Burgas is a large port in Bulgaria, a tourist and cultural center of this country. Visiting resorts near it is the dream of almost all people who lived in the Soviet Union. Nowadays Burgas does not seem so far away, but it never ceases to amaze travelers with its beauty.
Now the entire coast, sights and monuments of Burgas and its environs can be viewed in 1-2 days. How? By renting a car. This method of travel will save tourists from having to catch buses and waste time on the way to bus stations. It will help you feel truly free anywhere and anytime.
Where can I rent a car in Burgas?
Most of the offices of companies that provide car rental in Burgas are located in the city center. There are also several such offices at the airport, near the boulevards "Stefan Stambolov" and "Transportna". You can recognize them by the signs with the words “Rent a car” or “Naemane on a stake”.
Features of roads near Burgas
The E87 Odessa-Antalya highway crosses Burgas from north to south and connects this city with Varna and (via the E80 highway) with Istanbul. Within the boundaries of Burgas, from Sarafovo airport to the village of Kraimorie, this road has 4 traffic lanes and a separation barrier. Outside the city on it - 2 lanes without a barrier.
On the southern outskirts of Burgas, from the E87 highway, there is a local road No. 99, which leads to the resort of Sozopol and the town of Malko Tarnovo. The A1 highway or the Trakia highway is laid from Burgas to the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. It starts from the intersection of Stefan Stambolov and Transportna boulevards as a continuation of the first of these streets. All along this autobahn has 4 traffic lanes.
Parking in Burgas
In addition to the usual free parking lots and parking lots with automatic machines, in Burgas, blue zones are widespread - parts of the road that are highlighted with a blue marking strip. You need to pay for downtime in such places by sending SMS to the number indicated on the plate. Parking in blue zones costs 1 lev (0.5 euro). Parking in these areas is allowed from 9:00 to 19:00, Monday through Friday. In case of non-payment of money for parking, the car will be blocked or evacuated. The fine for parking in the wrong place or the absence of a special SMS is 30-60 levs (15-30 euros).
What to see in Burgas and its surroundings?
Bata village
Bata is a traditional Bulgarian village. All its inhabitants wear national costumes and are engaged in traditional crafts: pottery, spinning of fabrics, sheep breeding.
The usual program for visiting this village, which is offered by travel agencies, includes dinner in the village with a fun feast and heavy drinking. Those who for any reason do not want to drink or sit in a huge company of tourists can come to the village in the morning and go to master classes, inspect traditional huts and try on something from the national Bulgarian clothes.
The village of Bata is located 30 km north of Bourgas. To get to it, before reaching the airport of the city, turn off the E87 highway onto the road No. 906 and go through Medovo to Bath. There is a parking lot at the entrance to the settlement and in the territories of guest houses. The hills around the village are great spots for gliding and hang gliding.
Mandra lake
Mandra Lake or Mandra is the largest of the reservoirs of the Burgas region and one of the favorite places for recreation of the city residents. Its length is 8 km, width is 0.5-1.3 km. The shores of the lake are indented with small bays. The reservoir is an ornithological reserve. More than 200 species of birds live in reeds and islets on it. The pearl of Mandra's “live collection” is the Dalmatian Pelican. Despite the protected status of the reservoir, fishing is allowed in it. In the settlements located on the shore of the lake, there are small hotels, boat rentals and fishing equipment. 4 rivers flow into the lake. The most picturesque of them is Izvorska (in the southern part of the reservoir).
Mandra Lake is located west of Bourgas. You can drive along its northern coast and admire the beautiful landscapes using the local road No. 79.
Ruins of the ancient Roman village of Deultum
Near the outskirts of the village of Debelt is located Deultum - an ancient Roman settlement that existed in the I-XIV centuries AD. Since its foundation, it has been constantly fortified with walls and ramparts. A port was equipped on the Mandrenskoye Lake for the needs of the village. Inside Deultum there was a water supply and sewerage system.
Now Bulgarian archaeologists are actively engaged in excavation of the settlement, studying the artifacts found in it. An archaeological base was built near the village of Debelt, where everything that was found in Deultum is displayed. In the shops near the archaeological base, you can buy souvenirs in memory of the village. In 2011, Deultum was recognized as one of the wonders of Bulgaria.
You can get to Deultum from Burgas along the highway # 79. The ruins themselves are to the right of the entrance to Debelt.
Fortress Ravadinovo
Fortress Ravadinovo - the castle seems to have grown out of the fairy tales of Hans-Christian Andersen. It is called "In love with the wind." The architectural design of the building is a mixture of art deco from Gaudí and elements of the Byzantine style. There is a park on the territory around the castle. In it ponds were dug and white swans were launched, fountains were built and sculptures were erected. A mini-zoo is open for children's entertainment. Together with the park, the fortress creates a romantic experience. While in the fortress, you want to dream of a happy future and dance at balls in the past.
The castle is open from 10:00 to 19:00. The entrance costs 10 levs (5 euros). There is no need to purchase tickets for children under the age of 7.
Fortress Ravadinovo is located 37 km south of Burgas. You need to go to the building along the regional road number 99. From it, near the Petrol filling station, before reaching the sign with the name of the castle, before reaching the sign with the name of the castle, you need to turn to the right and get to the gates of the complex. There is an unpaved free parking near the fortress.