Nessebar lies in the humid subtropical zone, but there is relatively little rainfall throughout the year.
However, the rain is enough to keep the area around Nessebar from looking like an arid wasteland, but trees and forests grow and various crops thrive in the fields.
The local climate is characterised by warm, dry summers with temperatures of around 29 °C and very mild winters with temperatures of around 7 °C.
Temperatures and weather during the year
What is the weather like at different times of the year? We will only detail the summer season by month, as this is when the vast majority of tourists head to Nessebar.
Weather in winter
Winters in Nessebar are mild. Normal daily temperatures oscillate between 3 °C and 10 °C.
Winter is the rainiest time of the year, but rainfall is only moderate and occurs on average 8 days a month.
Most tourist shops, hotels and restaurants remain closed in winter.
Spring weather
Spring is marked by very pleasant temperatures of around 16 °C.
Rainfall is similar to winter, i.e. an average of 8 days per month. Precipitation tends to be light and showery, interspersed with clear or partly cloudy weather.
Weather in May
May is the first month when European tour operators offer tours to Nessebar and the tourist services open in full.
However, rather than swimming in the sea, May is more suitable for strolling around the historic centre or along the beaches.
Outside temperatures are around 23 °C, but the sea is still very cold with temperatures only around 16 °C.
Weather in June
All shops, restaurants and hotels are open for the first month of summer.
The air temperature rises to a pleasant 25 °C to 29 °C, and any extreme temperatures above 30 °C are helped by the almost ever-present wind from the sea.
During June, rain is rather sporadic in the form of short showers.
The sea warms up to an average of 22 °C.
Weather in July
July is the hottest month of the year, with normal temperatures between 27 °C and 31 °C. A pleasant breeze from the sea helps to make the high temperatures more bearable.
Rain occurs on average 6 days a month in the form of short evening thunderstorms or showers.
The sea temperature is already very pleasant at around 25 °C.
Weather in August
The weather in August is pleasant with summer temperatures between 27 °C and 31 °C and minimal rain. August is the least rainy month of the year.
The sea temperature is the highest of the year, reaching up to 26 °C.
Weather in September
September is also still a good month for a summer holiday in Nessebar.
Expect temperatures around 24 °C and only about 5 rainy days a month. Moreover, rain tends to occur towards the end of September and is never long-lasting.
Weather in October
October is the last month when the summer season fades away. Many hotels, restaurants and services close in the first week of October.
The air temperatures drop to 20 °C and the sea water to a cool 18 °C.
The weather in autumn
Autumn Nessebar is deserted because all the tourists heading to Bulgaria for a beach holiday have long since left.
Normal temperatures are between 11 °C and 15 °C and there are often overcast skies. However, rain showers are relatively few and occur on average 7 days a month.
Table of temperatures during the year
Nesebar - Air and sea temperatures
When to go to Nesebar
Nessebar is theoretically one of the very few places on the Bulgarian coast that can be visited all year round.
The town attracts not only for its beaches, swimming and water sports, but also for its beautiful historical monuments, of which the centre is full. Nevertheless, winter, or the off-season (October-April) is not a good time to travel to Nessebar from a practical point of view.
Many services are closed, especially restaurants and shops. However, some hotels or private apartments are open even in winter and offer very interesting discounts.
Book a hotel with an off-season discount
If you are heading to Bulgaria just to see the sights and local life, then autumn, winter or spring is a good time if you count on a limited range of tourist services.
Beach holidays in Nessebar are ideal from late June to mid-September, when the air and sea temperatures are pleasant.