A cape and fortress on the Black Sea coast in northeastern Bulgaria.
We already know that Kaliakra is a scenic location with a rich history, but situated far from civilization—so why is it worth turning off the main road toward the cape?
The answer is, of course, cuisine. About 5 kilometers from Kaliakra toward Kavarna, there are Dalboka mussel farms with full gastronomic facilities.
The Dalboka farms are reportedly located in one of the cleanest ecological areas of Bulgaria, ensuring high-quality mussels.
From my experience, I highly recommend them. I have never tasted mussels so fresh and so well prepared anywhere else.
Kaliakra is also the name of the fortress located on this cape.
The Kaliakra Fortress was built in the 4th century AD and became one of the most important military centers on the Black Sea coast. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly expanded and rebuilt until the 15th century, when it was captured by the Ottomans.
Today, the ruins of this historic fortress can be visited on Cape Kaliakra. The cape is also a beautiful nature reserve and one of the most picturesque spots on the Black Sea coast. From the cliffs, there are stunning views of the Black Sea, and many bird species, including eagles and falcons, can be seen nesting on the steep cliffs.
Nearby is the Kaliakra Nature Museum, showcasing the region’s diverse and beautiful flora and fauna. The cape also has several restaurants and viewpoints offering spectacular panoramas of the Black Sea and surrounding landscape.
Dalboka Mussel Farm
Dalboka Mussel Farm (officially: Dalboka Mussel Farm) is a well-known Bulgarian enterprise specializing in mussel cultivation, located on the Black Sea near Cape Kaliakra, north of Kavarna. It is one of the most famous mussel farms in Bulgaria and, in addition to mussel production, operates a popular restaurant serving seafood dishes, especially freshly harvested mussels.
The farm primarily cultivates Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), a close relative of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) known from French, Belgian, and Dutch cuisine.
This species occurs naturally in the Black Sea and is well adapted to its conditions. It is widely farmed throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins, valued for its fast growth and high-quality meat.
Dalboka Farm has been in operation since the 1990s and is one of the first and largest mussel farms in Bulgaria. Cultivation is carried out using a rope method, where mussels attach to submerged ropes and grow for several months.
The restaurant menu offers mussels prepared in many ways: boiled, in wine or garlic sauce, baked, as well as other seafood and fish dishes.
Koprivshtitsa
A town in Bulgaria, located in the central part of the country, in the Topolnitsa River valley, about 111 km east of the capital.