Bansko is a small mountain town located in Southwest Bulgaria. Although it has a rich and fascinating history, Bansko is famous for its amazing ski slopes. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that it has hosted several World Cup skiing and snowboarding championships. Moreover, Bansko is one of the most popular winter resorts not only in Bulgaria but in Europe as well. One of the reasons behind is the fact that Bansko is one of the most affordable ski resorts in Europe.
However, Bansko is not all about skiing. There is something for everyone going on throughout the year. So, if you are planning a trip to this resort, check out the best things to do in Bansko.
What To Do in Bansko
Bansko is one of the most popular tourist destinations for Bulgarians and foreigners alike. There are many things to do both in winter and in summer.
Skiing or Snowboarding
When talking about the best things to do in Bansko, the first thing that comes to mind is skiing. And there is a good reason for that. Bansko offers wonderful conditions and infrastructure for winter sports. The best time to go on a skiing holiday is from the end of December till the middle of March. You can then enjoy the fascinating gondola ride. Also, you can and try the wide range of ski slopes suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. With its amazing beauty and 75 km of marked ski runs, Bansko is the Bulgaria’s Winter Ski Capital and is well worth a visit.
Hiking
If you are not into skiing but love nature, then you can still enjoy the spectacular Pirin mountain views. Hiking in the mountains may turn out to be one of the best and most memorable things to do in Bansko. You can admire the snow-capped peaks and visit some of the crystal-clear glacial lakes. Just follow one of the many marked trails, one of which will take you to the highest peak – Vihren (2914m). The best time for a hiking holiday is during August and September when it’s less likely to rain in the mountains. However, you can hike anytime. Ofcourse you have to make sure you have the proper clothing and equipment for the season.
Mountain Biking
If you are looking for something even more extreme, Bansko has it, too. Mountain biking is becoming more and more popular due to the wonderful biking conditions that Pirin Mountain has to offer. In fact, Bansko has become the hub for mountain biking with its numerous trails for bikers at different levels. For the best experience, organize your biking activities in the summer months from June to September.
Pirin National Park
One of the best things to do in Bansko, especially if you love the mountains, is to visit Pirin National Park. Before you go exploring it, drop by the Pirin National Park Tourist Information Center. It is located in the southern part of the town and is basically one of the main entrances to the national park. There you will be able to find information about the recreational activities in the park together with interesting exhibitions of flora and fauna. The park exists since 1962 and then, in 1983 it has the status of a UNESCO World heritage site. The biodiversity is impressive with its 229 species of animals and 1315 species of plants.
The Holy Trinity Church
The beautiful Holy Trinity Church is in the town center. The church together with the 30-meter bell tower is one of the symbols of the town. It is the second largest church in Bulgaria after St. Alexander Nevski” in Sofia and also one of the most visited sights. Another interesting fact about the church is that just above its main entrance, there are both a Christian cross and a Turkish crescent close to each other. It is a symbol of tolerance between the two religions. So, if you are in Bansko, then don’t miss the chance to visit one of the most outstanding achievements of the Bulgarian culture from the National Revival period.
The Old Town
Although Bansko is a very small town with only about 10.000 permanent inhabitants, it has its own Old Town. It is a popular landmark with tourists and tells an interesting story. Most of the houses were built during the National Revival period in 18th century. They have very distinctive architecture. Some of them are museums open to the public. Most of the houses had both secret hiding places and secret passages leading from one house to the other so that in case of an attack, people could easily hide and escape. So, when deciding on the best things to do in Bansko, make sure that you don’t miss a stroll along the narrow cobble-stoned streets of the Old Town.
Museums
Bansko is the birthplace of many notable people and you can learn more about them when you visit their houses which are now turned into museums. Paisii Hilendarski, also called the father of the Bulgarian Renaissance, was born in 1722. He is the author of “Slavic-Bulgarian History”, a small book with great significance for the national awakening of the Bulgarian people at this time. So, get the chance to visit the museum of Paisii of Hilendar, which is a replica of the cell in Hilendar Monastery (Greece), where he started writing the first Bulgarian history book.
Neofit Rilski, born in 1793 was both the founder of secular education in Bulgaria and the first Bulgarian encyclopaedist. Make sure you visit his house-museum which is located in the Old Town and is in the typical architectural style of the 18th century. There you can see some of Neofit Rilski’s work, such as the first Bulgarian grammar, parts of a Bulgarian-Greek dictionary, a number of textbooks, etc.
Nikola Vaptsarov was one of the most famous Bulgarian poets. His house-museum, located at the very center of downtown Bansko, was open to the public in 1952. This was also the year when Vaptsarov received the International Peace Award posthumously at the World Peace Council.
If you feel you need to learn more about the history of this fascinating town, then visit the Tourist Information Center just opposite the church. There you can find more information about the best things to do and see in Bansko.
Festivals
Bansko has rich cultural life and hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year.
One of the most popular festivals that is held every year is the Jazz Festival. Although dates can vary slightly, jazz lovers from around the world gather in Bansko during the second week of August. Another popular 2-day event held at the end of August is Bansko Opera Fest. If you want to learn more about Bansko folklore traditions, then come in July for the spectacular festival called “Folklore Magic”. Bansko Film Fest is the largest film fest for extreme and mountain sports in Bulgaria and you can be a part of it in case you happen to visit the town in September. These are just some of the many entertaining and fun events that can be of interest to both locals and tourists. If you need to know the detailed cultural program for the year ahead, then visit this site.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Bansko can be exciting, especially in winter when the town comes alive and the fun continues all night long. You can drop by at Happy End après-ski bar and then visit one of the many discos or nightclubs to have the time of your life.
Where To Eat in Bansko – Traditional Bansko Cuisine
When looking for the best things to do in Bansko, you just can’t go without trying the local cuisine. There are some really extraordinary and absolutely delicious Bansko dishes that you can’t try elsewhere. One of them is “kapama”. This is a combination of pork, beef, and chicken cooked together with rice as well as fermented cabbage. Its has unique taste and flavor, since it’s a clay pot dish. You need to cook it at a very low temperature for as long as 6-8 hours. You should also try the typical Banski Starets. This is a pork sausage with flavorful herbs. Some other dishes that are well worth trying are Shopska salad and banitsa (a type of pastry).
We can recommend from personal experience the restaurant The House and a great little bakery Le Petit Nicolas.
While in Bansko, visit one of the many Ethno restaurants (called mehana) located either along the central Pirin Street or in the Old Town. There you will have the chance to enjoy a warm and friendly atmosphere together with traditional folklore music from the Bansko region. Try the typical Bulgarian dishes while having a wonderful evening out.
Where To Stay in Bansko
There is a wide variety of accommodations in Bansko, so you can be spoilt for choice. Whether you are looking for a 5-star luxurious hotel or an inexpensive cozy guest house, there is something for everyone. You can even rent a self-catering apartment and enjoy more privacy during your stay.
Attractions To See Nearby
Although Bansko has so much to offer, you may consider visiting some interesting nearby attractions.
- Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, located just 90 km from Bansko.
- There are hot Mineral pools in both Banya and Dobrinishte, which are just a 5-minute drive from Bansko.
- The Dancing Bears Park in Belitsa is just 20 km away from Bansko. It is a bear sanctuary where you can see rescued bears.
- Dobarsko, also known as the “village of the rocket Christ” is located 20 km away from Bansko. In the church, you can see frescoes that are as old as 400 years and one of them depicts Jesus in a spaceship.
- Melnik is the smallest Bulgarian town and an architectural reserve that is 100 km away from Bansko. Take a day trip to Melnik so as to admire its amazing architecture and sample the best Bulgarian wine.
What We Did Not Like In Bansko
Bansko boasts breathtaking natural beauty with its clean, crisp air. However, a few aspects dampened our experience:
- Infrastructure issues: The roads, were in poor condition compared to dirt roads. Accessing main attractions proved challenging.
- Garbage problem: Like elsewhere in Bulgaria, garbage and construction waste littered some areas, detracting from the natural landscape.
- Abandoned buildings: Numerous unfinished structures, neglected for years, marred the otherwise stunning scenery.
- Over-build: The town felt densely built, even though not crowded with tourists, detracting from the tranquility of the surroundings.
- The price-to-quality ratio is unsatisfactory.
