Bansko

Bansko provides an interesting combination of natural beauty mixed with the unique atmosphere of an ancient Bulgarian town. While wandering through Bansko's quiet streets you will find a sense of peacefulness that emanates from the mountain peaks that surround the town. The Pirin National Park spans 100,000 acres and includes all of the northern Pirin from the Predela pass to the Popovi Livadi area in the south. Throughout this area you will find some of the highest peaks and more than 180 lakes, which are home to over half of Bulgaria's flora and fauna. The sheer faces, high altitude slopes and vast lands are an excellent location for mountaineering, skiing and trekking. Bulgaria itself is located at the crossroads of many cultures, nations and religions. The town of Bansko exudes a rich historical heritage and attracts visitors with its 120 cultural monuments, museum houses and the Bansko School of Icon Painting and Exhibitions. Throughout the local areas there are also a number of monasteries and archeological sites of interest. The town of Bansko offers a wide variety of cuisines. As well as traditional Bulgarian dishes, many restaurants serve food with influences ranging from European to Russian or Indian. Obviously you will also find an excellent selection of local wines and beers on offer. Indeed, there are a number of old-style pubs, taverns and cafes in the old town, all possessing a unique charm and offering food and drink at relatively cheap prices. Discos and night clubs work without time limit, and usually close early in the morning. There is much to see and do in the surrounding areas with many local villages to choose from. Locals also recommend a trip to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia which has a wonderful cultural heritage, as well as a good selection of shops. Bansko's natural, historical, and cultural wealth makes it the perfect place to visit.

Location

Bansko is just 160 km south of the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, 60 km Southeast of Blagoevgrad and 6 km south of Razlog. Bulgaria has four international airports of which Sofia airport is just 3 hours flying time from London. The transfer time from Sofia to Bansko takes 2 and a half hours by road.

Check out Bansko on Google Maps

Activities

Obviously Bansko's outdoor activities are primarily based on and around its breathtaking slopes. The Pirin mountains have a predominantly Alpine character and boast three peaks towering above 2900 m. However, the slopes are perfectly equipped to offer runs and tracks to encapsulate all types of skiers from novices to experts. For those looking to improve their skills, Bansko Ski School is highly recommended. All graduates receive a skiing certificate and children above the age of 6 are also welcome to attend the school. Bansko is a climatic mountain resort with a short summer and long winter. The ski season begins in the middle of December and ends in April. For your safety, a 24 hour Emergency Rescue Service is based in the town and is fully equipped with all the necessary equipment. While Bansko is famous for skiing, snowboarding and extreme sports, its dramatic landscape acts as the perfect backdrop for activities including climbing, trekking, walking and mountaineering. Bulgaria is also tipped to be the future golf destination of southeast Europe.

For further information click on the Activities tab.

Transport

Bulgaria has 4 international airports. The most convenient is situated in Sofia with London being just 3 hours flight time away. From Sofia, Bansko is around a 2 and a half hour drive.

There is a public bus and two private bus operators that service Bansko from Sofia. Buses leave from the terminal in Ovcha Kupel throughout the day. A one way ticket costs 6 Leva.

Travel with the Sofia Airport taxi cabs is recommended. Private taxi cabs operate at higher fares, but fares can be negotiated.

Fast and express trains link the capital with big towns across the country.

Visitors to Bulgaria may use their national driving licence as long as it complies with international standards.

To see details of getting to the apartment click on the Getting there tab.

Visas

European Union citizens who hold a current and valid passport can spend up to 90 days in Bulgaria without a visa.

Population

The town of Bansko has an estimated population of around 12,000.

Language

The main language is Bulgarian. The majority of people speak basic English, French and German.

Currency

The monetary unit is the Bulgarian Leva. The average exchange rate is UK £1 = 2.83482 Lev.

Local Time

From the month of October to the end of March, Bansko, Bulgaria is 2 hours ahead of GMT. From end of March to end of September Bansko is 3 hours ahead of GMT.

Climate

Bulgaria has a mild continental climate with four seasons. The average yearly temperature is 14°C. The months of January to March have the coldest temperatures averaging -1°C. The average rainfall is 64 cm per year, falling mainly in the winter months. Snow falls in abundance and provides a constant winter snow cover which is up to 2 m thick. In the warmer months of April to September the temperature is an average of 23°C.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the fastest growing tourist destination in the world. Much of its appeal lies in its rich geographical landscapes including the highest peaks on the Balkans, a multitude of lakes and the warm Black Sea coast.

Our apartment is situated in the beautiful town of Bansko which nestles at the foot of the Pirin mountains and is set in some of the most picturesque landscapes in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is situated in Southeast Europe and occupies the northeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula. To the north it borders Romania, to the west Macedonia and Yugoslavia, to the east the Black Sea and to the south its neighbours are Greece and Turkey. Despite its small size, Bulgaria offers an exceptional variety of landscapes, from the highest snow-capped peaks on the Balkans to the warm Black Sea coast. The town of Bansko is located in southwestern Bulgaria. It is situated at the foot of the majestic Pirin mountain range at an altitude of 950 m. Bansko enjoys a privileged setting by the Glazne river on the southern edge of a circular plain that is surrounded by the Pirin, Rila and Rhodopes mountains. Indeed, the Pirin mountains are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and unspoiled ranges in Bulgaria.

Bansko Events 2007 17 Feb Burton AM Tour visits Bansko For all of you who are dreaming of becoming a professional snowboarder and you were born in 1987 or above then come along to the tour dates and show off your skills! This tour is the place to go for all amateur riders out who want their dreams to come true. Show off your talent and be in the running not only to win the Burton AM Tour Champion title, but also collect points for the TTR World Ranking system to be listed on the same ranking that your heroes are on! (www.ttrworldtour.com) 18 Feb IBU European Biathlon Championship 2007 8 - 13 Aug Bansko Internationl Jazz Festival 2007 This year will be the tenth anniversary of the Bansko International Jazz Festival and promises to be extra special. An extractfrom the website ... Again this year Bansko will gather you from August 8 to August 13, 2007, to see you involved one more time into the magic called JAZZ. In 2007 the Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Together with you we will turn the event into a week-long feast of music in which performers of 15 countries from 3 continents will take part. ... see the website for further details. 12 - 15 Dec European Biathlon Cup 2007/2008 European Cup 4 Courses: Sprint, Pursuit, Relay 15 Dec Bansko Ski Season 2007/08 The official opening of Bansko Ski Season It's reported that the ski season will actually open earlier, on 1 Dec. 2008 9 - 10 Feb National Snowboard Championships The Bansko winter resort will host the Open Bulgarian Snowboard Championships 9-10 February. The guests of Bansko will enjoy the action-packed disciplines PGS and PSL. Snowboarders from all over Europe are expected to participate as the Bulgarian Open provides credits for the overall FIS rankings.