The 'All Season' Resort
Bansko is predominantly a ski resort though we're starting to see the town being marketed as an 'All Season Resort' offering
a whole variety of activities as you'll see from the information contained on this page.
We're constantly updating the information held here as we find out more about the town and also hear back from guests staying
at our apartment. So if you have some comments you think other people would find useful then please contact us.
Skiing and Snowboarding
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Bansko boasts a total ski run length of 70km covering 14 pistes and a ski season that lasts for four
months.
You can ski from Todorka Peak (2600m) all the way to the outskirts of the town, a length of 16km.
Bansko also has the best snow record and the ski season (mid December - mid April) of all
Bulgarian ski resorts.
The ski pistes are located approximately 10km from the town on the northern slopes of the Pirin mountain.
Snow cannons (there are 45) cover most of the slopes and make the ski season last even longer.
The slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers and will suit both beginners and experts.
Bansko Piste Map
To view a larger version of the piste map simply click on the piste map image shown to the right or click here.
Ski Lessons in Bansko
If you're looking for skiing or snowboarding lessons then I recommend
Method Snow School
- they couldn't do enough for us.
Ski Equipment in Bansko
If you're booking lessons with
Method Snow School
then you can also hire boots, skis, boards, etc through them.
They actually use the
Salomon Ski and Snowboard Centre
so you can also book direct with them if you're not getting lessons with Method.
Bansko Ski Passes
To view prices for ski passes visit Bansko Ski Zone.
The prices shown are in Bulgarain Leva, 1 BGN = 0.511916 EUR, 1 BGN = 0.355135 GBP (approximately, please check current exchange rates).
During our last ski visit (Feb 2007) we paid 280 BGN (about 100 GBP) for a 6 day adult ski pass.
When obtaining your ski passes you need to turn up in person as they take a photo,
which is then printed on your ski pass. I did get away with this for my wife, who didn't want to queue, though I believe
I was just lucky.
Bansko Ski Lifts
To view details about the ski lifts, etc available on the slopes at Bansko visit
Bansko Ski Zone.
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Eating Out
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Eating out in Bansko is an experience in itself, there are some great restaurants with some truly wonderful food
and the price is unbelievable. We eat out each night, as it's so cheap, for around £5 per head, which includes a
starter, main course, pudding and drinks.
There are a huge number of mehana's in Bansko, many of them offer excellant food and service and a lot of them also
provide local live music. Your best bet is to wander down Pirin street, heading towards the town square, and see if
there's a mehana that take's your fancy.
Tipping: Yes, do, however you need to keep your wits about you as one restaurant we tried didn't bring us any change
from paying the bill and seemed to assume we'd left a tip that was as much as the bill itself. This isn't common
practice so don't be put off, needless to say we've never been back to that restaurant.
One of our favourite restaurants is
Bunare Tavern
- the food is excellant, the value is superb and Emil (the owner) couldn't make you feel more welcome.
There's also a (fun) surprise in store when it's time to pay the bill though I won't spoil it for you!
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Nightlife
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There are a number of discos in Bansko though these tend to be low-key and not really suited to 'party animals'.
Bansko offers a large selection of local taverns and pubs and most offer entertainment in the form of local musicians.
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Hiking and Walking
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During the summer season there are many walking tours from Bansko that will take you in and around the Pirin mountains.
There are tours to suit all abilities.
Most mountain walks start from the Vihren Hut and can take from 30 minutes for a gentle hike or up to 10 hours for the more avid hiker.
Many of the walks take in many of the natural mountain lakes that exist in the surrounding area.
Also, you can visit the Bykushevata-mura (the oldest tree in Bulgaria), which is over 1300 years old.
One of the deepest caves in Bulgaria is in the same vicinity. More can be found on the Summer Page.
If you intend to go walking in Pirin around Bansko then your best bet would to obtain the "Map of Bansko" published by a company called Domino.
They have a summer and a winter edition. In the summer edition you will find the hiking paths and, if you're really keen, the mountain huts for staying overnight.
You can obtain maps from the Pirin National Park office in Bansko, which is located next to railway station on a street called Bulevard Bulgaria 4.
There is now a good online source of mountain routes, and an online map, on the Summer in Bansko site.
During our visit in July 2007 we finally managed to spend some time walking up in the mountains and had a wonderful time,
the views are absolutely breathtaking as can be seen from some of the pictures to the right.
If you're serious about walking then I recommend you seek advice about the best paths, etc.
Intersport offer a number of different hiking excursions which are also worth a look.
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Mountain Biking/Cycling
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Bansko is perfect for exploring by bike with many rural villages that are within easy cycling distance.
It's also possible to arrange guided tours - if this would interest you then please ask for more for details.
Bike Hire & Track Guides are available at the Bansko Tourist Information Centre.
There is now a good online source of biking routes, and an online map, on the Summer in Bansko site.
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Bear Park
Rila Monastry
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Set high in the Rila mountains and about 1 hour from Bansko the Rila Monastry whilst still being a working monastry is breathtaking.
The church which is set in the central courtyard is decorated inside and out with brightly painted murals depicting stories from the bible.
The altar with its elaborate carvings and icons are awe inspiring.
Within the museum will be found hand crafted crosses in wood and silver filigree, hand crafted prayer boxes and hand sewn tapestries.
We drove ourselves there. It took just over an hour from Bansko and was reasonably easy to find. It took us by surprise when we walked in to the main courtyard as it was a lot larger than we expected and also a lot more breathtaking. If you'd like to go inside the church, and I'd recommend it, then don't wear shorts, etc. as you won't be allowed inside - you'll still be able to walk around the courtyard, just not enter the church.
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Fishing
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To be able to go fishing you have to get a fishing permit, which will enable you to fish nearly everywhere in Bulgaria.
The permit costs about 5 pounds, a year.
In the Pirin mountain lakes around Bansko you'll mainly find trout.
There is also a small man-made fishing lake just outside of Bansko.
The best river fishing is in the river Struma, about 40 minutes by car from Bansko towards Sofia.
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| A local fisherman joins in the seasonal fun! |
Shopping
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Shopping in Bansko is confined to the necessities of life, but visitors will find plenty of souvenirs in the form of local handwork, especially embroidered goods!
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Mineral Springs
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The area is well known for its thermal springs and these together with several excellent swimming pools,
which also have saunas and fitness rooms alongside them allow for pleasant aprés-ski relaxation.
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Golf
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There are currently three golf courses in Bulgaria, though there are a number being constructed close to Bansko.
For additional information on golfing in Bulgaria you may find the Bulgarian Golf Association website useful.
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