Car hire in Pernik

At first glance, Pernik may not seem like a very touristy destination. It rarely appears on travel websites, historical buildings have not been preserved, and the major streets are lined with typical Soviet-era apartment blocks. However, behind this mundane facade lies a vibrant city featuring unique attractions and hosting the largest masquerade in Bulgaria.

Here’s an overview of the attractions in Pernik and the best times to visit to experience all the highlights.

Average rental prices by car class

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.

Airports near Pernik

The nearest airports are listed below in order of their distance from the city. Go to the one near you to book your car and drive to Pernik in comfort.

Airports nearby	Information	Distance	Travel time
Sofia SOF	+359 29 372 211	40 km	~45 minutes
Plovdiv PDV	+359 32 601 127	196 km	~2 hours 30 minutes
Burgas BOJ	+359 56 870 248	418 km	~4 hours 20 minutes
Varna VAR	+359 52 573 323	475 km	~5 hours 45 minutes

What You need for rental

To rent a car in Bulgaria, you will need a valid European driving license (category B) that is not expired (category A is not required), a passport, and a Visa/MasterCard bank card for the deposit.

The minimum age is 23 years with at least 3 years of driving experience. For drivers under 23, there are additional costs of 6 euros per day and a double deposit requirement.

It’s best to book your preferred car in Pernik at least 7 days before the rental start date to secure a good price and the desired vehicle.

How to choose a rental car?

Decide where you will be driving: in the city, to other settlements on the highway or in the neighborhood. How many passengers will be in the car.

Car rental offers

Popular cities nearby

Many tourists initially arrive in the city by car rented at Sofia Airport or pre-book a transfer. The drive by car takes 40 minutes and eliminates the need to check transportation schedules, buy tickets, and navigate between stations with heavy luggage.

Helpful information

Info	Data
Population	84 827 (2021)
Square	72.29 km²
Language	Bulgarian
Currency	BGN – lv. (Bulgarian Lev)
Country code	+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
Access to the sea	no

Weather during the year

If you’re seriously planning to attend the January masquerade, be sure to bring warm jackets. It can be quite cold in Pernik during winter, with average temperatures staying below 0°C. However, it often snows in January, which adds to the charm of the local landscape. The carnival against the backdrop of snow-covered streets looks particularly unusual.

Average temperature by month:

Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
-1	+1	+5	+9	+14	+17	+19	+19	+16	+11	+5	0

Pernik is not hot in summer, but this is rather good news for tourists: it is easy and pleasant to walk around the city. It should be noted that the prices for tourist services remain at the same level almost all year round. The only exception is the days of the January festival, but even for these dates it is possible to find a room or apartment for little money.

Parking areas in the city

The paid parking zone in Pernik extends to all streets and open spaces in the center. A fee of 1 lev per hour is charged on weekdays from 08:00 to 19:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00. Tourists usually pay using parking meters or tickets sold at gas stations and stores. If you have a local SIM card, you can pay for parking via SMS, with the number displayed on the sign near the parking area.

The paid “blue zone” also includes parking lots located near the mining museum. If you prefer not to pay, you’ll have to walk a few blocks. You can park for free to the north, around Graovo Street and the adjacent neighborhoods. Another option is to leave your car at the Kaufland hypermarket parking lot, which is a 12-minute walk to the museum.

Pernik sights

Pernik is a relatively small city and all the attractions are concentrated in its western part.

At the Surva Festival

It may sound strange, but winter is probably the best time to visit Pernik. The reason is that at the end of January, the city hosts the “Surva” festival—one of the largest masquerade festivals in Europe. In 2009, Pernik even earned the title of European Capital of Costume Festivals.

For two days, Pernik transforms into a carnival atmosphere filled with colorful parades, performances, and fairs. The festival is rooted in ancient pagan rituals that were common among the Slavic tribes inhabiting Bulgaria. However, representatives from other European countries also participate in the masquerade, ensuring that the carnival is anything but monotonous.

The Mining Museum’s Shaft

If visiting the city in January isn’t possible, it still deserves at least a one-day trip. In the 19th century, coal mining was actively carried out in Pernik, and today, a mining museum operates in the once-abandoned shafts. Its galleries, stretching 630 meters, feature exhibitions that vividly demonstrate how coal was extracted over 100 years ago. By the way, descending into the cool shafts is particularly pleasant in the summer.

Krakra Fortress

On the southwestern outskirts of Pernik lies the Krakra Fortress, built in the 9th century by the Bulgarian khan Omurtag. However, it got its name from the nobleman Krakra of Pernik, who was one of the largest landowners in the region. Today, the ruins of the fortress are a popular spot for walks, offering panoramic views of the city and the surrounding hills. You can visit here even after sunset: under the light of the lanterns, the fortress walls catch the eye, and the atmosphere of the night sets a philosophical mood.