Sofia has submitted its bid for European Capital of Tourism 2027, a European Commission initiative recognising cities with proven achievements and innovative approaches to tourism development.
The bid was developed by the Visit Sofia team at Municipal Enterprise Tourism and brings together data, expertise and best practices from various departments of Sofia Municipality, cultural institutions and partner organisations. It reflects Sofia’s long-term vision of becoming a sustainable, welcoming and responsible European destination that develops tourism for the benefit of both visitors and the local community.
The proposal presents Sofia as a compact and well-connected European capital where cultural heritage, nature, public transport, digital services and the everyday lives of residents come together in an accessible and balanced urban environment.
It outlines specific policies, measures and results achieved in the competition’s four key areas: accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, and cultural heritage and creativity. The main highlights include efforts to improve air quality, expand open city data and digital tourism solutions, and preserve and present cultural heritage in a contemporary way.
The winner in the category for cities with more than 100,000 residents will be announced in November 2026.
