Nessebar old town. Old Nessebar

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.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

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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 city from the Middle Ages .

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.

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, a street of Aleksendrovska boutiques, 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.

Old Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with a history of more than 3,000 years. Until the 9th century, it was called Mesembria and was one of the main trading centers of the Black Sea, where they cast their own coins - silver, gold and copper. Now the ruins of the city are located on a small rocky peninsula, which is 850 meters long and 300 meters wide. Every year, archaeologists discover new traces of ancient civilizations and cultures here.

At the beginning of our era, Nessebar experienced a difficult period of Roman rule, and then became part of the Greek colonies and was destroyed by the Turks in the 15th century. The city regained its grandeur in the era of the Bulgarian National Revival. In ancient times, there were about 40 churches here, unfortunately, the ruins of only 9 have survived to this day, of which only one is active - the Church of the Holy Mother of God. Today, Nessebar is under the protection of UNESCO and is a real pearl of Bulgaria - a world masterpiece of architecture that has survived to our times. This place is perfect for an educational holiday with family and friends.

Old town of Nessebar

Nessebar (Nesebar) is one of the oldest European cities and the most beautiful cities in Bulgaria, founded more than 2000 years ago. Despite numerous hotels and tourist complexes, Old Nessebar, located on a small peninsula, still remains exquisitely ancient and romantic.

From the beginning of the first millennium BC. e. there was a Thracian settlement, later turned into a Greek colony. From ancient times to the present day, the ruins of the fortress wall, towers, gates, reliefs, and the remains of Byzantine baths have been preserved in Old Nessebar. The land here still holds many secrets, so the excavations are still ongoing.

At the end of the 1st century, the first Christian woman-great martyr, Saint Irene of Macedon, died in Nessebar.

The cultural and economic heyday of Nessebar fell on the XIII-XIV centuries, but in 1452 Nessebar fell under the pressure of the Turks. From the time of the Ottoman yoke, the old fountain and Turkish baths have been preserved.

In 1956, Nessebar was declared a city-museum, and in 1983 the Old Town was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Among the sights that you need to see in Nessebar are the churches of Christ Pantocrator, St. John the Baptist, St. Sophia, etc., the monument to St. Nicholas, as well as the western fortress wall with a gate. In addition to the architectural beauties, Nessebar is rightfully proud of its beautiful sandy beaches, cozy cafes and restaurants, and one of the most famous resorts in Bulgaria, Sunny Beach, is located very close to the city.

And what sights of Nessebar did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

New Nessebar

New Nessebar is part of the resort town of Nessebar, located on the southern coast of Bulgaria. The city is more than two thousand years old, it is recognized by UNESCO as a museum city. New Nessebar is a modern part of the city, which is full of hotels, apartments for tourists, restaurants, banks, offices, cafes, souvenir shops, etc. New Nessebar provides tourists with everything necessary for a quality holiday, and the old part of the city provides an excellent opportunity for walking and sightseeing .

The old part of the city is completely opposite to the new one, it is located on a small peninsula, where historical buildings built in the 16-19 centuries, narrow streets, ancient churches, museums, etc. are concentrated.

Many consider the beaches of Nessebar to be one of the most beautiful in Bulgaria. They are located in the southern part of the bay, where the beach areas are bordered by picturesque sand dunes.

Nessebar is a great place for a family vacation, and those who like to light up at night can go to neighboring Sunny Beach or Burgas. In addition to historical sights and magnificent beaches, Nessebar has a water park and an amusement park, which can be reached by a free bus. The city also has many cozy taverns, restaurants and cafes.

Eco-bar "Michael's"

Eco-bar "Michael's" is a unique and, perhaps, the only bar in the world, the interior of which is completely decorated in the form of a stalactite cave. Tables and chairs here are located in recesses between hanging limestone icicles of the most bizarre shapes, and between the tables there are streams of water in the form of streams that flow into a small reservoir lined with greenery. By the way, on the pebbles of this pond you can see many small turtles.

The bar menu offers all kinds of non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails, as well as very tasty and varied fruit desserts.

Aqua Paradise Amusement Park

Aqua Paradise is a relatively new, very large amusement park located in Nessebar. The water park covers an area of ​​30,000 square meters. An incredible number of slides, tunnels, slopes, pools and attractions make this park the best and most preferred among tourists. The management of Aqua Paradise has taken care of the maximum safety of its visitors and every vacationer can relax and enjoy the entertainment without unnecessary fears. Slides and attractions wrap around ancient castles and huge water pools.

There are many small cafes and restaurants on the territory of the water park, which are ready to satisfy your hunger with delicious traditional dishes at any time. This is a great place to relax as a couple, with a fun company or with your family.

Windmill" Old town of Nessebar

At the entrance to Sary Nessebar - the peninsula, the first thing that meets on the way is a windmill. The old windmill, standing on the isthmus leading to the city, is a symbol of old Nessebar. Made of rather rough materials and darkened with time, at one time it obviously served its intended purpose, working due to the power of powerful autumn winds. Today, tourists are happy to take pictures against its background.

Church of St. Sophia "Old Metropolis"

The Church of Hagia Sophia, also known as the Old Metropolis, is an Orthodox church located in the town of Nessebar. It is part of the historical architectural reserve, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is assumed that the place where the church now stands was previously the center of the Old City. The construction of the cathedral dates back to the end of the 5th - the beginning of the 6th century. Researchers have established two periods of construction of the building. The temple acquired its current appearance during the First Bulgarian Kingdom - at the beginning of the 9th century. In the Middle Ages, the church served as a cathedral for the metropolitan diocese of Nessebar. In 1257, the temple was plundered by the Venetians, many religious relics were subsequently taken to the church of San Salvatore in Venice.

Church of Christ Pantocrator

This church in Bulgaria gained fame for its richly decorated facade. Rows of arches, triangular ceramic ornaments and various other decorations give the church a charming look.

Vinotheque Christi`s

Hristi's wine cellar is one of the main centers of wine tourism in Bulgaria and one of the most visited places in Nesserb by tourists. Here you can not only taste local Bulgarian wines, but also learn a lot of interesting things about the history of local winemaking development from the hostess of the cellar - Khristina.

Initially, Christina was engaged in the sale of wine made in her winery to various shops and bars in the city, after which she decided to open this small, but already very popular tasting room in order to develop wine tourism in Nesserba and popularize Bulgarian wines abroad.

Guests of the wine cellar will have the opportunity to taste four types of locally produced wine from various grape varieties, including Gimza, Feteaska, Mavrud, as well as white, red, sparkling wines and a variety of Bulgarian brandy.

South Beach Nessebar

The southern beach of Nessebar, near the hotel "Aphrodite". A narrow sandy beach, about 2 km long. Lovers of big waves will like it, as it is located right by the sea. The South Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag, which the World Environment Facility honors the best eco-beaches. About half of the beach area is occupied by a paid zone, where you have to pay for sunbeds and umbrellas, and you are not allowed to sunbathe on your own towel or sand :-(

Bedroom Bar Club

Bedroom Beach Club is one of the establishments of Cacao Beach resort and entertainment complex and is focused on youth recreation.

The literal translation of the name is "bedroom", which corresponds to the main idea of ​​​​the institution - it is in some way a bedroom on the beach. The organizers invite you to sit down and end a hot day in the bedroom, with cold tea and fresh fruit on the "bedside" table. The bar also offers a wide selection of alcoholic cocktails.

The idea of ​​the institution is territorially embodied in the division of the recreation area (open and closed terraces with tables and sunbeds around the pool) and the bar with the dance floor.

The bar hosts themed parties and concerts by famous DJs.

The most popular attractions in Nessebar with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Nessebar on our website.

Individual and group

Having visited the old town of Nessebar, I was convinced that the historical sights of Bulgaria are in no way inferior to those in Greece, Italy and other European countries, which we associate more with a beach holiday. Take, for example, the resort of Nessebar: the old town, whose history spans several millennia, still retains traces of several eras. This is a unique attraction that Bulgaria can rightfully be proud of.

The old town of Nessebar occupies a small peninsula, connected to the coast by a thin isthmus, along which a highway passes.

History of old Nessebar

The first Thracian colony on the territory of present-day Nessebar existed 1000 years ago BC. A few centuries later, the Thracian Greeks settled on the peninsula, who were replaced by the Romans. Today, only archaeological finds that can be seen in museums remind of the ancient period of the history of Nessebar.

When the Roman Empire collapsed, the territory of present-day Bulgaria became part of Byzantium. Since then, the remains of military, civil and religious buildings have been preserved in Nessebar.

At the end of the 12th century AD, as a result of an uprising led by the Bulgarian aristocrats Ivan and Asen, the Second Bulgarian Kingdom was formed, which included Nessebar. During this period, numerous churches were built on the territory of the peninsula, made in the Byzantine architectural tradition using opus mixtum masonry, which involves the simultaneous use of brick and limestone. These structures are much better preserved than the buildings of the Byzantine period.

The Ottoman period of the city's history, which began at the end of the 14th century, when Bulgaria fell under the onslaught of the Turks, reminds of itself with an abundance of characteristic houses with a stone bottom and a second floor made of wood. These buildings belong to the period of the so-called Bulgarian Renaissance, which began at the end of the 18th century against the backdrop of a weakening Turkey.

How to get to Old Nessebar

Since Nessebar is not just a piece of land, but almost an island, you can get there not only by land transport, but also by water.

By land

The most affordable option is by bus.

From Burgas and Pomorie, buses 10 and 11 will suit you, the ticket price is 6 leva or just over 3 euros. They go once every hour and a half.

Bus number 1 runs from Sunny Beach 4-6 times per hour (fare 1.3 leva or about 0.7 euros), and buses 5 and 8 pass three times per hour, which capture and (fare 1.5 leva or about 0.8 euros). The ticket is purchased from the conductor and is strictly for cash.

Also from Sunny Beach you can get to Nessebar and on an open "train". This attraction costs around 3 leva (about 1.6 euros) and runs 2-3 times per hour. At the same time, I did not notice that this type of transport had some kind of rigidly fixed point of departure, but in any case, they leave from the central part of the resort, and a ticket is bought upon landing from a barker standing nearby.

The most expensive option is by taxi. Here the amount starts from 10-15 leva (5-8 euros), but it makes sense to resort to this method only if you are returning from Nessebar late at night. In this case, be sure to bargain.

By sea

Pomorie and have a permanent water connection with the peninsula. There are two ports in Old Nessebar - the northern one, where a sea taxi arrives from Sunny Beach and St. Vlas, and the southern one, where ferries from Sozopol and Pomorie sail. In the diagram below, the places where water transport arrives are located at the places where the dotted lines come from.

Boats from Sunny Beach and St. Vlas leave 2-3 times per hour, and the ticket price is 15 leva (about 8 euros) one way per person and is purchased on the spot.

I also draw your attention to the fact that water communication with Nessebar may be suspended if the sea is stormy.

Architecture of old Nessebar

Old Nessebar is a real museum city, so it is not possible to list all the architectural monuments without exception in one article. The main ones are shown in the diagram below.

Byzantine monuments

Churches of the Byzantine period have survived to this day in a badly ruined state. I will talk about some of them in the section devoted to the religious buildings of Nessebar, but for now let's go through the monuments of civil and military architecture.

City walls and gates

In fact, my acquaintance with the old Nessebar began with them. Although the gates are now in a semi-ruined state, they look very picturesque. Here, tourists are waiting for another attraction of Nessebar - this time alive.

Sometimes it seems that this person plays all day without rest and, according to eyewitnesses, the piper played on the remains of the Byzantine walls back in the 80s of the last century - I don’t know if it was this one or another. Although the musical performance on the walls is free, anyone can donate as much as they see fit to the indefatigable piper.

Thermae

Today, only the ruins of the lower level have remained from them, which anyone can see, but it is difficult to touch the ancient stones, since a barrier has been installed around the ruins of the thermae.

Tank

It is a rectangular reservoir for collecting water - the only thing left of the water supply system of ancient Nessebar. Unfortunately, only the walls and foundations of the columns that once supported the ceiling have survived to this day.

Monuments of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom

From this period (XIII-XIV century) only churches have survived to this day, which largely borrow Byzantine traditions, but they are predominantly of the cross-domed type, while religious buildings dating back to the period when Nessebar was part of the Eastern Roman Empire are 3-5-nave basilicas. Read more about the medieval temples of Nessebar in the section dedicated to churches.

Monuments of the Ottoman period

This period, which was not the most rosy for the inhabitants of Nessebar, had two characteristic features in terms of architecture. Firstly, the height of Christian churches was limited by the height of the rider sitting on a horse, so that the temples of this period are more like barracks or barns. Secondly, closer to the decline of Turkish rule, the era known as the Bulgarian Revival began.

Architecture of the Bulgarian Revival period

These are residential buildings, which are one and a half to two centuries old. Distinctive features are the second floor finished with wood, as well as the fact that the upper level protrudes and, as it were, hangs over the lower one.

In addition, not far from the entrance to the old town, on the isthmus connecting Nessebar with the mainland, a wooden mill attracts attention. Unfortunately, I could not determine exactly when it was built, but judging by the appearance of the boards, its age is at least 1.5-2 centuries. Today, the windmill is one of the symbols of Nessebar and is very popular with birds.

Museums of old Nessebar

But there are not so many museums in the classical sense of the word in Old Nessebar.

Film Museum

This small museum, it would seem, does not fit at all into the atmosphere of antiquity that reigns on the streets of Nessebar. At the same time, once inside, you understand how self-sufficient this place is.

Unfortunately, the inscriptions on the exhibits are rather sparse, so I cannot say which of them is the original and which is a copy, but, in my opinion, this issue is not fundamental in this case. Before us is not just a museum of wax figures, among which movie heroes predominate, - so one of the exhibits is the torso of the "mercury" from the second part of the movie "Terminator" at the moment of "tightening" the wounds. There is also a Freddy Krueger glove, and a copy of Darth Vader's lightsaber, and the dark lord himself is presented in the museum without a helmet. There are also more banal figures - Batman, Joker, Iron Man and others. In any case, this is an institution where I personally took a lot of cool selfies, many of which I consider to be full-fledged souvenirs of visiting Nessebar.

The entrance to the museum is usually guarded by an imperial stormtrooper from Star Wars, who also willingly takes pictures with everyone.

The entrance ticket costs 10 leva (5.2 euros). Opening hours are best checked locally, but during my visit it was open until 21 or 22 pm.

How to get to the Film Museum

The museum is located on Messembria Square near the Church of Christ the Pantocrator. The facade of the building faces the main street.

Archaeological Museum of Nessebar

It is here that the ancient heritage of this ancient city is presented. The museum has a rich collection of antique dishes, coins, reliefs depicting scenes from ancient mythology, but in terms of these indicators it is inferior to large museums in Italy and Greece, but this is compensated by an excellent Russian audio guide, thanks to which even inconspicuous at first glance exhibits turn out to be interesting. In addition, the museum presents gold items from Thrace, as well as evidence of contacts between Nessebar merchants and the cities of medieval Russia.

Opening hours and ticket prices

An adult ticket costs 6 leva (3.1 euros), a child ticket costs 3 (about 1.6 euros). In addition, for 20 leva (10.4 euros) you can buy a ticket that gives you the right to visit the ethnographic museum and five churches, which I will discuss below. The cost of an audio guide is 5 leva (2.6 euros), despite the fact that you can listen to it together.

The museum is open daily from 9.00 to 19.00.

How to get to the archaeological museum

Getting into the museum is very easy: as soon as you pass through the main gate, it will be on your right hand.

Ethnographical museum

First of all, its visit should be considered as an opportunity to visit inside a typical Bulgarian Revival house. The main highlight of the interior are the richly decorated ceilings against the background of an ascetic decoration in general. As for the exhibits, these are details of national costumes, and ancient icons, and photographs from the beginning of the 20th century, through which one can trace the recent history of Nessebar.

Opening hours and ticket prices

During the season, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the entrance ticket costs about 3 leva (1.6 euros). For more information about opening hours and prices, you better find out on the spot or at the ticket office of the archaeological museum.

How to get to the ethnographic museum

The museum is located on Messembria Street. To get there, you need to go a little deeper into the old city.

Churches of Nessebar

To begin with, a few words about the five churches, inside which museum expositions are located today. Perhaps these places of worship are the best preserved.

Since I visited them on a single ticket, I recommend finding out the cost of visiting each temple separately on the spot, but I think it will be within 1-3 leva (0.52-1.6 euros).

Church of St. Stephen

Built in the 11th century, it is notable for the fact that a real garden with fruit trees adjoins it, and I was quite surprised when a hospitable museum employee unexpectedly treated me to figs grown in it. In the same garden, the foundations of ancient columns are on display for everyone to see.

It was built in the traditions of Byzantine architecture using opus mixtum masonry. Inside, icons and frescoes have been preserved, while many biblical scenes are distinguished by cruelty.

Church of Christ Pantocrator

This is already the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom - the XIV century. It is also well preserved, and inside you will find an exhibition of old maps as a reminder that Nessebar has always been an important trading hub. In addition, some archaeological finds are exhibited there - in particular, slabs from the Roman period of the city's history.

Church of John the Baptist

Built in the 10th century, it looks like Russian churches of the pre-Mongolian period, many of which have survived in Veliky Novgorod and the Vladimir region. Inside there is an exhibition of icons.

Church of the Holy Savior

This is already the 17th century, that is, the period of Ottoman rule. Deprived of a dome, elongated and having a sloping roof, outwardly it resembles a barn, and this was done for a reason.

The fact is that when these lands were under the Turkish protectorate, Christian churches had a strict height limit. The wall frescoes are very well preserved in the church itself.

Church of Paraskeva

Another example of the architecture of the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom of the XIII century. The church is notable for the fact that the entrance to the bell tower was carried out not from the inside, but from the street. The bell tower itself has not been preserved, and the steps have survived to this day. Inside, preserved frescoes from the demolished in 1958 church of George Golemi are exhibited.

Other churches of Old Nessebar

Below I will talk about the main temples in the old city, which are now not used as museums. The condition of some of them today is extremely deplorable.

Basilica of Hagia Sophia

It’s a paradox, but the most popular monument of religious architecture in Nessebar is the 5th-6th century Hagia Sophia, which is now in ruins. The facade, the remains of the walls and the internal arched colonnade have survived to this day. The cathedral is open to everyone, which is what lovers take pictures in the arches.

Church of Our Lady Eleusa

Built in the 6th century, today it is in a frankly deplorable state. At the same time, it is even strange that a barrier from vandals was not built around it. From Greek, the name translates as "Church of the Tenderness of the Virgin".

Church of Archangels Michael and Gabriel

A well-preserved picturesque monument of the era of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom of the XIII century.

Despite the high degree of preservation, it is impossible to get inside today.

Church of St. Todor

It is also a monument of the 13th century, but as a result of the restoration, the temple looks more like a covered garage. Probably, such a step was taken in order to strengthen the historical masonry itself. Entrance inside is currently closed.

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin

Built in the 19th century, it is the newest of the churches of old Nessebar and the only functioning temple on the peninsula. Although outwardly it bears little resemblance to the temples of the Byzantine period, in some places one can observe the masonry of opus mixtum.

Entrance to the church is free, and it is better to check the opening hours and schedule of services on the spot. Important note: photography is not allowed inside.

Church of St. John Alyturgetos

Another architectural monument of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, which was closed for restoration during my visit. The architectural feature of this church is the presence of two entrances inside. The word "aliturgetos" is translated from Greek as "unlit"

Modern monuments of Nessebar

This is, first of all, the sculpture of St. Nicholas, located in front of the entrance to the city, who at all times was considered the patron saint of fishermen, sailors and travelers, so he has the right place in the port.

Infrastructure of old Nessebar

Despite the fact that we have before us a 100% open-air museum, if you wish, you can find all the necessary attributes of the tourist infrastructure there.

Hotels

As for the hotels located on the territory of old Nessebar, I can only say that there are a lot of them, and for details I refer to the sites of popular booking systems.

Beaches

Strangely enough, there are beaches on the peninsula, if you can call it that a few small patches of sand, on which there was even a place for sunbeds and umbrellas. Sand, as elsewhere in Europe, belongs to everyone, and as for the infrastructure and operating hours, I recommend checking on the spot.

Another thing is that I don’t see any point at all in visiting the beaches of old Nessebar, since the new part of the city is much more suitable for such a holiday, which you can read about.

A few words about food outlets

There are many food outlets in old Nessebar, and I will not recommend any specific ones here. Let me just say that the cost of lunch decreases as you move away from the main entrance to the city. At the same time, restaurants in Nessebar in the old town, located next to the Byzantine gate, are distinguished not only by high prices, but also by extremely slow service, since there is always a full house. Bulgarian cuisine prevails in most cafes and restaurants, but if you wish, you can find something else: for example, the Czech cuisine restaurant “Praha”.

In addition, on the territory of old Nessebar, as in other resort towns in Bulgaria, there are stalls with delicious ice cream here and there, which is sold at 1.69 leva (about 0.9 euros) per 100 grams, excluding the weight of a waffle cup, which is free . However, it was in the old Nessebar that I saw trays with prices of 1.99 leva (about 1 euro) per 100 grams, but there are few of them. In addition, there are also stalls with ice cream at a price of 1 lev per scoop, but there the range of flavors is less wide.

Souvenirs in Old Nessebar

There are many souvenir shops in the old town. At the same time, in addition to magnets, mugs and hand-painted ceramics, I was struck by the abundance of items with the symbols of the Third Reich - flasks, ashtrays, orders, etc. Moreover, many of the finds, at least according to the sellers, are genuine artifacts from the Second World War.

Amphitheater

Unfortunately, it bears little resemblance to an ancient monument, but it is actively used during the holidays, when free performances are held there. In particular, I had the pleasure of watching the ballet "Swan Lake" on the stage of the amphitheater, albeit in a truncated version.

A couple of words in the end

Despite the crowds of tourists, I sincerely believe that if you are relaxing on the Bulgarian coast, Old Nessebar is a must-see. At the same time, even if you are not a history buff, this place with the embankments open to all winds and picturesque multi-tiered buildings is simply saturated with serenity and relaxation. To feel it, just turn off the main streets towards the sea.

Nessebar (Nesebar in Bulgarian) is a beautiful town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Excursions to Nessebar are offered to tourists of all Bulgarian resorts, and rightly so: the city is worth seeing. Reviews about Nessebar are always enthusiastic.
The city is divided into two parts: old Nessebar is located on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow road. New Nessebar is located on the coast - it is a resort town, in which, in addition to hotels, there are also ordinary residential buildings. However, people also live in old Nessebar.

History of Nessebar

Archaeological excavations in Nessebar continue The first finds on the territory of old Nessebar belong to the XII-XI centuries BC. It is believed that the city was founded by the Thracians, or rather, a certain Mena, in whose honor the settlement was named Menebria. Later the city became a Greek and then a Roman colony (Mesembria), then it was included in the Byzantine Empire, then - in the Bulgarian state.
During the Ottoman yoke, the city was gradually destroyed and ruined. First of all, this concerned Christian churches, of which there are many in the territory of the old city. During the Bulgarian Revival, the town was built up with houses in a characteristic style: a stone ground floor with small windows and a wooden second floor protruding above it.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city began to develop as a resort. In 1934, Nessebar was returned to its Bulgarian name - Nessebar (the Turks used the name Mesemvria). In the 50s, the mainland part of the city began to develop - the so-called. New Nessebar. And the Old City was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. Today, archaeological excavations and restoration work are being carried out there. At every step there are picturesque ruins, both ancient masonry and a remake, stylized as antiquity.

Nessebar tourist

An idle mill is a symbol of Nessebar Today, there are 42 churches on the territory of Old Nessebar, which is quite a lot for a small, in general, peninsula. Only one of these churches is active.
The Archaeological Museum, the churches of Sveti Stefan and Sveti Spas, as well as the ethnographic house are part of the Museum "Old Nessebar". Other famous sights of the city are the remains of the fortress wall and the old mill, located on the isthmus, which connects the old part of the city with the mainland. This mill does not work, but is a kind of symbol of the city.
There are paid parking lots on both sides of the peninsula. You can park your car for free on the mainland. You can walk along the Old Nessebar only on foot.
Souvenirs in Nessebar are for every taste, but the production is mainly Chinese. The city center almost entirely consists of souvenir shops, some of which are open even out of season. The choice of souvenirs is quite large, but many of them are made in China, so if you buy, for example, Trojan ceramics or some other practical souvenir, be careful when buying so as not to get a fake.
It is also full of restaurants, the prices of which depend on the distance from the sea. The closer to the sea, and the more beautiful the view, the more expensive. And the views of the coast are beautiful everywhere. Whichever way you look - boundless sea expanses. Coastal resorts are visible from the peninsula - including,.

Useful

From Old Nessebar there is a beautiful view of Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, Elenite and the mountains. The peninsula is small - less than a kilometer in length, only 300 m wide. Once the city was larger, but long ago, during an earthquake, almost half of it went under water. In good weather, they say, this underwater part can be seen. You can explore the city in a couple of hours, but it’s better to allocate more time to visit the peninsula. Still, a tour in the style of "galloping through Europe" with an ever-hurrying guide does not allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of the ancient city, feel the charm of its narrow streets, breathe in the sea air and admire the magical views. An independent walk allows you to get to know Nessebar better.
Getting to the city is not difficult - buses go here from all nearby resorts. You can also get there.
New Nessebar is located on the mainland Despite the fact that the old Nessebar has the status of a museum city, people live in it and hotels function. There are many hotels in New Nessebar - by the way, they are cheaper than those located directly on the peninsula, after all, you have to pay for touching the old days. By the way, in New Nessebar it is better (in the Old Town - sand and small pebbles, in the New - only sand).
To visit Bulgaria (especially in the southern part of the country) and not visit Nessebar is a big mistake. It is also easy to get here from the northern part of the coast, but the road through the mountain pass seems somewhat tiring to us personally. Although it is certainly worth to suffer once for the sake of touching the beauty of this place. A little advice: it is better to visit Nessebar not in the season when the city is full of tourists, but, say, in spring or in the middle of autumn. We were there for the first time at the end of October, and, I must say, there were still a lot of tourists.
But in the summer there is more entertainment besides walking along the streets. For example, you can go to, which, contrary to its name, is located at some distance from the city.