Bulgaria is a wonderful place to visit and still pretty much off the tourist trail. A great way to explore the country is with cheap car hire in Bulgaria. Most of the major car hire companies such as Avis and Hertz have offices in the larger cities such as Sofia, Varna and Bourgas.

If you decide to drive to Bulgaria you will need an International Driving license and your national license plus an international Green Card from your insurance company. Also try and get hold of a map before you arrive as most signs in Bulgaria are written in Cyrillic script. Since joining the EU a few years ago, the quality of Bulgarian roads has improved considerably although take extra caution in mountain and rural areas.

Most people’s first stop in Bulgaria is the capital city of Sofia. Like most cities, it’s easier to get around without a hire car. Just on the outskirts of the city is the lovely Mount Vitosha where you can ski or enjoy a picnic.

A great place to visit with car hire in Bulgaria is Nesebar on the Black Sea. Nesebar is more touristy than many destinations in Bulgaria but a great base for exploring nearby fishing villages and secluded beaches. It also features many pretty medieval churches and buildings.

The Rila Mountains and monastery are within easy reach of the capital city with car rental in Bulgaria. The area is one of the most popular places to hike in Eastern Europe and there are some excellent day hikes in the region.