Nessebar, often called the “Pearl of the Black Sea”, is a must-visit destination in Bulgaria for its unique combination of history, culture and scenic beauty. Learn more about the 13 reasons why you shout visit Nessebar in Bulgaria.
Located on a rocky peninsula on the Black Sea, the more than 3,000-year-old site of Nessebar was originally a Thracian settlement (Menembria). At the beginning of 6th century BC, the city became a Greek colony. The city’s remains, which date mostly from the Hellenistic period, include the acropolis, a temple of Apollo, an agora and a wall from the Thracian fortifications. This was one of the most important Byzantine towns of the west coast of the Black Sea.
Read on and learn about the nine reasons why you should visit Nessebar in Bulgaria.
1. Rich History and Ancient Architecture
Nessebar is one of the oldest towns in Europe, with over 3,000 years of history. It has been inhabited by Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring well-preserved ruins from various eras, including ancient Greek and Roman walls and Byzantine-era churches. In the old town, you can experience the Stara Mitropolia Basilicas and the fortress dating from the Middle Ages.
2. Iconic Churches
During the Middle Ages, the city of Menembria on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast had more than 40 churches. Quite impressive for such a tiny place. (Our guide claimed it’s the town with the highest number of churches per capita anywhere). Many of the churches are now in partial ruins, but to be fair some of them do not look bad for being around 1500 years old.
Highlights include:
* Church of Christ Pantocrator: A stunning example of Byzantine architecture.
* Church of Saint Sophia: A partially preserved basilica from the early Christian period.
* Church of St. John Aliturgetos: Known for its intricate brickwork.
Quaint shops and local artisans sell handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, offering a taste of Bulgarian culture:
3. Charming Old Town
The cobblestone streets, traditional wooden houses, and picturesque seaside views make the Old Town a delight to explore. Quaint shops and local artisans sell handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, offering a taste of Bulgarian culture.
This Old Town is situated on a peninsula (previously an island) connected to the mainland by a narrow man-made strip of land and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating ancient history dating back 3,000 years. It was originally a Greek colony and being very close to the Greek border it has a lot of Greek influences – especially the food with lots of fresh fish, seafood, and salads.
There are several restaurants and cafes in Old Nessebar. Choose one with balcony overlooking the sea, like Restaurant Zornitza (see below) or the Old Nessebar Restaurant, both have fresh grilled bream and Greek salad as well as other delicious dishes and great Bulgarian wine.
4. Beautiful Beaches
Nessebar offers access to pristine beaches with golden sands and clear waters, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, or water sports. Nearby Sunny Beach is a lively resort area perfect for a mix of relaxation and entertainment.
Walking the Promenade that surrounds Nessebar is a pleasant experience, especially in the early evening as the sun is setting.
5. Local Cuisine
Nessebar is an excellent place to enjoy traditional Bulgarian dishes, fresh seafood, and local wines. Many restaurants offer scenic views of the Black Sea (see above).
There are plenty of places with coastal views in Nessebar, but Plakamoto is probably one of the best. The location is ideal for taking your seating options between the shade and the sunshine, while the menu offers everything from steak and chips to sophisticated fish dishes.
At Dionis, you can enjoy Greek dishes like moussaka and mezzes. Join a roster of fish dishes in the warm glow of a sublime ambience. Adding to the appeal, the beers here are crisp, cool and remarkably cheap, so feel free to complement your meal with a pint or two of the good stuff.
At Zornitsa (see above) you can enjoy amazing pound plateau of local fish at a fairly reasonable price. In addition, following the reviews of visitors to the restaurant, we advise you not to miss your chance to try the dish with the intriguing name “Mermaid’s Legs”.
It is not difficult to find a relatively inexpensive restaurant with good food in Nessebar. For example, in the ethno-restaurant Aquamarine, located at the very beginning of the Old Town you will be served wonderful tarator (Bulgarian cold soup) and unbelievably delicious sach (a dish from different kinds of meat and vegetables). It is quite possible to leave the restaurant having had enough and leaving a relatively small amount of money. However, remember that it’s customary to leave the waiters at least 10% tip.
In January, I will explore how living in Nessebar is like during a winter month. I will explore more restaurants in New Nessebar, a plush area where admistrative life is concentrated. This part of the town is characterized by modern architecture. The hotels, guest houses and private lodgings are also modern and correspond to the latest trends in tourism (see below). To the north and south of the town are wide beaches and natural sand dunes, whose crests form a fabulous natural phenomenon. Some of the leisure activities available are boat or yacht trips, fishing, rental bikes, water sports, etc.
The South Park is located in the Southeastern part of the town on a territory of over 27 decares. During the creation of the park, four ancient tombs from 4th-3th century BC were discovered and exhibited. All plant species have been labeled with their Bulgarian and Latin name.
6. Bulgarian wine
Visit a winery – there are lots of wineries in the area and easy assessable for a day trip. Try some Bulgarian wine in a beautiful setting and experience true Bulgarian hospitality.
7. Cultural Festivals and Events
Throughout the year, Nessebar hosts cultural festivals, music concerts, and folklore performances, showcasing Bulgaria’s rich traditions.
You can find out more here.
8. Visit the Archaeological Museum
Pop in to this small but excellent museum that shows you the history of Nessebar dating back to the origin of this ancient city. There is a collection of artefacts spanning thousands of years giving you a real feel and appreciation of Nessebar.
9. Take a boat tour
Catch a boat from the harbor that takes you along the stunning Black Sea coast while exploring Nessebar, Ravda, and Pomorie bays, a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
10. A day at Aqua Paradise
Is there a better and more fun way of cooling off than a day at an aqua park? Aqua Paradise, which is on the main road into Nessebar, has loads of swimming pools, including a wave pool and would you believe 38 water slides including the longest water slide in Europe, the space shuttle! It’s a fun day out for all the family.
11. Poseidon VIP Residence Club Balneo & Spa Resort
Poseidon VIP Residence Club has an exceptional location and state-of-the-art facilities. Its Medical Center is ISO certified and holds a Certificate of Registration for an Outpatient Medical Facility.
Refined and stylish complex, located 350 meters from the beach, it is one of the most attractive Black Sea resorts, where you can buy or rent an apartment – and have professional medical spa treatments like therapeutic massage, water treatments, mud and lye treatments, physiotherapy and kinesitherapy. Each apartment in the recidential area has an individual interior design.
Our travel partner, TAKs verden, will help you with your flight bookings.
“Doctors and other medical professionals are truly experts in their field. They took their time and listened to me. All therapies were explained to me in an accessible and understandable way,” wrote one of the patients at the medical spa.
Did you know that Bulgaria is second in Europe, after Iceland, in natural mineral water and natural-source spring water resources? Its chemical composition, temperature, and properties are known to have healing powers and the first to discover this were the ancient Thracians, and they built their settlements around such springs. After the conquest of Romans, many Roman baths were built for the treatment of a variety of diseases and for fitness. Nowadays, you can enjoy the healing power and restorative properties of mineral water in modern SPA resorts and sanatoriums like Poseidon where a variety of procedures are included. That’s how Bulgaria became one of the leading SPA destinations in Europe.
Daily Scandinavian will visit Poseidon VIP Residence and SPA in January and publish a comprehensive report.
12. Four golf courses in the area
There are three 18 holes golf courses on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, located some 150 km to the North from Sunny Beach. If you’re staying at the Poseidon VIP, the management there offer transfers.
http://www.lighthousegolfresort.com
There is also another 18 holes – Sliven Golf Course – 145 km to the west from Sunny Beach. This is a golden opportunity for golf enthusiasts.
13. Easy Accessibility
Nessebar is located close to Burgas and Varna and is easily accessible by car, bus, or even boat, making it a convenient stop on a Bulgarian coastal tour.
Visiting Nessebar provides an immersive experience of Bulgaria’s history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a highlight for any traveler.
13 Reasons Why You Should Visit Nessebar in Bulgaria, written by Tor Kjolberg
All images ©Tor Kjolberg/Daily Scandinavian (except where otherwise stated)