Burgas
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Burgas Travel Guide, where we explore this city on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. Often seen as a jumping off point to nearby seaside towns, the city of Burgas offers much more than just a transit point, with a long beach, beautiful sea garden, a host of museums and a good selection of bars and restaurants.
The city of Burgas is the second largest city along the Bulgarian Black Sea and, as a result, has more to offer travellers than one might first assume. With travellers usually opting for one of the more well known tourist hotspots along the coast, Burgas has retained a more local feel, and is far less crowded than the likes of nearby Sunny Beach. It may not be quite as scenic as Sozopol, but the city centre is clean, organised and easy to get around on foot. You will also find some great restaurants serving up local food, and a better nightlife scene than one might expect. If you want a more local taste of Bulgaria, then Burgas has lots to offer, while still being conveniently located for day trips to nearby towns.
Burgas Travel Guide Contents
Burgas Travel Guide
How to get to Burgas
Burgas Airport (BOJ) is the closest airport to Burgas City, located 12km from the city centre. The airport is the second largest in Bulgaria and has 1 terminal. It caters to both international and domestic flights, with flight numbers picking up substantially in the peak tourist season. There is a small selection of shops and food outlets at the airport for travellers. Some visitors to Burgas may also arrive via train from Sofia so we’ve included some tips on how to make that journey too. Here are the best options for how to get to Burgas city centre from the airport and train station:
Taxi – Taxis are available from outside arrivals. A one-way journey into the city centre will cost approx 12-16BGN ($7-$10) and take 15min. Unfortunately, taxis can be overpriced and scams do occur in Bulgaria so be wary and agree on the fare beforehand with the driver or ensure that there is a meter being used
Bus – The no.15 bus leaves the arrivals area every 30min from 06:00 until 23:00 and takes 20min to get to the south bus terminal, in Burgas city centre. The bus terminal is conveniently located in the tourist area of the city centre. Tickets cost 1BGN ($0.60) each and can be bought directly from the diver on board. This is a convenient and affordable option for most travellers, depending on where you are staying
Private Transfer – Book online or through your accommodation, private transfers should cost no more than 25BGN ($15) and will take 15min to the city centre. This is a good option for a group or anyone wanting to avoid the hassle of getting a taxi or the bus
Train from Sofia – Technically not an option from Burgas Airport but we wanted to include it for those that may use this option. As well as flying into Burgas from Sofia, you can catch the train, which takes approx 6.5-7 hours. The trains are fairly basic but comfortable enough. There is no food service so be sure to bring snacks and drinks. A ticket for a seat in first class costs 24.50BGN ($15) and can be bought online or at the station. From Burgas South train station, it is a 5-10 minute walk to the city centre or a short ride in a taxi if you prefer
Areas to stay in Burgas
Although Burgas is a city, the city centre is reasonably compact, and therefore the only area we would advise staying is in the city centre, as this is where the majority of bars, restaurants, shops and hotels are located. Staying here will also put you close to the beach, the sea garden and bus terminals which provide access to other towns in the region.
Accommodation in Burgas
There are a variety of accommodation options in Burgas including hostels, apartments and hotels. The majority of hotels are located in the city centre and include a wide range of choices from budget to luxury, all for very reasonable prices. Across the city, there is a large choice of apartments available which cater well to families and those looking for more space. There are also a small selection of hostels which are generally located within the city centre area. Accommodation prices are exceptionally reasonable in Burgas, especially compared to some other major European beach destinations. However, like any tourist destination, prices can go up considerably in the peak months of July and August so be sure to book ahead to secure the best price if you’re planning to visit at this time. Here are our top picks where to stay in Burgas with a selection of accommodation in Burgas for any budget:
Budget Option | Hotel Novel City – This is a solid option for those wanting a budget option in Burgas. Its location slightly out of the main city centre area, is reflected in the price. The hotel is basic but provides clean, comfortable rooms with free WiFi, air conditioning and private bathrooms as well as a shared lounge and bar area
Mid-Range Hotel Option | Marina Burgas Hotel – Located on the beach, just a few minutes walk from Burgas city centre, Marina Burgas Hotel is an excellent choice for visitors to Burgas. The hotel has a restaurant and bar and comfortable, well-equipped rooms. Continental breakfast is also included
Apartment Option | Seaman’s House – This is a hotel setup with apartments, so a great choice for those wanting the space and amenities of an apartment alongside the convenience and facilities of a hotel. There is a fitness centre, terrace and garden available for guest use as well
High-End Hotel Option | Hotel Bulgaria – Situated in central Burgas and only 10 minutes walk from the beach, Hotel Bulgaria offers modern, well-equipped hotel rooms and apartments as well as an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant and bar
Luxury Hotel Option | Villa Promenade – For luxury look no further than the 5-star Villa Promenade which is located in a great location between the sea gardens and city. Rooms are spacious and elegantly furnished and include a continental breakfast
How to get around Burgas
As the second-largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea, you might think Burgas demands public transport to get around, but the main tourist area of the city is actually quite small and can easily be explored on foot. In fact, due to the extensive network of tidy pedestrianised streets, the city centre is a dream to walk, with no cars or buses clogging up the roads. However, if you do want to go further into the city or to nearby towns and resorts then here are the best transport options in Burgas:
Taxi – There are lots of taxis available all over the city, however, there have been many reports of scams from taxis in Burgas and Bulgaria in general, charging higher prices for journeys so we advise using a ride-hailing app where possible if you do want a taxi
Ride Hailing Apps – Yellow! taxi is the most popular ride-hailing app in Bulgaria and is very easy to use, we would advise using this over standard taxis to ensure you are not ripped off, plus it’s probably more convenient
Bus – The bus network in Burgas is fairly extensive and covers most parts of the city with local company BurgasBus, with tickets costing 1.50BGN ($1) for journeys within the city, these can be bought on board from the driver. There are two bus stations, south and west. The south station is closer to the seafront and city centre and caters to more departures, including more to other towns and cities. For buses to other towns and cities, you can refer to the BurgasBus website online or ask at the desks in the station for more help and prices
Things to do in Burgas
As a city that is often considered as a transit point, there is a good choice of nearby towns and resorts for day trips. However, there are also plenty of things to see and do in the city, so we have included a selection of both in our list of the top 5 things to do in Burgas:
Burgas Beach – Made up of several named beaches, the beach area of Burgas is long, clean and equipped with cafes, bars, sun loungers and other beach activities. The water is clear and features such as the pier offer visitors great viewpoints over the beach and sea garden behind
Sea Garden – This large park is planted with a variety of shrubs and trees and is located along the coast of Burgas city, covering a vast area behind the beach. Within the park, there are statues, cafes, restaurants and monuments as well as many paths for walking
Sozopol Day Trip – Located 35km south of Burgas, sits Sozopol, an ancient seaside town which can be accessed via a 45min bus journey, costing 5BGN ($3) per person. The town is pretty, with a good beach, many restaurants and a selection of souvenir shops. Take a look at our Sozopol day trip article for a detailed look at what to do in Sozopol, how to get there and where to eat
Poda Conservation Area – Located to the south of Burgas city, this conservation area covers 4 salt lakes which are home to 260 bird species, a staggering 70% of Bulgaria’s birds. There are trails, tours, kayaking and swimming areas for visitors to enjoy. Entrance to the protected area costs 5BGN ($3) per person and you can get there by car, taxi or by bus
St Anastasia Island – Located just off the coast, the volcanic island of St Anastasia can be accessed via a boat that leaves from the ferry passenger terminal in Burgas, with tickets costing 12BGN ($7) per adult, 10 BGN ($6) per child. The island offers visitors the chance to explore a monastery and lighthouse that are prominent features of the island
What to eat in Burgas
Bulgarian cuisine is similar to that in much of the Balkans, however, it is more diverse. There is a great range of restaurants and dishes to be found in Burgas ranging from traditional Bulgarian, Turkish, Asian and Mediterranean. With over 120 restaurants in Burgas, there is a good choice and something for everyone, and we found prices to be exceptionally reasonable. If you want to try some of the local and national dishes of Bulgaria and Burgas, then here is our pick of what to eat in Burgas:
Tarator – Commonly served as a side or first dish in summer months, this cold soup is made from cucumbers, walnuts, garlic, yoghurt, herbs and vinegar
Shopska Salad – The national dish of Bulgaria, this salad consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and sirene cheese on top, which is a type of Bulgarian brined cheese
Kufte – Usually served with bread or rice, kufte’s are meat patties that are commonly made from beef, pork or veal and mixed with onions, cumin, parsley and salt and pepper
Mussels (and seafood in general) – Fresh from the Black Sea, mussels are usually served with a mildly spicy tomato sauce and are commonly found, with many other seafood dishes, in restaurants in Burgas and other cities on the Bulgarian Black Sea
Tikvenik – A traditional Bulgarian pastry made of thin sheets of dough, filled with grated pumpkin, ground walnuts, sugar and cinnamon
Money - Burgas Travel Costs
The currency in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (лв, BGN). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Burgas and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. A service charge is sometimes added to the bill if it is not included, and you are happy with the service then a tip of 5-10% is the norm and you can round up for taxis. Burgas, like much of Bulgaria, is a very reasonably priced destination and offers great value for money compared to many other destinations in Europe. As a result, it is suitable for both budget and luxury travellers. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) for:
A local draught beer – 2-4BGN ($1.20-$2.50)
A coffee – 1.50-3.50BGN ($1-$2)
A grab and go pastry – 1.50-3BGN ($0.90-$1.80)
Budget restaurant meal – 10-20BGN ($6-$12)
Mid-range restaurant meal – 25-45BGN ($15-$27)
High-end restaurant meal – 50BGN+ ($30+)
When to go to Burgas and for how long
The best time to visit Burgas is either April-May or September-October, this is outside of the peak season of July-August and when the weather is cooler, crowds are less and prices are cheaper. If you are only visiting Burgas, without day trips out of the city, then a trip of 2-3 days will be enough, including some beach time. If you are looking to relax a little more and make a day trip to Sozopol or Nessebar then we recommend a trip of around 5 days to Burgas.
Local language and phrases
Check out our Bulgaria travel tips page for our recommendations for some of the most useful Bulgarian phrases to use on your visit to Bulgaria. Many Bulgarians, particularly those in tourist-orientated jobs, speak some English, but it’s good to have some basic phrases handy for when you need them.
Burgas travel tips
– Burgas is generally safe and is suitable for lone travellers, including lone females but keep an eye on personal belongings
– The water is safe to drink in Bulgaria
– If you require a Covid-19 PCR or Antigen test during or at the end of your journey in Bulgaria, then the main airports in the country all have very convenient and reasonably priced testing centres
Burgas travel guide written in August 2021
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Burgas Travel Articles
Burgas Walking Tour Videos And Maps
Check out our Youtube Channel for more Burgas walking tours, and tours for other destinations too.
Burgas City Centre Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights in the city centre of Burgas and an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Burgas Sea Gardens Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights in the Burgas Sea Gardens and an accompanying map showing the route we walked
Burgas Seafront Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights along the Seafront in Burgas and an accompanying map showing the route we walked
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