Car rental in Nesebar

In the small Bulgarian town of Nessebar, ancient history is closely neighboring with modernity. Its old part has existed for more than three millennia, the new development is just over half a century old. In the island part of the town there are ancient architectural monuments and delicious cafes with national cuisine and drinks. Near the city, the resorts have presentable hotels with gorgeous sandy beaches.

Nesebar is renowned for the architectural landmarks of its Old Town, but visitors often look to broaden their experiences. To explore the coast at your own pace, simply rent a car and enjoy the wide variety of sights and activities the area has to offer.

Average rental prices in Nesebar

Car classes	Price per day	Deposit amount
compact cars	from 6 EUR (12 BGN)	from 150 euros
small cars	from 18 EUR (36 BGN)	from 150 euros
standard	from 20 EUR (40 BGN)	from 200 euros
minivan	from 26 EUR (52 BGN)	from 300 euros
SUVs	from 35 EUR (70 BGN)	from 800 euros
luxury	from 60 EUR (120 BGN)	from 1500 euros

*Prices are valid for November 2024. Check the available cars in the city and review the offers from rental offices.

The nearest airports

Most tourists arrive in Nesebar from Burgas or Varna, both of which have international airports. Since there are no direct train routes, renting a car is often the fastest option. A convenient choice is to rent a car at Burgas Airport. Travelers typically plan to visit several nearby cities, such as Varna, Sliven, and Stara Zagora, which are all within a reasonable distance.

Below is a list of airports near Nessebar, ordered by proximity. Choose the closest one to book your car rental and comfortably reach your hotel, ready to start exploring Bulgaria the next day.

Airports nearby	Airport information service	Distance	Travel time
Burgas BOJ	+359 56 870 248	25 km	~ 25 minutes
Varna VAR	+359 52 573 323	106 km	~1 hours 44 minutes
Plovdiv PDV	+359 32 601 127	288 km	~3 hours
Sofia SOF	+359 29 372 211	409 km	~4 hours 5 minutes

What do you need to rent a car?

To rent a car in Bulgaria, you’ll need a valid European driver’s license with a valid expiration date (an International Driving Permit is not required), a passport, and a Visa or MasterCard for the deposit.

The minimum age is 23, and you must have at least 3 years of driving experience. Drivers under 23 may face additional costs of €6 per day and a double deposit fee.

Book your rental car in Nesebar at least 7 days in advance to secure great discounts from the rental company.

How to choose a car?

Consider your routes: will you be driving around the city, traveling to another city on highways and mountain roads, or navigating off-road terrain? Also, think about how many passengers will be in the car.

Car rental companies in Nesebar

Nearby cities

It takes just half an hour to reach Burgas. A short drive down the highway from Nesebar brings you to the Sunny Beach resort, home to the Aqua Paradise water park, featuring amazing water slides, as well as an exciting amusement park.

For shopping enthusiasts, Nesebar may not offer much variety. For more interesting purchases, it’s better to head to the supermarkets in Burgas or Varna.

Useful Information

Parameter	Data
Population	14,863 people for 2022
Nessebar Square	31.85 km²
Language	Bulgarian
Currency	BGN – lv. (Bulgarian Lion)
Country code	+359
Telephone number for calling the police / ambulance	112 (free)
Direction of travel	right-handed
Speed limit outside the city	90 km/h (56 mph)
Speed limit within the city limits	50 km/h (31 mph)
Acceptable blood alcohol level	0.5 ‰ ppm
Access to the sea	no

Weather throughout the year

The tourist flow in Nesebar is busiest from June to August. September marks the start of the velvet season, characterized by a decline in both heat and prices. This period attracts visitors with its abundance of fruits and the availability of parking spaces.

From October to April, the town sees visitors seeking a peaceful getaway in Bulgaria, eager to breathe in the cool sea air and wander through its picturesque streets.

Average monthly temperatures:

Month	Air temperature, °C
January	5,9
February	7,6
March	10,3
April	12,3
May	14,5
June	20,2
July	25,0
August	28,1
September	24,3
October	17,9
November	13,2
December	8,1

The period from April to early June offers affordable prices. This is the best time to book a hotel room and rent a car for trips along the coast. You can already sunbathe on the beaches near the city, although the water is still too cold for swimming. However, excursions and cafes serving traditional Bulgarian cuisine won’t break the family budget.

Parking zones in the city

You can park your car for free at the larger hotels. There is a blue zone in the center of the mainland part of Nesebar, where parking fees are not charged during the summer, as per the city council’s decision.

Paid parking areas are located near banks like Allianz, Unicredit, Raiffeisenbank, and others. Popular parking spots include “Melnitsata” and “South Beach” on Ivan Vazov Street. At the “Yacht Harbor” parking lot on Khan Krum Street, the daily rate is 8 leva.

If you want to wander through the streets of Old Nesebar, it’s better to leave your car in the mainland part of the city or park in a small area near the cafe after the mill. There are parking options near the Diving Center and on Krajbrezhna Street, but finding a spot during the summer can be challenging.

Attractions in Nesebar

The historical heritage of the Old Town of Nesebar is enriched by the Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottoman Turks. The ruins of ancient fortresses and temples are located in the old part of the city, which occupies a peninsula. At the entrance, you’ll find an authentic windmill.

Archaeological Museum

The exhibitions at the Archaeological Museum introduce visitors to the complex history of one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities. It showcases artifacts from the ancient, classical, and medieval periods.

Church of Christ Pantocrator

One of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria, built in the 16th century, has been remarkably well-preserved. The building features unique masonry that creates intricate patterns from the bricks. Nesebar also has a small museum dedicated to ancient cartography.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin

The only active church in the old town, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, was built in 1883. The walls of the temple are adorned with stunning frescoes. Inside, there is a miraculous icon from the Byzantine period depicting the Virgin Mary Odigitria.