Bansko
Discover Bansko
Bansko (Bulgaria: Банско) is a mountain and ski resort in Southwest Bulgaria, under the slopes of the Pirin Mountains. It is the largest ski resort in the Balkans. 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 9,000 in 2020.
What to Experience in Bansko
Taste of Bansko...
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 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. 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. 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. You can find nice 3-4 star hotels for €50 per night for a double room. Most hotels have sauna (free) and spa (extra charge).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBansko has no airport of its own. The closest international airports are: Trains from Sofia to Blagoevgrad, the provincial capital, take about 4 hours. This is the main line that leads south to the border. From Blagoevgrad Bus Station, buses to Bansko are plentiful. Perhaps the most interesting way to get to Basnko is via the only surviving narrow-gauge railway in Bulgaria: the Septemvri–Dobrinishte line on the other side of the Pirin Mountains, 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 . First take a train (2hrs 18 minutes) from Sofia to Septemvri, a small town close to Pazardzhik; both are on the main rail line between Sofia and Plovdiv, so switching trains is quite easy....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting 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), though you should arrange the price beforehand. Do not depend on taxis for time sensitive (e.g., train, airport) departures because the taxi service is not reliable even if scheduled or called by hotel. Get a private transfer scheduled. There is an Uber-like app called TaxiStars, but it's been reported to not be very good, and not to add your card since it doesn't work anyway. You still need to pay the drivers in cash. 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.
Where to Stay
You can find nice 3-4 star hotels for €50 per night for a double room. Most hotels have sauna (free) and spa (extra charge).
Money & Budget
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. There's also a popular farmer's market on Sundays where you can buy fresh, in-season food. 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 per person in most places.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Bansko
Look!
An aerial view of a city with mountains in the background
Snowboard couple on holidays.
Street in the city centre of Bansko, Bulgaria
a tall clock tower towering over a city
a city street with a clock tower in the background
Just enjoying 1st Jan 2018 by riding all the cables on the mountain
Excellent snow in Trees, Bansko.
photo of mountain covered with fog
Flowers frame a scenic view of buildings and mountains.
Look!
An aerial view of a city with mountains in the background
Snowboard couple on holidays.