Bansko is a small town tucked away in the crevices of the Pirin Mountains, proudly bearing the title of Bulgaria’s most popular ski resort. In recent years, Bansko has also become one of the favorite destinations of many winter sports enthusiasts, thanks to its unbeatable prices and, last but not least, the conditions it offers. Besides this, Bansko proposes numerous activities and sights that guarantee a successful holiday and the opportunity to get to know Bulgarian history and culture.
So, apart from the popularity of the ski resort, Bansko is also the perfect destination for those not keen on winter sports. We have selected below 10 sights in Bansko, in fact, a list of what to do and what to see in the beautiful Bulgarian mountain resort, to “color” your holiday and turn it into an interesting and active one. In addition, in this article, you will find suggestions for accommodation in Bansko, as well as information about the state of the ski slopes in Bansko. So these are the places to see in Bansko and the most beautiful tourist attractions around:
Things to do in Bansko, Bulgaria
Hike in Bansko in the summer
The foothills of the Pirin Mountains undergo a significant change in summer when they shed the thick blanket of snow laid down in winter, making them the ideal place for mountain hiking enthusiasts or enthusiasts.
The summer months are the ideal time to venture out on one of the ten trails of varying degrees of difficulty, most of which are even suitable for children or the elderly. In total, the ten trails add up to around 200 kilometers of mountain beauty, far more than is humanly possible to cover on foot in a single stay.
But if the 200 kilometers of mountain trails aren’t enough, you can opt for a climbing session on one of the mountainsides: the 21 rocky passes also attract many climbers, who choose Bansko as their training ground.
Mountain biking replaces skiing in summer
During the summer, the ski rental centers are changing their profile to provide tourists with what they need to enjoy Bansko’s mountain biking trails.
There are seven mountain bike trails in the Pirin Mountains, all of which are well marked and labeled on downloadable maps for quick and easy access. One of these trails, known as the Ponderosa, is circular, with the winding road stretching for about 42 kilometers.
Local rescuers recommend being accompanied by an experienced guide to venture out on these tougher challenges. These can be booked from the same place where you rent your sports equipment.
Wander the streets of Bansko Old Town
Those who come to Bansko for relaxation rather than adrenaline-filled thrills can take relaxing walks through the historic town’s streets. The old houses and relaxed town atmosphere, the nearby mountains, and the fresh air are all the magnetic ingredients that make you want to stay in Bansko longer than you planned. If you visit Bansko in the summer, you will be accompanied on your walks through the town by the many stray cats.
Pray at the Holy Trinity Church in Bansko
Holy Trinity is an Orthodox church located right in the center of Bansko. It was built with the help of donations and voluntary work during Bulgaria’s Ottoman rule. You’re impressed by the baroque interior when you walk through the church gates. The church is located right next to the Nikola Vaptsarov house museum and can be visited free of charge.
Dine at a mehana
Mehanas are restaurants decorated in the traditional Bulgarian style serving the most delicious dishes typical of the country’s gastronomy. Sometimes dinner is accompanied by traditional music and dancing. The food is always brought in huge portions and served with excellent house wine. Although Bulgarian cuisine is based on meat products, the mehanas also serve delicious vegetarian dishes that are harder to find in other Balkan countries. There are many beautifully decorated mehanas in Bansko, so you’ll presumably not go wrong with them. However, we recommend the mehanas called Casa Veziova, Elite, Bai Kotse, and Baryakova.
Visit the house museum “Nikola Vaptsarov”
This museum, housed in a historic house where the poet and revolutionary Nikola Vaptsarov grew up, shows the story of his life in three distinct stages.
The museum opened in 1952 but has undergone no fewer than three renovations to modernize it. It presents documents from the poet’s life, his family tree, typical furniture made in the Bansko style, and stories of the revolutionary years during the Bansko Ottoman regime.
Another building attached to the main one contains traditional costumes and artifacts dating back to Bansko’s past.
Visit the Velyanova House
Velian Ognev was a 19th-century artist with close ties to Bansko: Velian painted and painted many icons and frescoes that you can see in the Church of the Holy Trinity mentioned above.
The house in which he lived has been preserved exactly as it looked when the artist was alive, which is why today it is considered a monument of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. Velian Ognev created the bright murals you’ll see both inside the building and on the upper part of the exterior walls depicting the great cities of Europe. And that’s because, at the time, Bulgaria was dreaming of prosperity in more developed countries, looking hopefully to the West.
Take a gondola ride to Bunderishka Polyana
During peak season in Bansko – that is, around Christmas/New Year, school holidays, and long weekends – the queues for a gondola ride seem endless. However, boarding the gondola from Bansko to Bunderishka Polyana is a breeze at other times of the year.
Enjoy the stunning views of the forest on a climb to Pirin National Park. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the clearing, where there is a restaurant and the starting point of several mountain trails. If you like guns, there is also a shooting range where you can check your skills.
Climb Vihren Peak
This is the ultimate challenge for outdoor thrill-seekers: climbing Vihren, the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains at 2914 meters.
Although it’s apparently not an easy route, most people who venture up to it are surprised by how accessible and cool the hiking trails are. Of course, however, some agencies in Bansko will only send you there accompanied by an expert mountain trail guide.
Most tourists climb Vihren in spring and early summer. Wearing the right equipment is essential, even in May, as Vihren is covered in thick snow. This hike is a unique and memorable experience. Not far from the summit, you can admire and capture beautiful images of the alpine lakes whose expanses of water are perfect copies of mirrors.
Let’s not forget skiing!
Bansko’s 16 ski slopes are spread over three mountain peaks – the highest of which starts at 2,600 meters above sea level, just off the Todorka peak.
A network of high-performance ski lifts is available to skiers to facilitate the ascent, plus a high-capacity gondola that ascends to more than 600 meters above sea level.
The mountain resort also has an affordable ski school for children and adult beginners. Full equipment can also be rented from the specially equipped center. After-ski hours are not neglected either, with eight bars and numerous restaurants at the base of the slopes where you can enjoy the most delicious culinary delights in a vibrant atmosphere. Ski is a way of life in Bansko Bulgaria, and Bansko is a very popular resort for winter sports.
Accommodation in Bansko
The following hotels are excellent suggestions for accommodation in Bansko, Bulgaria. We have only selected establishments that have a rating of over 8 on Booking.com.
Bariakov Family Hotel (3*) – rating 9.4. Located 150 m from the Bansko cable car, it offers views of Mount Pirin. Facilities include a sauna and massage. Book here.
Ruskovets Thermal SPA & Ski Resort (4*) – score 9.0. It has a thermal spa located just 6 km from Bansko, on the southern slopes of Pirin Mountain. Book here.
Katarino SPA Hotel (4*) – score 9.5. At the foot of the Rila Mountains, just 8 km from Bansko. The hotel has a modern spa, gym, tennis courts, bowling, etc. Book here.
Lucky Bansko Aparthotel SPA & Relax (5*) – rating 9.2. Luxury property offering generous apartments and studios. A very well-equipped spa, with an ice room, steam room, whirlpool, etc. Book here.
Amira Boutique Hotel (5*) – score 9.3. The hotel is about 400m from the Bansko cable car and has a spa and ski equipment rental. Book here.
Slopes and condition of slopes in Bansko
To see which ski slopes are in Bansko by difficulty and length, visit this link. Also, here you’ll see the condition of Bansko’s slopes at the moment.
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