If you’re making your way through the Balkans, it’s worth taking a stop in Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria. Travelers often skip over this modern metropolis on their way to Bulgaria’s coastal destinations or ski resorts; however, they’re missing out on a city with a youthful vibrancy and a wealth of historical and cultural landmarks. Indeed, while Sofia often doesn’t make its way into people’s travel itineraries, you could easily spend weeks in the city and never have a shortage of things to do. With all of its restaurants, museums, nature-based activities, and nightlife, Sofia is truly one of Eastern Europe’s hidden gems.
The city of Sofia, which was known as Serdica in antiquity and Sredets during the Middle Ages, has been an area of human habitation since at least 7000 BC, giving this city an extremely rich and colorful history. In fact, a recent excavation to build a new metro system revealed a massive system of ancient Roman ruins that were at least 2,000 years old. If you’re into cultural history, there are plenty of onion-shaped domes, Ottoman mosques, and Red Army monuments left over from the Socialist Republic to explore all throughout the city. With so many things to do around the city of Sofia, Bulgaria, the best way to make the most of your time in the city is by hiring a motorbike and cruising around on your own time.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Sofia. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit for motorcycle hire in Bulgaria
- Whether it’s safe to rent a motorbike in Sofia, Bulgaria
- The best places to find motorcycle hire in Sofia
- The cost of motorbike rental in Sofia, Bulgaria
- The best things to do in Sofia, Bulgaria by motorcycle
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Hire a Motorcycle in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has been a member nation of the European Union since 2007. So, if you have a valid driver’s license from another European Union country (or any country that was a part of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic), you are eligible to drive in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, if you do not have a valid driver’s license from one of those countries, you’ll have to get an international driving permit.
If you want to apply for an international driving permit, you can do so here. You should apply for your international driving permit at least two weeks prior to leaving your home country because that’s how long it usually takes for your permit to come in the mail. There is an application fee of $20. Once you have your international driving permit (as well as a valid license form your home country), you can legally drive in Bulgaria for up to three months.
Is It Safe to Rent a Motorbike in Sofia?
Most people would agree that driving in Sofia, and in Bulgaria in general, is far less stressful than driving in countries such as Italy, Greece, Malta, or Romania. With that being said, you should still practice great caution when driving as a foreigner in Bulgaria. Many of the roads around the country are in poor condition and the local drivers will often ignore the rules of the road. The center of Sofia can also become quite congested, which can lead to accidents.
In terms of when you park your motorcycle, you should be cautious of people trying to pickpocket you. While violent crime rates in Sofia are very low compared to other parts of the world, petty theft is still a problem. You don’t want to get your keys stolen and then be on the hook for buying a brand new motorcycle to reimburse your rental company.
Where Can You Find Motorbike Rental in Sofia, Bulgaria?
If you plan on flying into Sofia Airport, you can book motorcycle hire online and your rental company will deliver your motorbike right to your airport terminal so you can drive directly to your accommodation. You can also wait until you arrive in Sofia Airport and then find a rental stand outside of the terminals.
If you’d rather arrive in the city center of Sofia before renting your motorbike, you can find several rental shops around the city as well. If you want somewhere to start, there are motorbike hire services located in the Mladost section of the city, located right by Vartopo Park.
What Is the Normal Cost of Motorcycle Hire in Sofia, Bulgaria?
The price of motorbike hire in Sofia, Bulgaria is pretty on par with most other cities around Europe, meaning it’s not exactly cheap. For instance, if you want to rent a proper motorbike like a BMW F 800 R, it’s going to cost you around €70 per day. If you want to rent something more powerful, such as a Honda Goldwing, you’ll be looking at paying around €200 per day. If you want a more affordable transportation option, you should look into motor scooter rental in Sofia.
When renting a motorcycle in Sofia, you should always make sure that the cost of helmet rental and insurance is included in the stated price. You don’t want to drive around in a foreign country without insurance. You might also be able to get reduced rates if you plan on hiring a motorbike for a week or a month, so that’s certainly worth asking about.
What Are the Best Things To Do in Sofia, Bulgaria by Motorcycle?
Now that you have all the necessary information for renting a motorcycle in Sofia, Bulgaria, here are some of the best things to do around the city with your hired wheels:
Vitosha Mountain
If you’re in Sofia and you like the outdoors, then visiting Vitosha Mountain in Bulgaria’s oldest national park is an absolute must. To get there, you should take the ring road that goes all around the city of Sofia. From there, you can park your motorcycle and take the Simeonovo gondola up to the trailheads. If you’re in Sofia during the winter, the gondola will lead you to a great ski resort with some amazing trails.
There are many hiking trails that lead all around the mountain that are fantastic during the warmer months (and it’s a lot cooler than down in the city during the hotter months). One of the best hiking trails is a fairly flat walk known as the “Panoramic Path” that gives you an incredible view of the city as well as the other side of the mountain.
Saint George Rotunda
The Church of Saint George is both the cultural center of the ancient city of Serdica and the oldest surviving building in the modern city of Sofia. This red brick church dates all the way back to the 300s and was originally constructed as Roman baths but was later converted to a church in the heart of the ancient Roman city. You can walk around the grounds and admire the beautifully constructed rotunda that has survived centuries and seen many civilizations come and go.
Step inside the Church of Saint George and admire the medieval frescoes that have been restored despite being painted over by the Ottomans in the 1600s when the church was converted to a mosque. The church and rotunda are located right in the heart of the city, so you’ll probably pass by them even if you don’t mean to.
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
One of the finest examples of architecture in Sofia, and in all of Bulgaria, is the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Built in the Neo-Byzantine style, this is one of the 50 largest Christian churches in the world by volume and the largest Orthodox cathedral in Southeast Europe. The inside of the cathedral has room for over 10,000 people as well as some extremely beautiful religious art.
Apart from its impressive size, the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is also very relevant to the history of Sofia. The church was established in the 1880s just after the Ottomans were driven out of the city and the state of Bulgaria was reestablished. The church was originally dedicated to the Russian soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Ottomans.
Take the Streets of Sofia by Motorcycle
If you plan on taking a trip to the Balkans, there’s no better place to get a sense of the local culture and natural beauty than Sofia, Bulgaria. The city offers beautiful views of the mountains as well as a wealth of cultural sites. And the best way to see it all is by hiring a motorcycle and exploring the city and its surrounding areas on your own terms.
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