Learn about the various facets of Sofia

The surprisingly vibrant and naturally gifted capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia is one city which you should include in your travel plans. It is a city where you can revisit history and also cherish some of the most beautiful landscapes and natural treasures. So, simply hire a car from Sofia airport and get started with the journey of a lifetime.

Sofia is a historical city and also the seat of the Bulgarian government. In this article you can get a comprehensive overview of the multitudinous breathtaking facets of Sofia. This will help you to plan your trip flawlessly to this heavenly place, with your friends and family. If you are worrying about the transport facilities in Sofia, then you can be remain stress-free, as Sofia is endowed with some of the most reliable car rental agencies which provide high-quality vehicles at affordable prices.

Located at the foot of the Vitosha Mountains, Sofia is the largest city in Bulgaria, with more than 1.3 million people residing in the heart of the city. Apart from being the hotbed for the tourism sector, Sofia is also regarded as one of the top 10 destinations in the world for start-up business. It is also one of the well-established educational hubs in the country. No matter whichever location you would like to visit, agencies dealing with car hire in Sofia can competently assist you to reach your destination, safely and comfortably.

Geography:

Situated in the western part of Bulgaria, Sofia is surrounded in the north by the Balkan Mountains. This city does not have any major rivers or bridges, but is mostly blanketed by high mountains from all sides. Vladayska and Perlovska are two low rivers which flow near the city. Although an incredibly beautiful city for an avid tourist, Sofia is unfortunately one of the capital cities of Europe which suffers from high level of air pollution.

Climate:

Sofia experiences warm and humid summer months and cold and freezing winter months. In January, temperatures can drop to -16 degrees centigrade. Because, it is situated at a higher altitude than most of the other Bulgarian cities, it experiences comfortable summers, with no major heat waves. Thunderstorms and rain are also common occurrences in Sofia.

Green-Region:

Green areas are present in significant numbers throughout Sofia. There are several parks in Sofia. Some of the main ones are Borisova Gradina which is located in the city center, along with Western, Southern and Northern parks. The Vitosha Park is one of the oldest national parks in the Balkans region. Due to its easy accessibility via car and other forms of transport, the Vitiosha Mountain has become a very popular destination for hiking activities. This mountain offers a pleasant hiking experience during the winter months. If you would like to learn skiing, then there are training classes available.

Crime Rate:

Sofia is one of the safest capital cities in Europe. However, the city has experienced some problems pertaining to the killings of Bulgarian Mafia. As per the latest reports, violent crime rates were very less in Sofia, but there were reports of thefts and vandalism activities in the city. If you are a tourist, then you should consider yourself safe while exploring the city in daylight and moderately safe while exploring at night.

Tourism:

Sofia being the capital of Bulgaria is without doubt the most visited city in the country. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of the main tourism highlights in Bulgaria. It was built in the 19th century. Today, it can hold over 10,000 people. Sofia attracts tourists and students who are visiting for practical education purpose. The National Historical Museum, located in the Boyana district, will welcome you with more than 650,000 historical materials ranging from prehistoric to the current era. The National Archaeological Museum hosts the collection of much smaller objects, which are related to the history of the country. Apart from these, there are two amazing natural science museum which display ancient animal species, rare minerals and other materials. If you are a shopaholic, then you must visit Vitosha Boulevard. Here, you can shop to your heart’s content by visiting several luxury goods stores, fashion boutiques. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants available, which offer mouth-watering local and international cuisines. If you are entering the city through airplane, then you can visit these places by hiring a car, from a car rental in Sofia airport.

Sporting Activities:

There are umpteen numbers of sports clubs which are operating in the city. Sofia has got a long-time association with volleyball and basketball. Football is also a very popular sport in this region. If you are fond of playing tennis then there are around 10 tennis court areas situated in the city. Golf is also played in Sofia and there are two golf courses located in the eastern region of Sofia.

Economy:

Being the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia is the economic heartland of the country. Regional and international companies are available in significant numbers throughout Sofia. This city is a major attraction for several IT companies, primarily due to the fact that Sofia has one of the fastest internet speeds in the world. Companies like IBM, HP, Siemens, SAP and many more have established a strong foothold in Sofia. The national airline of Bulgaria, Bulgaria Air, PPD has its head office located in Sofia airport.

Car Rental:

Renting a car is one of the most convenient methods to reach your destination comfortably and without delays, which is often encountered while opting for public transport like busses and railways. Due to a low traffic density, driving around the city is a pleasurable experience. Car rental agencies offer various forms of cars according to your specific requirement. If you are a solo traveler who have come for a business trip, then a small vehicle would be sufficient. On the other hand, if you are travelling with your family, then a bigger vehicle would be necessary. You can choose a car ranging across multiple categories like Station Wagon, Budget, Executive, Economy, SUV, Compact, Van and a lot more.

Whether you are planning to visit Sofia for a holiday with your family or a for business trip, the breathtaking ambience of this place will definitely be etched on your memory forever.

The author is a traveler and an eminent travel blogger. Here, he has penned down some of the top highlights of Sofia across diverse topics. He recommends you to choose a reliable car hire in Sofia.