site.btaBulgaria Ranked 50th in The New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2025 List

Bulgaria has been included in The New York Times' list of 52 Places to Go in 2025, ranking 50th. Travel to Bulgaria is becoming easier than ever, as visitors from most European Union countries will no longer have to pass a border check, and the country is expected to adopt the euro soon, NYT says.

The newspaper suggests that once visitors arrive, a smart jumping-off spot would be the capital Sofia. It is described as “an ancient cultural crossroads and home to the Triangle of Religious Tolerance, an area where Catholic cathedrals, Jewish temples, Muslim mosques, and Orthodox churches sit together".

“Later, hike through Rila National Park, a high-altitude wonderland, and visit the mystical Rila Monastery. Save a day or three for Plovdiv, the country’s charming second city, with its buzzy nightlife. Alternatively, climb the dramatic, cliff-side streets of the town of Veliko Tarnovo or relax at a Black Sea beach resort. Just be sure to sample the many underrated Bulgarian wines along the way,” NYT says. 

In the NYT ranking, Jane Austen's England takes the top spot, not as a specific location but thematically, marking the 250th anniversary of the famous writer's birth. The country will host numerous celebrations in her honour this year.

The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of Ecuador, rank second. A positive view is taken of the decision to double the entry fee to Galapagos National Park for most foreign visitors aged 13 year or over to USD 200.

New York City museums take third place, as the Big Apple celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2025.

Assam, India, follows in fourth place, and Thailand is in fifth place.

Delphi, Greece, is in 29th place, the only destination in the Balkans besides Bulgaria.

In total, 19 travel destinations in Europe feature on the NYT ranking.