Day trip

A day in Old Nessebar - UNESCO town next to Sunny Beach

Old Nessebar (Несебър) is a small peninsula of cobbled streets, wooden Revival houses and Byzantine ruins, just 5 km south of Sunny Beach. The entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and makes for the best half-day escape from the beach.

How to get there

• Public bus - runs every 15-20 minutes from Sunny Beach main road; ~10 minutes, €1.50
• Walk along the promenade - about 45 minutes, very scenic at sunset
• Tourist train - kitschy but kids love it; runs from the main strip in season
• Taxi - €5-8 one way

What to see

• Stone Gate - the medieval entrance to the old town, perfect first photo
• Church of St Stephen (10th c.) - covered floor-to-ceiling in 16th-century frescoes
• Church of Christ Pantocrator - iconic brick façade on the main street
• Old Metropolitan Basilica ruins - open-air, free to wander
• Western tip of the peninsula - windmill, fishing boats, and the best sunset spot

Where to eat

Skip the touristy restaurants right at the entrance and walk a couple of streets deeper. Try local Black Sea fish (chernomorska tsatsa, mussels in white wine sauce) and a glass of Bulgarian rakia. Most kitchens take a break between 15:00 and 18:00.

When to go

• Mornings (9:00-11:00) - empty streets, cool air, soft light for photos
• Late afternoon - best for golden hour and sunset at the windmill
• Avoid the 13:00-15:00 cruise-ship rush in July-August

Stay 5 minutes from Old Nessebar

Our apartments in Sunny Beach are a short bus ride or a sunset walk along the promenade away.

Apartments