Nessebar Old Town Walking Tour with Local Lunch

Strolling through Nessebar is one of the most culturally enriching experiences in Bulgaria. This picture-postcard peninsula, known as the ‘Pearl of the Black Sea', is only slightly larger than the Vatican City – but has far more churches. Ivaylo, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Nessbar is a museum town with monuments dating back to the 5th century. It's always been a busy trading hub, and because of that it was here, more than 2,500 years ago, that money was first invented and used for commerce.'

Kick off at the famous Hanska Shatra – Khan's Tent – to take in the panoramic views of the coast. Next, you'll arrive in Nessebar for a guided walking tour of the old town. A jumble of red-roofs greets you before you cross the causeway into old Nessebar. Crammed onto a narrow peninsula jutting out into the Black Sea, it's a maze of ancient fortifications and cobbled streets. A wealth of history that's seen it declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Winding alleys fringed with old timber homes lead you to more than a dozen historic churches dating back as far as early Byzantine times. Ivaylo says, ‘Take a step back in time at St Stephen's Church, which still looks almost unchanged since the 16th century, when it was extended and its frescoes were painted.' You'll get to enjoy a local treat in a selected restaurant and have free time to explore the town on your own. Shop for souvenirs, people watch in a café, or explore some more. Few places so small have so much to offer.