Everything a tourist needs to know about Nessebar: the historical past, the location of the city, what kind of vacation you can expect from the resort, and more.
Nesebar, Nesebyr, Nesebir today, as well as Mesebria, Mesemvria several centuries ago - that's the name of one of the popular Bulgarian resorts in the southeastern part of the country in the Burgas region. Here you will find clean sea, beautiful beaches, hotels, and restaurants with excellent service, and cozy streets that are silent witnesses of the local history... What else do you need for a great vacation?
Resort Description
The nearest major city to Nesebar is Burgas (about 30 km) - its airport welcomes most of the resort's guests. And just 5 km away from the peninsula, you will find one of the largest seaside resorts in the country - Sunny Beach.
The main characteristics of Nesebar as a resort are as follows:
The population of the city has exceeded 10,000 people.
Relatively higher price levels compared to Pomorie and Obzor. However, Nesebar's prices are lower than those in Sunny Beach.
Incredibly beautiful architecture in the center of Nesebar and its outskirts.
Clean and relatively less crowded beaches.
A wide selection of restaurants with Mediterranean cuisine.
Accommodation options for every taste and budget.
Plenty of children's playgrounds, its own water park, and two water parks in neighboring Sunny Beach. You can reach the latter by walking along the coast for 15 minutes.
The season runs from May to October, with the peak season being in July and August.
Areas of Nesebar
Nesebar is traditionally divided into two parts: the Old Town and the New Town.
The Old Nesebar is located on a small rocky peninsula (where its main attractions are also situated). The peninsula, measuring 350 by 800 meters, is incredibly picturesque and is filled with various ancient ruins and architectural masterpieces.
On the other hand, the New Town is located on the mainland and consists of modern hotels, sanatoriums, and residential buildings.
All of this is surrounded by incredibly clean seawaters. By the way, these waters also hide many interesting things. You can explore the underwater part of the city's splendor by taking one of the numerous excursion boats.
History of Nesebar
This town is literally soaked in legends and the spirit of bygone times. Even to this day, historians have not uncovered all the secrets of Nesebar, which was founded over three millennia ago. Archaeologists are still conducting excavations in this area, revealing new historical surprises.
For example, the discovered pottery (dating back to the 12th-11th century BC) suggests the presence of the Thracians, an ancient Balkan people, in this area. At that time, the settlement had a Greek name - Menebria (or Menapoli).
By the end of the 6th century BC, the Doric Greeks replaced the initial settlers, transforming Menebria into a colony and a major trading center of that time called Mesambria.
Later, the territory was captured by the Roman Empire. It is believed that it was on the territory of present-day Nesebar that the first female martyr among Christians, Saint Irene of Macedonia, bravely met her martyrdom.
It should be noted that in ancient times, the city covered a much larger area. A major earthquake caused a significant portion of the peninsula's Nesebar to sink underwater. Today, this ancient city can be admired from the decks of excursion boats. Thanks to the cleanliness of the local waters, the underwater ruins of the acropolis, fortification walls, and dwellings can be clearly observed without diving.
The development of the resort in the modern world was significantly influenced by the Bulgarian National Revival, which gave rise to the charming, typically Nesebar-style houses made of wood and stone. In the 1950s, the city began to actively develop as a popular tourist destination. It was also during this time that the nearby and incredibly popular Sunny Beach emerged, attracting additional attention to the region.
Attractions of Nesebar
There is plenty to see in the city, as evidenced by Nesebar's inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The winding streets of the resort are an attraction in themselves, and you can stroll through them for hours.
Ancient Churches
In the Old Town, there are about forty family churches built during the Ottoman Empire's rule. There are also an equal number of churches that have not been restored and lie in ruins. The active churches can be visited for free, while the partially ruined ones have been turned into museums, requiring an entrance fee of 2 BGN.
Old Bridge
The old part of the city is located on the peninsula, and the bridge connecting it to the mainland (the New District of Nesebar) is an attraction in itself. Right next to it is the monument of St. Nicholas, a favorite nesting place for cormorants.
Fortified Wall Along the Old Town
On one side, the Old Town of Nesebar is surrounded by an ancient fortified wall. During the season, street musicians gather underneath it, playing traditional music on the gaida (Bulgarian bagpipe).
City Museums
Nesebar is home to two interesting museums - the Archaeological Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. They house exhibits from the Burgas region, offering visitors a better understanding of the area's past and present.
Other Cultural Monuments in Nesebar
Travelers may also be interested in other architectural landmarks, such as:
Roman Amphitheater, located near the Orthodox Church of St. John;
Turkish baths surrounding a Turkish-style fountain. The bath district is evidence of the Ottoman Empire's influence on the region;
Thermal baths from the Byzantine period. It is said that Emperor Constantine enjoys relaxing in them.
Beaches in Nesebar
Nesebar boasts several wonderful beaches that are less crowded and very well-maintained. Most tourists appreciate Nesebar's beaches for the availability of open space without sun loungers. Therefore, you can comfortably relax on your own towel without renting a beach chair.
The beaches of the New Town are sandy.
The Old Nesebar beach is covered with fine shells.
Accommodation in the Resort
Only a few hotels in Nesebar offer the "full board" or "all-inclusive" meal plans. Most hotels typically provide only breakfast.
In Nesebar, you can find both affordable accommodations (such as St. Panteleimon Beach, Elizabeth Dy) and luxury properties (Sol Nessebar Palace, Galeon Residence).
Dining Options
The most popular places for lunch and dinner are family restaurants like Familia Fish & Grill, Dionis, Byala Roza, and bistro "Aleksandr".
For those who prefer renting apartments, it is advisable to find nearby supermarkets and markets to buy groceries. The most popular retail chains are "Mladost," "Janet," "Zornitsa," "Lada," and "Cherno More."
Family Vacation in Nesebar
Due to its pleasant coastal area and mild climate, Nesebar is an excellent choice for family tourists with children. Families with children will appreciate the following advantages of the resort:
There are children's playgrounds practically on every corner in the town.
The central beach of New Nesebar is home to the Aqua Paradise water park.
There are two more water parks located in Sunny Beach, within walking distance from the New Beach (you can reach them by walking along the coast).
Nesebar has several entertainment centers with bowling and billiards specifically designed for young children.
A popular excursion is a pirate ship sea cruise, which is usually a hit among young tourists.
Nesebar is an excellent option for a romantic vacation in Bulgaria. The medieval winding streets of the resort are particularly enchanting at dusk due to their original lighting. However, Nesebar also appeals to lovers of classic beach holidays, as the free and clean coastline is appreciated by everyone!
