Rent a car in Sliven

Sliven, located in the southeast of Bulgaria, rarely makes it to the main pages of tourist websites. However, curious travelers know that this cozy town offers plenty of interesting attractions, stunning mountain views, and a pleasant atmosphere for spending time.

Here’s what attracts tourists to Sliven, the most convenient ways to get around the city, and the best time to go on a trip.

Average rental prices in Sliven 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.

What is needed for car rental?

For car rental in Bulgaria, you will need a valid European driving license (without an expired date, and no need for an international driving permit), a passport, and a Visa/MasterCard for the deposit.

The minimum age is 23, with at least 3 years of driving experience. For drivers under 23, there is an additional fee of €6 per day and a double deposit.

Make a reservation in Sliven a week before your arrival to receive good discounts from the rental company.

How to choose a rental car?

Will you be driving around Sliven, traveling to another city on the highway, or navigating rough terrain in the mountains or along the coast? How many passengers will be in the car? By answering these questions, you can select the right rental car.

Car rental companies

Nearby cities to Sliven

Before traveling to Sliven, tourists need to decide on the mode of transportation they will use to get there. It may be more convenient to rent a car upon arrival at the airport.

The city is served by regular trains and buses. However, many tourists arrive in Sliven by car, including it in a larger travel itinerary across Bulgaria. In this case, it’s best to rent a car upon arrival in the country, as rental car locations are available in all major cities and airports.

Helpful information

Information	Data
Population	100 777 (2019)
Sliven Square	193.8 km²
IATA code (airport)	BOJ
Nearest airport	100.46 km
Airport information desk	+359 56 870 248
Language	Bulgarian, ENG.
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
Availability of access to the sea	No

Since the main attractions in Sliven are located at a respectful distance from each other, it’s practically impossible to visit them on foot. Without a car, you’ll need to get around the city by bus or taxi. If you want more comfort and freedom of movement, it’s better to rent a car.

Weather throughout the year

The period from June to August is the most comfortable time to visit Sliven. Warm weather sets in by mid-April, but spring rains can hinder sightseeing. On cloudy days, fog hangs over the mountains, making a trip to the Blue Stones less interesting. A similar issue can arise in the fall, as regular rains begin by the end of October.

Average temperature by month:

Jan.	Feb.	March	Apr.	May	June	July	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
0	+2	+5	+11	+16	+19	+22	+21	+17	+12	+7	+2

Since Sliven is not on the list of popular tourist destinations, prices for services in the summer do not rise as sharply as in well-known Bulgarian resorts. Renting a hotel or a car will be slightly more expensive than in spring or autumn, but the difference will not be significant for a one-day trip. However, prices in cafes and restaurants remain stable, as they cater primarily to the local population.

Parking zones in the city

Parking a car in Sliven is not difficult: you can find a free spot in any area of the city. You can leave your vehicle in the center at Hadzhi Dimitr Square or on one of the many streets in residential neighborhoods. There is also a large free parking lot near the Textile Museum, which is a short walk from the House Museum of Bulgarian Culture.

Parking in Sliven is permitted almost everywhere, but you need to pay in some central areas. These places are marked with a “Blue Zone” sign. An hour of parking costs 1 lev, and the fee is charged only on weekdays from 08:30 to 17:30. Tourists can conveniently pay for parking through parking meters or by using vouchers available at gas stations and some stores.

Attractions of Sliven

Traces of different eras have survived to this day: behind ancient walls lie pagan shrines and Christian frescoes, while the museum showcases artifacts created during the time of Roman rule.

View of the city from the Tuida Fortress

The main historical attraction of Sliven is the Tuida Fortress, situated on a hill near Alen Mak Street. Around the 3rd millennium BC, a Roman military garrison was established here. Later, the fortress came under the control of Slavic tribes, and several centuries later, it was inhabited by Bulgarians.

19th century Textile Museum

In the Middle Ages, the thriving city was captured by the Turks and subsequently burned down. The revival of Sliven began only in the 19th century when large textile industries emerged in the city. Today, the former wool factory houses the Textile Museum, which features numerous looms and other tools used for weaving fabrics.

Nearby is another ethnographic attraction—the house-museum that illustrates the lives of Bulgarian families in the 19th century.

Blue Stones Park

On the northern outskirts of Sliven, you can enjoy the picturesque nature park Blue Stones. It gets its name from the way the surrounding rocks shimmer in blue hues during the evening light. You can reach the summit of the mountain range, which offers the best views, via a cable car.