Perched on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, Burgas is a relaxed port city framed by lake lagoons and the long, leafy Sea Garden. Though its modern boom came in the 19th–20th centuries with shipping and industry, the area has been a cultural crossroads for millennia thanks to nearby ancient towns like Sozopol and Nessebar.

Fun fact: more than a million birds ride the Via Pontica migration route right over Burgas’s lakes each spring and autumn—so you might spot pelicans, herons, or flamingos in season. Another local icon is the annual Sand Sculpture Festival, where artists carve whimsical giants from seaside sand.

Expect hearty Bulgarian cuisine (grilled meats, Shopska salad, fish straight from the Black Sea), wallet‑friendly prices, and an easygoing pace. Summer brings beach days and boat trips; spring and fall are perfect for museum‑hopping and birdwatching. The local currency is BGN (lev), and most places take cards; carry small cash for markets and buses.

Burgas

Start with the Sea Garden (Morska gradina), a ribbon of parkland with palm‑lined promenades, playgrounds, and the beloved Burgas Pier—perfect for golden sunsets. In town, pedestrian Alexandrovska Street and Aleko Bogoridi Street brim with bakeries, cafes, and boutiques.

Culture lovers can dip into the Regional Historical Museum (with dedicated Archaeology, Natural History, and Ethnography houses) or head out to Deultum (Colonia Deultensium), a Roman site west of the city. Nature fans have two musts: Atanasovsko Lake’s pink salt pans to the north and the Poda Nature Conservation Center to the south.

Eating well is easy: book a seafood table with sea breezes, tuck into slow‑simmered kavarma, or sample flaky banitsa for breakfast. For drinks, find Bulgarian craft beers and local wines made from Mavrud and Rubin grapes.

Where to stay (search and compare): Browse beachfront apartments, city‑center boutiques, and family‑friendly stays via VRBO Burgas and Hotels.com Burgas. Popular choices include sea‑view rooms near the Sea Garden (e.g., Primoretz Grand Hotel & Spa), central business‑class towers (Hotel Bulgaria Burgas), and reliable mid‑range spots (Aqua Hotel) close to bus links.

Getting there & around: For flights to/from Europe and within Europe, compare fares on Omio (Flights). If you’re coming from outside Europe, check global options on Kiwi.com. Overland from Sofia, the train to Burgas takes about 6–7 hours and the bus roughly 5–6 hours; compare schedules and prices (~25–40 BGN) on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses). In town, walkable districts, cheap taxis, and local buses cover most needs; rides to the airport take ~15 minutes.

Day 1: Arrival, Sea Garden Stroll, and a Flavorsome First Night

Afternoon: Arrive at Burgas Airport (BOJ) and check into your hotel or apartment. If you want to book last‑minute stays, scan Hotels.com Burgas or VRBO Burgas. Stretch your legs in the Sea Garden and walk out along the Burgas Pier for your first Black Sea breeze.

Evening: Dinner at ETHNO Restaurant (Mediterranean‑leaning seafood, grilled octopus, seasonal salads) or Incanto (homemade pasta, wood‑oven pizza, and a solid Bulgarian wine list). For a nightcap, try Papa Beer, a beloved craft beer bar and bottle shop pouring Bulgarian and international styles.

Day 2: Old Town Sights, Museums, and a Pier Sunset

Morning: Coffee and a flaky banitsa at Zaharo (a local patisserie chain from the Burgas–Pomorie region), then download and use this handy city audio tour to pace your morning stops:

Audio Guide for All Bourgas Sights, Attractions or Experiences

Stroll Alexandrovska Street and Troikata Square for people‑watching and cafes.

Afternoon: Pop into the Regional Historical Museum’s Archaeology department (Thracian gold, Roman artifacts) and the Ethnographic House for costumes and folk motifs. For a quick, home‑style lunch, try BMS – Bulgarian Cuisine for grilled kebapche, bean stew, and Shopska salad.

Evening: Golden hour on the Burgas Pier, then seafood at Neptune in the Sea Garden (Black Sea turbot, mussels in white wine, sea views). If you fancy dessert, the Nedelya cake shop does classic chocolate tortes and coffee.

Day 3: Boat to Saint Anastasia Island + Wine Tasting

Morning: Head to the Port of Burgas for a 40‑minute boat ride to the only inhabited Bulgarian Black Sea island. Book this easy outing:

Visit the Unique & Only Bulgarian Black Sea Island Saint Anastasia

Wander the tiny monastery‑museum, hear tales of monks and prisoners, and enjoy a herbal tea or lemonade with lighthouse views.

Afternoon: Return to Burgas for a late lunch near the port—grilled fish of the day and a crisp salad keep it light for tastings later. Browse Aleko Bogoridi’s boutiques on the way back to your hotel.

Evening: Sample Bulgaria’s modern wine scene at this curated flight:

Burgas Exquisite Wine Tasting

Expect four Bulgarian wines—often including Mavrud, Rubin, and aromatic whites—paired with small bites. Cap the night with a promenade through the Sea Garden’s lit alleys.

Day 4: Day Trip to Sozopol’s Cobbles and Clifftops

Morning: Take a southbound bus from Burgas South Bus Station to Sozopol (about 45–60 minutes; ~6–8 BGN). Compare departures on Omio (Buses). Start in the Old Town, where wooden Revival‑era houses lean over stone lanes and sea views open at every turn.

Afternoon: Visit the Archaeological Museum (ancient anchors, amphorae, and local history), then pause at the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius—linked to the famous St. John the Baptist relic discovery. Lunch at Restaurant Neptun (Sozopol institution with clifftop terraces; try grilled calamari, tarama, and Black Sea sprats).

Evening: Swim at Central Beach or Harmanite Beach if weather allows, then bus back to Burgas. Dinner at Incanto for pasta or risotto and a glass of local white to refresh after a salty day.

Day 5: Lagoons, Birds, and Pink Salt Pans

Morning: Birdwatch at the Poda Nature Conservation Center, a quick taxi or local bus ride south (~15 minutes). The hide and boardwalks offer great views of herons and cormorants; spring and fall can bring pelicans on migration.

Afternoon: Picnic supplies from Krasnodar Market (cheese: sirene and kashkaval; cured lukanka; tomatoes; fresh bread), then head to Atanasovsko Lake’s salt pans north of town. In summer, try the mineral‑rich lye pools and classic Black Sea mud—an old‑school spa local families swear by.

Evening: Back in the center, book a table at Neptune for seafood or opt for ETHNO’s grilled meats and salads. If you like craft beer or Bulgarian rakia, ask staff for a local pairing suggestion.

Day 6: Sand Sculpture Festival and North Beach

Morning: From late spring into early autumn, Burgas hosts a playful, larger‑than‑life sand expo near the Sea Garden. Explore at your own pace with a handy guide:

Self-Guided Sand Festival in Burgas

Grab a coffee and something sweet at Nedelya or Zaharo en route.

Afternoon: Settle on North Beach for swimming and sunbathing, or walk shaded Sea Garden paths past playgrounds and cafes. For lunch, beach shacks typically offer grilled kebabche, salads, and cold drinks—simple, summery, and affordable.

Evening: Do some last‑minute shopping along Alexandrovska Street or at Mall Galleria Burgas. Celebrate with a final seafood feast—Black Sea mussels or grilled sea bream—and a coastal stroll.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Coffee and a pastry, then pick up edible gifts at Krasnodar Market (local honey, rose‑flavored lokum, sunflower seeds, Bulgarian spices). If you missed it earlier, a final walk on the Pier is a lovely goodbye.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport by taxi (~15 minutes; budget ~20–25 BGN) or bus. For onward travel in Europe, check Omio (Flights), Omio (Trains), or Omio (Buses). If you’re intercontinental, compare routes on Kiwi.com.

Evening: In case of a later flight, sit down for a relaxed lunch at Happy Bar & Grill (reliable Bulgarian‑meets‑international menu, quick service) before heading out.

Dining short list to bookmark:

• ETHNO Restaurant – Modern Mediterranean/Bulgarian plates, grilled seafood, and salads.
• Incanto – Cozy Italian with handmade pasta, wood‑oven pizzas, and Bulgarian wines.
• Neptune (Sea Garden) – Classic sea‑view spot for mussels, turbot, and grilled fish.
• Happy Bar & Grill – Broad menu, fast service; easy with kids and groups.
• Zaharo & Nedelya – Local sweets and strong coffee; great for breakfast or dessert.
• Papa Beer – Craft beer bar and bottle shop with Bulgarian microbrews on tap.

Good to know: Summer is beach and festival season; late April–June and Sept–Oct are ideal for mild weather and birdwatching. Museum hours vary by season; small cash is useful for buses and markets. Day trips to Sozopol and Nessebar run frequently in season; shoulder‑season schedules are slimmer—check Omio (Buses) the day before.

In one week, Burgas balances sea‑breeze leisure with culture and nature: a monastery island boat ride, bird‑rich lagoons, a whimsical sand festival, and two photogenic peninsulas. You’ll leave with sun‑warmed memories, a camera roll of pier sunsets, and a taste for Bulgarian wine and seaside cuisine.