How to Spend a Week in Burgas, Bulgaria

There are many excellent places to visit in Bulgaria, one of my favourite areas is Burgas.  When many people think of holidays in Bulgaria, they think of Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, or in the winter months – Bansko. However, there are so many things to do in Burgas that it really is worth taking a trip.

Bulgaria became a member of the EU back in 2007. Since then, it has become a popular destination for those who want an affordable holiday in a European destination. During the winter months, tourists head to the ski slopes in the mountainous region of Bansko. During the summer months, holiday resorts including Golden Sands and Sunny Beach attract holiday-makers looking to soak up the sun and immerse themselves in beach life. Sunny Beach has earned itself the reputation as a “love it or hate it” sun, sea and party resort, best suited to the 18-30s. However, if this isn’t your ideal vision of a summer break, let me tell you that there is so much more to see and do on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.

 

THINGS TO DO IN BURGAS

What many don’t know is that Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in the world, bursting with unique cultural experiences and rich in history. Here are a few of my personal recommendations on things to do in Burgas, on the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria.

ANASTASIA ISLAND

Just off the coastal city of Burgas lies a tiny, uninhabited island known as Anastasia Island. For less than £5 per person you can take a boat trip to the island and spend a couple of hours there before heading back. This quaint exhibit has its own little restaurant, church, café, and a museum. Not to mention fantastic views of the sea and surrounding coastline. It’s a fantastic way to pass a couple of hours and is suitable for all ages.

 

THE CASTLE OF RAVADINOVO

The Castle of Ravadinovo is located in the scenic Sozopol. It is a recently built castle that attracts tourists from near and far. It has been made to look like an elegant, fairy tale castle through its wealth of intricate detail, pretty water features and stunning architecture. It’s easy to spend the entire day at the castle. Although there isn’t any residential accommodation on-site, the plot has lots of attractions to keep the whole family entertained. There are lakes, restaurants, a horse riding centre, wine cellar, souvenir shop, kid’s play area, and lots more. If you’ve ever dreamed of living out your own grown-up fantasies of visiting a picture-perfect castle, this is the place to go!

THE SAND FESTIVAL

Every year Burgas holds a sand castle festival in its Sea Garden – a scenic park that runs along the coast of the city. The sand castle festival costs just £1 per person to enter and is full of creative sand sculptures to admire. Each year the theme of the sand sculptures if different. For e.g. one year the theme was “Disney” and therefore the sculptures were of Disney characters and icons. The work that goes into the sand sculptures is amazing. They stand high at about 20 feet. On average there are always between 10-20 sculptures to see during the festival. There are also information plaques next to each sculpture so that you can read more about which country they came from and who made them.

THE AVIATION MUSEUM

Should you fly into Burgas airport on your Bulgaria holidays, you may notice the Aviation Museum on the grounds of the airport. You don’t have to hold a serious interest in aviation to enjoy this exhibition. The entry cost is low – about £2.50 per person and whilst you’re there you can have a fun day exploring the old planes and capturing some amusing pictures. You can opt for a guided tour should you want to learn more about the history of the aeroplanes on the site. If not, you can wander around on your own and take a leisurely look at the exhibit. Don’t forget to check out life in First Class and get an Insta-worthy photo “for the ‘gram!”

THE BEACHES IN BURGAS

There are a lot of hidden gems situated within the coastal county of Burgas, many of which include the beautiful beaches. The south-eastern county has beaches to suit everybody’s taste and social preferences. If you’re looking for a buzzing atmosphere with an international range of eateries and entertainment then Sunny Beach would be the best place for you. If quiet, less developed beaches take your fancy, then somewhere like Chernomorets or Sarafovo would be the place to consider. Looking for a tasteful balance of somewhere sophisticated but caters to tourists? The idyllic town of Sozopol is your best match.

 

As you can see, there are quite a lot of things to do in Burgas. There is a wide variety of activities to keep people of all ages entertained. Bulgaria’s beach resorts are certainly popular with holiday makers, but not to the extent of other holiday destinations within Europe and other parts of the world. Burgas offers a pleasant combination of buzzing coastal life and tranquillity, making it well worth a visit.