Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe - the first mention of it was found in a manuscript that is over 3000 years old! The city is quiet, charming and impressively good. Its narrow, cobbled streets and small wooden buildings create a unique atmosphere of antiquity. It is important to note that Old Nessebar Today it is a city-museum and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Fantastic landscapes, coupled with historical monuments that are found here at almost every step, attract not only ordinary tourists, but also bohemians to the city. Where else to look for inspiration and peace from the bustle of the world, if not here? Walking along the cobbled streets of Old Nessebar, you can easily meet a famous artist, writer or actor.

And the city really inspires… It is surrounded by the remains of fortress walls built by the ancient Thracians, and the very old Eastern Gate of Nessebar is crowned by two beautiful pentagonal towers. On the territory of the settlement you will see a large number of churches, but only one of them remains active - the Church of the Holy Mother of God, in which there is a miraculous icon. Every August, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world rush to bow to her. Information boards are located next to each historical site of the city, allowing tourists to explore the ancient city without a guide. Families who come to Old Nessebar with children can alternate sightseeing with relaxing in one of the playgrounds that are found on the streets of the city. Many cute souvenir shops with a huge number of different knick-knacks and souvenirs are another exciting activity, especially since you can see a lot of items and toys for young tourists in the shops.

Old Nessebar occupies a very small peninsula, the width of which barely reaches 300 meters, and the length is just over 800 meters. The peninsula has a thin connection with the mainland in the form of a narrow isthmus, which, during a raging sea, is completely flooded with waves. Seclusion and remoteness modern world it is especially felt here in bad weather, when the old city is cut off from the mainland. However, this phenomenon should not be feared - with the end of the storm, the narrow streets are again filled with newly arrived tourists. First of all, they rush to the main attraction of the city - an ancient three-story mill built in the period of the Bulgarian Revival. It is located at the very entrance to Nessebar. The Nessebar retro parade, famous throughout Bulgaria, starts from this ancient city symbol. Infill development continues in the city, while houses are allowed to be built exclusively in the old style. And this means that the buildings should have a first stone floor, and a second wooden one. Thus, the authorities are trying to preserve the unique spirit of the ancient city.

If you find yourself in Old Nessebar late in the evening, you don’t have to worry about accommodation for the night - there are a large number of hotels and inns located in old houses. We recommend a trip to Old Nessebar to guests of the southern coast of Bulgaria. You can easily reach this city on foot from the new Nessebar and by car and public transport from Pomorie, St. Vlas and a number of other resorts. The main thing to keep in mind is the peculiarity of the streets of the city. All of them are paved with stone and paving stones, on which it is difficult to move with a baby stroller. Therefore, it is better to postpone a trip to Nessebar with a small child until better times.

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 he meets windmill. Nothing special but a couple good photos can be done. 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. handicapped.

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 railway. Prices vary depending on the method, season and transport company. From Burgas to Nessebar can be reached by bus or taxi.

By plane

Fly to Burgas airport (Sarafovo) regular flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. 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 Kievsky railway station at 9:30 am, arriving every other day at 10:45 am. 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.

Coming from railway station walk 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. In season average price rooms 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 boat trips - from 15 € (25 BGN), tickets to museums - from 2 € (4 BGN), 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. 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 Bulgaria, is 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.

"Southern" is worth a visit, if only because of the " blue flag". 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.

Outside the city

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. 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, nearby gorgeous beach.

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. His historical part was destroyed and submerged by the 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 bill 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 is gone resort town, 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.

Security. What to watch out for

I can say that at home "in the area" I feel in greater danger than in resort areas 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, except for beach holiday and sightseeing, 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 resorts. Krasnodar Territory.

Almost every hotel has an animator and children's corners, as well as shallow pools. Children love Bulgaria.

Basic moments

This city is one of the oldest settlements in the world, where life has never been interrupted for thousands of years. By the decision of the Bulgarian government in 1956, its historical center with numerous ancient monuments was given the status of an architectural and archaeological reserve, and in 1983 Nessebar was included by UNESCO experts in the prestigious list world heritage world civilization.

The Old Town is the historical district of Nessebar. This is an ancient settlement with powerful fortifications, ancient buildings, millennial churches, located on a small rocky peninsula, separated from the continent by a narrow isthmus, well fortified with a stone fort. In that picturesque corner Nessebar, with its winding cobblestone streets, is an absolutely amazing architectural development, typical of the Bulgarian Renaissance, which began after the liberation of the country from the Turkish yoke. The modern part of the city, called New Nessebar, is built behind the isthmus, on the continent. Here you will find hotels, apartments, studios, hostels for every taste.

The long beaches of Nessebar, stretching to the north and south of the city, are famous for their golden sand and clear sea water. Almost every one of them has rental points for all kinds of equipment for water sports. For lovers of long-distance sea travel, there are centers that organize cruises on boats and yachts.

The inhabitants of the city are friendly to tourists, many speak Russian, English, and speak other European languages. Deserves special praise local kitchen, which has absorbed the traditions of hearty Balkan cuisine and the sophistication of Turkish dishes.

History of Nessebar

The foundation of Nessebar dates back to the Bronze Age. Archaeological finds suggest that the city is at least 3,200 years old. The Thracians who inhabited these lands at that time erected fortifications on a small peninsula, built two trading ports on the southern and northern sides of the fortress, where nature has already created comfortable natural bays protected from storms. The city was named Melsambria, in memory of the legendary founder, leader of the first settlers Mels. This legend is mentioned by the Roman historian and geographer Strabo in his encyclopedia, written in the 1st century BC. e.

Outside the fortifications, the settlement was surrounded by orchards and vineyards. Since ancient times, excellent wines have been made here, and artisans have made excellent weapons, metal products, known in all cities on the Black Sea coast, with which the inhabitants of Nessebar were actively trading. Thracian ships brought here dishes from Egypt, fabrics and clothes embroidered with gold from Asia Minor, fruits and spices from North Africa. Fragments of the Thracian fortifications have survived to this day, they stand out in the later northern city wall with their archaic masonry.

One of the natives of ancient Melsambria left a bright mark on world literature. According to legend, the famous fabulist Aesop was a Thracian, and he was born here around 620 BC. e.

Later, the Dorians Greeks, who arrived from the city of Megara, settled in Nessebar. They expanded and strengthened the Thracian defensive walls, erected temples and a theater, and built schools. At that time, the city prospered and already minted its own coins - bronze, silver, gold. It is noteworthy that archaeologists find them in ancient settlements on the Black and mediterranean seas- this testifies to the wide trade contacts of Nessebar.

It is known that in 425 BC. e. Nessebar joined the community of Greek cities, which was headed by Athens. Since the Hellenistic period, several structures have been preserved in Nessebar - the agora, the marble acropolis, the temple of Apollo.

In 71 BC. e. the legions of the Roman commander Mark Lucullus approached the walls of Nessebar. The townspeople decided not to resist and opened the fortress gates without a fight. So Nessebar was not destroyed and became part of the Roman Empire under the name of Mesemvria, becoming an important cultural and commercial center of the province of Roman Thrace. At the same time, the city retained the right to issue its own money, it was also granted trade and political privileges. The Romans built public buildings here, marble baths with pools, equipped a water supply system and other engineering communications.

In the 1st century, here, on the town square, one of the first Christian martyrs, Saint Irene of Macedon, was executed by order of the Roman governor.

In the early Middle Ages, after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Nessebar belonged to its eastern part - Byzantium. In the IV century, the townspeople adopted Christianity. During this period, the oldest surviving church in the city was built in the name of Hagia Sophia.

The second half of the 1st millennium was a troubled time in the history of Europe and was marked by the Great Migration of Peoples. In 681, the Danubian lands of the Byzantine Empire were invaded by hordes of Turks-Bulgars, who came from the distant Sea of ​​Azov. Militant invaders founded their vast Bulgar Khanate in Thrace. Well-fortified Mesemvria turned into a military outpost on the restless border between Byzantium and Bulgaria. In 812, the city was besieged by the troops of the Bulgar Khan Krum, and two weeks later Mesemvria fell. Many residents died, the survivors fled. Bulgars and Slavs settled in the city, who came with the Turks from the east.

Half a century later, the Byzantines regained Mesemvria. But in 917, in the vicinity of Nessebar, the bloody Battle of Aheloy took place, in which the troops of the Bulgarian king Simeon defeated the Byzantine army. Emperor Leo Foka, who led the campaign, fled to Constantinople on a ship that was waiting for him in the harbor of Nessebar. For several centuries, Nessebar was the subject of military conflicts between Byzantium and the Bulgarian kingdom.

In 1366, the city was stormed by the Crusaders under the command of Count Amadeus of Savoy. The lucky count sold the city Byzantine Emperor for 15,000 gold ducats, but already in the next century the Turkish army defeated Byzantium, and in 1453 the Ottomans captured Nessebar - a few months before the fall of Constantinople. The city was heavily damaged.

It is interesting that during the stay of the city under the rule of the Turks, none of the local Christian churches was rebuilt into a Muslim mosque, as was practiced by the Ottomans everywhere. The townspeople were against it, and the conquerors, avoiding conflict, built their temple and minaret next to the ancient Christian churches.

Turkish rule here lasted for about four hundred years, until the 20s of the century before last. In 1829, a military squadron approached Nessebar from the sea. Russian Empire, and from the land the city was surrounded by Russian uhlan regiments. After the first shots of the ship's cannons, the Turkish garrison of Nessebar surrendered, and the city was forever freed from Turkish oppression. Residents of the city gratefully remember the support of the Russians. Among the sister cities of Nessebar are Russian St. Petersburg and Sochi.

For more than a century, Nessebar has remained a quiet place, the inhabitants of which were mainly engaged in viticulture and fishing. as a resort and tourist centre Nessebar began to develop in the late 50s of the last century.

Geography and climate

Nessebar municipality occupies the northern part Black Sea coast administrative region of Burgas. Historical monuments, clear sea, natural diversity of coastal mountainous relief, rich flora form the peculiar appearance of Nessebar, which remains charmingly attractive in any season and in any weather.

The Old Town occupies a peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea, measuring only 850 x 350 meters. To the south of the isthmus connecting the Old Town, located on the peninsula, with the New Town, on the continent, stretched the only of its kind in Bulgaria sand dunes and a magnificent beach about 2 km long.

Nessebar is almost four hours drive from Sofia, one hour from Varna and half an hour from Burgas.

The climate in Nessebar is temperate continental, tourist season here it lasts from May to September. You can sunbathe on the beaches already in early May, during the day the air temperature rises to +20 ° C, but the water in the sea is still cold. During this period there are rainy and cool days. The swimming season opens at the end of spring, when coastal waters warm up to +18...+20 °C. From the second decade of June, the sea warms up to +23 ... +25 ° С, such indicators are often kept until mid-September. In general, vacationers can enjoy the sun and swimming for about six months, even at the end of September the air temperature is at +21 ... +22 ° С.

The peak season in Nessebar falls on July-August. The air temperature exceeds +30 ° C for weeks, the sun is quite aggressive, it is better to plan excursions in the afternoon. AT windy days waves wash algae ashore, but the staff quickly cleans up the beaches.

The heat subsides by September, here this period is called velvet season. Tourists with school-age children go home, resort beaches becomes quieter and more spacious.

From October to April, the flow of tourists decreases, but true connoisseurs of antiquity say that autumn is the best time for a calm and detailed acquaintance with the sights of Old Nessebar, when you can wander through the deserted streets blown by the fresh sea breeze, take wonderful photographs of the city landscapes, arrange a romantic dinner in a quiet fish tavern. By the way, prices in restaurants and shops, hotels and apartments during this period are minimal.

Sights of Nessebar

On a narrow isthmus, stretching to the peninsula, where the Old City is located, leads the main street Nessebar - Khan Krum. Nature has created here an ideal place for the defense of the settlement - there is no other way overland to the city. Guests are greeted by an old windmill, and then the impressive ruins of the city gates with a powerful tower and the remains of stone fortress walls rise. The fortified entrance to the city was erected in the III century by the Romans on the site of an even more ancient fortress. Behind the gate begins the central street of the Old Town, bearing it ancient name- Messembria.

The narrow streets of Nessebar, paved with granite paving stones, are filled with tourists from all over the world during the high season from morning to evening. They come from the hotels of the continental Nessebar, come from the hotels of the nearby resort of Sunny Beach or the remote resort centers of the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria to get acquainted with the sights located in the ancient city.

Here, each house is an old manor, which serves as a source of solid income for its owners. In any of the houses of Old Nessebar you will find any outlet - a souvenir shop, an antique shop, a grocery store, wine Vault, bar or tavern. According to a long tradition, the buildings are two-story, the first floors are made of stone, the second - wooden, hanging over the basement. The houses are covered with colorful tiled roofs. Many of them were built in the era of the Bulgarian Renaissance, in the XVIII-XIX centuries. The windows and balconies are decorated with flowers, emphasizing the festive mood that prevails on the streets.

About a third of the ancient city is now flooded by the sea. Under water, one can distinguish the fortress walls that go into the depths, overgrown with algae. Bulgarian archaeologists conducted several underwater expeditions, during which well-preserved structures of ancient times were discovered. An interesting exposition in the Archaeological Museum acquaints tourists with their finds.

In tiny Old Nessebar, there once stood exactly 40 ancient churches. With a population of several thousand people, it was the city with the largest number of Christian churches per capita, as well as the building area in all of Bulgaria, and maybe the whole world. Unfortunately, time and numerous sieges of the city in past centuries did not spare its temples. Almost all of them are destroyed, archaeologists have so far discovered the ruins of 26 basilicas, some of them are hidden under the sea waves.

In some churches, the entrance is paid, the funds raised are used to finance restoration work. Convenient for 20 leva to buy single subscription for a visit Archaeological Museum and six of the most interesting temples.

The oldest of them was built one and a half thousand years ago. In 1929, an archaeological expedition discovered under a layer of soil on the northern shore of Old Nessebar the foundations and remains of the walls of the basilica of the Holy Mother of God, built in the 6th century. This church was part of a monastery complex that was destroyed by an earthquake and submerged in the 14th century. The surviving ruins have been cleared and overgrown with ivy. This is one of the best places for photo shoots, a recognizable calling card of Nessebar. Images of the basilica are published in all tourist booklets and city guides.

The majestic ruins of the basilica of Hagia Sophia, also built in the 6th century, attract attention. Here was the first residence of the metropolitans of Nessebar.

One of the well-preserved churches, art historians call the most beautiful in Bulgaria. This is the Basilica of Christ Pantocrator, which gives the most complete picture of the buildings of the Byzantine architecture of the XIV century on the territory of Nessebar. Patterned rows of red bricks alternate with yellow ones, creating a fascinating pattern of masonry walls. Elegant arches are decorated with white stone inserts. The interior decoration and frescoes have been lost. The church has a small museum where you can see a collection of medieval maps depicting Nessebar and its surrounding areas, neighbouring countries located on the shores of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Entrance fee - 3 leva per person.

The well-preserved Church of St. Stephen or the New Metropolis was built in the 10th century. The architect built this three-aisled basilica of stone and red plinth, a durable Byzantine brick. In the masonry of the outer walls, one can distinguish architectural elements taken from the ruins of ancient temples - pedestals of statues, fragments of marble and granite columns. The interior walls are painted with magnificent frescoes by Byzantine masters. It has been established that three artists, invited by the Metropolitan of Nessebar from Constantinople, worked on the murals. In the altar part you will see a skillfully restored metropolitan throne made of carved wood, church utensils of the 16th century. Artifacts excavated by archaeologists are displayed in the church fence. Entrance is paid - for adults about 6 levs, for children - 3 levs. In the temple it is allowed to take photos without using a flash.

The 16th-century Basilica of St. John Alyturgetos is also well preserved. It is located to the right of the city gate, next to the Roman amphitheater. Festivals and other cultural events are often held here. Interestingly, the temple was never consecrated for services (Aliturgetos in Greek - Unconsecrated). The reason for this was the death of several workers who fell from high walls during the completion of construction.

The only functioning church of Old Nessebar is located on Krayberezhna Street. It was erected in 1883 in the name of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patroness of the city. The murals of temple interiors are of great artistic value. There are caskets with the relics of saints revered in Bulgaria and a miraculous icon with the face of Our Lady Hodegetria of Byzantine writing, created in the 13th century. According to legend, the elders of one of the monasteries of Mount Athos presented the icon to the temple. For 700 years, the image has darkened, believers call it the Black Icon. August 15, the day of memory of the Assumption, pilgrims come here from all over Bulgaria. On this day, celebrations dedicated to the City Day are held at the walls of the church, a crowded religious procession marches along Nessebar, at the head of which the priests carry the miraculous icon under the protection of military sailors.

Photography in the temple is prohibited, admission is free. On Sunday morning liturgy, a wonderful church choir sings here.

Beaches

The coastal zone of Nessebar is divided into several beaches. The best is considered south beach resort, equipped near the southern quarters of New Nessebar. You can get here by city buses No. 3, 7, 11. There are paid and free parking lots, toilets, changing rooms, cafes and taverns. The beach overlooks the open sea, here you can always swing on the waves and watch the ships passing in the distance. It also offers beautiful views of the Old Town.

This sand beach with a gentle entrance to the sea, clean and well-groomed, it is provided with sun loungers, sun loungers, umbrellas. For 10 leva you will be given a beach set for the whole day: an umbrella + two plastic sunbeds. With your own towel or beach umbrella, which can be purchased in one of the shops of Nessebar, you can go to a special area, which is 15 meters from the sea, and sunbathe there for free.

South Beach is the owner of the Blue Flag, awarded for cleanliness, decent ecology, developed infrastructure and safety. Lifeguards patrol the sea here.

There are several beaches in the Old City. The landscapes here are fantastic, there are practically no storms, but the shore is pebbly, the bottom is rocky, covered with algae. It is recommended to walk here in rubber shoes, among the pebbles there may be a sharp shell rock. There are also many concrete beaches, mostly wild ones. Most famous beach on the peninsula - Old Nessebar, located near the Seaport. His coastline faces southeast and is protected by the bend of Nessebar Bay. For a sunbed and umbrella here they will ask from 5 leva.

Not far from the isthmus connecting the Old Town and the New Town, near a large coastal park, there is a popular wild beach.

The beach to the north of the New Town, smoothly flowing into the 15-kilometer beach area of ​​Sunny Beach, is called Severny. By the way, in the neighboring resort it is called Yuzhny, which often causes confusion.

The northern beach, like the southern one, is well equipped, the prices for renting beach accessories are identical here - from 8 leva. About a third of the beach is occupied by a free zone.

From New Nessebar, bus number 11 takes 20 minutes to the neighboring resort town of Pomorie. There are also excellent sandy beaches, but there are fewer vacationers. For 50 leva per day, you can rent a cozy wicker canopy with four sun loungers at the very edge of the surf, ice cream, fruits, drinks and snacks will be brought to you from the nearest cafe. Nearby is the ancient monastery of St. George, which is worth seeing.

Leisure

Beach football and basketball are popular on the coast of Nessebar, equipment for outdoor games is offered everywhere, water skiing. In the port, you can rent a motor boat or scooter to explore the city from the sea.

Diving enthusiasts from all over Europe come to Nessebar to see its main underwater attraction - the sunken city, which is often called the local Atlantis. There are specialized centers in the city where there are courses for training beginner scuba divers and organize both one-day diving off the coast (day and night) and yacht trips to other, remote places for diving.

For hardy travelers, several hiking trails. Among them - a hike to the nearby mountain slopes, overgrown with pine trees, a walk along the sea coast with swimming on wild beaches and visits to nearby villages, where travelers can enjoy an ethnic concert and a delicious lunch of Bulgarian cuisine with homemade wines and brandy.

From Nessebar, within easy reach of Sunny Beach. This noisy modern resort is located just three kilometers to the north. On its beaches there are even more points for renting boats, scooters, inflatable "bananas". Here you can also join a jeep safari and go to the hilly foothill valley.

Entertainment

In June, Nessebar traditionally hosts the International Children's Festival. At the same time, a festival of sand sculptures is held in Burgas, which attracts craftsmen from all over the world. Their works are short-lived, so if you are relaxing in Nessebar at this time, be sure to go and see. In mid-August, Nessebar celebrates City Day. It is celebrated on the day of the Most Holy Theotokos, who is the heavenly intercessor of the townspeople.

One of the most popular entertainment among tourists vacationing in Nessebar is boat trips. A short trip will cost about 30 leva. Excursion boats depart from the piers in Old Nessebar, sailing over ancient and medieval structures that are clearly visible underwater, which went to the bottom as a result of a powerful earthquake. In clear sea water, one can discern the outlines of the acropolis, the ruins of dwellings, public buildings, and defensive structures.

In the vicinity of Nessebar, extensive entertainment complexes have been built - Luna Park and Aqua Paradise. The cost of entrance tickets for the whole day is 32 BGN for adults and 15 BGN for children. Half day tickets are also available. By the time the attractions open at 10:00, there are decent queues at the box office. To avoid them, you should purchase tickets in advance from the administrator at the reception of your hotel.

Captain Jack's club and bar in Nessebar

The parks are equipped with modern attractions, a variety of carousels, water slides for children of all ages and adult thrill-seekers. Actors periodically play short shows, animators entertain guests by the pools. You can have a bite to eat in pizzerias and fast food kiosks, and have a hearty lunch in park cafes and taverns. Please note that you cannot bring food and drinks to amusement parks with you, the security service is vigilantly watching this, you will have to leave the products in a paid locker (4 leva). Valuables can be placed in a safe (6 leva).

Of the several nightclubs in Nessebar, Captain Jack's Night Club and Bedroom Beach are the most popular among vacationers. Nearby Sunny Beach offers a wide range of nightlife.

Purchases

There are no large supermarkets with a wide selection of goods, chic malls and fashionable boutiques in Nessebar, but there are plenty of small shops here. They can buy essential goods, food, drinks, beach accessories, good souvenirs. A good selection of souvenirs is presented in the private shops of Old Nessebar. Local potters, continuing a centuries-old tradition, produce ceramic dishes, and archeological finds often serve as models for vases, jugs and goblets. Another popular souvenir from Nessebar is handmade knitwear. They are rude, but bear the imprint of the old traditions of national dress.

For gourmets, a few bottles of excellent local wine will be a good souvenir. Follow them to Aheloy Street in Old Nessebar. Here, in the old house number 7, there is a wine cellar and a tasting room Winery Messembria. Wine tasting is accompanied by sommelier comments, then you can choose your favorite wine, it will be packed in a beautiful box and delivered to your hotel. White semi-sweet grape wine "Messembria" and sweet red and rose wines from figs are in special demand.

Another delicious souvenir from Nessebar is a package of lukanka, Bulgarian dry-cured sausage with onions and spices. Its shape is unusual and resembles an oblong cake or lush pita bread. The producers of this national product claim that the recipe for lukanka dates back to the 7th century.

For large purchases, you should go to the shops of Sunny Beach or Burgas. During excursions to neighboring cities in Bulgaria, buses stop at large shops, and tourists are given several hours for shopping.

Local kitchen

The cuisine of the seaside Nessebar is dominated by seafood and vegetables. Here they know how to cook delicious fish, squid, shellfish. All summer long, seasonal fruits and vegetables are sold in the markets - juicy bell peppers, tomatoes and fragrant greens, peaches, plums and other gifts from the surrounding gardens and orchards. By the way, there are no meat rows in the local markets. Fresh meat is sold only in specialized stores - butchers.

In city cafes you can have lunch for 15-20 leva (salad, meat or fish dish with a side dish, drink), and the portions are very large and satisfying. For 45-50 leva you will be offered a full meal for two with good wine. In many establishments you can pay bank cards American Express, Mastercard, Visa.

Among the stylish restaurants located in historical center, tourists in the reviews recommend "Old Nessebar". It serves fresh seafood dishes, barbecued pork ribs, and there are tables under a canopy in the open air. The veranda of the restaurant offers panoramic views of the harbor of the Old Town. It prepares dishes according to the recipes of the Bulgarian and Mediterranean cuisine. The signature dish is gyuvech - meat stewed with vegetables in ceramic pots.

A cozy restaurant "Akropol" is owned by a family from Macedonia. The hosts prepare delicious home-cooked food with their own hands, and they themselves serve dishes to guests. One of the restaurant's specialties is pork stew with mushroom sauce accompanied by boiled potatoes and pickled vegetables. For the first, they will offer Bulgarian chorba - a hot soup based on kvass. But at the beginning of the meal, you will be served a Shopska salad of bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet onions and olives, thickly sprinkled with grated sheep's cheese. Fragrant bread is also baked by hand here.

Italian cuisine is offered by the Mario cafe and the Kristal restaurant. It employs chefs specially trained in Italy.

Tasty and inexpensive meals can be found in the ethno-restaurant "Aquamarine", located at the entrance to the Old Town. Its chefs are acknowledged masters of Bulgarian cuisine. Dishes combine traditional Balkan products, Turkish sophistication, motifs Greek cuisine. In hot weather, people come here to refresh themselves with tarator - a spicy cold soup based on sour-milk yogurt with fresh cucumbers, herbs, seasoned with garlic and wine vinegar. Tarator resembles okroshka. Crushed walnuts and almonds give the soup a thick texture and unique taste. It is served with crushed ice. For the second, be sure to order the branded sach - a national Bulgarian dish of three types of meat (veal, pork, chicken), stewed with sweet peppers, eggplant, tomatoes and other vegetables with sauce. Sach is cooked in a massive clay frying pan, it is served on the table with piping heat on a wrought iron stand. Instead of bread, a banitsa is brought to the table - a layered pie with cheese.

Portions in Nessebar restaurants are very generous, not everyone manages to overpower them, so here it’s in the order of things to ask the waiter to pack the rest of the food and take it with you.

Where to stay

Most of the hotels in Nessebar are located in the New Town, where new hotels of various categories open their doors every year, today there are more than 300 of them. Chain hotels of world famous brands have been built. Among the staff there will definitely be workers who speak Russian. The cost of living is affected by the remoteness of the hotel from the coastline and beaches, rooms with sea-facing windows are noticeably more expensive.

Among the buildings of recent years is the chic Sol Hotel Nessebar Palace 5 *. The hotel has a vast territory with a park and swimming pools. It is comfortable to relax here with children, there are two-room family rooms with extra beds, for the smallest there is everything you need. You can invite a nanny, for older children there is a club in the hotel where children are entertained by animators. The restaurant always has a children's menu. The cost of living in a double room is from 110 € per day.

There are youth hostels in Nessebar with rooms for 3-4 people. During the peak season, accommodation will cost 15 € per person per day.

Local residents willingly rent apartments in residential areas to tourists. A small cozy studio can be rented for 30 €, apartment prices start from 50 € per day. If you wish, you can rent an entire estate on the outskirts of the New Town for 60-80 € per day.

Several hotels are located within the Old Town. Among them is Hotel Saint Nikola, located in an old building, but not devoid of modern comfort. The cost of the room is from 32 €. The balconies offer a view of the sea and the sights of Old Nessebar. The hotel has an inexpensive restaurant where excellent Bulgarian dishes are prepared, discounts of up to 10% are available for guests. The staff is friendly, the administrators speak Russian.

Transport

In New Nessebar Shuttle Buses from the airport or from other cities they stop near large hotels, a water park, the entrance to the Old Town. Actually, the resort town is small, everything here is located within walking distance. If you are burdened with luggage, you can get to the right place by city bus (ticket price - 2 leva) or by taxi, the cost of the trip will not exceed 10 leva. There are many taxis in Nessebar, the fare, as a rule, is indicated on the glass of the passenger door of the car - about 3 leva / km. Taxis are metered.

Get to the Old Town by bus number 1. Since Nessebar and Sunny Beach are one municipal territory, bus routes start in New Nessebar and continue on the streets of the neighboring resort.

If you are planning to explore other resorts on the coast, it makes sense to rent a car. The rental price is from 40 leva / day, the driver-tenant must be at least 22 years old.

How to get there

The nearest airport to Nessebar is Sarafovo. It is located in Burgas, the largest transport hub in the country. Regular flights depart from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Burgas. Direct flights are operated by Bulgaria Air liners. The cost of a flight from the capital of Russia is 25,000 rubles, from St. Petersburg - 27,000 rubles. During the tourist season major cities Russian Federation charter airliners fly to Burgas.

There is also a railway connection Moscow - Burgas with a length of 2,200 km. This is a trailer car as part of the 059M Moscow-Sofia train. In Bulgaria, the car joins another train bound for Burgas from Sofia. In Moscow, the train departs from the platform of the Kievsky railway station daily at 09:30. The trip lasts two days, and it is necessary to pass passport control on the border with Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. At each border point, the procedure lasts at least an hour.

From Burgas to Nessebar 36 km. These cities are connected by a route bus service. The intercity bus stop is located at the entrance to the airport, route number 10 goes to Nessebar from there. Buses run at intervals of 40 minutes to 1 hour, the cost of the trip is 8-10 leva, depending on the season and the tariffs of the transport company, travel time is about hours, on city streets with busy traffic plugs and toffees are not excluded.

From the railway station of Burgas, you need to go to Station Square and go along Aleksandrovskaya pedestrian street, dotted with boutiques, to the Southern Bus Station. From here, buses to Nessebar leave every half an hour, the fare is from 3 leva, the journey time is 40 minutes.

Many tourists prefer to get to the resort from the airport or railway station by taxi, which will cost 45-50 leva.

Traveling to Nessebar from Moscow by car will take at least 30 hours if you plan the shortest route along the E95 highway through Ukraine and Romania. The distance will be 1,966 km.

Compared to many resorts in Bulgaria, Nessebar has one big advantage - great opportunity combine a beach holiday with sightseeing, which is so rich in the Old Town.

So you can be sure: family vacation will be rich and exciting, even if you do not leave the resort.

Otherwise, the resort of Nessebar looks exactly like a town on the sea coast should look like: old houses, new hotels, summer bliss, sandy beach and warm sea. When to go, what to do, what to see and where to live - our review has everything you need to know about holidays with children in Nessebar.

Nessebar on the map of Bulgaria

The city of Nessebar (or Nessebar) is located in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, in the Burgas region, the administrative center of which is the city of Burgas. Nessebar consists of two parts - Old and New Towns.

Old Nessebar is a historical part, which is located on a small peninsula and is connected to New Nessebar through a 400-meter isthmus.

The distance from Nessebar to Burgas is 35 km, to Sozopol - 68 km, to Sunny Beach - 6 km, to St. Constantine and Helena - 109 km, to Golden Sands - 117 km, to Albena - 128 km.

The old part of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: on the site where Nessebar is located, the Thracian settlement of Messembria once stood - the remains of the fortress walls and towers have survived to this day.

Vacation with children

When the sun shines in the sky, and the sea rustles at your feet, worries disappear from your head by themselves.

Secondly, because it beautiful city. The old part of Nessebar, with its narrow cobbled streets, is interesting for traditional Bulgarian architecture, a large number of churches included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as well-preserved medieval ruins.

A nice addition for visitors to the Old City are numerous streets with souvenir shops, shops, restaurants and cafes, allowing you to truly enjoy your vacation at a seaside resort.

Thirdly, because it is not a boring city. Nessebar for children - it's a lot of playgrounds, a small amusement park and very big water park, children's billiards and bowling.

With baby you can walk in the city park, and with older children conquer the dunes on the beach.

Fourth, because it cozy city. You will enjoy a wide selection of modern hotels, villas and apartments of various price categories and for every taste. All of them are neat, with a good level of service.

Most hotels offer accommodation in rooms equipped with a kitchenette. In Nessebar, you can always find inexpensive, compared to other resorts, but comfortable accommodation. Perhaps that is why people often come here to relax with a child for a month, and sometimes for the whole summer.

Finally, in favor of rest in Nessebar speaks developed transport connection with other cities. Even if you do not plan to travel to the south of Bulgaria, you will definitely want to visit Sunny Beach - the famous resort is only 5 minutes away.

When is the best time to go

The main purpose of a trip to Nessebar is, of course, a vacation by the sea. Since the city is located on south coast, the swimming season in Nessebar starts at the end of May and lasts until the end of September.

It makes sense to come to the opening of the season in Nessebar if you are not going to swim in the sea. Sea water will warm up by the end of June, and until that time you will only have to take sunbaths.

With small children, it is best to relax in June - early July, when it is still not too hot and there is not such a large influx of tourists as in mid-July or August. The flow of vacationers will subside in September, and then Nessebar will again become a great place to relax with a child.

The answer to the question of when it is better to go to Nessebar can be found in the calendar of cultural events. In June, the city hosts the children's festival "Sun, Joy, Beauty", in July - several creative festivals, in August - a major pop-rock fest, and in September there is a honey fair.

In addition, on August 15, Nessebar celebrates the day of the city, and this is an occasion for colorful shows and fireworks. Information about the most interesting events published on the official website of Nessebar.

Weather and climate

The climate of Nessebar is perfect for relaxing with a child at sea. Warm, sunny weather without extreme heat from May to September.

The average temperature of the summer months in Nessebar is +26°C. On those days when the thermometers rise higher, the sea breeze softens the heat. Refresh the air and intermittent rains.

The beach season in the resort begins in June, when the daytime temperature reaches +25°C. In the first two weeks of the month, the sea is still cold, but the second half of June and the beginning of July is the time for the best holiday in Nessebar with children.

The air in July warms up to + 28 ° С, and sometimes + 30 ° С can be seen on thermometers. In August, the heat remains at the same level, but the end of the month becomes a little cooler.

In September, the daytime temperature is +25°C: this is again a favorable time for a holiday with a child.

At the end of September, tourists who came to Bulgaria to sunbathe and swim leave. But a vacation in Nessebar, scheduled for mid-autumn, will bring only pleasure: you can wander around the old town for a long time and walk along the sea for hours, enjoying the fresh air.

October is usually very warm and dry, with daytime temperatures around +19°C. From November to March, the resort is set soft southern winter. During the day, the temperature is kept at + 6-10 ° C, at night there are mild frosts.

But in April, spring is already hosting on the coast - cool, but sunny. In May, when the daytime temperature reaches +21°C, you can come with a baby to Nessebar. At this time, you are not threatened with the difficulties of acclimatization.

The peculiarity of the climate of the southern part of Bulgaria is significant drop in temperature at night. Even in the hot months, with the onset of darkness, it gets colder to + 16-18 ° С. In May and October night temperatures can drop to +12°C.

Sea water temperature

The first tourists come to Nessebar in May. At the end of spring, it is often hot like in summer, but the sea has not yet had time to warm up. Taking sea baths at a temperature of +15°C is a dubious pleasure.

By the beginning of June, the water temperature in Nessebar will reach +20°C, and in July the water will warm up to +23°C. The highest sea temperature is in August: about +24°C.

In September, you can still swim in the resort, as the water temperature is +22°C. But by the end of the month, the number of bathers is rapidly decreasing, as the sea cools down to +18°C.

Sea and beach

A beach holiday in Nessebar has no features: the coast is clean, well-groomed everywhere, the infrastructure is developed, entertainment is available. And yet for family vacation not all beaches of the resort are suitable for the sea. It is better to leave rocky parts of the coast to unpretentious tourists, and with children to sit on the sand.

Most convenient beach for children - "Southern". It is located between Nessebar and Ravda. A wide sandy strip stretches for 2 km. The bottom in this place is flat and gently sloping, but the sea is occasionally rough. Part of the beach is equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers (they can be used for a fee, while the entrance to all beaches is free). At the beginning of the beach there is a children's playground.

Near the "Yuzhny" there is a small beach, which is adjacent to the city park. It does not differ in landscaping, but there are few vacationers there. With the onset of the heat, you can move to the park - the children will be delighted with the opportunity to explore new playgrounds.

The sandy beach "Northern" also boasts cleanliness and good infrastructure. But for a holiday with a child, it is not very convenient, since there are rocky areas at the entrance to the sea. In addition, during a storm, algae wash up on the shore.

The territory and the beach of New Nessebar smoothly turn into the famous one. So if you suddenly get bored or, for example, want to swim and sunbathe somewhere else - welcome to Sunny Beach!

There are several beaches in the old part of the city, but they are not sandy. You can sunbathe on a well-maintained beach near the Seaport - the coast there is covered with small shells, which is very pleasant to walk on. But in the summer months, the bottom is overgrown with algae, so you are unlikely to want to swim there.

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 shopping centers The Black Sea, in which 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 most beautiful cities Bulgaria, founded over 2000 years ago. Despite the 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.

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 beach areas surrounded by picturesque sand dunes.

Nessebar - beautiful place for family holidays, 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 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 water streams 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 - relatively new, very big park attractions, which is 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 own purpose. 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 cathedral 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 will love big waves because 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- one of the establishments of the 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 best places for visiting famous places Nessebar on our site.

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