Easter Monday in Bulgaria: Tradition and Family Visits
Orthodox Easter Monday is the day following Easter Sunday and is observed across Bulgaria as part of the wider Easter celebration within the Orthodox Christian tradition
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Photo: Stella Ivanova
Revenue from overnight stays in Bulgaria continued to rise at a solid pace at the end of 2025, with hotel income in December increasing by 12.5 percent on an annual basis, according to data from the National Statistical Institute. Total revenues reached 112.7 million leva (57.6 million euros), with Bulgarian guests accounting for 75.6 million leva (38.6 million euros), while foreign visitors generated 37.1 million leva (18.9 million euros).
For comparison, hotel revenues in December 2024 amounted to 100.2 million leva (51.2 million euros), which itself represented an 11.6 percent rise compared to December 2023. The trend of strong growth had already been visible at the start of last year, when revenues from overnight stays totaled 112.9 million leva (57.7 million euros), marking a year-on-year increase of 24 percent at the time.
Occupancy levels also improved in December 2025. The average bed occupancy rate stood at 25.4 percent, up by 1.1 percentage points compared to the same month a year earlier. The highest utilization was recorded in higher-category hotels, with 4- and 5-star establishments reaching 33.4 percent occupancy. Three-star hotels followed with 24.4 percent, while 1- and 2-star accommodations reported a more modest rate of 15.3 percent.
The number of overnight stays reflected this upward momentum as well. A total of 1,083,500 nights were spent in accommodation facilities during the month, an increase of 8.2 percent year-on-year. Bulgarian citizens accounted for 765,500 overnight stays, while foreign tourists registered 318,000, confirming steady demand from both domestic and international guests.
Specialists in the real estate and tourism sectors are forecasting a notable rise in the prices of vacation properties in Bulgaria, with estimates pointing to an increase of between 25% and 30%
The ski zone above Bansko is set to welcome visitors during the Easter holidays with exceptional late-season conditions, as snow cover near Todorka Peak has reached close to three meters
President Iliana Yotova has called for Bulgaria to be actively promoted as a safe and competitively priced destination in order to secure a strong tourist season, during a meeting with caretaker Tourism Minister Irena Georgieva
From May 20, 2026, around half of Bulgarian short-term rental listings are expected to disappear from platforms such as Airbnb and Booking, as new EU rules on digital registration and data exchange come into force
Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport is entering the summer 2026 season with a significantly expanded flight network, offering more destinations and greater connectivity across Europe and beyond
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has elevated the travel risk level for Cuba to Level 4, advising citizens to avoid travel to the country except in situations of extreme necessity.
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