Bansko Bulgaria: Everything you wish you knew

Bansko has been the most popular winter destination in the Balkans in recent years.

The tourist resort is about 150 km from Sofia and the distance Bansko-Sofia is about 2 hours by car. Bansko is located in south-western Bulgaria and has about 10 thousand inhabitants. It is at the foot of Mount Pirin and has an altitude of 936 meters above sea level.

Bansko is now a recognized winter resort with a large number of tourists arriving there during the winter months from the Balkans and all over Europe. The first jazz festival was organized in the area a few years ago and thus it acquired, among other things, cultural interest.

Ski Centre

The area is known for its 65 km of 16 ski slopes. Most visitors organise a trip to Bansko to experience an organised ski resort.

It is impressive that the ski resort has managed to compete even with the ski resorts of Switzerland and France. The ski resort ensures perfect skiing conditions, as it has slopes for both beginners and experienced skiers all along its length. In some places the track is covered by artificial snow, which creates excellent conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.

For those who don’t prioritize skiing, they can take a ride on the teleferik, since the ski resort is fully equipped and has modern infrastructure. At the same time, they can enjoy their hot coffee in the Bansko chalet.

For those who find themselves at the ski resort, it is a good opportunity to fill their mobile phones with photos of Bansko, because the area is ideal for photos with the tall fir trees and the snowy landscape creating a unique setting.

Access

How do you get to Bansko, though?There are many ways to get to Bulgaria and Bansko. Getting to Bansko can be done by various means of transport and by various routes.

Starting from Athens or Thessaloniki you can travel to Bulgaria by air and by road. By plane from Athens and Thessaloniki you can get to Sofia airport and from there you can drive to Bansko. The flight takes about 1 hour and the Sofia-Bansko route takes about 2 hours by car.

If you choose to drive from Athens and Thessaloniki, the journey time is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes and 2 hours respectively. banskotheproject.gr can provide you with a complete holiday package in Bansko with both the 2 ways of access to Bulgaria. You just choose how you want to get to Bansko.

Top attractions

Bansko is perfectly connected with the ski resort and winter sports. However, something that should not be overlooked is the attractions it offers to its visitors.

One of the most important places to visit is the Pirin National Park, which includes most of the mountain range of the same name, as well as lakes, caves, waterfalls, etc. It has been designated as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

In addition, Pirin Street, which runs through the Old Town, is one of the most touristic and developed parts of the area, with small shops, cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants to visit.

Pirin Street ends at Nikola Vaptsarov Square, where the museum of the famous modern Bulgarian poet Nikola Vaptsarov, who used to live there, is located. The Church of the Holy Trinity, which is an orthodox church and receives many visitors all year round, is also very close by.

Shopping

The Bulgarian city has a fairly large shopping centre (Bansko Mall). There you can do your shopping and find clothes and jewellery. You can also find ski and snowboard equipment in case you want to buy your own rather than rent from the resort.

Very important is that in the shopping center you will find a super market and a bank branch where you can exchange currency.You can also buy gifts from the shop, as the prices in the shops are affordable and relatively low. Bansko Mall is undoubtedly the best choice for shopping in Bansko.

Golf

The area has 2 golf courses where you can try your hand at this special sport. The centre also has a practice area to learn the first steps.

Casino

The city has the option of a casino, as it has corresponding options. The city’s casinos are also a tourist attraction for the region. 

Ice Rink

Dare to go ice skating at one of Bulgaria’s largest ice rinks. You will find it there during the winter months and it is open until late at night.

Hiking

Hiking in the mountains and the surrounding areas is definitely an activity best done in the summer or spring. There is no snow and the cold is not so strong.

Entertainment

Having fun in the winter months is definitely something you should try. The options are not infinite, but they are decent enough to have a drink and have fun.

Spa & Massage

One of the favorite habits of the guests is the spa and the massage. How could a winter resort with one of the best ski resorts in Europe not have a modern spa and traditional hammam?! In Bansko it’s a ritual, the whole process.

The town, apart from skiing, is famous for its luxury relaxation and wellness facilities. Most hotels have luxury swimming pools and renovated spa and wellness areas. The massage rooms and gyms promise to rejuvenate and stimulate you physically after a long day at the ski resort.

Day trips

If you are planning to explore more of the Balkans and organise a multi-day holiday in Bansko, we can recommend some nearby places to visit, as well as activities for young and old alike.

 

First of all, we recommend visiting the village of Banya to relax all day in the thermal baths. Other equally famous areas where you can take thermal baths are Sandanski and Ognyanovo.

 

In the Rila Mountains, you will find the famous Monastery of Rila, which is about 93km from Bansko. However, it is worth taking a day trip to experience the Balkan architecture, but also to admire a lush green landscape and the river that runs through it.It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For those who are more adventurous, in Mount Pirin, you will find activities such as a 4×4 Safari, where you will be enchanted by the view of the mountains, cross streams, get into mud and live a unique experience that will stay with you for a long time.

Important information about Bansko

*Although many shops accept Euros, we recommend converting them into BGN to avoid any problems. In the city there are branches of Greek banks where you can make foreign exchange.

*Since Bulgaria is not in the Schengen area, you will need to bring and show your ID or passport at the border or airport. You can find more information on the entry requirements for Bulgaria here. 

*In the summer many shops and stores are closed and many hotels are underused.

*The region has 120 UNESCO monuments.

*The local cuisine is really special and delicious.

*Before you travel, make sure you have a look at the travel regulations so that everything runs smoothly during your holiday.

*Many restaurants and shops tend to charge different prices from the prices in the catalogues.

To avoid travel problems and excessive hotel charges, let the banskotheproject.gr team organize your holiday in Bansko. Stay tuned to our site for any useful information.

Διαμονή στο Μπάνσκο, τι να επιλέξετε

Η εύρεση διαμονής στο Μπάνσκο Βουλγαρίας, θα λέγαμε πως είναι μια εύκολη διαδικασία, καθώς πρόκειται για έναν ανεπτυγμένο τουριστικά τόπο με εξαιρετικές εγκαταστάσεις.

 

Στο Μπάνσκο θα βρείτε φανταστικά ξενοδοχεία 3, 4, 5 αστέρων με υπηρεσίες υψηλής ποιότητας σε πολύ προσιτές τιμές. Ενδεικτικά, τα ξενοδοχεία στην πλειοψηφία τους διαθέτουν άριστο πρωινό και εσωτερικό εστιατόριο, εγκαταστάσεις σπα, πισίνες, υπηρεσίες μασάζ, κέντρα ευεξίας, γυμναστήρια κ.α.

 

Στο Banskotheproject.gr έχουμε δημιουργήσει μία λίστα με επιλογές σε πακέτα διακοπών για το Μπάνσκο, ώστε να σας βοηθήσουμε στην έρευνα και την οργάνωση του χειμερινού σας ταξιδιού.  Οι επιλογές διαμονής στην περιοχή είναι κατάλληλες τόσο για οικογένεια με παιδιά, όσο και για ζευγάρια ή παρέες φίλων.

 

Συνοπτικά, γιατί να επιλέξετε το Μπάνσκο για χειμερικές διακοπές

Το Μπάνσο αποτελεί έναν από τους πιο δημοφιλείς χειμερινούς προορισμούς για αποδράσεις. Ο κύριος λόγος που ο προορισμός είναι τόσο περιζήτητος, είναι φυσικά, ότι αποτελεί το διασημότερο χιονοδρομικό κέντρο των Βαλκανίων, με άρτια οργάνωση και εξοπλισμό. Αν είστε λάτρεις των χειμερινών σπορ, πρέπει να το επισκεφθείτε.


Από την άλλη, πρόκειται για έναν προορισμό που απευθύνεται σε όλους. Το Μπάνσκο έχει αξιοθέατα, πάρκα, μουσεία, εμπορικά μαγαζιά, ενώ παράλληλα είναι γνωστό για τη νυχτερινή διασκέδαση και το παραδοσιακό του φαγητό. Όταν όλα αυτά συνδυάζονται με χαμηλές τιμές, αποτελεί ιδανικό προορισμό για τον καθένα μας. Με το Bansko The Project Pass που σας προσφέρουμε, έχετε επιπλέον εκπτώσεις σε συνεργαζόμενα καφέ, εστιατόρια, μπαρ κλπ.


Δεν υπάρχει καλύτερη περίοδος να επισκεφθείτε το Μπάνσκο από τα Χριστούγεννα και την Πρωτοχρονιά. Οργανώστε το ταξίδι σας την εορταστική περίοδο και ζήστε λαμπερές γιορτές με τους αγαπημένους σας στην λαμπερή και στολισμένη Βουλγαρία!