Just 19 kilometers west of the bustling seaside city of Varna lies Beloslav, a town you won’t find featured in glossy travel magazines or on viral “Top 10 Bulgarian Destinations” lists. But perhaps that’s exactly why you should go. This small, unassuming town is nestled between Lake Beloslav and Lake Varna, and split in half by the deep-sea canal that connects them.
A Town Between Two Waters
Beloslav is a place where the rhythms of industrial life meet the soulfulness of everyday Bulgarian resilience, and where warm-hearted locals will greet you with stories more memorable than any cathedral tour could offer. Beloslav may not boast ancient ruins or postcard-perfect beaches similar to other Black Sea towns, but it offers something else. Authenticity. The kind you only find in places that never tried too hard to impress.
No Bridge, Just a Ferry and a Story
One of the most charming quirks of Beloslav is how you get around. With no bridge over the canal that bisects the town, residents and visitors alike rely on a regular ferry to cross between the northern and southern banks. This free, state-supported ferry is a practical service and an attraction in its own right.
Every ten minutes from 4:30 a.m. to midnight, the ferry glides across the water, carrying passengers, vehicles, and even their daily hopes and frustrations. About 5,000 people and 1,800 cars cross each day. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the view of a sunrise or the sunset dancing on the surface of the canal as you float between two halves of the same town.
But this seemingly quaint setup has a somber past. In 1978, tragedy struck when a pontoon bridge collapsed during the town’s holiday celebration, claiming 65 lives. That event led to the removal of the bridge and a renewed focus on the ferry as the town’s lifeline.
When the ferry undergoes maintenance, the small backup boat “Bella,” operated by the municipality, steps in another quiet symbol of the town’s resilience and care for its people.
A Town Shaped by Industry
While the ferry gently crosses the canal, the town’s identity is carried by something more robust: its industry. During the communist era, Beloslav became a focal point for large-scale industrialization. In mid 20th century plans to connect the freshwater Beloslav Lake with the Black Sea through Lake Varna were realized with little concern for the ecological cost. What resulted was a deep-water navigation canal that altered the natural landscape and led to the collapse of local freshwater ecosystems. Today, only jellyfish thrive in these waters, while dolphins that occasionally venture in from the sea don’t survive.
Yet, the town endured and even thrived in its own way. Beloslav became home to some of Bulgaria’s most important industries: the Varna Thermal Power Plant (TPP Varna), the MTG Delfin shipyard, and Inhom Glassworks. The large industrial plants aren’t the kinds of places tourists typically line up to see, but they form the beating heart of the town. And nestled within one of Inhom’s former factory halls is something quite unexpected: a unique Glass Museum.
The Museum of Glass in Beloslav is Where Industry Meets Art
the Museum of Glass in Beloslav offers a unique experience that blends industrial heritage with artistic wonder. Located on the grounds of the INHOM glass factory, Bulgaria’s only remaining hand-blown glass manufacturer, the museum invites visitors to step into a colorful world of craftsmanship and creativity.
A guided tour begins with the history of glass production in the region, dating back to 1893. Guests then witness a live demonstration, where skilled artisans shape molten glass into elegant forms right before their eyes. One of the most impressive highlights is the Glass Cave, a cooled 10-ton furnace turned into a glowing art installation after the 2009 gas crisis. The surrounding Glass River, formed from repurposed furnace parts, symbolizes the harmony between fire, water, and light.
Visitors can also get hands-on by decorating a glass item themselves, making for a personalized souvenir. The final stop is the exhibition hall, filled with hundreds of unique, handmade pieces like vases, candlesticks, figurines, all available for purchase.
Get Inside Bulgaria’s Last Submarine: A Cold War Relic Turned Hidden Treasure
The nearby Slava submarine, half-submerged in Beloslav Lake, adds an unexpected maritime touch to the visit, making this destination a fascinating blend of technology, tradition, and imagination.
To step aboard Slava is to dive (without ever getting wet!) into a chapter of Bulgaria’s military and political history that few tourists know exists. Originally commissioned in 1960 by the Soviet Navy, this diesel-electric submarine was transferred to Bulgaria’s fleet in 1985. It remained on duty until 2011, making it not only a formidable Cold War artifact but also a living piece of Bulgaria’s maritime legacy.
Inside, the cramped quarters still hum with stories. You can peer through periscopes, squeeze through narrow hatches, and sit at the very controls once manned by sailors patrolling the waters of the Black Sea. Unlike most sterile museum exhibits, the Slava retains an eerie authenticity, every gauge, bedframe, and torpedo tube remains in place, transporting you back to a time when silence and secrecy defined submarine warfare.
Where the Heat is Homemade: The Spicy Farm
Just a kilometer from the ferry port, another kind of heat awaits you. The Spicy Farm is a family-run haven for chili lovers and the spice-curious alike. What started as a passion project has grown into a place where Bulgaria’s hottest certified pepper, aptly named “Bulgarian Spirit”, was born.
Here, you can take a “Hot Tour,” sample fiery sauces, and even nibble on sugar-free spicy sweets that won’t offend sensitive stomachs. But it’s not just about the burn. The farm celebrates innovation, sustainability, and a love for food that’s handmade and heartfelt. Don’t be surprised if you leave with a plantable chili pepper souvenir or just a smile that lingers like a gentle heat on your tongue.
Nature’s Pause Button: Yatata Protected Area
Before leaving Beloslav, let yourself be drawn to its quieter corners. One such place is Yatata, an aptly named protected area (“yatata” means “the flocks”) where hundreds of birds rest in the reeds, safe from the hum of engines and ferry horns.
A short drive down a dirt road just before town leads you to this serene sanctuary. Even in the colder months, birdwatchers and soul-seekers come here to watch herons glide, to listen to the rustling bulrushes, and to gaze at giant ships approaching the Port of Varna West in the distance.
It’s a surreal contrast: massive freighters and delicate birdlife coexisting just a few hundred meters apart. In places like Yatata, time seems to pause. It’s as if nature gently insists you do the same.
Why Beloslav is Worth Your Time
Beloslav is not your typical tourist stop and that’s exactly its charm. It’s a town that invites you to slow down, to look beyond the obvious, and to appreciate the layered beauty of Bulgaria’s lesser-known corners.
Beloslav is where a free ferry is more than transport, it’s community. Where a factory-turned-museum holds both the past and the future in molten glass. Where spicy peppers spark conversation and pride. And where birds rest, undisturbed, as industries hum nearby. You won’t find it in the guidebooks but that’s because its stories are still best told in person.
So skip the crowded beach for a day. Hop on the ferry. Let Beloslav surprise you.