Car Rental - Sofia

Despite the ancient history that runs through its heart, and throughout Bulgaria, Sofia is a city that feels very modern. Much of that is down to the energy that remains after the collapse of the Iron Curtain. The functional, charmless buildings of the Communist era have been reinvigorated, while the classic domes and cupolas of the churches and mosques are wonderfully preserved.

Sofia is a compact capital that teems with life – perfect for exploring in a rental car. It boasts a healthy café culture, streets lined with trees, and a thriving art scene. The story of independence – from Communism and the Ottoman Empire to the Roman Empire – runs through proud Sofia.

Whether arriving at Sofia airport or coming from elsewhere in the country, we’ll soon have you in your Sofia car rental, with no credit card fees or hidden extras. We’ll get you on the road and out exploring Sofia and the bewitching Balkans.

With a population of just over 1 million people, Sofia can sometimes feel more like a very large town than a major capital – and that’s a big part of its appeal. Having been invaded over the course of several millennia by the Romans, Ottomans, Greeks and Soviets, it’s a place packed with history, ruins, monuments and fragments of former civilizations. However, it’s also a place of rebirth, having shrugged off the yoke of the Communist years.

The Vitality of Vitosha

The giant backdrop of the volcanic Vitosha mountain lures many visitors to Sofia, whether it’s for skiing and winter sports or, during summer months, for hiking and trekking. While it’s a 10km drive in your rental car from Sofia, it feels at one with the city itself. Covered with spruce forest, holed with caves and home to endemic flowers and 30 types of orchid, it’s a sublime, fragranced place to walk during summer, affording a spectacular panorama of the city.

A Roman Resurrection

During works to expand the metro service in Sofia, a great amount of Roman ruins was found above Serdika metro station. Eight streets, houses, baths and a Christian basilica were discovered and have been preserved for visitors. At Restaurant Serdika, a large window looks onto the western gate of the Roman city, a perfect place to eat traditional dishes and bask in a front-row seat.

Delve further into the past at the Archaeological Museum. Exhibitions here range from the Paleolithic, to the Bronze Age and beyond, all in a building built in 1496. It’s packed with stunning artifacts, including a gold burial mask from when the Thracians ruled.

A Stomp Around Sofia

Park up your rental car in Sofia and join a free walking tour to pack in the highlights of the capital. Free Sofia Tour is an English language introduction to the city that starts at the Palace of Justice and finishes at the National Assembly, taking in cathedrals, theaters, gardens, basilicas, synagogues and market halls. It’s an invaluable glimpse into the rich make-up of Bulgarian life.

For a different experience, take a walking tour of Communist Sofia, shedding light on Bulgaria when it was part of the USSR. This three-hour walk includes the Soviet Army Monument, National Palace of Culture, the Communist Party HQ and the Secret Police building. The guide will give you a potted introduction to how life was in the 45 years of Communist rule.

Bulgarian Bites

The many nations that have staked a claim to Bulgaria and Sofia have left their influences behind on the food as well as the architecture. Grilled meats are popular and widely available, while Meshana Skara is a mixed grill. Cool down in the sweltering summer with Tarator, a cold soup of yogurt, cucumber, dill and walnuts. The most popular cheese is a brined variety called Sirene, similar to feta. It’s a key part of the Shopska Salata – a vegetable salad.

If the self-conscious traditionalism of a restaurant such as Vodenitzata – complete with waiting staff in national dress – is a bit too much for you, head to Moma for a modern, relaxed take on it. They do a great version of the Shopska, as well as chicken and pork filet served in a bowl of bread.

With the modern city peeking out from the past, Sofia is a delightful city that rewards the inquisitive. Car rental in Sofia will let you unearth the real Sofia, and the beautiful Bulgaria that beckons you.

A car rental in Sofia is a great way not only to access all parts of Sofia, it’s also essential if you’re going to travel further to Plovdiv or to the sunny resorts at the Black Sea. While many roads have been upgraded, some are still a little run down, and the center of Sofia itself is busy. The trams that run through Sofia give the city a certain charm, but drivers will need to be aware of them, and always give them the right of way.

Free parking can be difficult to find, so either use your hotel’s facilities or take advantage of the many parking lots and garages. Like in the US, you’ll drive on the right, overtaking on the left. Seatbelts are necessary for the driver and all passengers and mobile phone use while driving is illegal.

While driving your Sofia car rental in the city, the speed limit is 50 kph (as it is in built-up areas throughout Bulgaria).

Outside of the city, you can drive at up to 90 kph on normal roads and 120 kph on freeways. There is a ring road running for 60 km around Sofia, Road 18, which allows you to bypass much of the center. Within the center, there are a number of large boulevards spanning outwards, such as the Boulevard Tsarigradsko Shose running to the southeast and the Boulevard Tsar Boris III southwest.

If you plan on seeing more of Bulgaria with your rental car from Sofia, the A1 takes you east to Plovdiv, a popular tourist city, in just two hours, and then heads for the Black Sea coast at Burgas.

Directly east on E871 lies the Central Balkan National Park, while the student town of Blagoevgrad is south on A3. If your trip is going to take you even further afield, or if you just want to cross the border for the day, Macedonia can be reached on the A3 in about four hours.