Nesebar is 26 km from Arena Burgas in a straight line and 33.5 km by road — about 35 minutes by car. Next door, Sunny Beach is about 37 minutes. Between them they hold the largest stock of beds on this stretch of coast, which is why they will still have rooms when Burgas sells out for 11–15 May 2027.
Getting to a show is easy. Getting back is the part you have to plan.
Why stay in Nesebar at all
- Availability. Nesebar and Sunny Beach are built for summer volume. In mid-May many hotels are just opening for the season, and the city of Burgas, with about 225,000 people, does not have that capacity.
- The old town. Ancient Nesebar is a UNESCO World Heritage site: a rocky peninsula of Byzantine churches and wooden houses over stone. On the days without a show, it is a far better place to spend the morning than a residential block in Izgrev. See our day trips guide.
- A beach week with a contest in it. If you are coming for the whole week rather than one show, the sea, the season opening and the prices matter more than a short walk to the arena.
The trade-off is simple: you pay for show nights with a taxi.
By bus: getting there
Buses for Nesebar and Sunny Beach leave from South Bus Station (Avtogara Yug), sector 3, next to Burgas Central Station. There are two routes:
- Along the coast, via Sarafovo, Pomorie, Aheloy and Ravda to Nesebar old town and Sunny Beach. Operators M-BUS and DS Bus between them run roughly every 40 minutes.
- Inland, via Kableshkovo, to new Nesebar and Sunny Beach.
| Coastal route | Inland route | |
|---|---|---|
| Last departure from Burgas | 22:05 (DS Bus) | 21:20 (DS Bus) |
| Journey to Sunny Beach | about 70 min | |
| Fare | about €4.50 (check before travel) |
Coming into Burgas, the first bus from Sunny Beach is at 06:05 (weekdays only) and the last at 21:00. Nesebar is a few minutes earlier on the same route.
These timetables are posted at Avtogara Yug without a season label, and coastal services often change at the start of the summer season. Check the station board or ask at the counter the week you arrive. Tickets are sold at the counter or by the driver; advance booking is not normally needed.
From South Bus Station to the arena, take line 15, 12, Б1 or Б2 north to Stefan Stambolov Boulevard: about 15–20 minutes, €0.80 on board. Door to door, Nesebar to the arena by public transport is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Leave three hours before the doors open if you want to keep the walk relaxed.
Getting back after a show
The last bus to Nesebar leaves Burgas at 22:05. If the usual slot is kept, shows start at 22:00 local time; semi-finals end around 00:00 and the Grand Final around 02:00. You would be leaving the city as the show starts. After the Grand Final — and after any evening show — there is no public transport to Nesebar: only a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Preview shows in the afternoon are the exception. Check their times when they are announced; an afternoon preview may let you catch the last bus.
That leaves a taxi:
- On the meter: Burgas taxis are capped at €1.02/km at night. For 33.5 km that is roughly €35–40, about 35–45 minutes.
- Fixed transfer: around €40 for up to three people and €50 for up to five, booked in advance.
Split four ways, that is about €10–13 each, which is cheaper than a night in Izgrev during contest week. Two practical tips:
- Book the car for a fixed time and agree to meet it a 10–15 minute walk from the arena, on a street that is not closed. Fifteen thousand people will be looking for a taxi outside the doors.
- The taxi should not need to go through the centre. The arena is on the north side of Burgas, so the route goes north via the Sarafovo road. If a driver heads south towards the port, ask why.
Sunny Beach and Sveti Vlas
Everything above applies to Sunny Beach, which is 2–3 minutes further along the same road and on the same buses. Sveti Vlas, 33 km in a straight line, adds about ten minutes more. Choose by the room, not by the small difference in kilometres.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nesebar from Arena Burgas?
33.5 km by road: about 35 minutes by car in normal traffic, about 1 hour 30 minutes by bus including the city bus from South Bus Station.
What time is the last bus from Burgas to Nesebar?
22:05 from South Bus Station on the coastal route (DS Bus); 21:20 on the inland route via Kableshkovo. Check on arrival, as timetables change seasonally.
How much is a taxi from Burgas to Nesebar?
Roughly €35–40 on the meter at night, or about €40 for a pre-booked transfer for up to three people.
Is Nesebar a good base for Eurovision 2027?
Yes, if you are staying several days and are willing to take a taxi back after evening shows. It is a poor choice if you plan to attend every show and keep costs to a minimum.
Where can I find accommodation in Nesebar?
See Nesebar, Sunny Beach and Sveti Vlas, or listings in Nesebar and Sunny Beach. To compare with closer options, read where to stay for Eurovision 2027.