Byala: Coast, Culture and Nature

Byala can be explored through two distinct aspects: the municipality’s coastal landscapes and its municipal museum, which brings together archaeology and maritime culture. Protected areas and the cultural calendar also offer useful pointers for planning. Festivals take place in different seasons; if you are travelling for an event, check the current cultural calendar.

Coast and protected areas

The coast of Byala Municipality combines rocky shores and small coves with stretches of beach and sand dunes. The coastline is also characterised by a broad beach and deciduous woodland. Sea temperatures vary with the season. These different landscapes meet here, so the coastal character cannot be reduced to a single type of beach.

The “Byala–Karadere” beach lies within the Natura 2000 protected area BG0000100 “Plazh Shkorpilovtsi”, which protects natural habitats and wild plant and animal species. Eight concession sections are listed along the municipality’s beach area: “Byala-Karadere”, “Byala-Central I”, “Byala-Central II”, “Byala-Central III”, “Byala-Central IV”, “Byala-Central V”, “Byala–Chaika” and “Byala-South”. As this division comes from a municipal plan for 2021–2027, it is advisable to check the concession status before travelling.

Two other protected areas also include parts of the municipality. The area designated under the Habitats Directive, BG0000133 “Kamchiyska i Emenska Planina”, covers land in Gospodinovo, Dyulino and Popovich. The area designated under the Birds Directive, BG0002044 “Kamchiyska Planina”, includes the town of Byala and the villages of Goritsa, Gospodinovo, Dyulino, Popovich and Samotino within the municipality. It extends beyond the municipality into other areas of Burgas and Varna provinces. Its stated total area is 888,972.310 decares, including 27.437 square kilometres of sea area.

Archaeology and maritime culture at the museum

Byala Municipal Museum was founded in 2012 to preserve the tangible and intangible cultural and historical heritage, traditions and rituals found within the municipality for present and future generations. Its two sections have distinct focuses: the archaeological exhibition centres on the Late Antique fortress at Cape Sveti Atanas. The ethnographic exhibition explores maritime culture and presents ways of life, traditions and livelihoods.

The “Belite Skali” collection offers another perspective, with fossils, ores and rock specimens from the natural feature of the same name. It includes a continuous limestone geological profile from the Cretaceous–Tertiary period, dated to approximately 65 million years ago. Together with the archaeological focus and ethnographic themes, the collection brings the municipality’s different natural and cultural connections into view.

Festivals and wine traditions

The events calendar features festivals with a range of themes and dates. Every summer, Byala welcomes visitors to “Sedmitsa na moreto” (“Week of the Sea”), a traditional festival with a maritime atmosphere, cultural events and entertainment for the whole family. The celebration of Tryphon Zarezan is dedicated to viticulture and the bond with the land; locals traditionally gather on 14 February. The “Tantsi kray moreto” (“Dances by the Sea”) dance festival is also held annually. For specific travel dates, check the current programme, as individual event dates may vary from year to year.

Wine tourism is another option in the municipality. The “Chateau Polikhronov” winery has a tasting room. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting arrangements in advance. Nature, the museum and events can thus be considered different elements of a trip to Byala.

Discover more destinations: Byala, Aksakovo, Avren, Provadia, Vetrino, Dalgopol, Beloslav, Dolni Chiflik.

For the broader travel overview: Varna Province.