Discover Shabla: Birdwatching and Culture

Shabla appeals to travellers who want to consider nature observation and culture when choosing a destination. Birdwatching is a feature of Shabla Lake, while the Green Education Centre focuses on archaeological and art exhibitions as well as cultural activities. The places and topics below can help you decide whether nature, culture or a combination of the two should be the focus of your stay.

Birdwatching and protected areas

Shabla Lake is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas and is associated with birdwatching. For observing protected areas on site, the Green Education Centre provides special equipment and a guided tour. Confirm these services before your trip, before making plans to use them.

In the wider Shabla destination, the Shabla Lake protected area comprises two coastal lagoons: Shabla Lake and Ezerets Lake, connected by a canal. Durankulak Lake is designated as a Ramsar wetland and an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. As a wintering area, it is significant worldwide for waterbirds, particularly because of the large concentrations of geese. A total of 247 bird species have been recorded in the Shabla-Ezerets Lake Complex.

Culture and practical information

The Green Education Centre is housed in Shabla’s historic Old School building. It hosts archaeological and art exhibitions, as well as cultural events, seminars, conferences and educational initiatives. The programme therefore ranges from exhibitions to events and educational activities.

The Tourist Information Centre in Shabla provides information about bus timetables, regional tourist routes, monuments, museum collections and bird monitoring in the Durankulak protected area. If you are planning to use bus connections or visit the Information Centre, check contact details and opening arrangements in advance.

Shabla Lighthouse is located near Shabla and is considered the oldest still-operating lighthouse on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Public access is limited to designated visiting hours. Check the visiting arrangements in advance.

More nature and culture in the Shabla destination

The wider Shabla destination features a varied coastal landscape. Shabla Municipality has about 40 kilometres of Black Sea coastline; its beaches account for 22 percent of all beaches on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Cape Shabla is Bulgaria’s easternmost point.

At Tyulenovo, reefs and steep sea cliffs shape the coastline, along with undeveloped sea caves above water, partly underwater or fully underwater. The rocky coasts north and south of Tyulenovo are part of the “Kaliakra” and “Kaliakra Complex” Natura 2000 areas. Sea fishing and underwater tourism are possible in Tyulenovo. Krapets has a different kind of coastline: an undeveloped beach about 7.5 kilometres long, with dunes.

Archaeological sites also add to the destination’s appeal. Karon Limen lies at Cape Shabla next to the lighthouse and preserves the remains of a Roman bath and a fortress wall. The “Durankulak-Hamandzhiya” archaeological complex is on the shore of Durankulak Lake near the village of Durankulak. It includes the “Big Island” settlement mound and associated necropolises. The complex features the oldest stone architecture in continental Europe, as well as the largest excavated prehistoric necropolis dating from the 5th millennium BC.

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

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