Travel Guide Bulgaria – Enjoy the Balkans

Bulgaria is a European Union country located in southeast Europe. It is regarded as one of the oldest countries in Europe, with its capital city Sofia dating as far back at the 5th Century BC. The country is bordered by Greece, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia and the Black Sea. Along with its capital city, other major cities include Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv - which are all worth a visit and spending some time in.

Bulgaria has varied terrain, which is ideal for hiking, biking, various sports and for spending a relaxing day in. From mountains to rivers and the ever-imposing Danube River – Bulgaria has it all. The Black Sea coastline is a must, along with enjoying the nightlife in Sofia. A melting pot of different cultures and civilisations, the country is known for its rich-heritage and varied influences imposed in its music, dress, food and crafts. Our travel guide to Bulgaria has been put together to allow you to experience everything this Balkan country can offer.

With over 70 years' car rental industry experience, Auto Europe through its long-standing and trusted partners is able to provide car hire at a competitive rate. With regular promotions and extra discounts for members, all our locations are convenient and offer up a large vehicle fleet in which to choose from. With standard car hire, luxury car hire, motorhome hire and a transfer service, we offer an exceptional service and providing peace-of-mind.

Look over the Bulgaria travel guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of traveling in Bulgaria.

• Bulgaria Car Hire Guide - All you need to know about hiring a car in Bulgaria.
• Bulgaria Driving Information - All the main road rules and regulations, including tips on driving your car hire in Bulgaria
• Bulgaria Fleet Guide Options - Find out exactly what car rental options you can choose for your car rental in Bulgaria

Road trips with my car hire in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a relatively small country and as such makes for the perfect road trip destination. The landscape is varied, from mountains to large plateaus and beautiful coastal areas. Regarded as one of Europe’s oldest countries, Bulgarian cities are awash with historical monuments, museums and points of interest. It’s culture, arts, music and cuisine are as diverse as the many civilisations that has passed through its lands. We would recommend the following road trips to maximise your stay.

• Plovdiv to Stara Zagora: With around 60-miles between them, and taking just an hour to reach, the drive between Plovdiv and Stara Zagora is a pleasant experience. The motorway between these two places is well-maintained with flowing traffic, at least until you start to reach the urban areas. Stara Zagora is a unique city to explore – famous for its historical links and beer. Pay a visit to an hourglass-shaped museum - which is dedicated to Bulgarian history and visit the impressive Augusta Trajana Roman Theatre to watch a show. For those seeking to learn more about Bulgarian beer, we would recommend taking a guided tour of the Zagorka Brewery Museum.


• Sofia to Koprivshtitsa: Drive from Sofia to Koprivshtitsa to see one of Bulgaria’s most interesting places. It’ll take around 2-hours to reach, covering around 68-miles, but once there you will be witness to a picturesque town known for its part in the revival of Bulgarian identity and architecture. Stroll some of the prettiest streets in the country, full of numerous mansions and manor houses of the period. The town sits at the base of the Stara Planina Mountain range, and you’ll have two options to reach it. First is by motorway, which is quicker and safer, whilst the second is by the narrow winding mountain roads, that will give you unprecedented stunning views over the area but will take much longer to drive.


• Koprivshtitsa to Plovdiv: Covering around 55-miles and taking an estimated 1-hour and 30-minutes to drive, the journey from Koprivshtitsa to Plovdiv is well worth the effort once there. Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second largest city, and often regarded highly in terms of beauty. Visit its lively creative district which rests on top of three hills. Catch a show in the ancient Roman amphitheatre if visiting during the summer. It often has either musicals, operas or theatrical performances. Ideal for those with children is the kids railway which travels up one of the hills.


• Nessebar to Shumen: If you’re looking for a calmer and less tourist place to visit in Bulgaria, then just 85-miles away from Nessebar by car is Shumen. In as little as 2-hours the drive to Shumen is pleasant and stress-free along the motorway. Shumen is a Bulgarian city that is less popular than its counterparts, but nevertheless just as exciting. Once there, pay a visit to the 1300-year-old monument that depicts all of Bulgaria’s previous rulers. Shumen Fortress which is located on the Shumen Plateau is also worth a visit for anyone interested in local history. The added bonus is that anyone interested in hand-gliding will also have this opportunity on the Shumen Plateau.

What to do in Bulgaria

From ancient monasteries to majestic waterfalls and Roman amphitheatres, Bulgaria is a country full of contrasts and wonder. Enjoy some of Europe’s best hiking trails or take a dip in the Black Sea. Bulgaria is regarded by many as one of Europe’s oldest countries, and as such it certainly has a colourful history to explore. A melting pot of western and eastern cultures, the country portrays this through its folk dress, cuisine, music and crafts. We recommend the following places to see during your trip.

• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: Located in the centre of Sofia – Bulgaria capital city – is one of the prettiest cathedrals in the country. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was completed in 1912 and was in honour of the 200,000 Russian soldiers that lost their lives during the Russo-Turkish war. The cathedral itself is stunning, with a gold-plated dome and intricately detailed mosaics inside. The solid wooden alter has been beautifully handcrafted, whilst large chandeliers hang from its equally as impressive ceilings.


• Koprivshtitsa: Take a stroll around one of Bulgaria’s most traditional towns and a symbol of Bulgarian struggle against the Ottoman rule. Located in the Sredna Gora mountain range – Koprivshtitsa is a historic town packed with quaint traditional buildings and winding narrow roads. A great place to shop in, the town is extremely popular amongst tourists. With excellent restaurants and lots of quirky coffee houses, this town consist of numerous mansions and manor houses.


• Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari: Discovered in 1982, the tomb of Sveshtari dates back to the 3 Century BC and is thought to have been the last resting place of a royal couple who belonging to the Thracian tribe. This wonderfully preserved tomb consists of splendid carvings and numerous half-woman, half-tree figures that hold up the tombs ceiling. To date there has been no other similar discoveries and as such this tomb is said to be the only one of its kind.


• Plovdiv Roman Theatre: Dating back to the 1 Century AD, this splendidly well-preserved theatre is said to the have been constructed during the rule of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Discovered in the 1960s, the theatre is located in the heart of Plovdiv Old Town and is thought to have once played an important role in the lives of its inhabitants. From gladiatorial events to theatrical shows and government meetings – the theatre is currently still providing opera and musical shows to its 7,000 strong capacity crowd.


• Tsarevets Fortress: This fortress now stands on the site of an 800-year-old Tsar palace. Providing exceptional views over the surrounding landscape, Tsarevets Fortress has for hundreds of years been one of the main defensive points into the country. A difficult fortress to get to, as it involves a long upward trail up a mountain side – it consists of more than 400 ruins and a splendid wall that can be walked along. The grounds are equally as impressive with plenty of trees and local fauna.

Frequently Asked Questions about travelling in Bulgaria

Because we often get asked the same questions regarding car rentals. We have put together the following answers to the most popular questions asked by customers who travel to Bulgaria. Topics such as visa requirements, time zones, currency utilised and more are covered. With further travel tips by trained professionals to maximise your holiday experience. If you have a question that is not covered here, please call our reservation team.

Useful Links

Bulgaria Airport Information

Official Tourism Website of Bulgaria

Gov.uk Bulgaria Travel Advice