Bulgaria's busiest low-cost carrier just made two corners of the Mediterranean a whole lot closer to Sofia. Vihrogon reports that Wizz Air has launched direct routes from Sofia to Palermo, Sicily and Tirana, Albania, with the first flights on both new lines taking off on 4 July 2026. Tickets are already on sale through the Wizz Air website and app, with fares starting from 19.99 euros.
For context: Wizz Air holds the largest market share of any airline operating in Bulgaria, and since beginning Bulgarian operations in 2005 has carried more than 34 million passengers to and from the country. In 2025 alone it flew 3.1 million passengers on nearly 16,000 flights, according to Vihrogon.
Why Palermo and Tirana?
Palermo, the sun-drenched capital of Sicily, is a city where Arab-Norman architecture meets baroque grandeur and open-air markets overflow with street food. Landmarks such as the Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Palace with its Palatine Chapel, and the storied Teatro Massimo make it a draw for culture lovers, while the Ballarò and Vucciria markets keep things deliciously chaotic. A direct flight from Sofia removes the need for a connection through Rome or Milan, which has historically added both time and cost to the journey.
Tirana, meanwhile, has quietly transformed into one of the Balkans' most talked-about city-break destinations. Colourful Communist-era apartment blocks, the elegant Skanderbeg Square, the Et'hem Bey Mosque and the buzzy Blloku neighbourhood, once reserved for the party elite and now packed with cafés and restaurants, give the Albanian capital a personality all its own. Its position near the Adriatic coast and the Albanian Alps also makes it a handy gateway for wider regional exploration.
