Burgas: Nature, Culture and Coast

When planning a trip to Burgas, you can focus on nature watching, parkland or cultural history. If you’re looking for hotels, you can first consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your visits: birdwatching in a protected area, a walk through historic parks, or cultural venues with exhibitions and events.

Nature and Parkland

The Poda Protected Area is open for birdwatching year-round. It has designated paths, a birdwatching hide and an observation tower; a total of 265 bird species have been observed there. Ezero Park connects the Sea Garden with the protected zone of the Atanasovsko Lake Reserve. Its features include rare trees and shrubs, sculptures from an international symposium, an equestrian centre and tennis courts. The most convenient way to reach the bird observatory at Atanasovsko Lake and the Spoonbill Trail is via Ezero Park; access may vary seasonally.

The Sea Garden covers 600 decares and stretches for more than five kilometres. Its old section is protected as a monument of park art. The start of the park is about a ten-minute walk from Burgas railway station; construction work may affect the walking route. A tourist description from February 2021 mentions an extensive cycling network in Burgas and the Velo Burgas rental system. Check the current routes and rental service operation when planning your trip.

Culture and History

The Marine Casino officially opened in 1938 and was restored in 2011, reopening as a contemporary cultural centre. Its halls and outdoor areas are used for concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, exhibitions, book presentations, workshops, training sessions and festivals. The programme may change, so check the dates before planning a visit. Binoculars and telescopes are available on the highest terrace for views over Burgas Bay. If this equipment is important for your visit, check its availability in advance.

At Aquae Calidae, you can see Roman baths dating from the first century AD, with warm and cold pools. The archaeological remains also include the fortification walls of the ancient city of Therme, also known as Thermopolis. The Burgas Aviation Museum displays civilian and military aircraft that were part of Bulgarian aviation between 1960 and 1996. The interactive exhibition Homo Volans is housed in an AN-12; visitors can use virtual reality headsets to simulate flying an aircraft. The availability of VR equipment may vary at times.

Chengene Skele is 15 kilometres south of Burgas and is considered a place where local fishing traditions are preserved. These include exhibition houses, demonstrations of net-making and maritime knots, as well as traditional dishes and specialities prepared using old recipes. The mix of crafts, everyday culture and cuisine offers a different focus from the parks and museums.

Island and Practical Information

Sveti Anastasia has served as a monastery and, for a time, as a prison. Its facilities include a seafood restaurant, a café-pharmacy, a small amphitheatre, a museum and a small beach. Facilities and operations may change. Municipal catamarans run regularly from Magazia 1 at Burgas Port to the island; check schedules and possible weather-related cancellations in advance.

Magazia 1 is about a five-minute walk from the public entrance to Burgas Port and can be reached on foot, by car or by bicycle. Local port regulations may change, so it’s advisable to check the latest notices before setting off. The Burgas Tourist Information Centre provides detailed information about nature, cultural, architectural and historical attractions in Burgas Municipality, as well as tourist routes, dining and entertainment, sports facilities, transport and communications. The scope of this information service may also change.

Discover more destinations: Rudnik, Bryastovets, Kraymorie, Sarafovo.

Go to the main travel guide: Burgas.