Things to Do in Nessebar
Nessebar is a small town on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, about 35 km northeast of Burgas and just south of the resort of Sunny Beach. The Old Town sits on a rocky peninsula joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, with a wooden windmill at the entrance. Prices below are in euros. Beach, water park and diving activities run roughly from June to September, while the museums and churches stay open through the year on shorter hours.
The Old Town peninsula
Old Nessebar is UNESCO World Heritage List no. 217, inscribed in 1983. About 40 churches survive wholly or partly, from ruined basilicas to small medieval chapels. The Archaeological Museum at 2A Mesembria Street, just past the town gate, is where combined tickets are sold. A single entry costs around 4.60 euros for an adult and 2.30 for a child, and prices should be confirmed at the desk. Read more: Sightseeing in Nessebar covers each church and museum.
Water park
Aquapark Nessebar stands at Ravda, KV Aurelia 9, and was formerly called Aqua Paradise Water Park. It opens from late May to September. Tickets are priced by height, and children under 90 cm enter free. Online tickets start from about 26 to 35 euros, so check the park’s official site before you go. Shuttle buses run from signed stops in Ravda, Sveti Vlas, Nessebar and Sunny Beach. A second water park, Action Aquapark, operates in Sunny Beach.
Scuba diving
Angel Divers (PADI listed) and Nemo Diving Center both work from Nessebar Yacht Port, and Anoxic Divers runs trips from Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Sveti Vlas, Ravda and Pomorie. Dives visit the submerged ancient harbour masonry beside the Old Town and rocky reefs. The sea is the Black Sea, so there is no coral. The water often turns rougher in the afternoon, so book a morning dive. An introductory dive costs around 50 euros. The Mopang wreck off Sozopol is a technical dive and is not an easy day out from Nessebar.
Wine tasting
Messembria winery in the Old Town pours six local wines with a cheese board, and its fig wine gets particular praise. A one-hour tasting with focaccia costs about 25 euros.
Boat cruises
Captain Jack’s half-day boat tour with lunch leaves from Nessebar South Port at 09:20 and costs about 44 euros for an adult. A catamaran morning cruise from Sunny Beach to Nessebar costs about 54 euros including lunch, transfer and drinks. Prices vary by seller and date, so compare before booking. Boats can be cancelled in rough weather.
Beach safety
Black Sea beaches have rip currents and undertows, and drownings are reported every season. Flags show conditions, and a red flag means no swimming. Lifeguards work only until about 18:00, so do not swim after that hour. If a current takes you, stay calm and swim parallel to the shore. Not every beach flies the correct flag, so judge the surf yourself.
Getting around
Public bus line 1, with lines 4, 5 and 8, links Sunny Beach with Old Nessebar from early June, and a fare costs about 1 euro in cash. The tourist train, a road vehicle rather than a rail service, costs around 2 to 3 euros. Nessebar has no railway station, and the nearest train stop is Burgas.
Book boat trips and tasting tours through GetYourGuide . Park details are on Aquapark Nessebar , and background on the town is on Wikipedia .