The ancient Black Sea fishing port of Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built on an island connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, situated at the southern end of Sunny Beach. It is often referred to as "The Pearl of the Black Sea" for its rich cultural history and beautiful setting.
The town has two main parts: a highly-developed tourist section at the end of Sunny Beach with lovely beaches, water parks and resorts, and the old historic section, set on the island, with magnificent Byzantine and medieval architecture.
The resorts draw large crowds in the summer, but they are worth enduring (or visit during the quiet season) in order to see the monasteries and churches with their wonderful frescoes, paintings and sculptures. The small, colorful boats floating near the narrow quays and worn, ancient walls along the old quarter's waterfront are very photogenic.
The historic houses in Nessebar are quite interesting—the ground-floor walls are constructed of large stones, and the second stories are of wood. The architectural style is known as Bulgarian National Revival, a distinctly Bulgarian form that developed in the 19th century.
Some people visit Nessebar on a day trip from Bourgas, about 25 mi/40 km away, but an overnight stay is suggested.
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