Burgas is the fourth largest city in Bulgaria and the largest city in Southeastern Bulgaria - the birthplace and home of renowned poets, composers, singers, actors, directors, artists, photographers, and athletes.
Burgas Municipality borders the Black Sea, enclosing the vast Burgas Bay. Near the seashore are the lakes Atanasovsko, Pomorie, Mandrensko, and Burgas (Vaya), forming the largest complex of coastal lakes in Bulgaria - unique for their exceptional biological diversity. This area is crossed by the "Via Pontica," one of the main migration routes for European migratory birds.
One of the largest airports and the biggest cargo port in the country are located in Burgas. The airport boasts the best atmospheric conditions on the Balkan Peninsula and is the only one equipped to handle supersonic aircraft. Since 1989, the Burgas Free Trade Zone has been operational.
Burgas is an important center for maritime tourism with many amenities and connections to resorts along the Southern Black Sea. The city serves as a starting point for the Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach, holiday villages like Elenite and Duni, the historic towns of Nessebar and Sozopol, the Ropotamo Reserve, and the natural park of Strandzha.
The resort complex is enriched by the presence of the Burgas Mineral Baths (15 km from the city), which are one of the oldest Bulgarian balneological centers.
Historical Museum - The Historical Museum displays original exhibits, photographs, and documents related to events and figures in the city's history. The Icon Hall provides a glimpse of high-value works by masters of the Bulgarian Revival period. The museum is also a preferred venue for interesting visiting exhibitions.
Etnographic Museum - The Ethnographic Museum in Burgas is the largest museum in Southeastern Bulgaria. It houses the most attractive collection of Bulgarian folk costumes from the ethnographic groups in the region, including those of Bulgarian immigrants from present-day Greece and Turkey.
Archaeological Museum - In the Archaeological Museum, collections of archaeological finds related to ancient Thrace, the Greek colonies along the Black Sea, and the time of the Roman Empire are exhibited. You can also see exhibits from the earliest history of navigation in the Black Sea and the development of the Southern Black Sea ports.
Churches - Of interest is the Cathedral of Sts. Cyril and Methodius with its frescoes and wooden altar. Also notable are the Armenian Church, the Roman Catholic Church of “Virgin Mary”, the temple of “St. Virgin Mary”, and the temple of “St. Ivan Rilski.”
Located 20 km north of Burgas is Lake Pomorie, surrounded by salt pans and balneological sanatoriums.
Atanasovsko Lake is also situated to the north of the city. It is home to many marshland and seabirds that migrate from Gibraltar and the Bosporus.
In Lake Burgas, pelicans, ibises, and herons nest.
Located 10 km south of Burgas is Mandrensko Lake, which is an important ornithological reserve.
The mineral baths are located 13 km to the northwest. There are also remnants of an ancient Roman settlement there.
Otmanli Park is a game reserve.
Sozopol
The town of Sozopol is the oldest town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The first settlement here appeared at the end of the 4th - 3rd millennium BC. Numerous stone anchors and rudders dating back to the 2nd - 1st millennium BC have been discovered in Sozopol Bay, indicating active seafaring since ancient times. Churches and many houses made of wood and stone from the 18th - 19th century are preserved, creating a unique architectural appearance in present-day Sozopol. Ancient icons and magnificent wooden iconostases showcase remarkable achievements of artistic crafts from that time. Sozopol is part of the 100 national tourist sites designated by the Bulgarian Tourist Union.
Nesebar
The town of Nesebar is located in the Burgas region, with a distance of 27.5 km between the two towns. There are regular bus and minibus services from the bus station in Burgas. Founded in the second millennium BC under the name Mesembria, Nesebar today is the richest medieval architectural town in Bulgaria. The old town of Nesebar is included in UNESCO's list of world historical and cultural heritage. There are around 42 churches in the old part of the town. Currently, only one church is active, with the better-preserved churches serving mainly as art galleries. In the middle of the isthmus between the old and new parts of the town stands the old windmill, no longer functional but serving as a tourist attraction and emblem of Nesebar. Today, the historical landmarks are complemented by the Renaissance look of the town. Over 100 restored Renaissance houses contribute to the picturesque architecture of Nesebar.
Pomorie
The town of Pomorie was founded as a Greek colony named Anhialo at the end of the 5th century BC. It is a paradise corner of the Black Sea coast, combining romance and coziness typical of small towns. The resort possesses a unique natural setting (Black Sea mud baths), making it a magnet for tourists from many countries and an attractive destination for year-round relaxation and treatment. The town is located on a narrow rocky peninsula. Founded in the 4th century BC near the salty lake, known as "sacred" by the ancient Thracians due to its healing properties. It has been firmly established that Pomorie's mud therapy ranks among the best in the world in terms of quality. Various illnesses are successfully treated year-round in the modern sanatorium facilities.
Sunny Beach
The resort complex Sunny Beach is located in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera. Its rapid development makes it the largest resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The resort uses environmentally friendly internal transportation - mini-trains, cycle rickshaws, and bicycles. It offers a wide range of entertainment options including surfing, water skiing, yachting, tennis clubs, a horse base, bowling, and more. The resort hosts an international popular song festival "Golden Orpheus", days of symphonic music, fashion shows, and various beach competitions.
