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Bulgaria's Old Nessebar on the Black Sea | "The Pearl of the Black Sea" | Bulgarian Beaches | Beaches in Bulgaria | Beaches on the Black Sea | Top Destinations in Bulgaria | Places to Visit in Bulgaria | Ancient Bulgarian City | Day Trips in Bulgaria | Bulgarian Cities to Visit | Balkan Travel | Amazing Balkan Cities to Visit | #OldNessebar #Bulgaria #BlackSea #BalkanTravel - California Globetrotter

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!

Set on a rocky peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea, the ancient Bulgarian town of Old Nessebar is one of the country’s few UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, it is one of Bulgaria’s most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason: it’s packed with exceptionally picturesque wooden houses and churches. The small peninsula is connected to the main land via a man-made isthmus meaning “narrow strip of land connecting two areas of land” in Ancient Greek. 

Upon driving down the narrow isthmus, I could see that this was going to be a wonderful day trip from Sunny Beach, Bulgaria’s most popular beach, nearby. As you cross the narrow strip of land, a wooden windmill welcomes you to this ancient town, hidden away behind the remains of the Roman Fortress walls.

If you’re looking for some of the best beaches in Bulgaria, then consider Old Nessebar, the perfect day trip from Sofia which is easily reachable in just a few hours! But since it’s sooo gorgeous, you’ll want to make this a weekend trip and having a relaxing time! Plus, you really wouldn’t want to rush through one of the most amazing cities in the Balkans! It’s definitely one location I would love to go back to again and again and is definitely not an exaggeration when I say that it’s one of the best places to visit in Bulgaria, so if you’re looking for STUPID PRETTY, look no further!

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Bulgaria's Old Nessebar on the Black Sea (0) - California Globetrotter

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History of the Town

The Ancient city of Nessebar is often referred to as “the Pearl of the Black Sea”, and dates back well over 3,000 years and was once a Thracian settlement known as Mesembria. The town is often referred to as Nesebur or Nesebar but Nessebar is the most commonly used spelling. At the beginning of the 6th  century, it became a Greek colony and a vital trading route from that point on, rivaling what is now known as Sozopol. During the Middle Ages it became a very important city when it was under the control of the Byzantines. The city’s prominence began to decline after being captured by the Turks in 1453, therefore preserving the town’s mixture of history which can be seen throughout the various styles of churches found on the peninsula. 

Towards the end of the 19th  century, the town was mostly inhabited by Greek fishermen and vine growers. The town remained a relatively empty place with few residents and by 1925 a new part of town was developed known as “New Nessebar” for the ever growing population. Since then, the old town has been meticulously restored and preserved.

What to Do in the Town

Without a doubt, what draws most tourists here is the picturesque 19th century wooden houses which was typical for this region along the Bulgarian Black Sea, in a similar style as found in Plovdiv, where the upper floors extend over the lower floors. This style of architecture is known as “National Revival” which dates back to the time period in which Bulgaria regained its independence in 1878.

Endless winding cobbled-stoned roads lead you through some of the most charming alleys, where perhaps you might discover a hidden beach front bar or a stray cat hidden beneath a bush of red roses. As you stroll along, you can feel the romance and the history and can even begin to imagine what life was like here all those centuries ago. Since it was our honeymoon after all, we meandered down any side street away from any tourists and eventually we found absolute serenity and a few palm trees which made me feel back at home!

Having shaken off its Communist roots, the tourists have begun pouring in so you’ll find one tourist shop after another. Each one imploring you to take a peak inside for many hand made items, even perhaps leather or fur jackets, which is quite a popular Eastern European style. Despite this, it didn’t put me off of Old Nessebar’s quaintness. 

According to some legends, there was once around 40 churches on this tiny peninsula, and today barely 23 remain. The small town is a museum city, and with each church or ruin, it is possible to go inside and visit. Consider buying a package deal if you have the time and the interest to visit each one. We were perfectly content to check out each of the churches from the outside.

Though there aren’t many things to do in Old Nessebar, of importance here and located in the center of the town, is the Church of Christ Pantokrator whose outer façade is unlike any I have ever seen before. With a row of blind arches built with alternating bricks and stones, this was typical during the 13th and 14th  centuries and is quite a common theme here. You’ll also perhaps notice the decorative red brick motifs in the shape of a swastika, predating anything having to do with Nazism by several millennia! It is simply the symbol of an ancient sun cult.

Of all the ruins, the Hagia Sophia Church is perhaps the most impressive with its brick arched columns which dates back to the 5th  century. During the Middle Ages it was used as a cathedral, later looted by the Venetians and many religious relics were taken and eventually the basilica was abandoned in the 18th  century. Today, many tourists gather round here for the shops that surround it and for a few selfies. 

Jutting out from the peninsula is a small, shabby make-shift pier where you can find locals baitin’ a hook and fishin’. We took a stroll down along the pathway which encircles the peninsula and took a stop here to admire the views of the town. Careful though, the make-shift pier was on the verge of collapsing into the blue waters below! You won’t find any soft sandy beaches here, but instead a beach of broken seashells. 

Where to Eat in Old Nessebar

As the small peninsula is quite touristy, it naturally caters to the plethora of tourists, therefore there is an abundance of restaurants and cocktail bars to choose from. Locals will try to entice you to eat at their restaurant, especially those without a sea-side view and hidden down a side alley. Sometimes though, it could have been slightly overwhelming and aggressive. I had to lie a few times and simply say “It’s too early, but we’ll be back!”

While we were too early for lunch, we did take the time to stop at one of the many restaurants which offered a sea-side view and have a cocktail…or two. Prices were incredibly affordable, and during our time in the area, on average we spent about 15 € for two meals and two drinks as Bulgaria is one of the cheapest destinations in Europe!

Being a town on the coast, you can expect to find many varieties of fish, crab and lobster as your main course, while there is also the possibility of finding non-fishy foods for the anti-fish eaters out there such as soups and chicken strips! Holla! 

How to Get to Old Nessebar

The historic portion of town itself is inaccessible to drivers, however, you can drive on to the peninsula and find parking on the left side.

  • For cars: 1 – 4 hours: 2 BGN (lev) per hour

Should you being staying on the mainland at New Nessebar or even Sunny Beach, you can consider walking over the isthmus which takes around 10 minutes or less. 

There is also the option of taking one of the many touristy boats from Sunny Beach to Old Nessebar by simply approaching one along the beach. 

When Should You Visit Old Nessebar?

On the day that we had arrived, June 2nd , it was the opening of the summer season. The number of tourists was still rather low and many restaurants had yet to unpack and open, however we did not feel in any way that this hindered our visit. If anything, we prefer the lack of tourists which allowed us to better enjoy the town!

Sunny Beach, and therefore, Old Nessebar are divided into three categories:

  • Low season from beginning of May to mid-June, September
  • Middle season: mid-June to (mid-)July, mid-August to September
  • High season: (mid-)July to mid-August, or even until end of August

During the winter months, Sunny Beach and Old Nessebar are pretty much closed up, as expected during the cold months. However, apparently, even visiting in May can be rough. Even if some hotels are open, many restaurants don’t open until June! Same can be said for the end of the season. 

The weather during this time was already rather warm and humid and unfortunately for us, we were trying to outrun the impending thunderstorm. We were rather successful, but felt that we had to slightly rush through the town as the thunder off in the distance sounded like a massive incoming storm… and it was! Upon our return home, I had discovered that the plankton in the water made the Black Sea the most turquoise it had been since 2012! 

Where to Stay on the Black Sea

Originally, we had booked at the Boutique Hotel St. Stefan ⭐⭐⭐ in the heart of the historic peninsula with simple decor but with views of the Black Sea. I would have kept it, had I not been casually perusing and found an all inclusive resort towards the northern end of Sunny Beach. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fort Noks Premier Fort Cuisine – with a beach front view, outdoor pools, private beaches and restaurants, this all-inclusive hotel was exactly what we needed for an incredibly low price! Highly recommended for families!! 

Don’t Miss Sunny Beach!

Off in the distance is Bulgaria’s first and largest beach resort, lined one hotel after another. Established in the 1960’s to draw tourists to this region, it quickly became a coastal beach resort town stretching 5 miles (8 km) but is only now becoming known to Westeners since the fall of the Iron Curtain. 

With soft sandy beaches lined with beach umbrellas and sun chairs for rent, and the occasional private sun beds at the White Bar, this is the perfect paradise to come and get your relaxation on! Hopefully, with a mattress! 

If you’re not laying out at the beach, stroll the main promenade loaded with restaurants, bars, night clubs and even a few fun park rides! If you’re looking to party hardy, Sunny Beach was made for you! Or even consider Golden Sands not much further!

Looking for more practical information on Balkan Travel? Grab a copy the following travel guides which we found incredibly useful on our trip and has something for everyone from outdoor activities to historical sites!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a little extra spending money, at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own and these products/services have been found useful during our travels and come highly recommended to you from yours truly!

Other Top Sights to See in Bulgaria:

The PERFECT Two Week Balkan Road Trip

Exploring the Crown Jewel of Bulgaria: Rila Monastery

Unlucky Misadventures in Sofia, Bulgaria

Head Over Heels in LOVE with Plovdiv!

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Replies to Bulgaria’s Old Nessebar on the Black Sea

  1. My mom would live all the churches and I would love the all inclusive. Did it include meals. Glad you let me know about them being shut down during the winter months. #theweeklypostcard

  2. The architecture is beautiful Lorelei. The Church of Christ Pantokrator is very unique and interesting indeed. Not like your typical European Churches. #WanderfulWednesday

  3. Now that is the way to enjoy the beach- on a sun bed. I always want to take a nap at the beach but don’t want to get burned by staying out too long. Problem solved. #wanderfulwednesday

  4. Hey, you visited on my birthday! That is cool! I feel like this town is so different form what I have seen in Europe. Plus, I am used to see cities next to a river but this one is next to a sea. You keep giving tons of travel ideas! #wanderfulwednesday

  5. You’re uncovering so many gems in Bulgaria Lori. I am very impressed at the prices as well as those incredibly romantic beach beds. Thanks for joining #farawayfiles

  6. Wow! This is such a picturesque town. It looks timeless. I’d heard of the Hagia Sophia but somehow was under the impression that it was in Turkey =X oops. It sounds a bit too touristy for my taste, but I can see why tourists would flock there. If I ever go, I’d go during the low season! Thanks for sharing such a lovely gem of a place.

    1. There is an old Bulgarian saying: As God called together all people in order to give them territory to live on, Bulgarians came late and there was nothing left, so God took a piece of the paradise and gave it to them.

  7. I had no idea there were so many cute towns in Bulgaria! I would love to wander around the street and check out the tourists shops. The ruins from the church look really interesting too. All that and hearing Bulgaria is one of the cheapest places in Europe make it very appealing. #TheWeeklyPostcard

  8. Barely 23 churches remain! LOL! That seems like quite a few! The streets, blue blue water, flowers and architecture are all so picturesque, you must have been in photographers heaven! #farawayfiles

  9. This is just the sort of place I love to visit. I love those old wooden buildings, the cobbled streets and the history is fantastic!
    Thank you for sharing, I have pinned this for a future visit 😉 #feetdotravel

  10. Nice post. Helpful info re the seasons. It wouldn’t be much fun arriving in May to see most of the town closed. Beautiful architecture and the colour of the sea is astounding. That in itself is a great draw. I need to find out more about that plankton. 🙂

  11. I had never heard about this place before but I knew about Sunny Beach! It’s insanely popular among Norwegians for the cheap booze and sunshine during summer. Personally, I would prefer strolling along the streets of Nessebar and taking in the views 🙂

  12. Old Nessebar looks beautiful indeed, but I hate it when vendors push you to get a pick into their stores. It happens a lot in Eastern Europe, if you noticed. Bulgaria is famous for having a great seashore, but after seeing the Adriatic Coast nothing can impress me anymore. #TheWeeklyPostcard

  13. What a beautiful area. This looks like exactly the sort of area we love to explore and enjoy. It’s amazing that so many churches have survived. Great choice for your honeymoon – if you can escape the tourists, it seems very romantic. 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard

  14. Little I know about Bulgaria and I’ve never heard of Old Nessebar. Your post gives me a good insight and I feel like I really have to visit. It’s such a beautiful place!

  15. The Old Nessebar is something new you’ve introduced me to again. As it’s a UNESCO site I must visit. There looks to be some beautiful places to stay nearby too.

  16. I wonder what Hagia Sophia must have looked like in it’s heyday. The facade of the Church of Christ Pantokrator is so stunning and unusual. And after a day of sightseeing, I can envision myself relaxing on one of those private sunbeds. Looks like a great city to visit.

  17. I have been wanting to go to Bulgaria for ages! Unfortunately had to cancel last minute a few years back and still haven’t had the chance. After reading your article, it has put it on the radar for me once again. Love how detailed it is. Definitely useful for when I finally end up going!

  18. Bulgaria just sounds so exotic to me! And this looks like a fantastic place to visit – history and the sea. I’d love to go someday.

  19. Hi there, I was just looking at your blog regarding Nessebar Bulgaria. I was curious where you found the shot w/your husband — next to the two palm trees and over looking the Black Sea? My husband and I are planning a trip next summer – and thought that looked like a lovely little spot. If you have an ideas (near a restaurant or landmark?) it would be most helpful!

    Cheers from the U.S.!
    Jennifer

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