Burgas, or Bourgas, is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It is located on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast near the Burgas Bay, so it is referred to as a seaside resort. However the city also is an industrial center and main port. The city is surrounded by three lakes, Vaya (the Burgas) lake, Atanaskovsko lake and Mandrensko lake. Burgas has a population of almost 300 thousand people.
From Burgas it is easy to explore the southern coast of Bulgaria and its beach resorts and more historic towns, such as Nesebar and Sozopol. The city itself also offers enough things to do and see. It has luxury holiday resorts as well as campsites on beaches for nature lovers. Burgas has an uncrowded beach and bossy sea side park, the Maritime Park. The city has a nightlife with bars, clubs and theaters.
The city was founded by Greek colonists who named the town Pyrgos. The old town shows some of its history as well as the Archaeological Museum. Other museums are the Ethnographic Museum, the Burgas Regional Historical Museum and the Museum of Nature and Science. If you like art, the city has one of the oldest art galleries in the country in the form of the Burgas Art Gallery, located in a former Jewish Synagogue.
Travelers to Burgas need a valid passport. A visa isn’t necessary for a stay up to 90 days. The best time to travel is in the summer, when the city is most lively. There are more activities to do, surfing and kite-surfing for instance. Be aware of pick pocketing, beggars who follow you around, scam-taxi drivers and drunk people during summer months.