Sofia’s tourism sector delivers strong H1 2026 results: nearly 670,000 visitors and over 1.5 million overnight stays

During H1 2026 (Q1+Q2), nearly 670,000 tourists visited the capital (+3%), while overnight stays exceeded 1.5 million (+4%) compared to the same period in 2025.

Despite the overall decline in tourist visits across the country, Sofia continues to demonstrate resilience, maintaining positive growth and achieving results comparable to leading European city destinations.

More guests are staying longer in Sofia
The average length of stay has exceeded 2.3 days.
Visitors discover a city where rich history, culture, nature, events and a dynamic urban environment come together with opportunities for business connections.
The leading international markets for Sofia are Italy, Turkey, Germany, Greece, Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Romania, Poland and France. The strongest growth comes from the US market (+68%) and the United Kingdom (+5%).

Better connectivity, more opportunities
Vasil Levski Sofia Airport recorded further growth in H1 2026 (Q1+Q2):
+7% passenger traffic
+6.6% arriving passengers
+3% more flights
Sofia offers direct air connectivity to 107 destinations, including seasonal and charter routes.
Modern infrastructure, diverse accommodation options and a rich cultural environment position Sofia as an attractive destination for visitors, business forums, conferences and large cultural events.

Source: Unified Tourism Information System (ESTI), processed by Sofia Tourism Administration | Sofia Municipality