Burgas (Bulgarian: Бургас, also romanised Bourgas) is a city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, the fourth largest in the country and the second largest of its ports. It's a gateway to the southern resorts, such as Sunny Beach and the historic towns Nesebar and Sozopol.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Burgas lies at the bottom of the Burgas gulf, surrounded by several sizable lakes separated by narrow strips of land from the sea. The bulk of the city is on a peninsula between the Atanasovsko Lake to the north, the Black Sea to the east and south, and Lake Vaya to the west (also known as Burgas Lake, Burgasko ezero). Further south is Lake Mandra, a natural lake converted to a freshwater reservoir. With a population of over 300,000, Burgas is the fourth largest city in the country (after Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna). It's the administrative centre of Burgas Province, the largest by area of Bulgaria's 27 provinces.
Burgas has well developed public bus system. Buses travel also to all resorts and cities along the coastline. Public transport runs regularly from 05:00-23:00. There are both buses and trolleys. Tickets are sold in the bus by special collectors and you should pay to them. The price for one ride is 1.50 лв (October 2023). The Easyway website has more information. There are also small mini-buses that run regularly and cover some routes of the city. The cost for the ride is 1.10 лв.
The city of Burgas developed after the beginning of the 20th century and most of the buildings in the city centre date from this time. At the center is Troika Square. The city's Gallery of Fine Arts is hosted in a secession style synagogue. 1 Ethnographic Museum, 69 Slavianska Str. M-F 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-18:00. Includes various ethno exhibitions in its program, offers summer school of Arts, Crafts and Dances. 2 Archaeological Museum, 21 Bogorodi Str. M-F 10:00-19:00; Sat 10:00-18:00. Variety of exhibitions, ancient Roman, Byzantine and Greek antiques. 3 Historical Museum, 31 Lermontov Str. M-F 10:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-18:00.
In summer you can go surfing and kite-surfing in the bay. There are a few surf and sea sports schools, which you can find on the North Beach. You can also book diving. St. Anastasia island (formerly known as Bolshevik island) is visible from any point from the Burgas beach. Boats to St. Anastasia island leave from the Bridge. Offered in July and August, leaving at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00. Bourgas Sand Fest, ☏ +359 88 821 9335. A festival of sand sculptures held from the beginning of July until the end of August. The sand covers more than 4 ha.
Burgas has an abundance of eating establishments. There are many pizza places, pubs serving international food, Chinese restaurants. On the main streets there are kebabs, pancakes, hot dogs and hamburgers for about 2–4 лв. In summer many open air restaurants and pubs pop up by the sea. The area with the largest number of seaside restaurants and pubs is called Kapanite and it is on the North Beach in the Sea Garden. 1 Kapana Seafront Fish Shack, ☏ +359 877 998270. M-Su 07:00-22:30. Very authenic and inexpensive (but not fancy) restaurant at the northern part of the eastern sea promenade. (updated May 2022) 2 Pizzaria Venice (Пицария Венеция), ul. Ferdinandova 36.
Burgas has many cafés and small bars. On the main streets you will bump into their chairs especially in summer. Broadway and Silver Club are good places for a cocktail and modern dance and pop music. In summer the Sea Garden is full of cafeterias and beer-places or small pubs. The sandy line is covered with night-bars and discos playing all kind of music. Plazza Dance (Бургас) (in the Sea Garden), ☏ +359 88 890 0100. 23:00-6:00. Disco, commercial music, retro parties, black parties. Caribe, North Beach (along the beach promenade, opposite the Surf Club), ☏ +359 89 784 1133. Daily 08:00-20:00. Open air, seasonally in summer, bar & disco club, Latino and pop music.
Burgas is generally a safe city. However, some common-sense guidelines should be kept in mind when you travel, especially in summer. In summer, the pickpocketing is more common because a lot of pickpockets from the country come to take advantage of the tourists. Keep your money and purse securely with you. Do not leave your property unattended. Often beggars approach foreigners and ask for money. The best will be to pretend that you do not understand what they want and walk away. If they keep on following you – get into a shop or sit inside a café to have a drink until they leave you alone.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Bourgas typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 2 rainy days.
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