Area Info

Bulgarian South Black Sea Riviera
The specific location of the region makes it unique as Stara Planina Mountain crosses the country, reaching to the edge of the Black sea at Cape Emine. That is why the climate is favourable, mostly with sunny days /240-260 per year/ and relatively mild winter. The draughts in between the sea and defile cause the natural phenomenon, which purifies the air. The marine aerosol has a healing effect on bronchial asthma and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The Black Sea Riviera is known for its nice weather and refreshing breeze. The only balneological centre in Bulgaria was built there, just close to the town of Sveti Vlas /St Vlas/.
What makes the South Black Sea Riviera deserve its name is the combination between mountain and marine climate and in this respect Mediterranean climate is dominant. It also has good infrastructure and not least of importance archaeological sights and seaside resorts, competitive to the ones of highest quality.
Nessebar
The town of Nessebar is a unique seaside resort, which is one of the oldest European towns. It was initially called Mesembria. Nessebar is settled in the north of the forth biggest town in Bulgaria-Burgas, 2 km from Sunny Beach and Ravda. The nearest airport and railway station are in Burgas. There is a coach line between the towns and the road is panoramic immediately above the coastal line.
The town is in the south, huddled where Stara Planina Mountain ends and reaches the edge of Cape Emine. The Ancient Nessebar is settled on a small peninsula and there is a strip of land that forms a breathtaking bay. Nessebar originated as a Thracian town and was invaded by Greeks and Romans afterwards. At present it has a rich 3000-year -history. Many artifacts such as a theatre, fortress wall, gymnasium, old ruins and temples could be seen there. In its Golden Ages Nessebar was a polis of typical Greek type. Then the town was invaded by the Romans and yet continued to play a significant role of an important cultural and trade centre on the Black Sea coast. The well preserved marble relief sculptures and statues evidence for rich culture and traditions of the Ancient Mesembria. Many Christian temples /basilicas/, Roman Thermal Baths and fortress walls were built in the Middle Ages. The central church of Mesembria is St Sofia and ruins of the old church are preserved at present. Some other sights are: The Church of St Stephen /11th century AD/,The Church of John the Baptist/11th century AD/, The Church of St Theodore /13th century AD/, The Church of Holly Archangels Michael and Gabriel /15th century AD/, The Church of Christ Pantocrator /13th century AD/, The Curch of St John Aliturgetos /14th century AD/, The Holly Mother Monastery, The St Andrews Monastery, The St Peter Monastery.
Mainly because of the well-preserved churches and monasteries the town of Nessebar is referred to as Bulgarian Ravena.
There are fully preserved houses and wind mills dating back to Bulgarian Renaissance, particularly XIII-XIV century. A various number of unique artifacts are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Nessebar. The Ethnographic Museum shows extraordinary exhibits, too.
Nessebar was included in the UNESCO World heritage list in 1983 for its natural resources and well preserved monuments and artifacts.
The Municipality of Nessebar is the biggest tourist agglomeration of the Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera. There are 200 hotels, providing accommodation for 200 000 persons, small family hotels and houses providing beds for 35 000 persons and 1000 establishments: restaurants, pubs and bars. Nessebar has become by far a quality resort and competitive tourist destination. What is more the town has well-developed infrastructure.
Nessebar has two beaches - one in the old and one in the new town as the new town beach is large, covered with fine sand. It is excellent for sunbathing, diving, swimming and fishing. There is a yacht port just in between the old and new town.
Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is settled 32 km northward Burgas, just close to Nessebar. There are more than 120 hotels, 2 camp sites and plenty of pubs, bars, restaurants. Sunny Beach was awarded the Blue Flag Award - eco label for beaches and marinas. Sunny Beach is the biggest Bulgarian resort with the widest and longest beach strip and fine sand, which is a prerequisite for the perfect holiday. There are more than 130 establishments: restaurants, night clubs, bars, discos, summer theatre, attractions for children, shopping malls. There are coach lines to Varna and Burgas. Sunny Beach is the perfect place for sport lovers since it is ideal for surfing, parachuting, gliding, yachting, tennis, beach volleyball, mini golf, rowing, and bowling.
The town of Sveti Vlas /St Vlas/ is only 10 km far from the historical town of Nessebar. It is a part of the biggest tourism zone of Bulgaria. Sveti Vlas is huddled in the bay, neighboring Sunny Beach and Elenite Holiday Village. It has a population of 3000 people and is settled in the easternmost slopes of Stara Planina Mountain. The town is in close proximity to: Burgas /40 km/, Nessebar /10km/, Sunny Beach /5 km/, Elenite /2 km/. The uniqueness of the resort is mainly due to the extraordinary combination of mountain and marine climate, which has healing effects on chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The beach strips of the resort are 1,5 km long and 15 m wide. There is a number of old churches amongst which are: St Athanasius Church, St Andrews Church, Vlaherna.