Situated on a peninsula bordered by the Black Sea, Nessebar is the oldest settlement in Eastern Europe, founded by the Greeks at the end of the 6th century. It is a historical treasure of Bulgaria, declared in 1956 as a “museum city” - an archaeological and architectural reserve. The beaches of the Black Sea coast of Nessebar are cozy and clean: they stretch to Sunny Beach and offer tourists many opportunities for entertainment.
The main attractions of Nessebar are its 26 churches, which allow the city to hold the record for the number of churches per capita. And there is nothing strange that many of them are included in the TOP 10 tourist sites of the city.
Included in the UNESCO heritage lists, the Church of St. Stephen in Nessebar is today an episcopal residence. It was built in the 11th-13th centuries. The first frescoes appeared here in 1599. Today here you can see about 260 frescoes depicting the miracles of Jesus. Other highlights of the temple are: a painted curtain dating from the 16th century; a magnificent chair carved from wood; Pulpit made in the 18th century.
Location: Ribarska street - 117.
In the northern part of the peninsula on which Nessebar is located, you can see a church built back in the 6th century. It was part of the monastery complex, which occupied the area more than 500 square meters.
It was destroyed by a strong earthquake, after which the northern and central parts of the sanctuary went under water. However, after excavations that began in 1920, the basilica was partially restored and today is also included in the UNESCO heritage list.
A former episcopal residence, the Church of Hagia Sophia was built in the 5th century in the Byzantine style. It received its current appearance in the 9th century, when it was completely rebuilt. In the Middle Ages it served as the cathedral of the diocese, but in 1257 it was sacked by the Venetians, who took away many religious treasures for the Church of San Salvatore in Venice.
Today the interior is decorated with many frescoes and a marble floor made from many colored stones. The Church of Hagia Sophia is the largest temple in Nessebar, so well preserved.
St. John's Baptist Church, built in the 11th century, has a cruciform dome supported by 4 columns. The exterior of the church is quite simple, without decorative niches or tiles, with decorations in the form of jagged cornices around the windows.
Inside the temple are several 13th-century frescoes and several paintings, one of which depicts Saint Marina, who was prayed to by local residents during pirate raids in the 17th century. Today the Church of St. John houses a small art museum.
Location: Mitropolitskaya street - 19A.
Built in the 14th century, the Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel has one nave in the shape of a cross and 3 miniature asps. A typical representative of medieval architecture, the temple has several decorations: the arches are distinguished by 3 rows of green plates, and several decorative bricks, black and white, are arranged like a chessboard. Since 1927, the church has been under the jurisdiction of the state and is considered an important monument of “national antiquity.”
Location: Mula-Mustafe Baseskije - 59.
The Church of St. Tudor was built at the end of the 13th century. The only parts that have survived from then are the northern and western facades. It had 1 naos, a nave and an apse. The appearance of the temple is quite rich, with facades decorated with brick patterns arranged in a zigzag pattern. Today, the Church of St. Tudor houses an art gallery.
The Archaeological Museum of Nessebar was opened in 1956 in the Church of St. John. Since 1994, it has its own building, which was built according to a special design by Hristo Koev. The museum consists of a hall and 4 exhibition halls, in which, in chronological order, you can get acquainted with the periods of the city's development. Interesting halls: “Messembria and the Thracians”, in which you can get acquainted with the life of the Thracians and see a number of unique statues dedicated to Apollo, Hercules, Tiche, as well as “Messembria on the territory of Rome, Byzantium and Bulgaria” with a huge bronze statue of Emperor Claudius. The hall dedicated to icons is impressive, where many masterpieces of icon painting are displayed, including icons of St. Nicholas and the Holy Mother of God, painted in the 13th century.
Location: Mesembria street - 2.
Situated on the southern coast of the peninsula, the Ethnographic Museum of Nessebar is housed in the house of the wealthy merchant Panayot Moskoyani, which was built during the Renaissance and is a typical Bulgarian representative of it.
There are exhibits on display here, acquaintance with which gives the opportunity to have an idea of the life, way of life, habits, holidays and even gastronomy of the local population, dating back to ancient times.
Location: Mesembria street.
Located off the west coast, the Byzantine baths began operating here in the 6th century, during the reign of Justinian the Great, and were discovered during excavations in 1973-1975. The baths were supplied with water through an underground sewer system, had walls made of brick and stone, a ceiling covered with marble slabs, and a floor paved with marble. According to the written sources of the chronicler Theophanes, Emperor Constantine Pogonatus himself treated his legs in this complex in the year 680.
The largest water park in Bulgaria is located in Nessebar. He occupied the square 30,000 square meters, which houses 40 attractions and water slides. If you calculate the total length of the slides, you get an impressive figure: 1300 meters. Much attention is paid here to safety: since the opening in 2006, not a single serious accident has been recorded.
The rides and slides are designed for groups of different ages. “Descent from Space” and “Kamikaze” are considered the craziest, and “Lazy River” is considered the calmest. Many slides and attractions are offered to the youngest visitors, and the most popular ones are “Butterfly” and “Paradise Island”. After excursions to numerous religious and cultural sites in Nassebar, you definitely need to relax. This can be done on the comfortable beaches of the city and, of course, in the Water Paradise water park.
Victor Pashinsky
Nessebar is one of the most famous and popular resorts in Bulgaria. Unlike Golden Sands, there are not only, but also many attractions and beautiful landscapes.
Stone pavement, small two-story buildings, ubiquitous souvenir shops - this is how we remember Old Nessebar
Initially the city was called Mesemvria or Messembria. Now you can find transcriptions of Nessebar, Nessebar and even Nessebir - the city has been renamed. It was founded more than 3,000 years ago and is considered one of the oldest in Europe. It is no coincidence that Old Nessebar is entirely under the protection of UNESCO and is considered a museum city. Much of the old part of the city remains from the Thracians, ancient Greeks and Romans, but still it looks more medieval than ancient.
We vacationed in Nessebar for 14 days at the end of summer 2015 and managed to explore it well and do a lot. Since the information on the Internet is a little scarce, and the photos are monotonous, we decided to talk about our own experience in the form of a large, detailed review.
The old town of Nessebar is one of the most interesting resorts in Bulgaria
Old Nessebar is connected to the mainland by a single bridge. There are separate paths for pedestrians and a car road, and many benches. And in the evening all this is also beautifully illuminated.
The old part of Nessebar is located on a large peninsula, connected to the land by a wide road and pedestrian bridge, which separates the old city from the new. On most websites, the peninsula is called “small” - in fact, you can walk for hours through the colorful labyrinths of medieval streets.
In ancient times, the peninsula was almost 2 times larger, but a devastating earthquake not only destroyed the ancient buildings, but also plunged them under water. Now you can easily go on a boat trip from the city’s pier. If the weather is good and the sea is calm, you will even be able to see the sunken city. The surprising fact is that everyone remained on dry land.
Walking around Nessebar, you can take dozens of beautiful photos in just a few minutes. It is truly unrealistically beautiful here, regardless of the weather: both in a storm and on a sunny fine day.
Right on the bridge you can see the old mill, which is one of the calling cards of the city. Unfortunately, you won't be able to go inside.
On the way to the Old Town you will be able to enjoy beautiful sea views, see mountains in the distance, Sunny Beach, yacht marinas and much more.
On the right side of the bridge, almost opposite the mill, there is a monument to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen.
The city's fortress wall is partially destroyed, but still makes a strong impression. It has remained since ancient times.
Entering the city, you can look at the bridge from the fortress wall.
Right at the entrance to Old Nessebar you can see this map of the island. Each attraction is labeled so you won't miss anything important.
The greatest impression is made, of course, by the medieval streets and buildings of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
The local architecture stands out very strongly - the first floors are stone and the second floors are wooden. We'll talk about this a little later.
It is worth noting that in recent years the city has increasingly turned into a huge market - they sell it in almost every building and stalls on the street, there are 3-4 restaurants on every corner and are actively inviting visitors. On the one hand, this creates a unique flavor, and on the other, it spoils the majestic appearance of the ancient city.
Holidays in Nessebar - key features
Holidays in Nessebar are quite expensive - very popular among tourists. Meals in restaurants, taxis - all this will cost 1.5-2 times more than, for example, in.
This price increase is somehow justified by the beautiful historical appearance of the city, which is really pleasant to walk around, especially in the evening (by the way, on Golden Sands the prices are even higher, but there is nothing to see - just hotels).
Old Nessebar is located on a picturesque island. Admire the beautiful view of it from the new part of Nessebar
In the evenings in Nessebar you can see amazingly beautiful seascapes.
Unusual Bulgarian buildings create a unique, unique flavor that you will remember for a long time.
There is a cinema museum in the very center of the city.
An ancient Amphitheater has been preserved in Nessebar, which is used for performances even today.
You can get to the Amphitheater both from Old Nessebar and from the embankment, using this nice staircase.
There are also a lot of old churches in the city, most of which, unfortunately, have been destroyed.
Nessebar looks very beautiful in the evening. If you get off the popular tourist streets, you can find a secluded, romantic corner for yourself.
But still, most of all in Nessebar there are a variety of souvenir shops and shops.
If you wish, you can save money by traveling not by expensive taxi, but by cheap public transport and.
Nessebar beaches - pros and cons
To tell you honestly and objectively, we liked it much more than the popular one, which starts right outside the city. There are slightly fewer people in Nessebar, which means the beaches are cleaner and less crowded. Some of the beaches are fully cultivated - with lifeguards, an international flag system and paid umbrellas / sunbeds. Some remained “wild”.
Almost every paid beach has a free area for vacationers using towels. There is always enough space on it and no one walks over their heads. By the way, buying your own umbrella is much more profitable than renting one on the beach.
Of course, during the season there are quite a lot of people on the beach, but no one bothers. The main disadvantage of the beach is that you can only get to it by climbing over a pile of rocks.
The numerous hotel beaches, which often do not have a free zone, deserve special mention.
Sometimes people prefer to swim directly from the pier, on the so-called concrete beaches.
But the most beautiful sea in Bulgaria seemed to us in stormy weather. This photo was not processed in Photoshop, this is what it is.
Plus, in Nessebar we didn’t see rotten algae being raked back into the sea - this made us very upset.
Beaches of Nessebar are diverse. You can find both places for yourself.
Useful: detailed article about their features.
Sights of Nessebar - what to see in the city
Do you know why it’s like this in Nessebar? But there was much more, just not all have survived to this day. This story is rarely told, but we will try anyway. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Nessebar became part of Byzantium. It was here that the emperor exiled the most powerful political opponents from noble noble families, ministers, military leaders, merchants, whom he could not or did not want to execute.
And so hundreds of famous and wealthy families began to live on the small peninsula, each of which sought to build their own family church. Some united and a few years later in Nessebar, some of which are well preserved, and some lie in ruins (some have never been excavated and are underground). Even after the city was captured by the Ottoman Empire, they could not ban the churches. The only condition was to build them low - no higher than the height of the rider.
We consider the Church of Christ Pantocrator (Pantocrator) to be the most famous and popular church in Nessebar. It has been preserved much better than others. There is a small art gallery inside, the entrance to which costs 2 or 3 leva.
The church is located near the entrance to the peninsula and is distinguished by its unique, memorable architecture. The walls are made of brick and natural stone, which gives the building an unusual Bulgarian flavor. If you look closely, you can see additional ceramic decorations. In the evening the church is beautifully illuminated and becomes even more beautiful.
In second place for us is the Church of St. Sophia or the Old Metropolitan). Despite the fact that the earthquake almost completely destroyed the building, it still makes a majestic impression.
If you wish, you can even go inside and take some interesting pictures.
Most of the churches in Nessebar are quite small, they are difficult to distinguish from simple one-story houses. The photo shows St. Tudor's Church.
Be that as it may, most of the city's churches lie in ruins. Some of them have museums, exhibitions or displays. And only one, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, still operates today and preserves many revered icons.
The attractions of the resort town on the island begin with the bridge that connects it to the land. There is an old mill here, beautiful lighting is organized and there are benches for tired tourists. On the right side of the bridge you can see a monument to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen. Interesting fact: in Nessebar on this monument you can see cormorants. They are not found anywhere else in the city.
Right on the bridge there is a small wooden mill, which is considered the hallmark of the city.
On the other side of the bridge you can see a monument to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen. Cormorants almost always rest on it.
Unfortunately, you cannot go into the mill, and in the evening it is not illuminated in any way.
The bridge becomes very beautiful in the evenings, when the lights turn on, and the bagpipes, the national Bulgarian instrument, play on the fortress wall.
A man plays the guide on the fortress wall at the entrance to Nessebar
By the way, we got the impression that Nessebar is a city of seagulls. There are simply unrealistically many of them here, even more than pigeons in any of our cities. In just 15 minutes you can take dozens of great photos with seagulls. At first we got so carried away that we even joked that we would end up having a “guy blog.”
Immediately behind the bridge begins a massive fortress wall, preserved from ancient times. In the evenings a man plays on the wall. Guess which instrument!
Well, of course, on the guide - this is the national instrument of Bulgaria. It must be hellish work - dancing for several hours without a break and at the same time playing unique, enchanting music. Although the melody is Bulgarian, Arabic and Turkish motifs are very strongly felt in it.
Of course, the man collects donations. If you wish, you can throw him a few levs.
Museums in the old town of Nessebar
Immediately behind the fortress wall you can see Archaeological Museum Nessebar, opened back in 1994. There you can see evidence of the distant Thracian era found in the city, which is from 2 to 3 thousand years old - there was not even Christianity yet. In general, many archaeological excavations are carried out on the territory of the city, confirming the status of Nessebar as one of the oldest cities in Europe. The museum also displays an extensive collection of Orthodox icons.
Also in the city there is Ethnographical museum, located near the seaport and the summer theater (Amphitheater). You'll have to walk a bit to get there. In the museum you can get acquainted with the life, traditions and customs of the Bulgarian people. The museum itself is designed like a traditional Bulgarian house and is almost no different from other buildings in Nessebar.
The Archaeological Museum is located right at the entrance to the city, on the right side.
Near the museum you can see several antique exhibits and a nice metal map of the city.
Orthodox churches of Nessebar
It is worth noting that mini-museums are located in almost every small church in the city. Only the Orthodox Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Slavyanskaya Street remained operational (see map at the end of the article).
Most of these church-museums have a very modest exhibition, and the entrance fee is standard 2-3 leva. So it would be wiser to visit a full-fledged, “big” museum.
Other attractions of Old Nessebar
In addition to the museums, you should definitely visit Amphitheater. Located in the southern part of the city, on the same street with Ethnographic Museum and very close to the Church of St. John Aliturgetos (Unconsecrated). To find this place, immediately after the bridge, turn right without entering the city. Walk a little along the embankment and you will quickly see the steps to the top (next to the seaport).
You can get to the amphitheater both from the city and from the pier by going up this stone staircase.
Another important attraction of Nessebar is Turkish fountain. It recalls the era of Turkish rule (1452-1878, more than 400 years) in Bulgaria. Also preserved Turkish baths. It is impossible to say that the fountain and baths are something outstanding. If you don't know what to look for, you can simply pass by. Oddly enough, almost nothing remains from the centuries-old rule of the Turks in the city.
The Turkish baths in Nessebar look, to put it mildly, nondescript. If we didn't know what to look for, we would simply pass by.
The situation is exactly the same with the Turkish fountain - in our opinion, absolutely nothing special.
preserved in the city and Byzantine baths. They were built back in the 6th century. Already at that time, a pipeline was laid through the entire city, through which water flowed. The thermal baths had a large relaxation room and several swimming pools. They say that Emperor Constantine IV Pogonatus himself once rested in them. It is believed that thanks to a well-thought-out plumbing system, different water and air temperatures were maintained in different rooms, which allowed local residents to enjoy swimming and the temperature contrast.
Now the Byzantine baths are located almost in the center of Old Nessebar and occupy a significant area
In our opinion, there is nothing interesting in this place - many buildings in Nessebar are almost as ancient, but are much better preserved.
As you can see, all that remains is simple brickwork and a dirt floor. You cannot enter the thermal baths.
Unfortunately, only excavations have survived to this day, and some of the buildings were demolished and rebuilt with nice Bulgarian buildings. Of course, neither the carved columns, nor the floor lined with white marble, nor other traces of luxury have been preserved.
Streets and old wooden houses in Nessebar
The main attraction of Nessebar in our opinion, they are not museums or even , but narrow, winding streets paved with cobblestones, small parks in which you can sit, and original, colorful Bulgarian houses of the Renaissance (it began when Bulgaria was freed from the Turkish yoke).
The peculiar architecture can be explained quite simply - the stone lower floors were used primarily for wine cellars, cellars and warehouses. Their walls were often whitewashed or left unplastered. To keep cool and prevent damage to goods and wine under the influence of sunlight, the windows on the first floors were made very narrow and sparse.
The second floor was intended for housing and was built mainly from wood - this creates a microclimate in the room that is comfortable for humans. Of course, on the residential floors the windows were made wide to let in a lot of air and sun. Interior walls were usually whitewashed and ceilings were left dark, preserving the natural color of stained wood.
The bay windows of the upper floors protrude slightly beyond the first floor - this is so that it does not get wet when it rains. All this was usually decorated with intricate carvings, small balconies and reliefs.
It is worth noting that the buildings are usually pressed tightly against each other - there was not much space for construction on the peninsula.
On the territory of Old Nessebar there are many small family hotels where you can easily stay.
The streets in the city are mostly narrow, paved with paving stones and decorated with flowers or climbing plants.
Literally next to every house, shop or hotel there is something original and beautiful that attracts the eye
Bulgarians are very concerned about making the city beautiful and attracting as many tourists as possible - the residents of Nessebar live mainly on income from tourism
In the depths of the peninsula you can find several cozy green parks with small benches for relaxation.
They try to decorate every home or restaurant with something special, to make it stand out from the crowd of others.
Even in such a small area of the peninsula, there was room for cozy shady parks. In general, there are a lot of parks in Bulgaria and they are well maintained.
It is very popular to have weddings in Old Nessebar - you can see the newlyweds almost every day.
Even on the territory of Old Nessebar something is being built. You will be able to see what beautiful and ancient Bulgarian houses are actually made of.
Walking along the streets of Nessebar is most pleasant in the evenings - everything is romantically illuminated, the pleasant twilight makes the imagination work and draw in non-existent details. And if you step off the busy tourist streets, you can feel alone, as if lost in an old medieval town. There is live music playing in many restaurants, mimes can be seen on the streets, many tourists are walking around the city, children's football teams are chanting something in uneven formation...
In the evening Nessebar looks a little different. You see completely different things, you walk along different streets, and you get completely new impressions.
Already in the early evening, when darkness is just beginning to fall on the city, the lights turn on. Every shop, restaurant or souvenir shop strives to stand out from the crowd.
Nessebar (or Nessebar, Nessebar (Bulgarian)) is a resort town located on the southern coast of Bulgaria near the city of Burgas, with many beaches, hotels and apartments, both Soviet and new. In addition, the city also has a cultural part, the historical heritage of the country - the old city, which occupies the entire peninsula with buildings of that time and new buildings, consistent with the style and architecture of ancient buildings. And now first things first.
The main attractions of Nessebar
The main and main attraction of Nessebar is Old city. This is the cultural part of the city of Nessebar, which until 1934 was called Mesemvria, where tourists flock to look at the ancient architecture, buy souvenirs, sit in cafes and restaurants, stroll along the narrow streets of the city, and simply admire the beautiful view from above.
Due to the fact that in ancient times the Balkans shook quite often, many things turned into ruins.
Main attractions of the old town There are churches and houses built in a special way, as well as narrow streets with souvenir shops and restaurants.
Churches and temples of the old town of Nessebar
Church of Christ Pantocrator (XIII-XIV century)
Prices for tickets to the water park for 2018:
Prices are taken from the official website of the Nessebar water park (we remind you once again: divide the price tag in half, and the amount is in euros).
How to get to the water park:
There is good news! You can get to the water park by a free bus.
Prices in the water park cafe
Trains around the city
More entertainment: trains run along Nessebar from Sunny Beach to the old town of Nessebar. They run very often and are in great demand in the evenings, so during the season you will have to wait in a short line.
The cost of the trip for an adult is 3 levs (1.50 euros), for a child – 1 lev (0.50 euros).
The trip takes only 10 minutes.
Double decker sightseeing buses
Double-decker excursion buses run around Nessebar from Ravda and Sunny Beach every 40 minutes. Buses have two routes:
- short route costs: 2 levs (1 euro) – adult ticket, 1 lev (0.50 euros) – children’s ticket.
- long route: 3 levs (1.50 euros) – adult ticket, 1.50 levs (0.75 euros) – children’s ticket.
You can get off and board the bus at any stop with a bus parking sign.
The route of the excursion bus in the photo:
Public transport in Nessebar
Nessebar is a rather small town, so all the buses passing by are commuter buses going to Burgas, Sunny Beach, etc.
Below is a diagram of the routes that pass through Nessebar.
Scheme of all buses going through Nessebar to other cities
Ticket prices range from approximately 2 to 6 leva (1-3 euros) depending on the pick-up and drop-off point. The conductor will tell you the exact cost when you tell him what destination you are going to.
By the way! All Bulgarians in tourist cities understand and speak Russian well, including bus drivers.
Here is the schedule, current for 2018, for buses from Nessebar to Sunny Beach, Burgas, Pomorie, Ravda:
Prices in shops, cafes and restaurants
The largest and cheapest store in Nessebar is the huge Janet shopping center. You can buy absolutely everything from food there. There is also a floor with clothes, cosmetics and household items. The store is similar in size to our Auchan. On the second floor there is a small cafe where you can drink coffee and eat pizza, on the first floor there is a good section with desserts, and there is a culinary section with ready-made dishes. True, we bought fried fish, chicken, vegetable stew and boiled potatoes in the culinary department and absolutely everything was not tasty. So we don't recommend it.
Prices in large stores in Nessebar, such as Janet, can be approximately compared with Moscow, as in Magnit or Pyaterochka.
Here is a list of products on the price tag from Janet's store:
As for cafes and restaurants, the figures are approximately the same as in Greece and Montenegro, only the currency is different, so it turns out to be half the price.
For example,
- shawarma in the center of old Neserb costs 5-6 Leva, that’s 2.5-3 euros;
- salad with mussels – 8.50 levs (4.35 euros);
- boiled shrimp – 12 levs (6.14 euros);
- pork loin 13.50 levs (6.90 euros);
- baked duck – 23.50 levs (12 euros).
In beach cafes:
- beer cost 4 levs (2 euros),
- cappuccino – 3 levs (1.50 euros),
- tsatsa (fried small fish, as a snack for beer) – 4.80 levs (2.45 euros) per 300 grams.
In Janet's store
Where is the best place to stay in Nessebar?
We will mark the most convenient areas for a beach holiday on the map with orange areas:
Choose hotels closer to the first coastline to the beaches of Dune and the southern beach of Nessebar. Don't be fooled by the cheap prices for apartments off the highway. Yes, it will be twice cheaper there, but you will be tortured to cross the road, because... There are not a single traffic light there, and cars don’t stop, and the traffic there is heavy. More than once we saw people standing or walking for a long time along a dusty road in the hope that someone would let them through.
There is a large selection of hotels in the western part of Nessebar (on the opposite side of Sunny Beach). But we didn’t like the beaches there because of the large accumulation of mud and from there it was a long way to get to the old city.
We chose a hotel near Dune beach and walked to the old town and Sunny Beach. True, we really, really love long-distance routes; we walk an average of 10-12 km a day.
Photos of Nessebar and video of Nessebar
Sights of Nessebar and the old town in the photo
There are many places for beautiful photographs in old Nessebar
Monument to Saint Nicholas (patron of sailors). And in the background are Dunes Beach and South Beach.
The square in front of the restaurant in old Nessebar
Unusual Bulgarian souvenirs. Mostly everywhere they sell cosmetics, clay figurines and magnets
Observation platforms in old Nessebar
How do we save on hotels?
It’s very simple - look not only on booking. We like the RoomGuru search engine. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.
Nessebar is one of the oldest cities in Europe - it was founded in the 12-11th centuries BC. It is located 37 km from Burgas. The old city is located on a small peninsula, which is connected to the land by an isthmus of 400 meters. Pretty interesting. If you have never heard of this city, but are going here, then congratulations, an excellent choice. The resort town, however, has a lot of interesting things to do (not surprising when the city is so old!).
Fortress Walls
Once these walls were very high - more than 8 meters. First the Thracian tribes were involved in strengthening the city, then the Greeks also made some adjustments, then the Romans got involved and then the Byzantines. In short, by the Middle Ages Nessebar was already quite protected. The gate was founded in the 8th century BC. And, unfortunately, those ancient buildings did not survive to this day. Perhaps only a plot of one hundred meters on the western side of Nessebar and a little under water. These hundred meters are taken care of with all their might, they are strengthened and will not be allowed to completely crumble. So. These ruins are now one of the main attractions of Nessebar. Look for the walls in the Old City.
Byzantine Baths 
The baths were built here during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, that is, somewhere in the middle of the 6th century AD. Construction techniques were borrowed from the Romans and even improved. The spacious rooms of the baths meant that several people could be inside, and the warm water that flowed through the pipes created different temperatures in different rooms of the structure. There were semicircular pools, impressive ceilings, unusually decorated marble columns and marble slabs on the floor. In the main hall they not only washed, but also communicated (as they do today, hehe), so it was supposedly very cozy here - and the hall was covered with a massive dome.
This complex can be visited, however, part of the territory of the thermal baths was built up with modern buildings, so the complex can be considered inferior. Still, be sure to visit this place and admire the ancient walls and colorful masonry. These baths are located in the Old Town.
Windmill 
Once upon a time there were dozens of similar structures in the city. Today there are only two left. The mill at the entrance to the Old Town is the most popular. Perhaps you can’t leave the city without taking a photo with this mill. It’s very, very picturesque here, of course. The base of the mill is made of stone, which was collected from the ruins of an ancient Byzantine temple of the 6th century AD on the Black Sea coast. Of course, the mill was built much later, although no one can say how much later. But its appearance suggests that it has been standing here for a very long time. The mill has three floors: on the first there is a warehouse for bags of flour and grain, on the second there are living quarters for the miller's family, on the third there are millstones, shafts and other tools. The fact that the mill is located on the seashore was very advantageous; strong winds allowed the mill to operate uninterruptedly.
Museum "Ancient Nessebar"
The old town of Nessebar is included in the UNESCO lists due to its examples of well-preserved ancient architecture. That is, the city center is almost an open-air museum. There are so many important sights here! Excavations carried out on the territory more than once made it possible to discover the most important finds that were transferred to Archaeological Museum. 
It was founded in 1956. The entrance ticket costs about 4 leva. This museum can be visited from 9 to 19 hours on weekdays, and on weekends from 9 to 13 and from 13:30 to 18 hours. The museum's collections will tell you about the rich and interesting history of ancient Messambria, which became Nessebar. Visit and Ethnographical museum, which is located in an ancient building, which can also be called a landmark. 
In this museum you will see how people lived in the 19th century, how their life was organized, admire festive outfits, everyday clothes, utensils, tools and much more. Entrance to this museum costs approximately 3 leva. Ancient Nessebar includes St. Stephen's Church. 
It was built around the 11th century and was originally consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary. The amazing iconostasis of the late 16th century, the throne and cathedra of the bishop from the Bulgarian Renaissance, the paintings of the 16th-18th centuries depicting the Mother of God and scenes of the Last Judgment (of which there are only about 2.5 thousand) are truly impressive! During the construction of this church, parts of ancient temples and ancient Christian churches were used, which is important. The entrance ticket costs 5 leva.
Look into Church of the Holy Savior. 
It seems that the church is large, but according to Turkish laws, Christians were not allowed to build churches above a certain height, so the church was ripped into the ground. By the way, this is the only Christian temple in the city that was built during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The church was built with the money of a wealthy local resident in the 17th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes with scenes from the Gospel. A combined ticket for visiting all buildings of the complex costs about 10 levs, for children - 5 levs. And you can buy a separate ticket for each museum. The museum is open until 7 or 8 pm depending on the time of year (longer in summer). Please note that from autumn to spring, weekend visits to the complex are by appointment only.
Church of Christ Pantocrator 
The small church is the most important landmark of Nessebar. The temple was built at the end of the 13th or beginning of the 14th century, made of brick and stone. We can say that the architecture of the building combines the best features of medieval architecture in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, part of the building collapsed due to time and weather conditions. But the main nave is still well preserved - and it is really very beautiful. It is a pity that the bell tower, columns and other parts have not survived to this day. But you can see arches, cornices, pediments and niches, which are also very beautiful. The interior decoration of the church, of course, is simply magnificent: paintings, frescoes, many of them made in the Middle Ages.
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 9:00-19:00; Sat and Sun: 9:00-13:00
Entrance: 3 leva.
In general, as you can see, there is a lot to see in Nessebar! Indeed, a most amazing town, imbued with the breath of antiquity.
Nessebar is the oldest city in Europe, several thousand years old and full of historical attractions and architectural masterpieces. It is located very close to the popular resort. In the old part of the city, in a small area there are 41 churches. This is a real treasury of the country, a city-museum right in the open air, and since 1983 Nessebar has been under the protection of UNESCO. Every year, archaeologists find more and more traces of ancient civilizations here. Several centuries ago, Nessebar was much larger in area, but a terrible earthquake lowered part of the peninsula into the water. It is a real phenomenon that all 40 temples remained on land and many are perfectly preserved to this day. When the sea is calm, you can see the sunken Nessebar from the boat. Now, let's explore some of the sights of Nessebar together.
Sightseeing in Nessebar
Typically, a tour of Nessebar begins with an ancient fortress, preserved from antiquity. The fortress gate is the central entrance to the city. You will see, quite high, the remains of the fortress walls, made of massive stone blocks. If you have time, do not immediately enter the city, but take a walk along the embankment first. Nessebar itself stands on the rocks, and the embankment surrounds the city in a semicircle and is located on the first lower level. On one side there will be the sea, and on the other - a beautiful panorama of ancient Nessebar with its restaurants on stepped rocky plateaus, the remains of fortress walls and an ancient tower. After walking around the circle, you will again return to the central city gate.
Central square of Nessebar - Messembria
The sights of Nessebar rightfully include the central square of the city. It is called Messembria and is very picturesque. The square contains the most beautiful ancient buildings, which were built in the 15th and 16th centuries, and there is a very pleasant, lively atmosphere here. On holidays, this beautiful cobbled square often becomes the main platform for public festivities. Several thousand tourists from all over the world visit the square every day. From the square there is the main shopping street of the same name in the Old Town, where there are a lot of shops, boutiques, restaurants, as well as some of the attractions of Nessebar - the archaeological museum and the Church of Pantocrator, which dates back to the 8th-19th centuries.
Symbol of Nessebar
The symbol of Nessebar is an old windmill, which stands on the embankment at the entrance to the old town. The mill is wooden with a stone foundation, which was once the foundation of a Byzantine church of the 4th century. This is such a deep antiquity. The mill has three floors and once on the first floor there was a warehouse for flour, on the second the rooms of the miller's family, and on the third the millstone mechanism.
Archaeological Museum of Nessebar
The Archaeological Museum of Nessebar is located just behind the fortress wall on Mesembria Street. It has been operating since 1994 and has collected under its roof the richest collection of exhibits found in the excavations of Nessebar over the past decades. The museum has artifacts that are 2-3 thousand years old and which confirm the existence of the Thracian era. You will see gold and silver jewelry, household items from the Thracian era, coins and ancient Roman exhibits. The museum also contains a large collection of Orthodox icons. The museum's collection is constantly updated with new exhibits, which archaeologists still find on the territory of Nessebar.
Find out more
Ethnographic Museum of Nessebar
Near the seaport and the Amphitheater, on Mesembria Street, there is an Ethnographic Museum, where you can get acquainted with the life and traditions of the Bulgarians. The museum is located in an old mansion from the 18th century. The halls feature exhibitions on a specific topic; a particularly interesting room is where mannequins display elegant dresses from the early 20th century and wedding clothes that are more than 100 years old. In other rooms you will see household items, clothing, homespun traditional Bulgarian textiles and unique furniture.
Last minute tours to Bulgaria
Amphitheater in Nessebar
Be sure to check out the Amphitheater, which is located next to the Ethnographic Museum and the seaport of Nessebar. It is very harmonious with the city landscape, the sea and is a decoration of Nessebar. In addition, the amphitheater, like many centuries ago, plays a leading role in the cultural life of the city and often in the summer there are concerts, performances and various public events. There are always a lot of spectators. The picturesque Amphitheater reeks of centuries of history. And the Amphitheater is an excellent viewing platform from which you will see the ever-changing living scenery of the city and the expanses of the sea.
Turkish fountain in Nessebar
Oddly enough, a rather important landmark of Nessebar is considered to be the Turkish Fountain, which has been preserved in the city since the time of Turkish rule, which lasted more than 400 years (1452-1878). The fountain is located in Old Nessebar near the central street Messembria, corner of Ivan Assen street 2 and next to the Church of Hagia Sophia. There are also Turkish baths, which, like the fountain, are not particularly remarkable in appearance, but tourists are drawn here like a magnet. Maybe because there are almost no other architectural traces of the long Turkish rule in the city.
Ruins of the Byzantine baths in Nessebar
In the city you will see the ruins of the Byzantine baths. These are public ancient baths that were built in the 6th century and water was supplied there through a water pipeline, which, already at that time, stretched across the entire city. Once upon a time, the thermal baths had a large hall with marble columns, several pools, and a luxurious white marble floor. And thanks to a smart plumbing system, contrasting temperatures of water and air were maintained in different rooms, which made bathing very pleasant. Now almost nothing remains of the baths, only excavations. Part of the complex was demolished and new residential buildings were built, not a hint of the former luxury of this creation of antiquity remains.
Sights of Nessebar: churches and temples
The main exhibition of the city-museum is, of course, . Many people wonder why there is such a concentration of churches and temples in such a small area. The answer is in the history of the city. When Nessebar passed to Byzantium after the fall of the Roman Empire, the emperor exiled here unwanted military leaders, nobles, merchants and other nobility. All these rich offspring began building their family churches, and after a few years there were more than 40. Many of them are quite well preserved, and some have already become a cultural layer and have not yet been excavated. Almost every church has small museums, the exhibitions there are quite modest, the entrance fee is 2-3 leva.
Streets of Nessebar
But the most charming thing about Nessebar is its winding, narrow cobbled streets and unique Bulgarian houses built during the Renaissance. The first floors of these houses are made of stone with narrow windows. Apparently the first floor was previously used as warehouses or wine cellars. The second residential floors are usually wooden, with large windows and panoramic protruding bay windows and balconies, decorated with ornate carvings. It’s a pleasure to walk around and photograph literally everything here: shop windows and boutiques, bright flowers in hanging pots, antique house doors with massive forged fittings. There is such a pleasant atmosphere here that you want this walk to last forever.
In the evening, Nessebar becomes attractively magical and its ancient buildings, churches and temples in the twilight create the feeling that you are lost in time and transported to the distant Middle Ages. The streets are very lively in the evening: restaurants play live music, you can meet mimes, and crowds of tourists wander around in search of evening entertainment. Nessebar is full of wonders that history has generously left us as a legacy. Be sure to visit this unique city in Bulgaria, see the sights of Nessebar, and the impressions and memories of it will stay with you forever.
