Set on a beautiful peninsula, with an ancient town and gorgeous beaches, it’s easy to see why Nessebar has become known as ‘the pearl of the Black Sea’. As one of Bulgaria’s seaside jewels, Nessebar has been entertaining holidaymakers for years. With soaring summer temperatures of 30°C, the town boasts over 2000 hours of sunshine a year, which means that you will have all the time in the world to relax on your holidays in Nessebar. The golden sands and calm waters of the town’s two Blue Flag beaches are simply irresistible, as well as being a mere stone’s throw away from the modern seafront hotels.
Plus, there’s plenty more to do on your holidays in Nessebar than chill out. Located in the Bourgas Region on the coast, Nessebar is a hotspot for both culture vultures and beach bums. From a UNESCO-protected old town to a gigantic waterpark down the road, this Balkan beauty caters for every age and taste. For fun in the sun and so much more, discover your 2019 Nessebar holiday today!
Nessebar is a tale of two towns – the Old and the New. Step back in time on your Nessebar holiday and explore the town’s incredible history. Rumoured to have the highest number of churches per capita, with some dating back to the 11th century, catching up with the town’s past is highly recommended. Wander around the wooden houses, flower gardens and narrow, cobbled lanes to get a feel of the real Nessebar. It’s named “the wooden city” for a reason – all the buildings are made of wood.
In the New Town, the year-round street markets are a great place to pick up a Bulgarian souvenir and the brightly coloured stalls create a wonderful atmosphere for all to enjoy. Fancy getting your adrenaline pumping? The nearby resort of Sunny Beach on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast is known for its water-sports, sand dunes and incredible nightlife. Further afield is the coastal town of Varna that offers such delights as the sea gardens, a zoo, a dolphinarium and a planetarium.
Be prepared to experience the real taste of Bulgaria. As Nessebar sits on the coast, it’s home to plenty of restaurants and taverns offering a range of freshly-caught fish, so you can expect the freshest of meals. In the Old Town, Andromeda is famed for its seafood, as is Gloria Mar, which, in addition to its catch-of-the-day, also offers diners outstanding sea views. If you still crave a taste of home, fear not as Nessebar’s status as a tourist resort town means that many of the restaurants serve international dishes. From pizzerias and Italian eateries to barbecue restaurants and European brasseries, there’s a restaurant to suit every taste. Whether you choose to soak up the atmosphere in the picturesque Old Town or stay in the new town, be sure to sample the local beer Burgasko and try Bulgaria’s beverages, like Zagorka and Kamenitza with your meal. Mixed with the stunning views, you are bound to fall in love with the food and drink on your Nessebar holiday.
A choice of two water parks, endless beaches and activities, plus sea gardens - there’s so much waiting to be explored on your family holiday in Nessebar. Both Aqua Paradise in Nessebar, and nearby Action Aquapark in Sunny Beach deliver when it comes to water slides. You won’t mind getting wet with all the sunshine during the day, so whack on the sun lotion and make the most of it. Get lost on the lazy river or take up the challenge of the Kamikaze slides. There’s a ride for all ages here, so it’s down to who can make the biggest splash! If you prefer dry land, 27 kilometres away from Nessebar is Bourgas, home to the Sea Gardens. This stretch of parkland that follows the entire seafront has ice cream stalls, playgrounds, an open-air theatre, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a mini train and lots more. With so many interesting attractions, as well as festivals throughout the year, the public park is the ideal spot for families that want a day away from the beach.
From muddy off-roading tours to scenic catamaran day trips, holidays in Nessebar are filled with adventurous activities that you won’t want to miss. If you want a piece of the action, use the regular boat service across the Black Sea to the ever-popular Sunny Beach where you can parasail, kayak, hydrofoil, banana-boat, water-ski and even have fun on some go-karts. Just south of Bourgas in Marinka Village, you can go on safari for the whole day. Immerse yourself in the wildernesses of the Black Sea coast on a guided river tour and discover various rare species of reptiles and other animals. Another secret of the Black Sea coast are the mud baths next to Atanasovsko Lake, which have formed organically over millions of years. Beside the mud baths is a shallow rust-coloured lye pool, which is high in salt and allows swimmers to float on the surface. Better still, this muddy activity is completely free!
Take a dip into the mesmerising Black Sea on your holiday to Nessebar. Running either side of the new town are two unmissable sandy beaches that you simply must check out. The South Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status for its 2.5-kilometre stretch of pristine sands, which is packed with parasols, making it a superb spot for sunbathing. If you haven’t packed a picnic then worry not, South Beach is also backed by a long promenade with an extensive choice of bars and restaurants, ideal for an afternoon drink and snack.
Need some peace and quiet? Head to the north of Nessebar, where the town’s second beach lies. It enjoys a much quieter location and is a great spot to really appreciate the Black Sea. This secluded beach has a ribbon of golden sand and is flanked by rolling dunes. Further along is the large Sunny Beach which also boasts Blue Flag status. This is the busiest beach around and is ideal for big groups who want to play beach and water games.
When the sun goes down on your Nessebar holidays, you can either enjoy the tranquil evening entertainment at one of the many beachfront hotels and bars, or go into town for a night of clubbing. Surprisingly, Old Town has the liveliest nightlife of the two sides. The most sought-out night spot is Michael’s Eco Bar, hidden away on a quiet street. Featuring stalagmites and stalactites, that also function as seating and tables, the bar has a wonderful outdoor area with a pond full of turtles. Another exotic hot spot is Captain Jack’s which, as its name suggests, is located on a pirate boat moored near to Old Town. If you fancy something more traditional then stop for a drink at Global, here you can listen to rhythmic Balkan music to really feel like a local. Take a short bus ride to the nearby Sunny Beach resort for a cheap night out. Locals and party-goers from as far as Sofia descend on the popular Tequila Bar, with its unique location. Set on a platform in the sea, the drink of the evening has to be anything with Tequila in it. The clue’s in the name really.
Does the thought of getting lost in the centre of an undiscovered town with your loved one give you butterflies? The best time to walk around Nessebar is during the day, when the town is almost empty and all the other tourists are at the beach. The heady smell of homemade fig jam coming from street stalls, which they say it is a natural aphrodisiac, make it easy to see why so many others fall in love with this place. If you both need to cool off, head to the beach and take a dip in the refreshing Black Sea. There’s even a nudist beach if you fancy completely stripping off…
By night the labyrinth of Nessebar’s historical centre brims with secluded hideouts and alleyways. With an overwhelming sense of history oozing from each brick of each landmark, and the sounds of the door-to-door Romany bands walking around and performing incredible shows, a feeling of romance will definitely be provided on your wanderings within the city limits.
Blessed with a vast history, most of which is still evident in the Old Town, Nessebar is crammed full of 44 churches, an abundance of Roman ruins, remains of the thermal baths and traditional Bulgarian houses. It seems like a lot to pack in, but Nessebar certainly manages it. It’s like wandering around a citywide open-air museum. It’s easy to see why it’s been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To understand the town’s culture better, a visit to the Archaeological Museum and an Ethnological Museum is a must. With over 3,000 years of civilisation, there are traces of the town’s past from the Romans to the Ottomans. If you wander down to the bridge that connects the Old and the New Town, you will spot the Windmill. As a symbol of Nessebar, the wooden Windmill is thought to be from the 17th to the 19th century and is located on a promenade with wonderful sea views. It was constructed with three mill floors and positioned so that there is always a breeze blowing.