One of Bulgaria's most culturally enriching destinations, Nessebar is known as the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea'. Crammed onto a lozenge-shaped peninsula, the old town is only slightly larger than the Vatican City yet has many more churches. Penka, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Nessebar is a living museum. Buildings and monuments dating back to the 5th century are still in use today. The town's strategic location means Nessebar has always been a hub for trade, so it makes sense that it was here, over 2,500 years ago, that money was invented and first used for commerce.'
You'll begin with a guided walking tour of the old town. Each step you take in the narrow, cobbled streets is a step back in time. As you wander through alleys fringed by old 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 is evidence here which reflects the architectural progress of the whole Balkan and east Mediterranean regions.
Follow your guide through the characterful old town to see some of the historic churches, some from as far back as far as Byzantine times. You'll visit the interior of the richly decorated St Stephen's Church and admire the walls festooned with frescos. If you take the lunch option, you'll then head to a restaurant for a three-course feast. There's also free time to explore on your own.
