They call Nessebar the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea' for a reason – it's a treasure chest of cultural heritage without parallel on Bulgaria's coast. Stroll through its ancient alleys with your local guide and feel like you're stepping back in time. Penka, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Buildings and monuments dating back to the 5th century are still in use today in Nessebar, making it a living museum. With such a strategic location, Nessebar has always been a hub for commerce, and over 2,500 years ago, money was invented here and first used for trade.'
After pick-up in Obzor, you'll head to Nessebar and begin with a guided walking tour of the old town, which is crammed into a narrow peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea. As you wander through alleys fringed by overhanging wooden homes, you'll stumble upon ancient Byzantine churches or ruins from classical antiquity. Such is the wealth of history on this narrow peninsula that it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's evidence in Nessebar that reflects the architectural progress of the whole Balkan and East Mediterranean regions.
Your guide will explain the history and culture of the town, where some monuments date back to the 5th century, and accompany your visit to the richly decorated interior of St Stephen's Church. Once you've admired its frescos, if you've picked the lunch included option, you'll head to a restaurant for a three-course feast. In the afternoon, there's free time to explore on your own.
