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The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 shows in Burgas are on 11, 13 and 15 May, all in the evening, which leaves the days free. From Burgas, Nessebar is about 40 minutes away, Sozopol about 35 minutes and Pomorie about 25 minutes, so half-day trips are easy. Full days to Strandzha or Plovdiv fit best on 12 or 14 May.
Burgas will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, organised by Bulgarian National Television and the European Broadcasting Union. According to Eurovisionworld the first semi-final is on 11 May, the second on 13 May and the Grand Final on 15 May 2027, all at Arena Burgas. The shows start at 21:00 Central European Summer Time, which is 22:00 in Bulgaria.
Mid-May is early in the Black Sea season. The towns are calmer than in summer, the weather is usually mild, and the roads are free of the July traffic. It is a good week to see the coast.
Trips by time needed
| Trip | One-way drive from Burgas | Time needed | Best day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomorie: salt lake and old town | about 25 min | 3 to 4 h | Any day, including show days |
| Sozopol old town | about 35 min | 4 to 5 h | Any day |
| Nessebar old town (UNESCO) | about 40 min | 4 to 5 h | Any day |
| Ropotamo river and Sozopol | about 45 min | 6 to 7 h | 12 or 14 May |
| Strandzha and Sinemorets | about 1 h 20 min | 9 to 10 h | 12 or 14 May |
| Wineries inland | 30 min to 1 h 30 min | 5 to 8 h | 12 or 14 May |
| Plovdiv | about 2 h 45 min | 11 to 12 h | A free day after the final |
Half-day trips that fit on a show day
Nessebar
The old town of Nessebar sits on a small peninsula and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 for its medieval churches and wooden houses. In May you can walk it without the summer crowds. Leave Burgas at 10:00 and you are back by 15:00 with time to rest before the show.
Sozopol
Sozopol’s old town has narrow streets, wooden houses and sea views on three sides. It is the closest old town to Burgas and the easiest choice for a morning out. See our Sozopol day trip guide for what to see.
Pomorie
Pomorie is the shortest trip: the salt lake, a domed Thracian tomb and a walk along the seafront. It also has wineries close by; see wineries near Burgas and Pomorie.
Full days for the free days
12 and 14 May have no live show, so they suit longer trips. The Ropotamo river boat trip combined with Sozopol is a gentle full day; boats on the river may still run a reduced schedule in mid-May, so check locally. The Strandzha day trip goes further south into forest and quiet villages.
A sample plan for the week
| Date | Evening | Daytime idea |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 10 May | Arrive, walk the Sea Garden in Burgas | |
| Tue 11 May | Semi-final 1 | Morning in Nessebar |
| Wed 12 May | Full day: Ropotamo and Sozopol, or Strandzha | |
| Thu 13 May | Semi-final 2 | Short morning in Pomorie |
| Fri 14 May | Full day: wineries or Plovdiv | |
| Sat 15 May | Grand Final | Rest, or a short morning in Sozopol |
| Sun 16 May | Departure |
Shows end late, around midnight local time. Plan the morning after each show as a slow start; a late-morning pick-up works better than an early one.
Booking during a busy week
Demand for cars and drivers in Burgas will be high in Eurovision week. Book your day trips as early as you can, and give the pick-up address exactly, as some streets near the arena may be closed or restricted on show days.
Use the form above: enter Burgas as the start, your destination and the date, and the number of passengers.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Eurovision 2027 shows in Burgas?
The semi-finals are on 11 and 13 May and the Grand Final on 15 May 2027, at Arena Burgas, with live shows starting at 22:00 Bulgarian time.
Can I do a day trip on a show day?
Yes, choose a short one. Nessebar, Sozopol and Pomorie are all under an hour from Burgas, so you can be back by mid-afternoon.
What is the best full-day trip from Burgas in May?
Strandzha and the Veleka river mouth or a day inland to wineries both suit May. Plovdiv is possible but means about 5 hours of driving.
Will the beaches be open in mid-May?
The beaches are open to walk on, but the sea is still cool and many beach services start later in the season.