Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria, located by the popular Vitosha Mountain, popular with skiers from all over the world. Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, the National Historical Museum of the city is one of the largest Eastern European museums. The city has a huge number of attractions, each of which reflects the complex past of the entire state: ancient powerful churches converted into mosques, monumental architecture and Roman heritage, combined with modern city buildings.
Wide cobbled boulevards, all kinds of shops and boutiques, fun and incendiary nightlife are the highlight of this large city. Now Sofia is a dynamically developing European capital, which is world famous for its beautiful landscapes, unique architectural buildings, as well as many beautiful ritual monuments. Near the ancient large shopping and entertainment centers, modern hotels and all kinds of clubs have grown into buildings. At the same time, the pricing policy has hardly changed - Sofia has been and remains one of the most inexpensive European capitals in the world. Plus, the proximity of a popular modern ski resort, balneological springs and health resorts have helped Sofia become a very popular city, which annually attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world.
Sofia is the largest transport hub Bulgaria. The city has the largest airport in the country, which is connected by regular service to many cities in the world.
An extensive network of public routes transport connects all the districts, the immediate surroundings of Sofia. The city has a developed network of metro, buses, trolleybuses. An excellent solution would be to rent a car on the Bookingautos website in order to independently explore all the sights of the city and its environs.
What to see in Sofia
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the most famous sights of Sofia, which is the second largest and grandest Christian church on the Balkan Peninsula. It allows you to simultaneously accommodate more than 10,000 people. This Orthodox church was built between 1882 and 1912 in the style of neo-Byzantine architecture, in honor of the memory of 200,000 Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish wars for the liberation of the people of Bulgaria from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire. Inside the cathedral is decorated with interesting mosaics, murals and images of saints.
Travelers are attracted by the only functioning mosque in Sofia, built at the end of the 16th century - this is the Banya-Bashi Mosque. An interesting fact is that in the back of the building, a section of an ancient bath was found, which was once an annex to the mosque, as well as a fountain with hot drinking water. Tourists can visit the mosque only when the faithful are not praying.
St. George's Church > - a small religious building made of red brick, built in the 4th century in the very center of ancient Serdika (the city that was on the site of modern Sofia). This is the oldest building in Sofia, which has miraculously been preserved in its original form for more than 1500 years. Inside, you can observe elements of medieval frescoes that were depicted by the Ottomans after the church was rebuilt into a mosque.
Vitosha Boulevard - the main street of the city, which is presented in an elegant Art Nouveau style, as a reminder of the early years Bulgarian revival. It is famous for fashion boutiques, outlets, cafes and small restaurants, as well as breathtaking views of the mountain range of the same name. Street artists and musicians perform here, mass cultural events, rallies are held.
Holy Week Cathedral is a neo-Byzantine-style cathedral built in the middle of the 19th century.
St. Cyril and Methodius National Librarywww.nationallibrary.bg is located in the heart of the city. The building in which it is located has an elegant appearance. Behind the beautiful walls there are truly priceless historical treasures - several thousand ancient, precious, printed and handwritten books in Slavic and foreign languages, a music collection, an archive of Bulgarian literature and many other priceless exhibits.
What to visit around Sofia
The Bulgarian capital with its many attractions in the city center can be explored on the boat itself, on foot or by sightseeing bus. But to go to the monasteries surrounding Sofia, picturesque mountains and resorts, ancient cities, you need to think about renting a car.
Vitosha is a picturesque mountain range, on the outskirts of which Sofia is located. The highest point is Cherni-Vryh (2290 m). Vitosha includes a ski resort and a national park. The national park includes the most famous, most frequently visited parts of the array. In summer it is recommended to visit the national park, there are 50 hiking trails in total, 10 of them pass at an altitude of over 2,000 meters.
Foreign tourists are attracted to these parts not only by beautiful views, fresh air, but by the most popular ski resort in Bulgaria. Vitosha Mountain is best visited from December to April. Snow cover lies on the slopes for 150 days a year, which makes it possible to organize a long ski season in these surroundings. The ski resort on Mount Vitosha is experiencing unprecedented growth - athletes from USA, Australia and other countries.
Food and the best restaurants in Sofia
The national cuisine of Sofia is Bulgarian cuisine, which is similar to Turkish and Greek, includes stewed and stuffed vegetables, fruits, freshwater and sea fish, grilled meat and cheese in various forms. Especially popular is the cold soup "tarator" made from sour milk, walnuts and cucumbers. It is impossible to stay hungry in the capital of Bulgaria. Restaurants and cafes in Sofia offer cuisines from all over the world: from national Bulgarian and Mediterranean to Indian.
Arriving in Sofia, the first thing you should look at is Mehana Sofia is a restaurant serving national Bulgarian cuisine. There you can find not only Bulgarian dishes, but also a bright national flavor - the walls are decorated with wooden wheels, pottery and other items of peasant life, and tables are covered with tablecloths with Bulgarian embroidery. The extensive menu combines Eastern and Western culinary traditions. Phone +359878105627.
Izbata Tavern — a quiet cozy cafe with an oriental European cuisine. The interior of the cafe is made in the Bulgarian folk style, traditional Bulgarian cuisine. Here you can have a great time with friends with a glass of young Bulgarian wine or sit with the whole family in a separate cozy room in a secluded setting. Phone +35929895533.
Divakaview on mapis a chain of inexpensive restaurants in the center of Sofia, which are loved by both tourists and locals. The menu consists of exclusively Bulgarian dishes - you can try the famous tarator and kyufte. Phone +359888219087.
Where to park a car in Sofia
In Sofia, most parking lots are paid, they are o are marked with blue or green markings on the road, as well as a road sign "P" with a sign that shows prices, payment options and schedule when payment is due.
Toll car parks with barriers look like large open areas. The cost of parking from 1 euro per hour, they are located close to the attractions of the city. There are two short-term paid parking zones in Sofia:
The blue zone, where you can park your car for no more than 2 hours. Cost - 1 euro per hour, payment is charged on weekdays from 08:30 to 19:30, on Saturday - from 08:30 to 18:00.
The green zone within which you can leave your car for a maximum of 4 hours, the cost is 0.5 euros per hour, payment only on weekdays from 08:30 to 19:30.
Parking can be paid using a parking ticket or via SMS from a local SIM card. Phone numbers in Sofia: blue zone - 1302, green zone - 1303. You can send two (for the blue zone) or up to four (for the green zone) SMS at the same time.
During the holidays, all municipal parking lots are free. Car parksPark & Ride are large car parks located on the outskirts of Sofia near the metro.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Alamo
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
27 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Estimated price for 7 days rental in Sofia:
January
€200
February
€124
March
€131
April
€137
May
€168
June
€238
July
€250
August
€252
September
€168
October
€124
November
€111
December
€156
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Sofia in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Sofia is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €26 for a Compact car.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Skoda Superb reaches €34 per day.
In Sofia you can choose from over 40 models of different car classes and for any budget. We provide only new cars with low mileage. You can easily choose a familiar car, and we guarantee its safety and perfect technical condition.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Sofia, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Ford Fiestamodel can be rented for just €26 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €15. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Skoda Superb, Opel Insignia Estate, BMW X1, which can be rented for as little as €41-€52 per day. Approximately for €68in Sofia you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €186 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
In recent years in Sofia the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Tesla Model X in Sofia by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Car rental tips in Sofia
Download Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Sofia is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat Panda or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Sofia.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Insignia Estate will cost €34 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Sofia - Downtown for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Sofia, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Sofia are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Getting a car at a rental office
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Sofia - Downtown
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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