Basic information about Nessebar

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 first settlers had been replaced by the Dorian Greeks. They turned Menebria into a colony, which soon became known as Mesambria—one of the largest trading centers of the time.

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.

Fortress Wall along the Old Town

On one side, the Old Town of Nessebar is enclosed by an ancient fortress wall. During the season, street musicians gather beneath it, playing traditional music on the gaida — the Bulgarian bagpipe.

City Museums

Nessebar is home to two fascinating museums — archaeology and ethnography. They house exhibits from the Burgas region, helping tourists gain a deeper understanding of the area’s past and present.

Other Cultural Landmarks in Nessebar

Travelers may also be interested in these architectural attractions:

Roman amphitheater, located near the Orthodox Church of St. John;

Turkish baths, surrounding a fountain in traditional Turkish style. The bath quarter is evidence of the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the region;

Thermae from the Byzantine Principality era. Legend has it that Emperor Constantine enjoyed relaxing there.

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 Holidays in Nessebar

Thanks to its pleasant coastal area and mild climate, Nessebar is considered an excellent destination for families with children. Young travelers will appreciate the following highlights of the resort:

Almost every corner of the town features children’s playgrounds;

The central beach of New Nessebar hosts the Water Park «Water Paradise»;

Two more water parks are located in Sunny Beach, within walking distance from the New Beach (accessible along the coastline);

Nessebar has several entertainment centers with bowling and billiards designed especially for kids;

A popular excursion is a sea trip on a pirate schooner, which usually delights young visitors.

Nessebar is also a perfect destination for romantics. The medieval winding streets of the resort look especially enchanting at dusk, thanks to their original lighting. Nevertheless, fans of classic seaside holidays will also enjoy Nessebar — its free and clean coastline is sure to appeal to everyone!