Plus the main recommendation of the Bulgarian Minister of Tourism for tourists.
ADVERTISEMENTBulgaria is experiencing a near return to normal after the pandemic.
By the end of the year, visitor numbers are expected to reach 75% of 2019 figures, a high for the sector, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The majority of foreign tourists come from Romania, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom.
The council expects the industry to create 17,500 jobs this year, reaching more than 287,000 in total.
“If we compare (Bulgaria’s number of visitors) to Greece’s 30 million, we have a third of its visitors – Greece, a world-famous destination, which is incomparable with us. This really means that we are doing very well, given our size and capabilities,” says Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute for Tourism Analysis and Evaluation.
Bulgaria: where beer costs less than a euro
Draganov says visitors to Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, “are surprised by what they see. European citieswhere you can meet people of all nationalities, in Sofia the people on the streets are mostly locals and most are very friendly,” he says.
It’s easier to meet and mix with locals, unlike larger, more cosmopolitan cities.
“You can easily find company in a park in Sofia and have a great evening sitting in the park in front of the National Theater with a two liter bottle of alcohol. beer it will cost you less than €1 ($1). Bulgaria is a country where you can have fun and live a good life – I hope we don’t lose it.”
Tourists enjoy free walking tours of Sofia
Tour guides in Sofia are busy thanks to the influx of tourists.
Tomislav Rashkov, who runs free walk with Free Sofia, says that the city is “a combination of many different styles, eras and contrasts, which are particularly seen in the historical part”.
He says that Sofia’s Square of Tolerance is “one of the few places in the world where we have the opportunity to observe a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic cathedral and two Orthodox churches, which are of interest and particularity important to our city.
Vanessa Teng, a tourist from Taiwan, says Sofia’s rich cultural and religious heritage is one of the main tourist attractions. “Here, it’s the Balkans but it’s also very European, I have the impression that there is a mixture of the two cultures and it’s very interesting,” says
Read on for more ideas for planning a trip to Bulgaria.
What are the best places in Bulgaria for skiing?
Bulgaria is one of the best ski destinations in Europe.
Bansko is cheap for a ski vacation and has thermal springs for when you need a swim at the end of a long day on the slopes. Read this article to all the details about Bansko.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline has gained popularity in recent years.
Sunny Beach is renowned for its 24-hour party atmosphere and has been popular with stag and hen parties for some years.
But don’t dismiss this coastline. It has much more to offer in terms of long, quiet beaches. Learn more about Bulgarian beaches here.
ADVERTISEMENTWhere is the best place for an outdoor adventure in Bulgaria?
If there’s anyone who knows how to get the most out of Bulgaria, it’s Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova.
In an interview with Euronews Travel last year, she shared her favorite place to visit: “I have had a favorite place since I was seven years old… near the town of Shumen, about 70 kilometers from Varna.”
To learn more about why she loves Shumen so much, read this article on The rock formations of Bulgaria.
