site.btaSofia Celebrates World Tourism Day with Free Sustainable Tours

Visit Sofia is marking World Tourism Day with a programme of free sustainable tours, Sofia Municipality said on Saturday. All tours are held on foot or by public transport as part of efforts to promote environmentally friendly travel.

Visit Sofia is offering 17 free tours as part of the celebration. Each route is either a walking tour or uses public transport, supporting more sustainable travel and environmental protection.

The programme features guided tours of the National Palace of Culture at 10:30, 13:00, and 15:30. Each tour lasts approximately two hours and requires advance registration.

The itinerary includes a guided walking tour, “Sofia for Beginners in 55 Steps,” beginning at 10:00 from the Alexander I of Battenberg Mausoleum. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes and requires prior registration.

The retro tram tour departs hourly from 12:00 to 15:00 at Sofia Central Bus Station and travels to Journalist Square. The journey lasts 60 minutes and is free of charge, subject to seat availability.

The double-decker bus tour with a guide departs from the square in front of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Tours leave every hour from 10:00 to 18:00 and last 40 to 50 minutes. Admission is free until the bus reaches full capacity.

World Tourism Day demonstrates that sustainable travel can be inspiring, accessible, and enjoyable. Sofia offers diverse routes that blend culture, history, and environmental stewardship, according to Visit Sofia.

Bulgaria is sixth among European Union countries in growth of overnight stays at tourist sites during the first half of 2025, according to the latest Eurostat data released before World Tourism Day. Nearly 9.86 million overnight stays were recorded in Bulgaria from January to June 2025, compared to 9.26 million during the same period in 2024, an increase of 6.4%.

In the first half of 2025, Sofia experienced an 11% increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period in 2024, based on data from Visit Sofia at Sofia Municipality. From January to June, the city welcomed over 647,000 visitors, with foreigners accounting for 61% and Bulgarians for 39%. Overnight stays rose by 8%, totalling 1.45 million, primarily in four-star hotels (35%), and 21% in three- and five-star hotels.