Car rentals in Haskovo

Haskovo is a small and cozy city in the southern part of Bulgaria. Its neat streets invite long walks, while its unique attractions make it an ideal choice for a day trip. Here’s why tourists love visiting this city and how to make sure you don’t miss the most interesting sights.

Haskovo has car rental offices, so you can rent a car even if you arrived in the city by other means. A vehicle is essential for visiting the Alexandrov Tomb, one of the main attractions from the Thracian period in Bulgaria.

Average rental prices

Car classes	Price per day	Deposit amount
compact cars	from 6 EUR (12 BGN)	from 150 euros
small cars	from 18 EUR (36 BGN)	from 150 euros
standard	from 20 EUR (40 BGN)	from 200 euros
minivan	from 26 EUR (52 BGN)	from 300 euros
SUVs	from 35 EUR (70 BGN)	from 800 euros
luxury	from 60 EUR (120 BGN)	from 1500 euros

*Prices are valid for November 2024. Check the available cars in the city and review the offers from rental offices.

Nearby Airports

Most tourists arrive in Haskovo from Sofia or Burgas, both of which have international airports. Traveling by train without transfers is not possible, so the quickest options are by car. Renting a car at Sofia or Burgas airport is a good choice. Tourists often include several cities in their travel itinerary, such as Plovdiv, Haskovo, and Stara Zagora, which are relatively close to the A1 highway.

The airports near Haskovo are listed below in order of their distance from the city. Check the one that is closest to book a car and reach the city comfortably.

Airports nearby	Information	Distance	Travel time
Plovdiv PDV	+359 32 601 127	78 km	~1 hour 20 minutes
Sofia SOF	+359 29 372 211	225 km	~2 hours 15 minutes
Burgas BOJ	+359 56 870 248	218 km	~2 hours 25 minutes
Varna VAR	+359 52 573 323	321 km	~3 hours 52 minutes

What do I need to rent a car?

To rent a car in Bulgaria you will need a regular European valid driver’s license with an unexpired expiration date (MVU is not required), a passport and a Visa/MasterCard bank card to make a deposit.

The minimum age requirement is 23 years old and a minimum of 3 years driving experience. For drivers under 23 years of age there is an additional cost of 6 euros per day and double deposit.

Make your reservation in Haskovo 7 days before the start of the rental to get good discounts from the rental company.

How to choose a rental car?

Define the routes: around Haskovo, to another city on the highway and mountain serpentines or off-road. How many passengers will be in the car.

Rental company offers

Cities near

Useful information

Information	Data
Population	75 908 (2021)
Square	95.18 km²
Language	Bulgarian
Currency	BGN – lv. (Bulgarian Lev)
Код страны	+359
Police/ambulance phone number	112 (free)
Direction of movement	right-handed
Speed ​​limit outside the city	90 km/h (56 mph)
Speed ​​limit within the city	50 km/h (31 mph)
Permissible blood alcohol level	0.05‰ ppm
Availability of access to the sea	No

Weather during the year

Haskovo is already warm in March, with temperatures staying below 0°C from then on. But the city starts to look really welcoming in April, when the leaves appear on the trees and you can walk the streets in a light jacket during the day.

From December to January it sometimes snows, but it is difficult to guess the date of your trip. In winter, a tourist is more likely to encounter cold heavy rain than snow, so it is better to plan a trip for the warmer months.

Average temperature by month:

Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
+1	+3	+6	+11	+16	+20	+23	+22	+18	+13	+8	+3

It should be noted that in the period from July to August the prices for tourist services rise by 2 times, and sometimes more. Hotels, rental cars, excursions in Haskovo – during the vacation season the supply of these services often does not keep up with demand. If your budget is limited, it is worth considering a trip in May or June.

Parking areas in the city

The central streets of Haskovo within the boundaries of Bulgaria Blvd. and Union Blvd. are part of the paid “blue zone.” The parking fee is 1 lev. This rate applies on weekdays from 08:30 to 17:30 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00. Parking is free at other times. You can pay using a parking meter or by purchasing a ticket in advance at a gas station or store.

It is possible to park for free within walking distance of the center, but you need to pay close attention to the signs. Some parking zones are reserved for local residents or taxi drivers only. These areas will always have a sign stating “Tow truck operates” or “No stopping.” If you want to park for free closer to the center, consider driving into the residential neighborhoods north of Union Blvd.; you’re sure to find a spot.

Haskovo sights and nearest tours

Haskovo itself does not have major historical landmarks, but strolling through the local streets is pleasant and interesting. The main attraction that draws tourists to Haskovo is not located in the city itself but rather 25 km away. The Alexandrov Tomb, created in the 4th century BC, is a legacy of the Thracians, who inhabited the territory of present-day Bulgaria for a long time.

Alexander’s Tomb

The burial mound, 15 meters high, was first explored in 2000. The Alexandrov Tomb is closed to visitors, but there is a museum nearby that features an exact replica of the tomb and displays the original archaeological finds.

Statue of the Virgin Mary

The city is dotted with many unusual symbols, the most prominent of which is the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in the world. The monument stands 31 meters tall and is visible from anywhere in the city, looking most impressive from a distance. If you have time, you can take a walk in the well-maintained and spacious park located next to the statue.

“Clock Tower”

In Freedom Square, located in the center of Haskovo, there are two clock towers. The first one, built in a brutal Soviet style, was erected in 1985 to mark the city’s 1000th anniversary. The second tower appears older, but its history is much more complex. The “Clock Tower” was originally constructed on this site in the 19th century but was demolished in 1913.

In the early 21st century, residents recalled this important symbol and raised funds for its reconstruction. In 2012, the tower was reopened at its original location. Notably, the bells for both London’s Big Ben and the tower in Haskovo were cast by the same workshop in London.

Nearby Freedom Square, there is a historical museum. Despite its regional status, the museum’s collection is exceptionally rich and diverse, featuring everything from primitive artifacts to exquisite ancient works of art and medieval coins.