You're Going to Love Burgas
Underrated, modest, but hard to resist, the Black Sea city of Burgas is one of Bulgaria's most intriguing destinations. With natural attractions, museums, and fine food, it has more than enough to keep vacationers interested during their stays.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Burgas
1. Natural Beauty within the City Limits
The Burgas Lakes are just outside the city center, and offer some stunning vistas, Roman ruins, and bathing opportunities in the saline waters.
2. Excellent Museums
Learn about the ancient history of Burgas at the Archaeological Museum, or head to other museums featuring Bulgarian costumes, local wildlife, and handcrafted jewelry.
3. Beautiful Religious Architecture
Burgas has some spellbinding churches to visit, including the Surp Hach Armenian Church and the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, with its stunning interior murals.
4. Black Sea Beaches
Burgas is also the kind of city where you can transition seamlessly from museums to beach resorts like Sunny Beach, just 20 miles to the north.
5. The Spirit of Burgas Festival
Every August, Spirit of Burgas takes place on the city beach and attracts world-famous pop and electronic dance acts (along with 50,000 revelers).
What to do in Burgas
1. Sea Gardens: Culture on the Coastline
The Sea Gardens, built by landscape artist Georgi Duhtev in 1910, are considered among the most beautiful parks in Bulgaria. With a wide variety of exotic plants from around the globe, this seaside park lies on 150 acres of coastline. Among the attractions visitors will find the Sea Casino, a cultural and recreational center; the Snail, an open-air amphitheater that hosts nightly performances; and a number of sculptures. Annual festivals include Flora, an international flower show; the Burgas and the Sea Song Contest, the International Folklore Festival; the Spirit of Burgas Music Festival; and the Turn on the City Contemporary Art Festival.
2. Lake Atanasovsko: Free Spa Experience
Lake Atanasovsko is world-famous for its black mud and lye pools, which are said to have healing properties. A free outdoor spa, the lake contains silicates, sand, gypsum, iron, aluminum compounds, hydroxides and salts, which have resulted from centuries of natural fruition. Lake Atanasovsko is said to possess thermal properties that reduce swelling and pain, heal wounds and minimize scarring. The lake is especially recommended for those suffering from skin afflictions, such as arthritis and plexitis, as it supplies calcium, iodine and phosphorus to the skin. The area is also known for its hundreds of migrating bird species.
3. Poda Protected Area: Natural Bulgarian Wonders
The Poda Protected Area is a nature reserve that displays a variety of natural wonders. Visitors are invited to view the permanent exhibition, which showcases the biological diversity of Bulgaria, including hundreds of plant, fish and amphibian species. The area is also renowned for its migrating birds, which include the Eurasian spoonbill and the great cormorant. Via Pontica is Europe's second largest migration route crosses the Poda. In winter, bird watchers can observe endangered species such as the pygmy cormorant, the Dalmatian pelican and the white-headed duck. The reserve is also home to the eastern four-lined snake, the largest in Bulgaria, the Etruscan shrew, the smallest European mammal, and the endangered otter.
4. St. Anastasia Island: Shrouded in Medieval Legend
St. Anastasia Island in Burgas Bay in the Black Sea is a volcanic rock island that stands 12 meters high. Spread over two acres, the island is shrouded in mystery and legend. It is said that when pirates attempted to raid the island, the monks living in the monastery prayed to St. Anastasia for help. She answered their call by sending a storm that split the pirate ship in two. The remains of the vessel are still visible in fossilized rock. Among the attractions on the island are the 15th century church that houses numerous Medieval murals, the lighthouse built in 1889 by a French company, and the hotel and restaurant that features authentic Burgas cuisine.
5. Ethnographic Museum Burgas: Steeped in Old World Tradition
The Ethnographic Museum near the Saints Cyril and Methodius Cathedral is housed in a 19th century palazzo. Showcasing traditional Burgas cultural artifacts, the museum is highly-regarded for its collection of costumes including those linked to popular celebrations such as the nestinarka, kuker, enyova bulya and lazarka. The museum is a historical gallery that works to preserve the region's archaeological, ethnographic, and natural history. Visitors are also welcome to view the center's jewelry, furniture, and weaving collections.
When to Visit Burgas
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Summer is definitely Burgas' best season. You can head there during festival season, or visit in July, when the lakes will be at their most inviting and the temperatures will hardly dip below 80 degrees.
How to Get to Burgas
Plane
Burgas Airport (BOJ) has connections to hubs like London and Moscow. From there, take the 15 bus, which costs лв1 and takes half an hour.
Train
Burgas has excellent rail connections to Sofia, as well as Romanian and Russian destinations (and resorts along the Black Sea coast).
Car
The A1 runs from Sofia to Burgas, while the E87 follows the coast from Varna to the north.
Bus
Eurolines runs international buses into Burgas city center. Buses terminate at the Central Bus Station (South), a short walk from the main hotels and attractions.
Airlines serving Burgas
Where to stay in popular areas of Burgas
Most booked hotels in Burgas
How to Get Around Burgas
Public Transportation
Trolleys and buses run all over Burgas and charge лв1 per journey.
Taxi
Taxis are a very cheap way to get around Burgas (compared to other cities), charging around лв1.50 per mile.
Car
Car rental companies in town include Hertz, Bravo, and Burgas Car Rental, and rates start at about лв13 per day.
Car rental agencies in Burgas
The Cost of Living in Burgas
Shopping Streets
The pedestrianized zone in the center is full of stores, but Burgas Plaza in the northern part of town has the biggest concentration of international brands.
Groceries and Other
Local grocery stores include Bolero, Lidl, and Billa, where you can expect to pay approximately лв7 for a gallon of milk.
Where to Eat in Burgas
Seafood is Burgas' specialty, with high-class eateries like Neptun and Ethno standing out. Rose is also a great place for grilled meats. Expect to spend around лв20-30 on a meal.