Best attractions in Nessebar: Top 15

After reading our review, you will learn what attractions Nessebar should see every tourist. We will tell you what you should see in Nessebar, regardless of the length of the trip.

What to see in Nessebar at first

Compiling our rating “the most interesting places in Nessebar”, we took into account the feedback from locals and recommendations from experienced guides. In our general opinion, the list of things to see in Nessebar, first of all, is as follows:

1. Old town

The old town of Nessebar dates back to the 10th century. Much later the New Town was erected near the first Thracian colony, connecting with the first bridge. Unfortunately, the most ancient buildings have been destroyed by time. But some of the buildings donated by the Ottomans and Turks in the 15th century have been preserved. They are in good condition now, thanks to the reconstructions. In the old town you will see many luxurious houses of the 18th century in the architectural styles of classicism and baroque.

2. Windmill

Like many other attractions in Nessebar, this one is located near the Old Town. The construction is made of wood, but it stands on a stone base. Formerly it was a Byzantine church, but it was completely rebuilt. The object is a trademark of Nessebar and a favorite place for romantic walks of tourists and residents alike. If you want to take beautiful pictures, your trip here will be the right decision.

3. Western fortress wall

In the early Middle Ages, the town was surrounded by a tall and long fortress wall, eight meters high (now there are only a hundred meters in length of the fortification). If you want to touch the history of the city, guides in Nessebar will bring you to this very landmark.

Official site: http://www.ancient-nessebar

4. Byzantine Thermae

These huge baths are a cultural heritage of the city, preserved since the time of Justinian the First (Emperor of Byzantium). Marble was actively used in the decoration of the ancient complex: majestic columns and floors were faced with it. Stained-glass windows and mosaics were used to decorate the walls. The décor also includes gorgeous metal. You can look, for example, at antique tiles with faces of martyrs and illustrations on religious themes. Originally the baths were supplied with water from the city’s aqueduct and served as a resting place for wealthy Byzantines. Due to the particularities of the aqueduct, different temperatures could be maintained in the different rooms of the baths. In the 9th century in the course of the terrible earthquake the complex was almost destroyed. Nowadays a little has been preserved of the former grandeur of the ancient baths. However, if you are interested in the best sights of Nessebar, having a rich history and great cultural value, a visit here will be the right choice.

Official site: http://www.ancient

5. Aqua Paradise Water Park

The best option for what to see in Nessebar in 1 day with the whole family. A relatively new entertainment complex is distinguished by an impressive size: the area is 30 thousand square meters. The guests are offered a lot of water attractions with pools, descents, open and closed tunnels-pipes. Some of them are made in the form of ancient palaces. The owners of the water park pay great attention to the safety of the park. Among other things, the complex includes numerous restaurants and cafes serving fast food, ice cream and national cuisine.

Official website: http://www.aquaparadise

6. Film Museum

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A private museum complex, whose exhibition pieces represent the figures of various movie characters. In the collections you can see characters from Terminator, Alien, Hobbits and other most famous movies of the past and present. Also on the list of exhibits are manuscripts with spells, scaled-down models of military equipment, and mock-ups of weapons.

7. Church of St. Paraskeva

Orthodox church in the city, which is under UNESCO protection. According to researchers, the building dates back to the 13th-14th centuries. If you don’t know what to visit in Nessebar, but are fascinated by history and architecture, come here.

Official website: http://www.ancient-nessebar.com

8. Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel

An inactive Orthodox church with a rectangular tower and a large dome that remains in a dilapidated state (even though the last restoration was done in 2013) and is under UNESCO protection. When you learn about the main attractions in Bulgaria, you will definitely hear about it: the cross-domed church is included in the list of 100 major tourist attractions of the state. The estimated date of construction is the 13th-14th century. The temple suffered quite a bit during the Ottoman raids. The building does not have huge dimensions (approximate size 5 by 14 meters), but looks imposing and majestic. The walls of the building demonstrate the style traditional for Bulgarian architecture: arched niches, masonry of stones of white and red colors. Ceramics - green tiles stacked in several rows - act as decorations.

Official website: http://www.ancient-nessebar

9. St. Stephen’s Church

The date of construction of the church is the 11th century. The church was originally erected in honor of the Virgin Mary (later the object was also renamed). At the end of the 15th century the building received a unique carved iconostasis. If you take a trip to this church, you can admire the Renaissance bishop’s pulpit and the unique throne of the same era.

Official website: http://www.ancient-ness

10. Church of Christ the Pantocrator

Talking about the most popular excursions in Nessebar, it is impossible to ignore this famous Orthodox church. The building is located on the square of the historical-architectural reserve, which is included in the list of protected sites of UNESCO. In addition, the church is included in the list of hundreds of major tourist attractions of the country.

Official website: http://www.ancient-nessebar

Nessebar sights: what else to visit in Nessebar?

We have told you about the main sights of Nessebar briefly. This is not the end of our list of wonderful places in the hospitable city. If you have already booked hotels in Nessebar, and are now compiling a sightseeing itinerary, include:

11. Archaeological Museum

The museum complex is located at the entrance to the Old Town. The date of opening is in the 1990s of the 20th century. The four-story building houses an impressive collection of antiquities obtained through archaeological excavations and belonging to different eras, from Byzantine and Roman to Thracian.

Official website: http://www.ancient

12. Ethnographic museum

The museum was opened in a 19th century town house, formerly owned by a wealthy Bulgarian merchant. Each room of the house has its own theme. In the collections there are items of Bulgarian culture and life: textiles, clothes, household utensils, tools, and furnishings. At the entrance in front of the manor house one can often see performances of various folk ensembles.

13. South Beach

When coming to Nessebar you have to visit the beaches of the town. This one is situated near the hotel Aphrodite, and is not too wide a strip of sand, a few kilometers long. Thanks to the big local waves, the southern beach awarded with the prestigious Blue Flag for its environmental friendliness is particularly loved by fans of surfing. The area is conditionally divided into a paid zone and a free zone. To rest on the first you will need to pay for a deck chair and umbrella. Sunbathing, lying on your own towel, will not work.

14. Sunny Beach Resort

The largest resort area in the country with a large number of budget and luxury hotels, located in the eastern part of Bulgaria. The area has both modern buildings and buildings left over from Soviet times. Sunny Beach has also been awarded the Blue Flag.

15. Winery “Messembria”

Just like the rest of Bulgaria, Nessebar is famous for its wonderful wines. On a tour of this winery you will be able to taste the locally produced alcohol and learn how it is made. The drinks you like at the tasting can be purchased at a bargain price.

We hope that the sights of Nessebar, pictures with names and descriptions of which you have just seen, you will want to include in your tour itinerary.

• Bulgaria
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• Europe
• Nessebar