Car hire in Sofa
Hiring a car in Sofia
Those looking for a relaxed location to visit shouldn't overlook the city of Sofia. The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia is a beautiful city that has a unique atmosphere. While not as busy as other areas of Bulgaria, Sofia draws people in due to its east-meets-west feel, beautiful architecture and excellent shopping malls. You'll find the perfect combination of historical monuments and brand new skyscrapers throughout Sofia, adding a youthful vibe to the old place.
Driving in Sofia is a great way to see the city and the area beyond, although you should remember that as you get further away from the centre, the roads can become a little more unpredictable.
What you need to know
There are several car hire companies available in Sofia, allowing you to to choose from a range of vehicles, prices and packages. You can see all your options for the dates of your trip by using Holiday Autos' booking tool, This shows you exactly what you get with each car with no hidden costs. On top of this, you'll also benefit from free cancellation and around the clock support, just in case.
This is why millions of people choose Holiday Autos when it comes to finding their perfect hire car.
Where to pick up your car
Exploring Sofia couldn't be easier as you can pick up your hire car once you land at the airport. You'll find the car hire desks in the arrivals hall of both airport terminals, making it simple to arrange your pick-up. Some companies have collection points at the airport, while others provide a free shuttle bus service to their offices. A number of companies make it even easier to arrange your car, as they will meet you in the arrivals hall to escort you to the right desk.
You can also pick up your car at other locations in Sofia, although it is best to check what the options are before you travel as it may be easiest to collect it at the airport.
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Where to go
Once your luggage is loaded into your hire car, you're ready to hit the road and start exploring the varied city of Sofia. Head to any one of the city's monuments or historical sites to experience what Sofia used to be like. There are also numerous museums and galleries to explore that can teach you all about the history of Bulgaria. Of course, you can also venture beyond Sofia with your hire car to see some of the beautiful landscape beyond her borders.
Nearby Sofia
There are a number of interesting towns in the area around Sofia, including Bankya. This town is famous for its mineral baths and springs and so is a great destination if you fancy a bit of a pamper. You can reach Bankya in around 30 minutes via Route 802, as it is just over 17km away from the centre of Sofia. The town is incredibly picturesque, sitting at the foot of Lyulin Mountain.
The village of German is also a lovely place to visit and is only 14km away from Sofia's centre. Many people consider German to be a suburb of the city, but it offers a very different feel. It is also a great starting off point if you want to visit Lozinska Mountain or Pancharevo Lake.
Longer drives
Bulgaria offers some truly beautiful places, so it is well worth venturing outside of Sofia to see some of them. A popular destination that you can get to in under two hours is the Rila Monastery - also called Kloster Rila. Known as the Jerusalem of Bulgaria, the monastery is 127 km from Sofia via the A3. It is an Eastern Orthodox monastery that has been built, destroyed and built again over the course of centuries. The colourful structure stands out against the mountainous region and will leave you awe inspired.
To get a sense of how old some of the cities in Bulgaria are, you should head off on the 145 -km journey to Plovdiv. The city was first founded around 6,000 years ago and while it has grown and modernised, the Old Town still maintains a strong sense of history. Known for its Bulgarian Renaissance architecture, the colourful houses and cobbled streets of Old Town Plovdiv are really beautiful.
Top attractions to visit in Sofia
Beyond the city amenities that Sofia offers, there are some amazing attractions that you should aim to visit during your stay in Bulgaria. Car hire will make this a lot easier and ensure you fall in love with the country.
Boyana Waterfall
A great natural attraction to visit under an hour away from Sofia is the Boyana Waterfall. The largest of the waterfalls of Vitosha Mountain, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in the area. Not only does the mountain offer some stunning hikes and views, once you arrive at Boyana, you can revel in how still the air is, with the only sound being that of falling water. This is definitely the place to go if you want great photos and fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Museum of Socialist Art
If you want to learn a bit more about the communist regime in Bulgaria, it is worth visiting the Museum of Socialist Art. Full of statues of Lenin, the red star that formerly decorated the top of Sofia's Party House and interesting paintings with titles that tell you a lot about the history of the time. You can also watch some of the old propaganda films, which make a change from reading about Bulgaria's history. While the museum isn't particularly easy to find, it is worth a visit.
Aleksander Nevski Church
You can't visit Sofia without heading to the Aleksander Nevski Church. Not only is this structure an integral part of the skyline of the city, it is also a symbol of Bulgaria. Built between 1882 and 1912, the church is absolutely astounding to behold. The huge building has beautiful architecture both inside and out, so you should definitely take your camera. It was originally constructed in memory of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who fought and died for Bulgaria's independence between 1877 and 1878, so it holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bulgaria.