Things to do in Burgas
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Burgas Beach
Although it can't compare with the far superior beaches at the nearby resorts, or even with Varna's urban stretch of sand, Burgas Beach still attracts plenty of locals on a hot summer day. It's a bit grubby at the southern end, with its long concrete pier, used as a diving platform by teenage boys and a fishing station by old men, but further on there are some smart beach bars and a couple of restaurants, and, in summer, the beach is kept clean by regular sweepers and watched over by lifeguards.
There are often high winds and high waves along this coast: not great for swimming, but OK for windsurfers. Boards may be rented from the Morski Klub at the northern end of the be…
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Pri Lipite
[ourpick] Pri Lipite Easily the best restaurant in town, ‘Under the Lime Trees’ is set in the shady courtyard of a house built in 1910 for the then mayor of Burgas. It offers a huge menu of traditional Bulgarian cuisine including stewed boar, roast lamb, chicken kavarma (a traditional seasoned stew served in a clay pot) and veal-tail soup, as well as various yoghurt-based dishes (with all the milk and cheese coming from the restaurant’s own dairy). It gets extremely busy at night, and reservations are advisable.
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Maritime Park
Stretching lazily along the Black Sea coast, this grassy haven - filled with manicured flowerbeds, fountains, busts of Bulgarian worthies, abstract sculptures and plenty of cafés - is the pride of Burgas. At the end of bul Aleko Bogoridi, it's a relaxing place to wander on a warm summer evening and is popular with everyone from bench-warming pensioners to promenading teenagers and young families.
There are some spectacular views over the sea from the terraces, and steps lead down from here towards the beach.
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Archaeological Museum
Burgas’ small Archaeological Museum houses a collection of local finds ranging from the Stone Age up to the Roman era. Artefacts on show include Neolithic flint tools, a wooden canoe from the 5th century BC, Thracian jewellery and the remarkably well preserved wooden coffin of a Thracian chieftain. A separate room displays recently unearthed discoveries from a Neolithic site and a Roman necropolis outside the city, including pottery, clay idols and silver jewellery.
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Natural Science Museum
The Natural Science Museum presents a series of old-fashioned – but still informative – displays on local flora, fauna and geology. Exhibits of rocks, seashells, butterflies and beetles occupy the ground floor, while the basement holds mineral samples from around Bulgaria and the rest of the world. Upstairs there’s a collection of stuffed birds and animals from the locality, including rarer species such as the squacco heron and ferruginous duck.
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Soviet Army Monument
Standing sentinel over pl Troikata is this towering concrete memorial to the Red Army, comprising a tall, slender column surmounted by a saluting Russian soldier, sculpted panels featuring Soviet soldiers in action against Nazi troops, and rejoicing Bulgarian peasants. It's in much better shape than many other similar monuments around the country, and is still a major focal point of the city; it's even illuminated at night.
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STS Cyril & Methodius Church
The city’s main church is an imposing, late-19th-century edifice, with an especially fine, intricately carved iconostasis, colourful, recently renovated murals and elaborately decorated grey marble columns. Tourists are welcome, but don’t be dressed for the beach if you visit as it’s still the city’s chief place of worship.
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Alibi
In summer, nightclubs and bars materialise among the trees of Maritime Park; among the more reliable is Alibi, with a varied programme including ‘retro nights’, dance and Latino music. Live music, dance and drama performances often take place at the Summer Theatre, which was being rebuilt at the time of research.
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Vodenitsata
Standing on the seafront overlooking the beach, ‘The Water Mill’ is a traditional wood-cabin affair, which is always packed out with locals. Specialities include grilled fish, barbecues, steaks and salads, and it seems to be one of the rare places along here that stays open beyond the summer months.
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Evropa
Almost every restaurant in the city seems to serve pizza, but if you’re in the mood for a quattro staggione, then Evropa is one of the better outlets, baking the freshly made pizzas in a traditional brick oven. Pasta, salads, fish and pork steaks also figure on the menu.
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Monte Christo
One of the classier options along this pizza-prone street, serving up excellent dishes such as duck breast with blueberries, salmon with peppermint sauce, and lobster. It also does some tasty appetizers: try the marinated sheep’s cheese with honey and pears.
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Kino Trakiya
Kino Trakiya shows recent Hollywood films every evening. For something a bit more sophisticated, find out what’s on offer at the Adriana Boudevska Drama Theatre or the Burgas Opera House.
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Ethnographical Museum
This museum houses a collection that includes period furniture, regional costumes and exquisite jewellery, as well as displays covering the local weaving and fishing industries. Everything is labelled in Bulgarian.
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New Shanghai
At the eastern end of the street, this always bustling, authentic Chinese restaurant serves up huge portions of all the old favourites, including sweet and sour chicken and pork noodles, as well as vegetarian dishes.
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BMS
Cheap, self-service, cafeteria-style chain offering simple but filling fare such as sausages and stews. There are some outdoor tables and it also serves beer.
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Penguin Bookshop
At the northern end of this road, on the corner with bul San Stefano, Penguin sells a small selection of English-language novels and books about Bulgaria.
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Helikon Bookshop
On the edge of the main square, this bookshop stocks a wide range of books, including English-language novels, and local, regional and international maps.
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Barcode Beach Bar
One of the more self-consciously hip and artsy bars on the beach, offering comfy sofas, cocktails and bar snacks. Pricier than most, too.
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Adriana Boudevska Drama Theatre
For something a bit more sophisticated, find out what's on offer at the Adriana Boudevska Drama Theatre.
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Burgas Opera House
For something a bit more sophisticated, find out what's on offer at the Burgas Opera House.
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Bel Canto Bookshop
Small shop by the train station offering a variety of books as well as maps and postcards.
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London Pub & Restaurant
Catering to homesick British expats and visitors, this is a friendly place close to the seafront, offering all-day English breakfasts (9 lv), as well as mixed grills, steak-and-onion pie, chicken curry and real British tea, no less.
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