Lake Atanasovsko, located just north of Burgas, is a coastal salt lake known for its vivid pink hues. The Instagram-ready colours are caused by the microalgae Dunaliella salina. Spanning a vast area, the lake is divided into two sections. The northern part is a protected nature reserve, home to over 300 bird species, including rare and endangered waterfowl like Dalmatian pelicans and white herons. The southern section is used for traditional sun-and-shovel powered salt production, yielding around 40,000 tons annually. The lake’s high salinity and mineral-rich mud are believed to have therapeutic properties, attracting visitors seeking natural remedies for skin conditions, arthritis, and other ailments. A designated birdwatching shelter near the lake’s edge offers observation spots for wildlife enthusiasts. Access is restricted to marked paths to preserve the delicate ecosystem. With its unique blend of natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance, Lake Atanasovsko is a remarkable destination on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast.

Bulgaria’s coastal bunkers, remnants of its WWII alliance with Nazi Germany, are scattered along the Black Sea coast. In Burgas, one bunker sits just off Central Beach, between the Pantheon of the Fallen Antifascists and the Flora Burgas Expo Centre. Another can be found near Lake Atanasovsko, known as the Bunker at the Salt Pans. Once military outposts, these structures now stand as silent reminders of a complex past, with some repurposed into cafes and covered in murals, or left abandoned, offering a glimpse into 20th-century history.

Saint Anastasia Island, the only inhabited island in Bulgaria’s Black Sea, lies 6 kilometres from Burgas and is steeped in history and legend. Once a monastery and later a prison, it now features a lighthouse, a couple of small museums, and the 15th-century Church of the Assumption with its 1802 wooden iconostasis. You can explore the island’s rocky shores, enjoy sea cuisine at the restaurant, or try herbal potions at the monastery. Regular catamaran services from Burgas make it an accessible and intriguing day trip.