Car & Van Hire - Kosice

Within Slovakia, the city of Kosice is known for its abundance of historical buildings and monuments, showcasing Gothic, Neoclassical, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Some of the most notable examples include the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, which is the largest church in the country, the St. Urban Tower and the State Theatre Kosice. The theatre stages dramatic performances, as well as opera and ballet.

The main square is home to one of Kosice's best-known attractions, the Singing Fountain. Every hour, the fountain forms part of a musical performance, and the surrounding area includes benches and a park, making it a great spot to relax.

Kosice's historical centre is also a perfect place for an afternoon stroll, offering excellent scenery, a shopping centre, numerous restaurants, coffee shops and bakeries. If you are seeking a more challenging hiking experience, the High Tatras Mountains are located around 130 km northwest of the city. They are one of Europe's most spectacular mountain ranges. During the winter months, this area is also a popular skiing destination.

The Kosice Peace Marathon takes place on the streets of Kosice every year and is one of the oldest marathon events in the world. The event is generally held on the first Sunday in October. For spectators, two of the most popular sports in the city are ice hockey and football. The city's biggest and most successful ice hockey club is HC Kosice, and the team's home matches are played at Steel Aréna - Ladislav Troják Stadium.

Several museums and art galleries can be found within the city. The East Slovak Museum is one of Slovakia's oldest museums. It showcases items of historical interest, including coins, jewellery and other archaeological findings, as well as fine arts and zoology collections. Meanwhile, the Slovak Technical Museum focuses on science and technology and includes a planetarium. For art enthusiasts, the largest gallery in Kosice is the East Slovak Gallery.

Kosice Zoo is a popular attraction for those with children. It is the largest zoo in the country and one of the largest in Europe, though some of the grounds are off-limits to visitors. The zoo has over 1000 animals in total, including brown bears, lions, tigers, zebras, camels, turtles, baboons and parrots.

The restaurants in Kosice offer cuisine from all over the world. Some allow you to sample popular Slovak dishes, including dumplings with sheep's cheese, goulash, cabbage soup, schnitzel and potato pancakes.

The minimum age for driving in Slovakia is 18 years of age. However, for car hire in Kosice, drivers will need to be at least 21. Driver's licences issued in the European Union and the United Kingdom can be used in Slovakia. Still, licences issued in other countries may need to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit.

Vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and you can overtake on the left. Many of the roads in and around Kosice are single-lane roads, so overtaking can occur frequently. Motorists in Slovakia sometimes use their horns to indicate that they intend to overtake. Several items must be carried within your vehicle at all times, such as a reflective vest that should be worn in the event of a breakdown and a first aid kit.

Seatbelts need to be worn by all occupants of a vehicle. Children weighing less than 36 kg must have appropriate child restraints. It is also important to note that all children who are either under 150 cm in height or under the age of 12 are prohibited from travelling in the front passenger seat.

In urban areas, the speed limit is typically 50 km/h, while away from built-up areas, the speed limit is 90 km/h. Motorways have a speed limit of 130 km/h, and motorists must pay to use them. You will require an e-vignette, which will serve as proof of payment. These can be obtained from post offices, petrol stations and online.

Speed limits are enforced by the police and by speed cameras. The penalty for speeding is typically an on-the-spot fine of up to 800 euros. Slovakia has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to drink driving. There is a 0.00% blood alcohol limit, and police can carry out tests on any driver they suspect of being under the influence of alcohol. Refusal to take a test may result in a fine of more than 1000 euros. Serious drunk driving offences can result in a prison sentence.

Route E50 exits Kosice to the north of the city and then leads west. Travelling down this route and then using Route E58 will eventually lead you to the capital city, Bratislava. Meanwhile, the M30 and M3 will take you southwest of Kosice and will eventually cross the border into Hungary and then lead onwards to the city of Budapest.