By Mary Charlebois and Kevin Scanlon
Senior Writers

The trip from Stara Zagora to Bansko, Bulgaria, was a study in contrast. At first, the uninterrupted four-lane highway offered a smooth, high-speed drive through captivating scenery, providing a remarkable driving experience.

After 80 miles, we changed to a scenic two-lane route winding through the picturesque Perin Mountains. The landscape changed drastically, and we were treated to magnificent views. The dynamic drive captured the essence of Bulgaria’s diverse and captivating terrain, offering a blend of tranquil open roads and the rugged charm of mountain landscapes, tiny mountain villages, mountain lakes, and rushing rivers.

Location, Location, Location

Bansko is located at the foot of the Pirin Mountain Range, over 3000 feet above sea level. It is in the Blagoevgrad Province, less than two hours drive from Sofia, the capital city. Nestled below the mountain range and surrounded by Pirin National Park, the village is ideal for year-round recreation.

Bansko is enchanting. The half-timber houses and sturdy stone buildings are set against breathtaking mountain peaks and verdant, sprawling forests.

As you stroll through Bansko’s cobblestone streets, the air is filled with the melodic tunes of traditional Bulgarian folk music emanating from pectopahts, where enticing aromas of hearty Bulgarian cuisine waft through the air.

Bansko is a Winter Wonderland

Most folks who know about Bansko think of a ski resort, but skiing is just one winter activity you can enjoy.

Snowmobile

Snowmobile tours in Bansko have a variety of options. Guides will take you through mountain trails with views of glacial lakes and deep valleys carved by the rivers below.

Views of the Bulgarian mountain ranges are awe-inspiring. The mountains are home to forty-five mammal species, such as wolves, brown bears, and martens. You may encounter them by the lakes. Alternatively, you can opt for flat-land trips through Bansko’s grazing fields.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through the mountain trails give you access to parts of the park that skiers and snowmobiles can’t visit. Many of these trails are for experienced skiers only. However, there are several more accessible trails in the foothills. On the ski mountain, a cross-country biathlon range provides the same sensation that world-class competitors enjoy.

Skiing

Skiing is Bansko’s top winter sport. Bansko has hosted World Cup Skiing events since the 2007/08 season.

The mountain has 47 miles of ski runs supported by an eight-seat gondola plus 14 lifts and drags. The combination can handle over 20 thousand people per hour. All lifts and drags offer spectacular views of the mountain and its lush surroundings, but nothing comes close to the 30-minute gondola ride. The views are a year-round attraction. You have views of the Rila Mountain Range, The Balkan Mountains, and the thick forest disappearing as you rise to the base to start your skiing run.

You can choose the skill level runs that suit your ability from the base. There are two orange beginner slopes, eight red intermediate runs, eleven red advanced trails, and two black expert runs. Of the two expert runs, the best downhillers choose the Tomba run.

With the summit at 85 hundred feet, you have a 33 hundred vertical. There is plenty of speed and moguls to suit all enthusiasts. As of this writing, there are seven restaurants and four umbrella bars where you can rehydrate and rest. When your day at the top is finished, you have a 52-hundred-foot drop back to town.

The 2023- 2024 five-day lift tickets in Bansko were $240.00, with ski rentals, boots, poles, and skis averaging $75.00. Snowboard boots and boards averaged $75.00.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is an exhilarating experience for snow sports enthusiasts. With well-maintained slopes, extraordinary mountain vistas, and reliable snow conditions, Bansko has become a popular destination for snowboarders of all levels.

The area caters to a diverse range of abilities, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging advanced trails. The vibrant apres-ski scene and modern facilities add to the overall appeal, creating an unforgettable snowboarding experience.

Equipment rental, purchase, and training are available at shops throughout the village. The 2023- 2024 five-day lift tickets at Bansko were $240.00, with snowboard boots and boards averaging $75.00.

Hot Thermal Therapy

The perfect remedy for those aching muscles awaits you in town at the hot thermals available at a few spots in Bansko. The mecca of hot thermals is a ten-minute drive from Banya. Banya has 75 natural hot thermals in the village. One can enjoy this muscle relief for an average of $10.00. Most have changing rooms, and the thermals in the resorts serve drinks and supply towels. Use this map to get into hot water.

Bansko is a Summer Wonderland

Summertime in Bansko is a mountain paradise full of family fun and outdoor sports lovers’ dreams. Temperatures average 80 F during the day and 57 F at night.

Hiking and Backpacking

Bansko is ground zero for many hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking fans. Pirin National Park is a haven for these activities. The park is UNESCO World Heritage Listed with 180 hiking trails, many of which can be used for mountain biking.

Pirin National Park is 185 square miles of jagged mountains with 118 glacial lakes. Start your journey half a mile above sea level and reach heights of 9560 feet. Buses three times a day go to the park, where you start your experience at the Vihren Hut.

Vihren Hut is a lovely spot at over 6000 feet. You can also ride horseback through some verdant and scenic trails. There are several huts and shelters throughout the national park for overnight stays. Camping is not allowed in the park.

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikers’ favorite trails are Bezbog Peak Trail and Garmen. The thick forest opens to views of the rising peaks and deep canyons below. Bezbog Peak is also the ideal launch pad for paragliding enthusiasts.

Rafting and Canyoning

Rafting and canyoning devotees will enjoy the route along the Mesta River. Your eyes will be drawn to the towering mountains and cliffs above. It is a smooth ride most of the year as you flow along. Thrill seekers will want to go in late spring or early summer.

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in the park but check with the park service about licensing and regulations first. Equipment shops and guides are available in Bansko to help you catch trout, mullet, carp, and other angler trophies. Pirin National Park awaits you with 118 glacial lakes and unparalleled scenery.

What’s On In Town

Bansko offers many other summertime activities for those who enjoy the old town vibe, festivals, and events. There is a variety of summer packages for family fun—

• Europe’s longest water slide is located on Bunderiska Polyana and is accessed by the gondola or the Banderiza lift.
• You can try your shooting skills at the mountain shooting range.
• Rent a bike and take a mountain ride on one of several trails.
• Try human foosball.
• The mini golf course is perfect for practicing your putting skills.
• Learn more about family packages at Bansko All Seasons Resort.

Festivals and Events

Bansko has festivals and events year-round.

• Kukeri starts the new year. It’s a traditional Bulgarian festival. Men often wear wooly costumes that cover most of their bodies and have large bells attached to their waists. They parade around the streets to scare away evil spirits. It’s quite a sight and sound.
• Europe’s largest Digital Nomad festival is held in June with nomads from all over the continent to share ideas, stories, and information for all participants to learn the latest in what each country requires to qualify.
• The annual jazz festival has been held in August every year for the last twenty-six years. Jazz greats from around the globe entertain the public for an entire week. This festival is free to all.
• In February, World Cup skiers descend on Bansko’s mountain resort to score international points for the Cup standings.
• Snowboards come a week later for their chance at points.
• Find information about these festivals and events at Bansko Festivals.

Bansko is An Off-season Wonderland

Bansko is budget-friendly and laid back in the off-season. We found a large studio apartment with a mountain view and a full kitchen for $20 a night.

The off-season is the last two weeks of November. During this period, the gondola and chair lifts are closed for maintenance, and some restaurants have reduced hours or may be closed altogether. Pirin National Park is open year-round. Shops, museums, thermal baths, and churches are open. It is a perfect time of year to visit without large crowds.

More Things To Do

• Visit the Neofit Rilski Museum in Bansko. The museum showcases the life and work of Neofit Rilski, a prominent figure in Bulgarian literature and education during the 19th century.
  If you are a museum lover, go HERE to see eight more museums in Bansko.
• Tour the Holy Trinity Church in Bansko, an exquisite example of Bulgarian National Revival Architecture featuring stunning frescoes and wood carvings.

• Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rila Monastery. Built during the 10th century, it is mesmerizing, with elaborate icons inside and outside the church. Several shops and restaurants are located outside the monastery walls. For the best chicken soup you’ll ever eat, try the café at Hotel Tzarev Vrah.
• Take a day trip to Banya, a ten-minute drive from Basko, and indulge in one of the hot springs or spas in this old town. There are ancient Roman baths located by the Hotel Tsar Samoil. There is also an ancient Turkish Bath that you can tour. For lunch, we loved the potato beef casserole at Рестораht Prispaska.
• Experience the breathtaking journey on the scenic Septemvri-Dobrinishte Train. Departing from Bansko, the train takes you through stunning lush forests to Septemvri. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature on this picturesque train ride.

Eating In Bansko

A huge plus to visiting Bansko is the delicious food in ресtораhts (restaurants) and mehanas (taverns) serving traditional Bulgarian cuisine. A traditional dish called Sach (or Sache) is served in a piping hot clay pot. Sach ingredients are vegetables and meat with a rich, thick gravy. We tried it with Wild Boar, sausages, and even rabbit. It is a fabulous meal for two.

Bulgarians love salads. The national dish is a Shopska Salad with parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, roasted peppers, onion, and loads of grated tangy cheese similar to Greek Feta.

This small town has over two hundred restaurants and taverns, and many have traditional folk bands playing as they wander through the restaurant. We highly recommend three distinctly traditional restaurants in the old town of Bansko: Chevermeto, Baryakova, and Obetsanova. All three places offer mouthwatering cuisine and top-notch service within historic buildings.

Sleeping in Bansko

Bansko has over 16,000 rooms of various types. Accommodations range from cozy guesthouses and family-run hotels to luxurious ski resorts and spa hotels. Visitors can choose from traditional Bulgarian chalets, modern apartments, and boutique hotels, offering options for every preference and budget. This map shows the locations, rates, and other details of Bansko lodging.

Getting There

Fly

Bulgaria has eight airports serviced by regular international flights. Bansko does not have an airport.

• Sofia Airport (SOF) is in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. It is about 96 miles from Bansko, a two-and-a-half-hour drive. Despite its name, Sofia Airport is an international airport.
• Plovdiv International Airport (PDV) is 92 miles and a two-and-a-half-hour drive.
• Varna International Airport (VAR) is 316 miles and a six-hour drive.

Bus

Buses from airports are available all year.

• From Sofia, a bus takes three hours and costs $12—37.
• From Plovdiv, a bus takes three hours and costs $12—37.
• From Varna, a bus will take 10 hours and cost $20—40.

Drive

When you arrive at the airport, you can rent a car from various major brands as well as Bulgarian and European brands. The price is very reasonable. We paid $268 for four weeks’ use of a standard-shift compact car with air conditioning.

Bulgaria’s roads are in excellent condition, with well-maintained high-speed motorways, secondary roads, and city streets. Road signs are in Bulgarian and English. Currently, the average price of fuel is $1.48 per liter.

PRO TIP: Most rental car companies require an International Driver’s License. It’s easier and cheaper to get it before you leave home. In America, AAA can issue one.

Why Bansko?

Bansko is an exquisite town surrounded by awe-inspiring natural landscapes and rich historical treasures. Whether you arrive via road, rail, or air, the surrounding scenery will captivate you. The journey to Bansko is only the beginning of the remarkable adventures that await. Bansko is truly Bulgaria’s year-round playground.