Bansko

Bansko (Bulgaria: Банско) is a mountain and ski resort in Southwest Bulgaria, under the slopes of the Pirin Mountains. It's one of the busiest international ski resorts in Bulgaria.

Understand

Bansko in winter

The same street in summer

Bansko mountains in summer

Bansko winter sports area

The Old Town

Bansko lies under the north-eastern slopes of the Pirin Mountains, on the southern edge of the Razlog Valley created by the meeting point of three mountain ranges - Rila and Pirin to the west and the Rhodope Mountains to the east. The town's official altitude is 925 m (3,035 ft) above sea level, and its permanent population is about 9 thousand.

While Bansko has been a ski resort since the Communist era, a boom in international visitors developed in the 2000s. As a result, the place is heavily covered in hotels and other establishments catering to tourists; real estate speculation is another thriving business. Since the 2010s, the town has also attracted a lot of foreign "digital nomads", a group with less seasonal variation.

Peak season in Bansko is in winter starting approximately mid-December. In summer the altitude combined with its southern location give it a mild continental climate.

Get in

By plane

Bansko has no airport of its own. The closest international airports are:

• Sofia (SOF ^IATA) - about 160 km (99 mi) by car, though there are shuttle services that run between the airport and Bansko, e.g. BanskoShuttle (buses run Dec-Apr; private transfers are all-year round, but much pricier)
• Plovdiv (PDV ^IATA) - about 150 km (93 mi) by car, but see also the railroad note below.

By train

Perhaps the most interesting way to get to Basnko is via the only surviving narrow-gauge railway in Bulgaria - the Septemvri–Dobrinishte line, where Bansko is the penultimate stop. Traversing beautiful mountains and valleys and passing by countless rural Bulgarian villages, the train is considered by some as one of the most scenic rides in the Balkans . The line starts at Septemvri, a small town close to Pazardzhik - both are on the main rail line between Sofia and Plovdiv, so switching trains is quite easy. However, this is not the most practical route to Bansko by any means, as the train takes just under 5 hours with an operating speed of just 30–50 km/h (19–31 mph) to complete a journey doable in hour and a half by car. For those with the extra flexibility required for the ride, however, this is the way to get to Bansko. The website of the national rail carrier has a dedicated page about the narrow gauge line in English, where you can check timetables.

On the other side of the Pirin Mountains, the provincial capital Blagoevgrad is served by standard-gauge trains. It lies on the main line that leads south from Sofia to the border. The station is easily accessible from the city, from which buses to Bansko are plentiful.

By bus

There are many buses departing Sofia each day from different stations so be sure to check which station your bus is departing from. Room for luggage can be an issue as they are mainly vans so you may have to wait for the next one on occasion if you have bulky items e.g. a snowboard. The cost is around 16 лв each way. The timetable can be found here.

From Blagoevgrad there is frequent bus service (every 30–60 min) to Bansko, the ticket costs 3-4 лв. The bus station is very close to the train station, around 5 min on foot. From Bansko bus station you can call a taxi to your hotel, ask at the ticket office. You should agree on the price when you get in to avoid surprises (10-15 лв should be enough). Note some hotels may suggest a bus ride from Blagoevgrad to Bansko, but at a much higher price.

Get around

Getting around in Bansko is relatively easy. The town is not large, and walking around is nice. The city government never permit high rises hotels to settle within the old city area.

Taxis are relatively cheap (5-10 лв), though you should arrange the price beforehand. Have your hotel reception call you a taxi if you can.

If you get to Bansko with your car, bear in mind that few roads get cleaned from the snow and ice, so snow chains may be required even in the city. Don't be fooled by local cars not using chains, as they use winter tyres which make a lot of difference!

Renting a car from Sofia for most tourists is considerably beneficial because of the flexibility. Taxi rides can cost €1-5 per kilometer and are not recommended when traveling outside the city of Bankso.

See

In a nice day, with good visibility the view of the mountains is beautiful, especially if you take the lift to the ski tracks. (You should get to the ski tracks at least once even if you do not ski yourself

• 1 The Old Town. Bansko is one of the oldest settlements in the foothills of Pirin Mountain. You can stroll around the narrow cobbled streets and enjoy the charming old-fashioned ambience of the traditional stone buildings. Free. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 House of Velyan (Велянова къща), 5 Velyan Ognev. Built during the 18th century, the House of Velyan is a national cultural heritage. The building has impressive frescoes and wood-carved ceilings. 3 лв. (updated Feb 2021)
• 3 House-museum “Neofit Rilski” (Къща-музей "Неофит Рилски"), 2 Neofit Rilski. Neofit Rilski is a prominent figure in the Bulgarian Rennaisance. He is the founder of the Bulgarian secular education and the first Bulgarian encyclopedist. His house from the 18th century is turned into a museum to show the traditional architecture of Bansko. 3 лв. (updated Feb 2021)
• 4 Radonova house ("Радонова къща"), 3 Aton. Radonova house is now a historical and ethnographic museum. Built in the 19th century, the house hosts a rich exposition of materials following the development of Bansko from its origins to the liberation in 1912. The ethnographic exhibition shows the lifestyle of Bansko people during that period. 3 лв. (updated Feb 2021)
• 5 Belitsa Dancing Bear Park. Apr-May 10:00-18:00; Jun-Sep 10:00-20:00; Oct-Nov 10:00-16:00; Dec-Mar no tours. 33 km from Bansko is the Four Paws Bear sanctuary, offering a new home to bears that had been forced to dance. It's in a huge park with several large enclosures. The bears can now roam relatively freely with others of their kind. Information suggests that there are tours that leave hourly. A taxi (unofficial!) from Bansko, with 2 hr wait, cost 60 лв though a lower price could probably be gotten with more bargaining over beer. Take good walking shoes. Guiding tour visits are organised every hour between . (updated Jun 2017)

Do

Skiing

Bansko is a good place for skiing in winter. The resort is mainly suited to beginners and those more advanced will get bored quite quickly. Also don't expect the runs to be groomed to often. Skiers and Snowboarders could find BanskoSki useful. It is also a good idea to avoid any English school holidays as there will be insane amounts of people everywhere (and a 3-hr wait to get up the mountain via gondola) as well as the skiing world cup as half of the runs will be closed for the weeks leading up to it.

You can rent ski gear at the first station and get a discount at the lift ticket, though if you want to leave your skis there overnight there is an extra charge. A lot of ski rental shops can be found around the first station, where you can probably rent gear in better condition and get a good price if you book for more than 1 day (recommended). (Full ski gear for 4 days cost 100 лв). You can probably arrange to leave the gear at the shop overnight for free.

The weather in Bansko is obviously colder than some Greek ski resorts, so warmer clothes and a full face hood is nice to have.

You can get a multiday ticket for the lifts, although the discount is negligible. There is also a half day ticket after 12:30 or 13:00 each day, but you can also buy tickets at a better price from people leaving the ski centre before the end of the day, around the ticket offices.

Most hotels offer a bus service to the ski lift station in the morning and afternoon. Try to get to the lift station not later than 09:00 to avoid long queues. It is also advisable to buy the tickets from the previous afternoon for the same reason. There are also minibuses to ferry people up the mountain in the morning which is included in the lift pass.

Hiking

View from Koncheto towards the southeast, with the peaks Kutelo and Vihren

Bansko is an excellent entry way to the Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria's wildest and least developed mountain range. Vihren hut, named after the nearby Mt. Vihren, is the best place to begin both short and long distance treks. During the peak season (mid-Jun to mid-Sep) a bus will take you several times a day to and from Bansko. Great one day hikes include Mt. Vihren, the 2nd highest mountain in Bulgaria and 3rd highest in the Balkans, and The Koncheto, a 200-m-long and 1-m-wide ridge between the second and 3rd highest mountains in Pirin with vast cliffs on either side. With a full day it is possible to hike them both.

The highest peak of Pirin Mountain (Vihren, 2,916 m) is at a day's walk from the city.

Other

• Bansko Nomad Fest is held in the last week of June since 2020; it's claimed to be the world's largest festival for digital nomads by its organizers
• In the beginning of August an annual jazz festival, the Bansko Jazz Festival, is held in the town.
• The Sveta Troitsa church, a Christian temple from 19th century.

Buy

There are some fashionable clothing retailers, as well as ski shops in the town. The prices for ski and sports gear are quite good, but usually not exceptional. You should be able to lower the initial price if you negotiate.

On a smaller budget, there are also numerous souvenir shops selling a range of generic Bulgarian items, as well as Bansko specific ones.

There is a village market on Sundays. You can get greens, honey, cheap shoes and farmers tools, among others.

Eat

Bansko is rife with traditional Bulgarian taverns ('Mehana'; plural 'Mehani'), as well as cafes and modern bars along the main roads. Price should be around 20 лв per person in most places.

There are also a lot of places where you can get a slice of pizza or a sandwich. The "Friends Pub" near the first ski lift station is really nice, you can get a slice of pizza in the kiosk outside, or a full meal inside.The best tavern in Bansko is Matsurev han.The inn offers Bulgarian national cuisine, traditional dishes from Bansko, prepared on live coals, on a plate and in an oven. ”Matsurev’s Inn” is located at the foot of the Pirin mountain in the heart of the town of Bansko. It is located over the church “St. Trinity” at 100 m from the central square of the town and only at 15 minutes walking from the first station of the cabin lift.

By the end of the ski season (March–April) many restaurants offer large discounts to repeat customers too, sometimes up to 60% off, making eating out at this time incredibly cheap.

Drink

Cocktail bars and strip clubs can be found during winter season, when the city becomes 'sin city'

But also numerous fountains on the streets providing fresh water from the mountain. Safe to drink.

Sleep

You can find nice 3-4 star hotels for 80 лв per night for a double room. Most hotels have sauna (free) and spa (extra charge).

Budget

• Vihren Hut (Хижа Вихрен) (A taxi will cost around 25 лв, but there are several buses for 8 лв and the (in summer very rare) gondola). Check-in: Whenever the overseer is awake. Vihren Hut is around 30 min drive outside of Bansko at the end of the only public road going from Bansko into the Pirins. Meals are served on demand and are very inexpensive (less than 10 лв more, tons of food). English is sparse. 10 лв for basic dormitory. 
• 1 LuckyBansko Aparthotel. Modern hotel near the main road into the town. It has a very good indoor pool/spa centre. 2 km from the main ski station, but a frequent shuttle is provided. Fast wifi throughout. (updated Feb 2017)
• 2 Guest House Chicho Tsane (Къща за гости Чичо Цане), 13 Kniaz Boris 1st Str, ☏ +359 899 829 332. Small hotel owned by the family of the old mayor of Bansko.
  Sauna and steam bath, nice garden in summer with a broken jacuzzi.
  Walking distance from downtown and the ski gondola.
  Home made products on the buffet. 30 лв. (updated Jul 2019)

Splurge

• Chalet Jora, 13 Garibaldi Street (between the Glazne and the Church), ☏ +44 7967750592. Catered ski chalet in the heart of Bansko. Sleeps up to 14 guests with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Large lounge with log fire, honesty bar, plasma TV, cable, large movie library, Nintendo Wii, Wi-Fi internet with chalet computer, Ipod docking station, CD player. English hosts. £225 per person per week, fully catered. 
• 3 Premier Luxury Mountain Resort, 11 Karamanitza Str, ☏ +359 749 50500. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A 5-star hotel. As a hotel guest you get free access to the spa and pool as well as the ski shuttle to the gondala every 30 min. There is free Wi-Fi in all public areas and all the rooms. Breakfast is included. (updated Jun 2012)

Go next

• Pirin National Park – UNESCO World Heritage National Park with over 27,000 ha, altitude 1,008–2,914 m, mountain landscapes with glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and predominantly coniferous forests.
• Melnik – A traditional village in beautiful landscape
• Rhodope Mountains