Tin du lịch 'Beer costs less than one euro': Tourists flock to Bulgaria

Bulgaria: Experts say tourism is booming thanks to cheap beer and friendly locals. Along with the top recommendations from the Bulgarian Minister of Tourism for travelers.

Bulgaria is witnessing a return to almost normalcy after the pandemic. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, by the end of this year, the number of tourists is expected to reach 75% of 2019 levels, which is the highest for the industry.
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The majority of foreign tourists come from Romania, Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.

The Council expects the sector to generate 17,500 jobs this year, totaling over 287,000.

“If we compare [the number of tourists in Bulgaria] with Greece's 30 million, we have one-third of that country’s visitors - Greece, a world-renowned destination, is incomparable to us. That really means we are doing quite well, based on our scale and capacity,” said Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute for Analysis and Assessment of Tourism.

Bulgaria: A place where beer costs less than 1 euro​

Draganov mentioned that tourists arriving in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, “are surprised by what they see. Unlike in major cities in Europe, where you can meet people of all nationalities, in Sofia, the people on the streets are mostly locals, and most are very friendly,” he said.

Meeting and interacting with locals is easier, unlike in larger, more international cities.

“You can easily find a companion in a park in Sofia and have a wonderful evening sitting in the park in front of the National Theatre with a two-liter beer costing less than €1 ($1). Bulgaria is a country where you can have fun and live well - let’s hope we do not lose that."

Tourists enjoy free walking tours in Sofia​

Tour guides in Sofia are busy due to the influx of tourists.

Tomislav Rashkov, who runs free walking tours with Free Sofia, said the city is "a combination of many styles, eras, and contrasts, especially visible in its historical part."

He described Sofia's Tolerance Square as "one of the few places in the world where we have the opportunity to observe a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic church, and two Orthodox churches, which brings significant interest and a special character to our city."

Vanessa Teng, a tourist from Taiwan, said that Sofia's rich cultural and religious heritage is one of the main attractions for tourists. “This is the Balkans but also very European; I feel like there is a blend of both cultures, and that is very interesting,” she said.

Read more for additional ideas on planning a trip to Bulgaria.

What are the best places in Bulgaria for skiing?​

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Bulgaria is one of the best skiing destinations in Europe.

Bansko is very affordable for a ski holiday and has hot springs when you need to soak after a long day on the slopes. Read this article for full details on Bansko.

What are the best beaches in Bulgaria?​

Bulgaria's Black Sea coastline has become famous in recent years.
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This is considered Bulgaria's top vibrant seaside resort. @natalya_aleksa07

Sunny Beach is famous for its non-stop party atmosphere and has become popular for bachelor parties in recent years.

But don't write off this coastline. It has much more to offer with its long, quiet beaches. Read more about Bulgaria's beaches here.

What is the best place for outdoor adventures in Bulgaria?​

If anyone is an expert on how to maximize enjoyment in Bulgaria, it is definitely Minister of Tourism Zaritsa Dinkova.

In an interview with Euronews Travel last year, she shared her favorite spot: “I have had a favorite spot since I was 7 years old... near the town of Shumen, about 70 km from Varna.”