Are you looking for a vacation destination close to Romania and with dream beaches? Nessebar is the ideal location for a stay with the family! By planning your trip ahead of time, you can have an affordable vacation in Nessebar. You may be wondering which mode of transport is more convenient, at what prices are the accommodations or which restaurants to choose. I have prepared a travel guide for you to organize your vacation easily!

How do you travel in Nessebar?

If you come to Nessebar by plane or bus, you can easily reach most locations on foot or by public transport. The price of bus tickets starts from 3 lei and you can buy them from kiosks. Buses run on certain routes between 6:30 and 00:00, but there are also some night buses on weekends.

Are you coming to Bulgaria by car? Most hotels have parking lots for guests, but when you go to the beach or visit an attraction, you will have to choose one of the city parking lots, with payment. In Nessebar there are several large parking lots (in the Old Center, Morska Station and the Port) where you can easily find parking spaces, the cost per hour starting from 5 lei.

Where are you staying in Nessebar?

The resort of Nessebar covers only 31 km², so you can easily reach most of the beaches. If you want to explore the beaches of the resort without traveling more than 30 minutes by bus through the city, we recommend staying in the center. Here, accommodations by the sea start from 80 lei per night. Have you come on vacation to Nessebar with your family and want to relax? Choose an accommodation in the South Beach of the city, where prices start from approximately 150 lei per night. For an unforgettable stay, we recommend:

Aphrodite Beach Hotel is right there at the seaside, in the southern area, at doar 700 m from the center. The hotel has a restaurant with a terrace and a fitness room. The prices of this 4 star hotel I start from 250 lei/night and you have free access to the outdoor pool of the hotel with a sea view – https://www.booking.com/hotel/bg/aphrodite-beach.ro.html.
Hotel Iris of 3 stars is located at 150 m from the beach and at 2 km from the city center Nessebar. All rooms have a balcony, and the hotel has a outdoor pool, fitness room, relaxation room with pool table and tennis table, restaurant, bar and a hot tub. Prices start from 180 lei/night – https://www.booking.com/hotel/bg/iris.ro.html.
the hotel Villa Maria Revas of 5 stars it is located 450 m from the beach and 1.5 km from Nessebar. The location offers guests all the facilities for a perfect stay: 2 outdoor swimming pools, restaurant, bar, fitness center. Prices start from 220 lei/night – https://www.booking.com/hotel/bg/maria-revas.ro.html.

You can find all accommodation offers on https://www.booking.com/city/bg/nesebur.ro.html where you can filter them according to your requirements!

TOP Beaches in Nessebar

South Beach Nessebar

The North Beach is a little more crowded, but the golden sand you will walk on when you arrive will certainly not disappoint you! You can find restaurants right on the beach, cabins, bathrooms and umbrellas or deckchairs for rent from 20 lei. The water is quite warm and it is worth visiting this beach. You can get here by car, by taxi (in 10 minutes for 8-14 lei) or on foot in about 25 minutes. The beach is located almost 2 km north of the city center. Beware of street vendors who often try to trick tourists with much higher prices than usual!

Old Town Beach

The Old Town beach is smaller compared to those to the north and south, but the views from here are absolutely wonderful. The architecture of the old buildings and the calm sea attract tourists, even if the sand on the beach is not so fine. Instead, the sea is calmer and the area less crowded. Here the deckchair costs only 12 lei and there is also an area on the beach with free access. Since the beach is in a tourist area of the city, the restaurants can be more expensive. From the city center, you can walk for about 20 minutes to this beach, the distance being 1 and a half km. You can leave your car at the Old Town parking lots.

Ravda beach

Ravda beach is located approximately 4 km from the center of Nessebar. The shades of the sea that vary from turquoise to pastel blue are dreamy. From palm trees to rocky areas, it is a beach worth visiting at least for a day. The beach is smaller than those in the north and south of Nessebar, but here you will also find restaurants and taverns on the seashore. You can find sunbeds and umbrellas at prices between 10-20 lei. To get to Ravda, you can take the bus for about 3-4 lei. You will find parking right at the entrance to the beach.

Nessebar Old Town

The Old Town of Nessebar is among the oldest such sites in Europe, with a history that began over 3000 years ago. The small peninsula surrounded by the Black Sea is connected to the main shore by an isthmus. It was populated by Greek, Roman, Bulgarian and Byzantine peoples. And each of these left their mark on the place, there are numerous remains and ruins that prove their existence here in the past.

The city is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and can be easily visited on foot. There are numerous churches, ruins and centuries-old buildings here, so it is worth visiting the location. You can find at least 5 parking lots near the peninsula and right in the Old Town: 2 just before the isthmus that connects the peninsula to the shore, 1 in the south-western area of the peninsula, 1 in the north-central area of the peninsula and one right at the north end west. If you come by bus, you can get off at the Nessebar-Archaeological Museum station, located immediately at the entrance to the peninsula.

Windmill

The windmill at the entrance to Nessebar is a symbol of the city and perhaps the most photographed element in the region. The Old Windmill is an important tourist attraction in, located right on the narrow strip of land that connects the peninsula to the mainland. It is assumed that the windmill dates from a period between the 17th and 19th centuries, during the Bulgarian Renaissance.

Saint Sophia Church

The Church of St. Sophia is located in the center of the Old Town and is pure proof of the Byzantine existence in Nessebar, its architecture being Byzantine. It dates precisely from the 5th century and is one of the most important cultural attractions in Bulgaria and even in Eastern Europe. It is open 24/7.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Nessebar was built after the middle of the 20th century. It presents the city of Nessebar over the centuries, among the most famous monuments and cultural objects being those related to Ancient Messambria and Nessebar during the Medieval Era. The exhibition area includes 4 halls and 1 lounge for visitors. The museum is located to the south, as soon as you enter the peninsula. Prices to visit the museum start from 15 lei/adult and 7.50 lei/child.

Christ Pantocrator Church

Christ Pantocrator Church is often called the most beautiful church in Nessebar, having a Byzantine architecture with complex ornaments, sophisticated structures and murals. The church dates back to the 14th century and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Today, the church functions as a museum and exhibitions are often held inside it. You can visit it daily between 9-20 hours, being in the center of the city.

Ancient Theatre

The Ancient Theater is located in the south-western area of the Old Town with a direct exit to the street and a superb view of the sea. Various public events were held here, and today open-air exhibitions are often held. The location is open non-stop.

Excursions & Activities in Nessebar

Boat trip in Nessebar, Ravda and Pomorie

Explore the bays of Nessebar, Ravda and Pomorie in a 4-hour boat ride full of activities: admire the Bulgarian coast and the beautiful view, swim, fish and sunbathe. You will surely make some memories of your vacation worth telling about, right? In addition, discover curiosities of the region and learn about the ecosystem in the area. The price from 330 lei/adult and 265 lei/minor includes the 4-hour boat ride, drinks, lunch, snacks and fishing equipment. You can find out more details about the trip and book it on https://www.getyourguide.com/nessebar-l1659/nessebar-4-hour-boat-tour-incl-fishing-lunch-drinks-t386999/

Explore Nessebar with a tourist guide

Do you want to discover the history of each attraction directly from a tourist guide, exploring the historical buildings, churches and tourist sights of Nessebar? Explore the city with an expert and get ready for a walk full of new information and great photos. Prices start from 230 lei/person and you can find all the information on https://www.getyourguide.com/varna-l412/nessebar-guided-city-tour-t400207/?.

You can find other tours and activities in Nessebar directly on https://www.getyourguide.com/nessebar-l1659/tours-tc1/.

Recommendations for families with children

Aqua Paradise

If you still came on vacation to Bulgaria, why not entertain the little ones to the maximum? Visit Aqua Paradise, which is among the largest amusement parks in Europe and the largest in Bulgaria. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and you will find swimming pools, slides, castles, clubs and recreational activities for children, SPA, playgrounds, bowling and much more. Prices vary between 70-150 lei per person, but there are also packages for families. The location is approximately 4 km from the city center and you can reach it in a maximum of 35 minutes by bus for 3-4 lei. The park has its own parking lot.

The camel park

If you still arrived at Aqua Paradise, the camel park is just 3 km away. You can continue the day of fun for the little ones with a camel ride. In this park, 14 very friendly camels are waiting for you, which are the biggest attraction of the park, as well as ponies, donkeys, rabbits, exotic birds and other animals. While the children have fun with the cutest animals, the adults can enjoy a drink in the park's restaurant overlooking the Sunny Beach bay. Entrance prices start from 50 lei / adult and 25 lei / child up to 12 years old, and these prices also include a food package for the animals, to make it easier for you to make friends with them.

Aquatic Park "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Water parks are great fun for the little ones, and when you add a Pirates of the Caribbean theme, fun is guaranteed! The "Pirates of the Caribbean" Aquatic Park is perfect for vacations with children, with numerous swimming pools and play areas. And parents can relax in the park's restaurant! It is open daily between 9-19, and prices start from 30 lei/person per day. The park is located 1.5 km from the city center and has a parking lot.

What do you eat in Nessebar?

Banitsa is one of the most famous Bulgarian dishes, being a pastry product with several layers of puff pastry and pieces of cheese - all browned in the oven. The dish is often served for breakfast. You have to try too Creeping - a cold soup with cucumbers, yogurt and garlic, perfect for hot summers between walks on the beach. And another dish specific to Bulgaria is Sopska salad with chopped tomatoes, onions, peppers, cucumbers and Bulgarian cheese.

Where do you eat in Nessebar?

You will find the best seafood dishes in the Old Town at Old Sailor, the restaurant also has some traditional dishes, in addition to those with seafood. The prices are average, and they vary between 20 lei for a tuna salad and up to 200 lei for a sea bream. It is also worth trying in the Old Town Akropol Restaurant with lower prices - between 12 and 100 lei per dish. If you are in the South Beach area, dine at South Beach Bar with a superb view of the beach where the prices are average. Are you in the northern area? Try the restaurant Srbska Kuca from the beach with low prices and a terrace.

Nessebar is among the most beautiful and quiet resorts in Bulgaria. Unlike the resorts in the north, the location is more known for its family beaches than for its nightlife. For a 1-week vacation in Nessebar with 2 adults and 1 child, we recommend a budget of minimum 2500 lei. Do not forget that the national currency of Bulgaria is the leva, so it is good to exchange lei into leva before arriving in Bulgaria. (1 leva - approx. 2.50 lei). Below you can find some useful links in organizing your stay.

Transport

Accommodation

activity

Holiday in Nessebar | Vacation on the beaches of Bulgaria