Sofia Named Europe’s Top City for Short Trips in 2027

Jerusalem, 12 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Sofia is the best European destination for a short city trip in 2027, the press center of the Sofia Municipality announced.

The first place in the European Best Destinations ranking puts the Bulgarian capital in the focus of an international tourism campaign and gives the city an additional opportunity to reach new visitors. Over 33 days, 11,614 people participated in the voting for 64 European destinations – 20 capitals and 44 other cities, selected by independent travel journalists, with each participant having the opportunity to support up to three destinations, the Sofia Municipality added.

“We are proud that so many people chose Sofia, our ambition is to welcome more and more visitors and give them reasons to come back,” Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev said in a statement. “This recognition is an opportunity to showcase our city to an even wider international audience and build on the interest in everything Sofia has to offer.”

Over the next 12 months, European Best Destinations will present Sofia as a leading destination for short city trips to an international audience, including through partner media such as Forbes International. The Sofia municipality said the campaign creates an opportunity for the capital to reach people looking for new European destinations and to attract interest in local businesses, cultural events and tourism services.

The municipality added that European Best Destinations has been promoting European destinations since 2009 and works with over 500 tourist destinations and international media.

Work is underway to improve Sofia’s urban environment, support cultural life and promote the city internationally. The next step is to turn the increased interest in the city into a sustainable tourist flow and more opportunities for local businesses and the cultural sector.