Sights of Nessebar: review, photo and description. What is worth seeing in Nessebar? What to visit in Nessebar Bulgaria
Nessebar is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria. It was founded by the Thracians many centuries before the beginning of the new era, since then Nessebar has been a colony of Ancient Rome and Byzantium. And in the XV century it became a colony of the Ottoman Empire.
In the 20th century, Nessebar began to grow rapidly as a European tourist center. Today it is a great place for a nice family vacation with excellent infrastructure, cafes, restaurants, excellent souvenir shops, etc.
We bring to your attention a brief description of the sights of Nessebar in Bulgaria with a photo and name, and we wish you to visit and relax in this paradise of Europe as soon as possible.
Map of sights of Nessebar in Bulgaria
What to see in Nessebar: TOP 10 attractions
At this place in the X century BC. the first Thracian colony arose. Much later, the New City was built nearby, today both cities are connected to each other by means of a bridge. The most ancient buildings and structures have been lost over the centuries.
In the Old Town, many buildings erected by the Ottoman Turks around the 15th century remained intact, today they have been restored and are in excellent condition. There are also many beautiful buildings of the 18th century in the style of baroque and classicism.
This mill is located where the Old Town connects with its modern part and a single Nessebar is formed. The windmill has a stone foundation, and the building itself is made of wood.
Before us is one of the visiting cards of the ancient city. Once this mill was a Byzantine temple, but it was rebuilt. Today it is a romantic place where townspeople and guests of the city like to stroll in the evenings.
During the Early Middle Ages, the city of Nessebar was surrounded by a powerful fortress wall. Since those ancient years, about 100 meters in length have remained from the wall. The height of this fortification is about 8 meters.
Today, the remains of the ancient wall have been restored, and the area around it has been well-groomed. Tourists often come here to see this attraction and just take a walk in such a wonderful place.
Ancient Nessebar is famous for its Christian churches built in the Early and Developed Middle Ages. Bulgarians treat them with special care. Of particular note is the Church of St. Paraskeva and the ruined Church of St. Archangels, both XII centuries.
These temples are included in the famous UNESCO list and are protected by the state. It should also be said about the Church of St. Stephen and the Church of Christ the Pantocrator, both in the 11th century, during the Early Middle Ages. The temples are well preserved.
This museum is located at the entrance to the Old Town. It was opened in the mid-90s of the last century. Within the walls of the museum, on its four floors, a huge exposition of archaeological artifacts from the Thracians to Roman and Byzantine times is exhibited.
Lovers of antiquity will see a huge collection of ancient icons, ceramic dishes, women's jewelry and coins. The audience will see burial slabs of the era of Thrace, Ancient Greece and Rome, statues of the Hellenistic era, etc.
Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe - it was founded in the 12th-11th centuries BC. It is located 37 km from Burgas. The old city is spread out on a small peninsula, which is connected to the land by an isthmus of 400 meters. Quite interesting. If you have never heard of this city, but are going here, then, congratulations, an excellent choice. In the resort town, however, there is a lot of interesting things (no wonder when the city is so old!).
Fortress Walls
Once these walls were very high - more than 8 meters. At first, the Thracian tribes were engaged in the fortification of the city, then the Greeks also adjusted a little, then the Romans joined in, and then the Byzantines. In short, by the Middle Ages, Nessebar was already quite protected. The gate was founded in the 8th century BC. And, unfortunately, those ancient buildings did not survive to this day. Is that only a plot of a hundred meters on the western side of Nessebar and a little under water. These hundred meters are taken care of here with all their might, they are strengthened and will not be completely crumbled. So that. These ruins are now one of the main attractions of Nessebar. Look for walls in the Old City.
Byzantine Baths 
The baths were built here back in the era of the reign of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, that is, somewhere in the middle of the 6th century AD. Construction techniques were borrowed from the Romans and even improved. The spacious rooms of the baths assumed the presence of several people inside, and the warm water that flowed through the pipes created different temperatures in different halls of the structure. There were also semi-circular pools, and impressive ceilings, unusually decorated marble columns and marble slabs on the floor. In the main hall, they not only washed themselves, but also talked (like today, hehe), so it was supposedly very comfortable here - and the hall was covered with a massive dome.
This complex can be visited, however, part of the territory of the term was built up with modern buildings, so the complex can be considered inferior. And still, be sure to visit this place, admire the ancient walls and colorful masonry. These baths are located in the Old City.
Windmill 
Once in the city there were dozens of such structures. Only two remain today. The mill at the entrance to the Old City is the most popular. Perhaps you cannot leave the city and not take a photo with this windmill. Very, very picturesque here, of course. The base of the mill is made of stone, which was collected from the ruins of an ancient Byzantine temple of the 6th century AD on the Black Sea coast. Of course, the mill was built much later, however, no one can say how much later. But her appearance suggests that she has been standing here for a very long time. The mill has three floors: on the first floor there is a warehouse of bags of flour and grain, on the second floor there are living quarters of the miller's family, on the third floor there are millstones, shafts and other tools. The fact that the mill is located on the seashore was very advantageous - strong winds allowed the mill to work without interruption.
Museum "Old Nessebar"
The old town of Nessebar is included in the UNESCO lists due to its samples of well-preserved ancient architecture. That is, the city center is almost like an open-air museum. There are so many important sights here! Excavations carried out on the territory more than once made it possible to discover the most important finds, which were transferred to Archaeological Museum. 
It was founded in 1956. The entrance ticket costs about 4 leva. This museum can be visited from 9:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, and on weekends from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 13:30 to 18:00. The collections of the museum will tell you about the rich and interesting history of ancient Messambria, which became Nessebar. Visit and Ethnographical museum, which is located in an old building, which can also be called a landmark. 
In this museum you will see how people lived in the 19th century, how their way of life was established, admire the festive outfits, everyday clothes, utensils, tools and much more. Entrance to this museum costs about 3 leva. Ancient Nessebar includes Church of St. Stephen. 
It was built around the 11th century and was originally consecrated in honor of the Virgin. The amazing iconostasis of the late 16th century, the throne and the chair of the bishop of the Bulgarian Renaissance, the paintings of the 16th-18th centuries depicting the Mother of God and the scenes of the Last Judgment (of which there are about 2.5 thousand in total) are really impressive! During the construction of this church, parts of ancient temples and ancient Christian churches were used, which is important. The entrance ticket costs 5 leva.
Look into Church of the Holy Savior. 
It seems like the church is big, but according to Turkish laws, Christians were not allowed to build churches above a certain height, so the church was dug into the ground. By the way, this is the only Christian church in the city, which was built during the era of the Ottoman Empire. The church was built with the money of a wealthy local resident in the 17th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes with scenes from the Gospel. A combined ticket for visiting all the facilities of the complex costs about 10 levs, for children - 5 levs. And so in each museum you can buy a separate ticket. The museum is open until 7 or 8 pm depending on the season (longer in summer). Please note that from autumn to spring, visits to the complex on weekends are by appointment only.
Church of Christ Almighty 
The small church is the most important attraction of Nessebar. The temple was built at the end of the 13th or the beginning of the 14th century, of brick and stone. We can say that the architecture of the building combines the best features of the medieval architecture of Bulgaria. Unfortunately, part of the building collapsed due to time and weather conditions. But the main nave is still well preserved - and it is really very beautiful. It is a pity that the bell tower, columns and other parts have not survived to this day. But you can see arches, cornices, pediments and niches, which are also very beautiful. The interior of the church, of course, is simply magnificent: paintings, frescoes, and many of them were made in the Middle Ages.
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 9:00-19:00; Sat and Sun: 9:00-13:00
Entrance: 3 leva.
In general, as you can see, there is something to see in Nessebar! Indeed, an amazing town, saturated with the breath of antiquity.
For the first time I heard about Nessebar from Dmitry Krylov's program “Unlucky Notes”. There, the city was presented in such a romantic manner, with beautiful old streets, where quite by chance you can hear from the window of the house how the mysterious maestro plays Yesterday. I am not a particularly romantic person, but his delicious story won me over. And so, as the opportunity arose, I decided to relax in Bulgaria, settling near this city.
Acquaintance with Nessebar began with the fact that we drove through the modern buildings of New Nessebar and found ourselves in front of a road that goes across the sea to the island, on which, in fact, Old Nessebar is located.
On the way to it there is a windmill. Nothing special, but a couple of good photos can be taken. The city itself begins with the remains of the gate and part of the wall of the ancient fortress. I will not say that I have seen many fortresses, but this one did not impress me. Maybe the perception was spoiled by the kids who climbed the ruins like monkeys.
Passing inside through the main gate, we find ourselves on Mesembria Street. This is the main street of the city, there are shops, currency exchange, souvenir shops and so on. However, the whole city is a continuous market.
Each house in Nessebar is a small trading shop. They sell mainly souvenirs, antiques, paintings, clothes. Almost every such shop gathers people, sometimes interfering with the passage, since the streets are not wide.
And then I thought, how did Dmitry Krylov film this city without crowds of people? On a typical day, it is impossible to hear the piano from the open window here, only the hum, din - like in the market.
But if we ignore all this, Nessebar is quite a pleasant city with its rich history and architecture. Unusual old houses of the southern type, where the lower floor is built of stone and the upper one is made of wood, create their own flavor.
Usually residents decorate their windows with all sorts of flowers, it is very pleasing to the eye. Part of the streets is paved, on the other - old paving stones. In places with a smooth surface, it is convenient for mothers with strollers to walk and for people with disabilities to move around.
The streets are blown, as the city stands on an island, and walking along it is not as hot as, for example, in the center of Burgas. And if you get tired of walking, you can look into one of the cafes, have a tasty meal and take a breath.
How to get there
First of all, you need to get into - the largest transport hub in Bulgaria. You can get to it from Moscow by plane or by rail. Prices vary depending on the method, season and transport company. From Burgas to Nessebar can be reached by bus or taxi.
By plane
Regular flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly to Burgas Airport (Sarafovo). It is better to buy tickets in advance. If you take care of this 2-3 months before the date of departure, you can save up to half the cost.
On average, the price of a flight from Moscow, if you take a ticket a week before departure, is 350 € or (25 thousand rubles), from the Northern capital is 28 € (2 thousand rubles) more expensive. Serves flights of airlines "Siberia" and "Aeroflot". You can see how much air tickets will cost for the dates you are interested in.
From Burgas airport to Nessebar can be reached by bus number 10. At the entrance to the airport there is a bus stop "Koltsevaya". That's what you need to find. You will have to wait for the bus from 40 minutes to an hour, the fare is approximately 3.5 € (6 BGN - Bulgarian leva). Travel time is about an hour, maybe less, it all depends on traffic.
There are several stops in Nessebar, tourists “nest” near each of them. They are located near the hotels, the water park and, in fact, the Old Town itself. You can get to any place from the stop on foot or by taxi for 3–6 €.
By train
There is no direct railway connection with Nessebar. According to the old scheme, you need to get to Burgas.
Only one train runs from Moscow to Bulgarian Burgas. This is a trailer car - Burgas, number 059M. Departs from the Kievsky railway station at 9:30 in the morning, arrives every other day at 10:45. The total is 2 days and 2 hours. You need to cross several border points - naturally, because Ukraine and are located between Russia and Bulgaria.
In connection with the events in Ukraine, I would not risk taking the train. Yes, and the mileage is rather big - almost 2.2 thousand kilometers, to this we must add stops at all border sections, each of which lasts about an hour. So it is not surprising that the train travels so much.
Then from the railway station on foot we go to the bus station "South". It is located near the central railway station in the southern part of the city: at the end of the pedestrian Alexandrovskaya Street, on Queen Joanna Square, popularly known as Station Square.
Buses run from the bus station to Nessebar every 30 minutes. The fare is 1.25 €, 40 minutes on the way, and you are there.
By car
From Burgas to Nessebar by car can be reached along the E87 highway. Having a map (and maps are now in any smartphone), it is difficult to get lost.
The road is good, along the coast. The main thing is not to pass the turn to Nessebar itself.
Clue:
Nessebar - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 0
Kazan 0
Samara 1
Yekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season. When is the best time to go
The season is about the same as in our Black Sea resorts: from June to the end of September. At the beginning of the season, it can still be rainy and cool. The sea warms up well by the second decade of June.
In July, the temperature often rises above +30 °C. As for me, the sun is very aggressive, it is better to stock up on creams with a good degree of protection and do not forget about hats. At sea this month there are winds that bring algae.
By mid-August it is not so hot anymore, and the sea is very warm. The velvet season is also the velvet season in Bulgaria.
Fruits and vegetables are sold in markets, bars and restaurants all 4 months. Especially delicious tomatoes, peppers and peaches.
The cost of fruit rises from June to July, the difference can be one and a half times. By August, the influx of tourists decreases, and with it prices.
If you are interested in not only a beach holiday, then September is the best month to see all the sights without crowds of tourists. And souvenirs can be bought for free.
For prices, I want to say that you can find housing for 30 € per day - these are small studio apartments in residential buildings. During the season, the average price of a room in a 3 or 4-star hotel will be about 60–70 € per day.
Hostels in Nessebar, as far as I know, are the same 1 or 2 star hotels, they just accommodate 3-4 people in a room. It will cost from 15 € per person. But still, more often than not, travelers who do not come on a package trip try to rent apartments or studios.
I prefer to look for hotels and hotels on, but here you can compare prices from different sites using the link.
What are the prices for holidays
I have already talked about housing prices. I'll tell you about other prices. They are very democratic, especially when compared with other European countries:
- The average check in a cafe or bar per season per person is 8–10 € (15–20 BGN). For this money you will get a salad, a hot meat dish and a drink.
- Excursions such as a boat trip - from 15 € (25 BGN), tickets to museums - from 2 € (4 BGN), a bus tour will cost from 10 to 50 € (20-100 BGN) depending on the direction.
- Taxi prices bite - 1.5 € (3 BGN) per kilometer. Usually, on each car, a price list is attached to the window, they drive according to the meter. But for some cunning drivers, the meters spin faster than the wheels. It is much more profitable to rent a car or use public transport, it runs on schedule.
- Public transport within the city costs 1 € (2 BGN).
Main attractions. What to watch
Nessebar itself is a museum city, taken under the protection of UNESCO, and this already says a lot.
Lovers of antiquity and history will definitely not be bored here, as well as photographers, artists and people of creativity. The old city immerses tourists in its atmosphere. The atmosphere is not the same as in the old cities of other countries, with a special Balkan flavor.
What to watch:
- Archaeological Museum- lovers of ancient amphorae and gold jewelry.
- medieval churches- perhaps the main highlight of the city with almost three thousand years of history.
- Wooden houses of the Bulgarian Revival period built in the late 17th and early 19th centuries.
- ancient amphitheater, in the summer, concerts of Bulgarian music and dance are held on its stage.
- BUTto vapark "Paradise", the largest in the Balkans. Almost 46 hectares of unbridled fun on all kinds of slides, pools and aqua bars in the New City.
- - one of the most famous resorts in Bulgaria, located three kilometers from Nessebar. There you can find all the entertainment that Nessebar lacked, including club nightlife :).
Beaches. Which is better
In the city
"Southern"
The beach between Nessebar and the village of Rada.
"Yuzhny" is worth a visit, if only because of the "Blue Flag" assigned to it. Let me remind you that this is an international award given to beaches and marinas, the water in which meets high standards and is suitable for safe swimming.
The beach has all the infrastructure: umbrellas, sun loungers, lifeguards, cafes, etc. Part of the beach is conditionally paid, that is, you have to pay for a sun lounger or a drink.
A leisurely walk to the beach from the outskirts of Old and New Nessebar takes about 35 minutes. Offhand it is about 3 kilometers. Buses No. 3, 7 and 11 go to Yuzhny.
In the country
The beaches of Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is famous throughout Europe - 8 kilometers of golden sand, a gentle entry into the sea and a lot of entertainment from diving to horseback riding.
The beaches of Sunny Beach can be reached, as I said earlier, on foot or by taxi.
The beaches of Pomorie
I can also advise the beach "Vostochny" and the so-called beach on the spit of the town of Pomorie. Interestingly, the color of the sand on them is black.
"Vostochny" - a beach with all the necessary infrastructure. The most expensive places under wicker awnings will cost 25 € per day, four people can comfortably accommodate there.
And the beach on the spit is wild. They say that if you go a little further, you can wander onto a nudist beach. I didn't get that far myself.
The beaches are relatively close. You can get to them by car in 20–30 minutes or by regular bus (for example, No. 11).
You can find out more about the beaches of Pomorie and Sunny Beach in another article.
Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit
As I wrote earlier, the most interesting thing in Nessebar is its medieval temples. You can get around them in one day. Most likely you will see them all when you walk through the streets of the city.
The rest of the temples are also unusual and very beautiful: the Church of St. John Aliturgitos, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of St. Stephen and others. More details can be found on site.
In some churches, the entrance fee is 1.5 € (3 BGN). Near the others, very annoying sellers of some beads and strings for hands roam. If you gape, they will tie such a rope on your hand and demand about 3 € (6 BGN).
You can book a tour or join a tourist group and learn all the details about each of the temples. And there are plenty of interesting things: these are temples without a liturgy, and buildings miraculously saved during earthquakes, and ancient frescoes, as well as stories of miraculous healings.
Museums. Which are worth a visit
In Nessebar, as far as I know, there is one museum - the Archaeological Museum. To be honest, I was not there, and I can’t say whether it is bad or good. The most valuable exhibits are in the archaeological museum of Burgas. I think history buffs should go there.
What to see in the surroundings
Sozopol
A beautiful ancient city with a rich history. The first settlements date back to the III-IV century BC. e. The city was influenced by Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman cultures.
It is somewhat similar to Nessebar architecture. Wooden houses of the 17th-19th centuries have survived to this day. All Orthodox medieval churches were partially or completely destroyed by the Turks. An interesting fact: during the Ottoman yoke, Christians were allowed to build churches no higher than a rider on a horse. Therefore, the Church of the Holy Mother of God looks like an ordinary one-story house.
There is a so-called vampire cemetery near the city walls. During excavations near the city wall, a burial was found - about 70 bodies, some of them were pierced with stakes. Not a single grave inscription was found in the excavation area.
It is difficult to say what prompted contemporaries to recognize the people buried in Sozopol as vampires. No artifacts indicating the identity or status of the deceased were found at the site.
seaside park
I liked it very much and I recommend everyone to visit the Seaside Park of Burgas. In the 2000s, it was reconstructed, a lot of money was invested in this business, and now it is rightfully considered the most beautiful park in Bulgaria. You can spend the whole day there, and, again, there is a gorgeous beach nearby.
There is also a large Archaeological Museum in Burgas, Aleksendrovsk Boutique Street, the ruins of the Rusokastro fortress, the archaeological complex Aqua Kalide... In general, it deserves a separate story.
Monastery of Saint George
I advise all Orthodox believers to visit the monastery of St. George in the town of Pomorie. The holy spring, which is located at the monastery, and Orthodox prayer once helped the Turk Selim Bey to heal from an incurable disease. In gratitude, he donated these lands to the monks and allowed them to found a monastery there. Today, you can stay in pilgrimage cells there for a nominal fee.
In addition to the monastery in Pomorie, unfortunately, there is nothing to see. Its historical part was destroyed and went under water as a result of an earthquake.
Food. What to try
Bulgarian cuisine is understandable and close to the Russian people. Many dishes have something in common with Russian and Ukrainian ones. I talked about all the dishes in more detail in a separate article. Read, try ... I recommend!
I also want to note that in Bulgaria there are very large portions on very large plates. Calculate your strength. Personally, I could never master the first, second and salad. Let me remind you that the average check for all this gluttony is 10 €, or even less if you eat not in tourist places. In the bars and restaurants of the Old Town of Nessebar, prices are 30 percent higher.
There are markets in every city. But there are only vegetables and fruits.
There are no meat lanes. Meat can be bought in special shops, they are called mesarnitsa. By the way, they are almost always sterile cleanliness, because the meat is not chopped there. It is cut with a special hacksaw. A set of such hacksaws usually hangs on the wall.
I want to tell you about one place, the Emona restaurant.
It is located on a cliff with amazing sea views. A fresh sea breeze blows. All the fuss of the resort town disappears, thoughts fly away somewhere far, far away. When you look at the sea horizon, one word comes to mind - serenity. This view is complemented by seagulls that fly so close that it seems that you can reach out and you will catch one of them.
Courteous staff, tolerably speaking Russian, the menu will also be offered in their native language. The food is delicious, the menu is varied.
Prices are 15-20% higher than in a regular bar. The most expensive dishes are lobster for 90 € and lamb on a spit, but it must be ordered a day in advance, the dish is designed for a company of 8 people.
I have not tried either lobster or lamb, but I can say for barbecue, baked potatoes and fish on the coals - you will lick your fingers.
And you can have a quick bite on every street, there are inexpensive cafes and pizzerias.
Holidays
Throughout the season, some festivals are held in Nessebar, they celebrate the beginning of summer, the middle of summer, the harvest and, of course, celebrate religious holidays. In August they walk City Day. For those who like to plunge into another culture, love songs, dances, folk costumes, it will be interesting.
One of the main holidays in the country is the Day of the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman yoke. It is celebrated widely throughout the country on March 3rd.
The Bulgarians remember, thanks to whom they got rid of the yoke, and are very grateful to the Russian people for this.
Safety. What to watch out for
I can say that at home "in the area" I feel in greater danger than in the resort areas of Bulgaria.
Let me tell you an interesting case. We stood on the promenade near the beach at night, admiring the scenery. A group of Bulgarian teenagers came ashore. “Well, everything,” I thought, “now there will be noise, screams, rzhach.” But nothing broke the silence of the July night. The youth behaved like in a theater: quietly, decently. It seems like a trifle, but it stuck in my memory.
Things to do
In Nessebar itself, apart from a beach holiday and sightseeing, there is nothing to do. A variety of excursions offered by local tour companies (from 10 € and more) and the cheapness of car rental (more on this later) seem to hint: “Take a car to your liking, discover Bulgaria ...”.
Clubs and nightlife
On vacation, you should definitely have fun at least once in a nightclub. There are plenty of them in Nessebar. Top clubs include Captain Jack`s Night Club and Bedroom Beach.
Captain Jack's club is housed in a sailboat that is designed to look like a pirate ship. It is moored to the shore in the east of South Beach. Bedroom Beach is a rather original establishment, the club is designed as a bedroom on the beach. It has several seating areas, a dance floor and a bar.
A very famous club in the center of the resort, which stands out among many, is Mania. Three floors, designed for 800 people, with a cocktail bar, a disco and a folk club.
For those who are interested in club life and want to keep abreast of all events, I advise. There are club addresses, themed party schedules and prices.
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
Of the documents, a driver's license and a passport are sufficient. The price of gasoline fluctuates around 1 € per liter.
We rented a small "SUV" for 45 €. There are no complaints about the car - a clean, well-groomed interior, nothing knocked or rattled.
Almost forgot to say. If you go by car to the Old City, be sure to leave it in the parking lot. It will not be difficult to find it, there are signs everywhere. Otherwise, the car will be taken to the impound, where this case is strictly.
If, nevertheless, this happened, and the car was rented, it is better to call Rent-A-Car, explain the situation, clarify where the car was taken from. They will tell you where to look for it, and perhaps they will pick it up themselves for an additional fee.
Nessebar - holidays with children
The first thing I noticed at Burgas Airport was the number of children per square meter. In this way, it is very similar to the Anapa airport.
Parents with children choose holidays in Nessebar and Golden Sands for many reasons. This is a mild climate, a gentle descent into the sea and a safe bottom, the prices for holidays are lower, and the service is better than in the resorts of the Krasnodar Territory.
Almost every hotel has an animator and children's corners, as well as shallow pools. Children love Bulgaria.
Viktor Pashinsky
Nessebar is one of the most famous and popular resorts in Bulgaria. Unlike Golden Sands, there are not only, but also many attractions and beautiful landscapes.
Stone pavement, small two-story buildings, ubiquitous souvenir shops - this is how we remember Old Nessebar
Initially, the city was called Mesemvria or Mesembria. Now you can find transcriptions of Nessebar, Nessebar and even Nessebir - the city was renamed. It was founded over 3000 years ago and is considered one of the oldest in Europe. It is no coincidence that Old Nessebar is entirely under the protection of UNESCO and is considered a museum city. Much of the old part of the city remains from the Thracians, ancient Greeks and Romans, but still it looks more like a medieval than an ancient one.
We rested in Nessebar for 14 days at the end of the summer of 2015 and managed to explore it well and do a lot. Since the information on the Internet is a little scarce, and the photos are monotonous, we decided to talk about our own experience in the form of a large, detailed review.
The old town of Nessebar is one of the most interesting resorts in Bulgaria
Old Nessebar is connected to the mainland by a single bridge. There are separate paths for pedestrians and a motor road, many benches. And in the evening it is all beautifully illuminated.
The old part of Nessebar is located on a large peninsula, connected to the mainland by a wide automobile and pedestrian bridge, which separates the old city from the new one. On most sites, the peninsula is called “small” - in fact, you can walk for hours through the colorful labyrinths of medieval streets.
In ancient times, the peninsula was almost 2 times larger, but a devastating earthquake not only destroyed the ancient buildings, but also submerged them under water. Now from the pier of the city you can easily go on a boat trip. If the weather is good and the sea is calm, you can even see the sunken city. Surprising is the fact that everyone remained on dry land.
Walking along Nessebar, in just a few minutes you can take dozens of beautiful photos. it is really unrealistically beautiful here, regardless of the weather: both in a storm and on a sunny fine day.
Right on the bridge you can see the old mill, which is one of the visiting cards of the city. Unfortunately, you won't be able to go inside.
On the way to the Old Town, you will be able to enjoy beautiful seascapes, see mountains in the distance, Sunny Beach, marinas and much more.
On the right side of the bridge, almost opposite the mill, there is a monument to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen.
The fortress wall of the city is partially destroyed, but still makes a strong impression. It has remained since ancient times.
Entering the city, you can look at the bridge from the fortress wall.
Right at the entrance to Old Nessebar you can see just such a map of the island. Each attraction is signed, you will not miss anything important.
The most impressive are, of course, the medieval streets and buildings of the Bulgarian Revival.
The local architecture stands out very strongly - the stone first floors and the wooden ones - the second. We will talk about this a little later.
It is worth noting that in recent years the city has increasingly turned into a huge market - they sell in almost every building and stalls on the street, there are 3-4 restaurants on every corner and actively invite visitors. On the one hand, this creates a unique flavor, and on the other hand, it spoils the majestic appearance of the ancient city.
Holidays in Nessebar - key features
Rest in Nessebar is quite expensive - it is very popular with tourists. Meals in restaurants, taxis - all this will cost 1.5 -2 times more than, for example, in.
Such an increase in prices is somehow justified by the beautiful historical appearance of the city, which is really pleasant to walk around, especially in the evening (by the way, prices are even higher on or Golden Sands, and there is nothing to see - only hotels).
Old Nessebar is located on a picturesque island. Admire the beautiful view of it from the new part of Nessebar
In the evenings in Nessebar you can see amazingly beautiful seascapes.
Unusual Bulgarian buildings create a peculiar, unique flavor that you will remember for a long time.
There is a cinema museum in the very center of the city.
In Nessebar, the ancient Amphitheater has been preserved, which is used for performances even today.
You can get to the Amphitheater both from Old Nessebar and from the embankment, using such a pretty staircase.
Also in the city there are a lot of old churches, most of which, unfortunately, are destroyed.
Nessebar looks very beautiful in the evening. If you leave the popular tourist streets, you can find a secluded, romantic corner for yourself.
But still, most of all in Nessebar there are various souvenir shops and shops.
If you wish, you can save money - travel not by an expensive taxi, but by cheap public transport and.
Nessebar beaches - pros and cons
To be honest and objective, we liked it much more than the promoted one, which starts right outside the city. There are a little less people in Nessebar, which means that the beaches are cleaner, not so crowded. Some of the beaches are fully cultivated - with lifeguards, an international flag system and paid umbrellas / sun loungers. Some have remained wild.
Almost every paid beach has a free area for vacationers on towels. There is always enough space on it and no one walks over their heads. By the way, buying your own umbrella is much more profitable than renting it on the beach.
Of course, during the season there are quite a lot of people on the beach, but no one walks over their heads. The main disadvantage of the beach is that you can enter it only by climbing over a pile of rocks.
Numerous hotel beaches, which often do not have a free zone, deserve special mention.
Sometimes people prefer to swim directly from the pier, on the so-called concrete beaches.
But the most beautiful sea in Bulgaria seemed to us in stormy weather. This photo was not processed in Photoshop, here it is.
Plus, in Nessebar, we did not see rotten algae thrown back into the sea with a rake - we were very upset about this.
The beaches of Nessebar are diverse. You can find both, and places - for yourself.
Useful: detailed article about and their features.
Attractions of Nessebar - what to see in the city
Do you know why it's like this in Nessebar? But there were much more, just not all of them have survived to this day. This story is rarely told, but we will try anyway. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Nessebar became part of Byzantium. It was here that the emperor exiled the most powerful political opponents from noble noble families, ministers, military leaders, merchants, whom he could not or did not want to execute.
And so hundreds of famous and wealthy families began to live on a small peninsula, each of which sought to build its own family church. Some united and after a few years in Nessebar, some of which are well preserved, and some lie in ruins (some have not been excavated and are underground). Even after the capture of the city by the Ottoman Empire, they could not ban the churches. The only condition was to build them low - not higher than the height of the rider.
We consider the Church of Christ the Almighty (Pantocrator) to be the most famous and popular church in Nessebar. It has survived much better than others. Inside there is a small art gallery, the entrance to which costs 2 or 3 leva.
The church is located near the entrance to the peninsula and is distinguished by a peculiar, memorable architecture. The walls are made of brick and natural stone, which gives the building an unusual Bulgarian flavor. If you look closely, you can see additional decorations made of ceramics. In the evening, the church is beautifully illuminated and becomes even more beautiful.
In second place for us is the Church of St. Sophia or Old Metropolitan). Despite the fact that the earthquake almost completely destroyed the building, it still makes a majestic impression.
If you wish, you can even go inside and take some interesting pictures.
Most of the churches in Nessebar are quite small, it is difficult to distinguish them from simple one-story houses. Pictured is St. Tudor's Church.
Be that as it may, most of the city's churches lie in ruins. Some of them have museums, exhibitions or expositions. And only one, the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos, still operates today and stores many revered icons.
The sights of the resort town on the island begin with the bridge that connects it with the land. There is an old mill here, beautiful lighting is organized and there are benches for tired tourists. On the right side of the bridge you can see the monument to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen. An interesting fact: in Nessebar, on this monument at almost any time you can see cormorants. They are not found anywhere else in the city.
Right on the bridge there is a small wooden mill, which is considered the hallmark of the city.
On the other side of the bridge you can see the monument to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen. Cormorants almost always rest on it.
Unfortunately, you cannot enter the mill, and in the evening it is not illuminated in any way.
The bridge becomes very beautiful in the evenings, when the backlight turns on, and the bagpipe, the national Bulgarian instrument, plays on the fortress wall.
A man plays the guide on the fortress wall at the entrance to Nessebar
By the way, we got the impression that Nessebar is a city of seagulls. There are simply unrealistically many of them here, even more than pigeons in any of our cities. Literally in 15 minutes you can take dozens of great photos with seagulls. At first, we got so carried away that we even joked that in the end we would have a “gull blog”.
Immediately behind the bridge begins a massive fortress wall, preserved since ancient times. In the evenings, a man plays on the wall. Guess what instrument!
Well, of course, the guide is the national instrument of Bulgaria. The work must be hellish - for several hours without a break to dance and at the same time play a kind of enchanting music. Although the melody is Bulgarian, Arabic and Turkish motifs are very strongly felt in it.
Of course, the man collects donations. If you wish, you can throw him some leva.
Museums in the old town of Nessebar
Just behind the fortress wall you can see Archaeological Museum Nessebar, opened in 1994. There you can see evidence of the distant Thracian era found in the city, which is from 2 to 3 thousand years old - there was not even Christianity yet. In general, many archaeological excavations are carried out on the territory of the city, confirming the status of Nessebar as one of the oldest cities in Europe. The museum also exhibits an extensive collection of Orthodox icons.
Also in the city there are Ethnographical museum, located near the seaport and the summer theater (Amphitheatre). You will have to walk a little to get there. In the museum you can get acquainted with the life, traditions and customs of the Bulgarian people. The museum itself is decorated like a traditional Bulgarian house and is almost no different from other buildings in Nessebar.
The Archaeological Museum is located right at the entrance to the city, on the right side.
Next to the museum you can see several antique exhibits and a nice metal map of the city.
Orthodox churches in Nessebar
It is worth noting that mini-museums are located in almost every small church in the city. Only the Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Slavyanskaya Street remained active (see the map at the end of the article).
Most of these churches-museums have a very modest exposition, and the entrance fee is standard 2-3 leva. So it would be wiser to visit a full-fledged, “big” museum.
Other sights of Old Nessebar
Aside from the museums, it's definitely worth a visit. Amphitheater. Located in the southern part of the city, on the same street with ethnographic museum and very close to the Church of St. John Aliturgetos (the Unconsecrated). To find this place, immediately after the bridge, turn right without entering the city. Walk a little along the embankment and you will quickly see the steps to the top (next to the seaport).
You can get to the amphitheater both from the city and from the pier, climbing up such a stone staircase.
Another important attraction of Nessebar is considered Turkish fountain. It recalls the era of Turkish rule (1452-1878, more than 400 years) in Bulgaria. Also preserved are Turkish baths. It is impossible to say that the fountain and baths are something outstanding. If you don't know what to look for, you can just walk by. Oddly enough, almost nothing remains of the centuries-old rule of the Turks in the city.
Turkish baths in Nessebar look, to put it mildly, nondescript. If we didn't know what to look for, we would just pass by.
Exactly the same situation with the Turkish fountain - in our opinion, absolutely nothing special.
preserved in the city and Byzantine baths. They were built in the VI century. Already at that time, a water pipe was laid through the whole city, through which water flowed. The baths had a large lounge and several pools. They say that once Emperor Constantine IV Pogonat himself rested in them. It is believed that thanks to a well-thought-out plumbing system, different temperatures of water and air were maintained in different halls, which allowed the locals to enjoy bathing and temperature contrast.
Now the Byzantine baths are located almost in the center of Old Nessebar and occupy a significant area
In our opinion, there is nothing interesting in this place - many buildings in Nessebar are almost as ancient, but they are much better preserved.
As you can see, only simple brickwork and an earthen floor remained. You cannot enter the territory of the thermal bath.
Unfortunately, only excavations have survived to this day, and some of the buildings were demolished and rebuilt with nice Bulgarian buildings. Of course, neither the carved columns, nor the floor lined with white marble, nor other traces of luxury have been preserved.
Streets and old wooden houses in Nessebar
The main attraction of Nessebar in our opinion, they are not museums and not even, but narrow, winding streets paved with cobblestones, small parks where you can sit, and peculiar, colorful Bulgarian houses of the Renaissance (it began when Bulgaria was freed from the Turkish yoke).
The peculiar architecture is explained quite simply - the stone lower floors were used primarily for wine cellars, cellars and warehouses. Their walls were often whitewashed or left unplastered. To keep cool and prevent damage to goods and wine under the influence of sunlight, the windows on the first floors were made very narrow and rare.
The second floor was intended for housing and was built mainly of wood - this creates a comfortable microclimate for a person in the room. Of course, on the residential floors, the windows were made wide to let in a lot of air and sun. The interior walls were usually whitewashed, while the ceilings were left dark, retaining the natural color of the stained wood.
The bay windows of the upper floors protrude slightly beyond the first - this is so that it does not get wet during rain. All this was usually decorated with intricate carvings, small balconies and reliefs.
It is worth noting that the buildings are usually tightly pressed against each other - there was not much space for building on the peninsula.
On the territory of Old Nessebar there are many small family hotels where you can easily stay.
The streets in the city are mostly usky, paved with paving stones and decorated with flowers or climbing plants.
Literally next to every house, shop or hotel there is something original and beautiful, eye-catching
The Bulgarians are very concerned about the city being beautiful and attracting as many tourists as possible - the inhabitants of Nessebar live mainly on tourism income
In the depths of the peninsula, you can find several cozy green parks with small benches for relaxing.
They try to decorate each house or restaurant with something special, to distinguish from the crowd of others.
Even in such a small area of the peninsula, there was a place for cozy shady parks. In general, there are a lot of parks in Bulgaria and they are well-groomed.
Weddings are very popular in Old Nessebar - you can see the newlyweds almost every day.
Even on the territory of Old Nessebar something is being built. You will be able to see what beautiful and old Bulgarian houses actually consist of.
Walking along the streets of Nessebar is most pleasant in the evenings - everything is romantically illuminated, pleasant twilight makes the imagination work and draws non-existent details. And if you leave the busy tourist streets, you can feel alone, as if lost in an old medieval town. Live music is played in many restaurants, mimes can be seen on the streets, many tourists are walking around the city, children's football teams are chanting something...
In the evening, Nessebar looks a little different. You see completely different things, you walk along other streets, and you get completely new impressions.
Already in the early evening, when darkness is just beginning to fall on the city, the backlight turns on. Each shop, restaurant or souvenir shop strives to stand out from the crowd.
Nessebar is one of the most ancient cities in Bulgaria. It was founded by the Thracians long before the advent of our era and managed to be a Greek, Roman and Byzantine colony. In the 15th century, the settlement came under the protectorate of the Ottoman Turks.
As a tourist center, the city began to develop only in the 20th century. Today there is everything for a relaxing family holiday: cozy beaches, ancient architecture, hospitable taverns and cafes, souvenir shops with products of local craftsmen.
Not far from Nessebar is the famous Sunny Beach, known in our country since the times of the USSR. Nowadays, it has turned into a modern resort, annually receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists from different European countries.
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What to see and where to go in Nessebar?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
The old quarters of the city are located on a small peninsula connected to the new part of Nessebar by a bridge. In the 10th century BC, the first Thracian colony was founded here. Then the Romans, Byzantines and Turks ruled the territory of Bulgaria. The buildings with foundations built during the Ottoman period, as well as buildings from the 18th century, are best preserved in the Old Town.
The mill is located on the isthmus connecting the Old Town and the modern part of Nessebar. The construction itself is made of wood and fortified on a stone foundation left over from the Byzantine church. The mill is considered a symbol of the city; tourists often come here while walking. It consists of three floors: flour was stored on the first floor, the miller's family lived on the second, and the mechanisms of millstones were on the third.
The Western Wall is all that remains of the once powerful defensive system of the city. A small section of the fortification stretched for about 100 meters, the height of the structure reaches 8 meters. The surrounding area is ennobled and well-groomed, so it is pleasant to walk here and enjoy the view of the surroundings. It is believed that the wall was erected during the Early Middle Ages and restored several times.
Nessebar is famous for its temples built in different historical periods. Among others, we can mention the Church of St. Paraskeva of the 12th century, the dilapidated Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel - a UNESCO site, the Church of St. Stephen, built in the 11th century, as well as the Church of Christ Pantocrator - one of the most famous and well-preserved churches of the Middle Ages in the city .
The Museum of Archeology is located at the entrance to the Old City. It opened in 1994. The impressive exposition occupies four floors and consists of objects belonging to the Thracian, Roman and Byzantine historical periods. Here visitors can view collections of icons, dishes, jewelry, coins, ship accessories, as well as statues (or rather, what is left of them) and ancient burial slabs.
The exposition is located in a city estate of the 19th century, which previously belonged to a wealthy merchant. Each room of the house is dedicated to a different theme. Furniture, household items, craftsmen's tools, household utensils, clothes, textiles and many more interesting exhibits related to the life and culture of local residents are exhibited here. Folklore ensembles often perform on the street in front of the museum during holidays.
According to its name, the water park is decorated in a pirate theme. There is a huge frigate, a treasure chest and an observation post on the tower that attracts all children. The area near the institution is small, mainly water attractions were developed for young guests. After visiting the park to recuperate, you can go to the local restaurant "Black Pearl".
The largest water park in Bulgaria with an area of over 30,000 m². On its territory there are several dozen slides designed for adults and children. In addition to water attractions, there is a climbing wall and a swimming pool with springboards. The park opened in 2006. It is distinguished by increased security and a tourist-friendly infrastructure, which includes recreation areas, a restaurant and a bar.
A sandy strip on the Black Sea coast, located near the village of Radva. Due to the fact that the beach is located outside the bay, there are quite often waves here. The territory is divided into a paid one, where in the high season they can ask for money for entry, and a free zone. The indisputable advantages of the South Beach are pleasant golden sand, clear sea and shallow depth.
The largest seaside resort in Bulgaria, located in the east of the country. Nessebar is located near its hospitable beaches. The infrastructure of the place was formed in the 1960s. If you look at the modern look of Sunny Beach, you can still see Soviet-era hotels here, but there are still more new modern buildings. For the cleanliness and quality of the beaches, the resort was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag.
