Just 19 kilometres 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 is split in half by the deep-sea canal that connects them. It is an ideal place for a day trip from Varna, Albena, Sunny Day, Kavarna, or any other resort town on the Black Sea. Visit it and you will be surprised by the authentic spirit of this area!
Beloslav makes an easy and rewarding day trip from Varna, thanks to its ferry, glass museum, and Cold War submarine museum.
TL;DR – Why Make a Day Trip from Varna to Beloslav?
- Ferry ride across the canal
- Hand-blown Glass Museum
- Cold War submarine to explore
- Hot Farm chilli tours
- Yatata eco-path & birdlife
- Quick, easy day trip from Varna
- A Day Trip from Varna to a Town Between Two Waters
- No Bridge, Just a Ferry and a Story are Perfect for a Day Trip from Varna
- Day Trip from Varna to a Town Shaped by Lakes
- The Museum of Glass in Beloslav: Where Industry Meets Art on a Day Trip from Varna
- Explore Bulgaria’s Last Submarine on a Day Trip from Varna to a Cold War Relic
- Day Trip from Varna to the Hot Farm
- Nature’s Pause Button: The Yatata Protected Area on a Day Trip from Varna
- How to get to Beloslav
- FAQ about Beloslav
- Useful Links
- Why Beloslav is Worth Your Time
A Day Trip from Varna to a Town Between Two Waters
Beloslav is a place where the rhythms of industrial life meet the soulfulness of everyday Bulgarian resilience. Here, 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 like 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 are Perfect for a Day Trip from Varna
One of the most charming quirks of Beloslav is how you get around. There is 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 4:00 a.m. to midnight, the ferry glides across the water, carrying passengers and vehicles. About 5,000 people and 1,800 cars cross each day. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a sunrise or sunset dancing on the surface of the canal as you float between the two halves of the town.
But this seemingly quaint setup has a sad 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 municipality operates a small backup boat, “Bella”. It is a quiet symbol of the town’s resilience and its care for the local community. Unfortunately, it is a passenger boat only and cannot carry cars. On such days, cars must drive all the way around the lake!
Construction of the New Ferry for Beloslav began in 2025. The new vessel, designed for the transport of passengers, cars, trucks, and other non-rail wheeled and tracked vehicles, will have the capacity to carry at least 40 motor vehicles and up to 230 passengers on board.
Day Trip from Varna to a Town Shaped by Lakes
While the ferry gently crosses the canal, the town’s identity is shaped by something more robust: industry. During the communist era, Beloslav became a focal point for large-scale industrialisation. In mid 20th century plans to connect the freshwater Beloslav Lake with the Black Sea through Lake Varna were made 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. Beloslav became home to some of Bulgaria’s major industries: Varna Thermal Power Plant (TPP Varna), the MTG Delfin shipyard, and the Inhom Glassworks. And tucked inside one of Inhom’s former factory halls is something few expect on a day trip from Varna: a unique Glass Museum.
The Museum of Glass in Beloslav: Where Industry Meets Art on a Day Trip from Varna
The Museum of Glass is located on the southern side of Beloslav Lake (map), right next to the Slava submarine.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. The last admission is at 15:00. No pre-booking required.
Details on how to get there by car, bus, or train.
The Museum of Glass in Beloslav offers offers a unique experience perfect for a day trip from Varna or any nearby resort. It blends industrial heritage with artistic wonder. Located on the grounds of INHOM, Bulgaria’s only remaining hand-blown glass factory, the museum invites visitors into a colourful world of craftsmanship.
The tour begins with the history of glass production in the region, dating back to 1893. Visitors then witness a live demonstration where artisans shape molten glass into elegant forms before their eyes. One of the most striking highlights is the Glass Cave, a cooled 10-tonne furnace transformed into a glowing art installation after the 2009 gas crisis. The surrounding “Glass River,” made from repurposed furnace parts, symbolises the harmony of fire, water, and light.
Visitors can also decorate a glass item themselves, creating a personalised souvenir. The final stop is the exhibition hall filled with hundreds of handmade pieces such as vases, candlesticks, figurines. All these are available for purchase.
What Was This Crisis?
The 2009 gas crisis in Bulgaria was caused by a price dispute between Russia and Ukraine, cutting off gas supplies to several countries. Bulgaria was severely affected because 95% of its gas came through that single route. The shutdown caused industrial halts and threatened household heating in winter. Today Bulgaria has diversified its sources. The Glass Cave was “formed” because the production at the factory has to stop. Today the Glass Cave is a creative reminder not to rely on a single supplier.
Explore Bulgaria’s Last Submarine on a Day Trip from Varna to a Cold War Relic
The Slava submarine is located on the southern side of Beloslav lake (map), next to the Museum of Glass.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. Last admission 15:00. No pre-booking required.
Accessible by car, bus, or train.
The nearby Slava submarine museum, half-submerged in Beloslav Lake, adds an unexpected maritime note to your day trip from Varna, uniting technology with imagination.
Stepping aboard Slava is like diving (without getting wet!) into a lesser-known chapter of Bulgaria’s military history. Commissioned by the Soviet Navy in 1960 and transferred to Bulgaria in 1985, it remained in service until 2011, making it a significant Cold War relic. The name of the submarine today is the Bulgarian word Slava. It is translated to Glory in English and reflects the long time service of this well-preserved vessel.
“We had a clear goal – that the last Bulgarian submarine would not follow the fate of the others, which were cut up for metal,” says Dancho Kalchev, owner of the museum and the glass factory next door.
Inside, the cramped quarters still hum with stories. Visitors can peer through periscopes, crawl through hatches, and sit at the controls once used by sailors patrolling the Black Sea. Every gauge and torpedo tube remains in place, preserving an eerie authenticity. Here every gauge, bedframe, and torpedo tube remains in place, transporting you back to a time when silence and secrecy defined submarine warfare.
Day Trip from Varna to the Hot Farm
The Hot Farm located in Strashimirovo, on the northern side of the lake, just 1.5 kilometres from Beloslav.
Tours from June until September. Book in advance on the official website.
You can reach it by car, bus, or train.
Just a kilometre from the ferry port, another kind of heat awaits you. The Hot Farm is a family-run haven for chili lovers and the spice-curious. What began as a passion project has grown into the birthplace of Bulgaria’s hottest certified pepper, aptly named Bulgarian Spirit.
Here you can take a “Hot Tour,” sample fiery sauces, and even taste sugar-free spicy sweets gentle enough for sensitive stomachs. The three-hour tour starts with a welcome drink, followed by a walk through the chilli fields. It includes a nourishing, energising meal and a delicious dessert—all made with the farm’s exceptional peppers.
But it’s not only about the burn. The farm celebrates innovation, sustainability, and the art of handmade food. You may leave with a plantable chilli souvenir or simply a warm smile that lingers like a mild heat.
Nature’s Pause Button: Beloslav Rocks and The Yatata Protected Area on a Day Trip from Varna
Yatata protected area is located on the southern side of the lake.
It is open daily and requires no pre-booking.
Accessible by car.
Before leaving Beloslav, let yourself be drawn to its quieter corners. One of them is Yatata, a protected area whose name means “the flocks.” Hundreds of birds settle in the reeds here, sheltered from engines and ferry horns. A short drive down a dirt road leads you to this serene sanctuary. Even in the colder months, birdwatchers and nature lovers come to admire birds in flight and listen to rustling bulrushes while giant freighters glide toward Port Varna West in the distance.
The contrast is surreal: towering cargo ships and delicate birdlife sharing the same horizon. In Yatata, time seems to pause. It is nature’s quiet request that you do the same.
Yatata is part of a larger eco-tourism project. A new eco-trail has recently been built, along with improved visitor infrastructure.
Part of this project is another small natural wonder in Beloslav – the Beloslav rocks and the cacti growing up in the vicinity of the city. It is a little bit unusual to see cacti in Bulgaria, their natural habitat is in more southern territories of Europe, but here they are!
How to get to Beloslav
Beloslav is located about 15 km from Varna and is served by daily buses. Buses leave from the Varna Bus Station and their route passes from the northern side of the lake. The last bus leaves at 21:00 on weekdays and 20:00 on weekends. It is ideal for a long summer day trip from Varna!
You can also catch intercity bus line No. 14 from Varna to Devnya, which makes an intermediate stop in Beloslav.
Travelling by train brings you to Beloslav Railway Station.
If travelling by bus or train, you will need to use the ferry to reach the Glass Museum and the Slava Submarine Museum. The ferry is available for both pedestrians and vehicles.
Travelling by car gives you the freedom which route to chose. The northern route is faster and in generally preferred. The southern route will take you trough the famous Asparuhovo Bridge and the narrow streets of the small villages by the lake. This route is slower but it will bring you closer to the nature!
If you’re confused by the road signs or those on the public transport stations and stops, just remember that ‘Beloslav Center‘ in Bulgarian is Белослав Център.
FAQ about Beloslav
Yes. It is both interesting and safe for children.
Yes. Entering the submarine is part of the experience.
Yes, and they are genuinely impressive.
You do not need any special equipment, but wearing sports shoes instead of beach flip-flops is a very good idea.
Not really, there are some places for relaxation by the lake, especially in the area of Yatata protected area, but those are wild places with no facilities, mostly small and rocky. Those can be charming, of course. If you exercise swimming, stay close to the land and be careful with boars or ships in the area.
Useful Links
- Glass Museum in Beloslav (official website)
- Glass Museum in Beloslav (official Facebook page)
- Slava Submarine (official website)
- Slava Submarine (official Facebook page)
- Hot Farm (official website)
- Yatata, also known as Strashimirovsko Swamp (on Wikipedia)
- Belferi – ferryboat in Beloslav (official website)
- Varna Bus Station (offical website, search for Белослав – Център – Beloslav Centre)
- Daily buses from Varna to Beloslav
- Intercity bus line No. 14 from Varna to Devnya (stop in Beloslav)
- Train from Varna Central Station to Beloslav (Bulgarian Railways, official page)
Why Beloslav is Worth Your Time
Beloslav is not your typical tourist stop and that’s precisely its charm. It is a town that invites you to slow down, look beyond the obvious, and appreciate the layered beauty of Bulgaria’s lesser-known places which makes it perfect for a peaceful day trip from Varna.
Beloslav is where a free ferry is more than a mode of transport — it is a symbol of community. It is where a factory-turned-museum holds both past and future in molten glass, where chilli peppers spark conversation and pride, and where birds rest undisturbed as industries hum gently nearby. You will not find it highlighted in guidebooks, but that is because its stories are still best shared in person.
So skip the crowded beach for a day. Hop on the ferry. Let Beloslav surprise you on an unforgettable day trip from Varna.