hotel search, timetables of buses in the region.

Offers for hotels nearby, in Sinemorets village


Booking.com