Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sofia reports new growth of foreign tourists since the beginning of the year

Photo: BTA

Tourist arrivals in Sofia are up 12% compared to the same period in 2023, the Ministry of Tourism said. The Sofia Municipality informed that the registered overnight stays for the half-year were just over 1.3 million, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, and tourists were nearly 580,000. 

Among the top 5 countries from where most of the guests came to the capital were Italy, Germany, Greece, the UK and Turkey. 

Sofia is also proving to be an attractive destination for tourists from Spain, Israel, Romania, the US, China, Canada and Australia, says Anton Penev, director of the Municipal Tourism Enterprise, adding that nearly 60% of visitors are foreign tourists. 

80% of tourists stay in three, four and five star hotels, with an average stay of just 2.2 days.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A colorful extravaganza, stone houses and stories from the past – the magical Dolene

In the southwesternmost corner of Bulgaria, high in the Ograzhden Mountains, we find ourselves in a fairy-tale paradise – the magnetic village of Dolene. Everyone who comes here gasps in surprise, because the view is very unusual for most Bulgarian..

published on 4/16/25 9:50 AM

Retro train rides are turning into an undisputed tourist hit in Bulgaria

The steam locomotive train rides organized by the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) on various occasions and holidays for lovers of old trains have become a tradition. The puffing train, which emits a lot of steam and smoke, and its sonorous whistle are..

published on 4/14/25 12:35 PM

Sakar – land of dolmens, imperial eagles and sustainable tourism

Sakar, one of the most mysterious and little-known mountains in Bulgaria, is slowly but surely becoming a new destination for sustainable tourism. The area, located between the Eastern Rhodopes and Strandzha Mountain, has remained..

published on 4/11/25 5:45 AM