Burgas, Bulgaria is a breezy Black Sea port where life flows between the long golden beach, the leafy Sea Garden, and a compact center of museums and markets. The city grew around a 19th‑century harbor, but its roots stretch back to Thracian settlements and Roman waystations strung along the coast. Today, it’s the friendliest base for exploring a necklace of seaside towns, nature reserves, and salt lakes.

Expect easy days: coffee on Bogoridi Street, swims off North Beach, and sunsets from the pier. A short boat hop reaches St. Anastasia Island; a short bus ride reaches UNESCO‑listed Nessebar’s medieval churches and Sozopol’s wooden townhouses. Inland, the Atanasovsko salt pans paint the water pink at dusk and attract flocks of migrating birds.

Practical notes: the currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN); cards are widely accepted. Summer brings festivals, warm water, and crowds—book ahead. Sample Black Sea sprat (tsatsa), shopska salad, tarator (chilled cucumber–dill soup), and a glass of local Mavrud or Dimyat wine. Buses and trains are affordable, taxis are metered, and walking is a pleasure.

Burgas

Burgas is made for unhurried strolling. The Sea Garden is the city’s pride: a cliff‑top park with sculptures, flowerbeds, and cafés, dropping to long sands and the photogenic Burgas Pier. Bogoridi and Alexandrovska streets link the park to the center, lined with pastry shops, ice‑cream stands, and relaxed restaurants.

• Top sights: Sea Garden and Pier; Burgas Regional Historical Museum; Ethnographic Museum; Natural History Museum; the Port promenade; Atanasovsko Lake and Poda nature reserves for birdwatching.
• Classic day trips: Sozopol (old town lanes, beaches), Nessebar (UNESCO churches), Pomorie (salt museum and mud baths), and Ropotamo River (summer boat rides through a wildlife reserve).
• What to taste: grilled Black Sea fish, kavarma stews, banitsa pastries, and local wines. Look for “tsatsa” (fried sprat) with a cold beer—simple, perfect beach fare.

Where to stay: For beach-and-park access, base near the Sea Garden; for cafés and museums, stay in the compact center; for quiet family time, consider Sarafovo (near the airport) with its small beach.

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How to get to Burgas: Fly into BOJ (Burgas Airport) in summer from many European cities; outside peak season, connect via Sofia or Varna. Typical flight times: 1–3 hours from Central Europe, 3–3.5 hours from the UK; one‑way fares often $80–$200 in summer. Search or combine flights across Europe on Omio Flights.

From Sofia: train 6–7 hours (from about 30–40 BGN / $17–22), or bus 5–6 hours (about 30–45 BGN / $17–26). From Varna: bus 2.5–3 hours (about 12–20 BGN / $7–11). Check and book Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 1: Arrival, Sea Garden Sunset, and a Taste of Burgas

Afternoon: Land at BOJ and ride 20 minutes into town. For a stress‑free start, prebook a private transfer straight to your hotel via Private Transfer from Burgas (BOJ) Airport to Burgas City. Drop bags, then stretch your legs in the Sea Garden—follow shady paths to the Burgas Pier for a wide‑angle first look at the Black Sea.

Evening: Welcome dinner on the water at “Neptune” in the Sea Garden—order grilled sea bream, shopska salad, and a cold Bulgarian lager. Alternatively, “Incanto” in the center pairs handmade pasta with Bulgarian farm produce; their truffle tagliatelle is a hit. For a casual option, “Happy Bar & Grill” near Troykata Square serves Bulgarian classics and sushi for mixed groups.

Night: If you have energy, slip into the Piano Bar at Neptune for live music and cocktails, or take a slow promenade along Bogoridi Street for gelato and people‑watching.

Day 2: Old Town Museums, Pier Views, and a Self‑Guided City Stroll

Morning: Start with coffee and a slice of cake at “Nedelya” patisserie, then explore with the Audio Guide for All Bourgas Sights, Attractions or Experiences for context at your own pace. Highlights: the Regional Historical Museum (archaeology through the ages), the Ethnographic Museum (folk costumes and crafts), and the Natural History Museum (Danube‑Black Sea ecosystems).

Afternoon: Lunch at “Ethno” for Black Sea fish soup and grilled octopus, or at “Raffy Bar & Gelato” for big salads and flatbreads. Laze on North Beach afterward—rent loungers or set up on the free sand; the shore shelves gently, great for swimming.

Evening: Golden hour on the pier is prime photography time. Dine at “Incanto” (reserve a terrace table) or try “Neptune” for fresh mussels. Nightcap along Bogoridi—look for small wine bars pouring Bulgarian Mavrud, Rubin, and Dimyat by the glass.

Day 3: St. Anastasia Island and Port Promenade

Morning: Port Burgas runs seasonal boats to Bulgaria’s only inhabited Black Sea island. Book the excursion “Visit the Unique & Only Bulgarian Black Sea Island Saint Anastasia” for the 40‑minute crossing to a tiny world of a lighthouse, chapel, and museum café serving herb tea and honey cake.

Afternoon: Return to the port and wander the new promenade for public art and harbor views. Snack on banitsa from a local bakery and dip back into the Sea Garden for shade and a nap on the grass.

Evening: Casual seafood at “Ethno” or a mixed grill mehana in the center; try kebapche with lyutenitsa (pepper relish). For live culture, check the Burgas State Opera or Philharmonic schedules—performances run year‑round.

Day 4: Salt Pans, Birdwatching, and Wine Tasting

Morning: Head north to Atanasovsko Lake’s salt pans—look for the pink water (halophilic algae) and, in migration seasons, flamingos and pelicans. Continue to the Poda Protected Area (WWF center) for easy boardwalks and hides; bring binoculars.

Afternoon: If you fancy a spa‑ish detour, pop to Pomorie (30–40 minutes by bus or taxi) for the Salt Museum and classic mud applications—locals swear by the minerals. Grab lunch at a seaside tavern: grilled horse mackerel, tarator, and bread.

Evening: Wrap the day with “Burgas Exquisite Wine Tasting,” sampling a curated flight (often 4) of Bulgarian wines—expect native grapes like Mavrud, Rubin, Melnik, and the white Dimyat, paired with cheeses and meze.

Day 5: Day Trip to Sozopol

Morning: Catch a bus south to Sozopol (45–60 minutes; about 5–7 BGN / $3–4; see Omio Buses). Explore the old town’s wooden houses, the Archaeological Museum (ancient Apollonia artifacts), and the seaside ramparts.

Afternoon: Lunch in the old town—look for sardines or tsatsa with lemon and dill potatoes. Then choose a beach: Central or Harmanite for facilities, or a cliff‑top café for a slow coffee over the bay.

Evening: Return to Burgas for dinner. “Happy Bar & Grill” is reliable for quick service and big menus; for something slower, reserve at “Neptune” and linger over grilled calamari and a bottle of Thracian red.

Day 6: Nessebar’s UNESCO Churches and Burgas Sand Sculptures (Seasonal)

Morning: Bus to Nessebar (1–1.5 hours; about 7–12 BGN / $4–7 via Omio Buses). The cobbled peninsula is dense with medieval brick churches—St. Sophia’s roofless basilica and St. Stephen’s frescoes are standouts. Browse small ateliers for ceramics and rose‑oil soaps.

Afternoon: Lunch in old Nessebar—grilled fish with shopska is a classic. If it’s hot, dip at the small town beach or grab iced coffee before the return ride.

Evening: Back in Burgas, if you’re visiting July–September, see the city’s beloved sand art with the “Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas” in the Sea Garden’s festival zone—giant sculptures illuminated after dark make for magical photos.

Day 7: Final Swim, Shopping, and Departure

Morning: One last swim at North Beach or a final Sea Garden walk. Pick up edible souvenirs: rose jam, local honey, and a bottle of Mavrud.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to BOJ. If you prefer to prearrange, book a car again via Private Transfer to/from Burgas City. For onward trains or buses, compare times on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Evening: If your flight is late, linger over an early farewell meal—“Incanto” for something cozy, or “Ethno” if you’re craving one last plate of Black Sea seafood.

Bonus: Flexible Tools You Can Book Now

• City intro at your own pace: Audio Guide for All Bourgas Sights
• Island escape: St. Anastasia Island Visit
• Wine time: Burgas Exquisite Wine Tasting
• Summer special: Self-Guided Sand Festival (July–Sept)

Over seven days, Burgas gives you a little of everything: beach time, leafy park strolls, island lore, pink salt lakes, and easy forays to storybook peninsulas. It’s a place where history and holiday share the same promenade—and where the Black Sea sets an easy rhythm you’ll remember long after you leave.