Bansko is a ski resort in Bulgaria, which is famous all over the world for its excellent conditions for skiing, luxurious nature, intricate architecture of ancient streets, and mild climate. The skiing season here lasts from mid-December to the end of April: it is during this period that the city seems to come to life, and its hotels and entertainment venues are filled with tourists from all over the world. Bansko is today one of the fastest growing ski resorts in Eastern Europe, and tours to it are considered very prestigious.

Features and description

The city is located at an altitude of 936 m above sea level, and lies in the territory of the Pirin National Park at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. The capital of Bulgaria – Sofia – is 160 km away, and Plovdiv is 110 km away.

The elevation difference in Bansko is 930-2560 meters, and there are many slopes of varying difficulty, both for beginners and professionals. The slopes are served by modern funiculars and lifts, which are designed for a passenger flow of up to 3000 people per hour. The slopes are regularly processed by snow groomers – snow compacting machines, which make the conditions for skiing as comfortable as possible. If weather conditions do not allow the snow to lie in the necessary layer for skiing, then it is restored with special snow cannons.

Bansko is a ski resort, a vacation in which is affordable for a fairly wide range of people: here you can find accommodation options from small cheap rooms to large expensive apartments. Great attention is also paid here to young guests: a kindergarten operates for them, which has a ski slope, a children’s lift and a playground.

Ski slopes in Bansko

The ski season in Bansko begins in mid-December and, as a rule, lasts until the end of March – the beginning of April, and in some years you can ski in early May. This duration is due to the fact that the slopes of the resort are mainly directed to the north, and the thickness of the snow cover on them reaches 2 meters. The slopes are well maintained, regularly restoring the snow cover until the next day. Snow cannons help maintain a comfortable level of cover, but in warm winters, when there is an influx of tourists, the lower levels of the slopes quickly break down, so it is better to move to the upper level in the afternoon.

The skiing area is small, a total of about 65 kilometers on 15 slopes. The slopes are mainly for calm skiing, extreme lovers will be a little bored here. But beginners and vacationers with children will like it here – mostly the slopes are wide and calm, on which it is good to master the skiing technique. However, for experienced skiers there are off-piste skiing areas.

The mountain closest to the city, Chalin Valog (1467 m), has easy and medium difficulty trails, and there is a section of increased difficulty. These slopes will be interesting for beginners. More interesting routes are located on the mountains Shiligarnika (1725 m) and Binderishka Polyana (1635 m). Well, if you climb Todorka (the skiing area reaches 2600 m), then from there you can choose to go down a long, easy and gentle trail, or use the more difficult trails Balkaniada, Todoritsa, Binderitsa. For adrenaline lovers in the Shiligarnik area there are several black difficult Albert Tomb trails. The network of lifts allows you to quickly move between different regions of the ski resort.

For snowboarders in the Binderishka Polyana area there is a snow park with a half-pipe. For fans of cross-country skiing, there are a number of routes with a total length of about 9 km. They did not forget about children – a special kindergarten with ski carousels and children’s lifts has been prepared for them, which allows you to come to a ski holiday in Bulgaria with children. For beginners who dream of learning to ski in Bulgaria, there are a number of ski schools, but the cost of training in them is quite high, about 20-25 euros per hour.

One of the big drawbacks of Bansko is the long queues for the lift and for ski passes at the lower station in the city itself. This happens most often on holidays or weekends. To avoid this problem, it is worth coming before the opening or taking a taxi to the second level of the lifts – there are no such queues there.

However, the ski resort of Borovets also suffers from long queues on weekends due to reduced prices on non-working days.

Sports and entertainment.

In the ski resort of Bansko in winter, FIC slalom competitions are held, as well as the open European biathlon championship. In the summer, hiking along organized routes is popular in the mountains, and there is an opportunity to stay in specially equipped campsites. The mountainous terrain is very beautiful, the valleys are covered with a variety of flowering plants, the air is cool and fresh, which attracts many vacationers from different parts of Europe. For cycling fans, a number of cycling routes have been laid.

In Bansko itself, it is worth seeing the Holy Trinity Church (dated 1835) with bright paintings inside, and visiting the many museums located in the city. So, near the church is the house-museum of Neophyte Rila, a famous Bulgarian educator, creator of the first Bulgarian language textbook. The museum is a typical fortress house from the times of Turkish enslavement, and well demonstrates the characteristic lifestyle of a Bulgarian family of those times.

Near Bansko there are many thermal springs (the nearest one is 6 km away in the town of Melnik), in which you can swim at any time of the year. The Greek coast is about 120 kilometers from here, so if you wish, you can go to relax at the sea in the summer and see the Greek decorations. Also, in early August, Bansko hosts an annual jazz festival.

Sights.

Bansko is not only slopes and lifts, but also an ancient city with a lot of interesting sights. Its exact date is unknown, but archaeological excavations indicate that the first settlements in this area appeared in ancient times.

One of the main attractions is the Church of the Holy Trinity, which is visible from any point in the city thanks to its thirty-meter bell tower. It was built in 1835, and the inside is decorated with carvings and wood paintings.

Another attraction is the Vyalenova House, built in the Renaissance era, which has a luxurious garden and original artistic decoration.

Also here is one of the oldest trees in the world – the Baykusheva pine, whose age is over 1300 years.

Bansko is home to 36% of the Pirin National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This percentage includes the highest peak of the Pirin Mountains – Vihren, which is 2914 m high. In addition, the park is home to two of the deepest caves in Bulgaria.

While vacationing at the resort, lovers of antiquity should definitely go on an excursion to the remains of ancient fortresses in Yulen and Starotom Gradishche, as well as go to Holy Trinity to medieval settlements.

Leisure and entertainment.

In addition to skiing, Bansko has many options for spending time. There are a large number of restaurants here, offering both traditional Bulgarian cuisine and dishes from other countries of the world. They say that in this small town there are over 400 of them.

Various holidays are constantly held in the city: religious, winter, sports and others, which are accompanied by a special program, specific rituals and all kinds of competitions. In addition, in Bansko you can visit outdoor and indoor mineral pools.

What money should you take with you?

If you are going on vacation in Bansko, it is best to come there already with lions. During the season, the exchange rate at exchange offices, of which there are quite a lot, is very unprofitable. Therefore. if there is an opportunity to exchange euros for leva in Sofia or another city, it is better to do so. If there is no such opportunity, then try to find a branch of any bank and exchange currency there.

Bank cards are accepted in Bansko, but reluctantly. If the payment amount is not large. then, most likely, they will refuse to accept payment by card at all.

It is more profitable to take a Master Card with you.

If you want to pay by card in a restaurant, then be sure to warn the waiter about this before he accepts the order. Otherwise, it is very likely that you will be asked only for cash in leva.

Should you go on vacation with children in Bansko?

You should go to Bansko with children only in two cases. The first, and most optimal, is if the child knows how to and loves to ski or you plan to put him on them. The second – if there is no possibility to leave the child at home. After all, Bansko is a ski resort, where people go for a specific purpose to ski and snowboard, the child will be bored here. There are a small number of attractions in the city. but this is more of a one-time entertainment. There are two kindergartens in Bansko (at least it was 2 years ago), one in the Kempinski Hotel, the second on Mount Benderishki. The first kindergarten is just a room in which children play with themselves under the supervision of teachers. They do not go for a walk. In general, not the best entertainment. The second one, which is on the mountain, is a little more fun. In addition to indoor games, various competitions are periodically held on the street.

But if the task is to put a child on mountain skiing, then Bansko is the optimal resort in this sense. First, there are ski schools that specifically deal with children. In particular, these are ULEN and OXO. The training is conducted by experienced instructors. In both centers, you can hand over your child for training on a day boarding basis, and then calmly go skiing yourself. It is worth considering that there are age restrictions. Children are accepted for training from 7 years old, although we know cases when agreements were made to train children at the age of 6. The average cost of training children is approximately $ 100 for 6 days.

For very young children, you don’t need to bring food, diapers, etc., because everything is sold in supermarkets or children’s stores in the city.

And the last thing about medical care. Bansko is primarily alpine skiing, a sport that is dangerous for injuries, and therefore the community authorities pay close attention to medical care. Pediatric medicine is no exception. The main thing is to have an insurance policy, which you need to take care of before the trip.

What excursions are worth visiting in Bansko?

In this article, we will consider the most popular excursions from the Bulgarian mountain resort Bansko.

The Spirit and Customs of a Bulgarian Village

Twenty kilometers from the resort of Bansko, at an altitude of over a thousand meters above sea level, is the village of Dobarsko. According to one legend, the first people to settle here were blinded soldiers serving King Samuel, who set off in 1014 to the Rila Monastery after the battle on Mount Belasitsa. On the way to the sacred place, they washed themselves in the spring, and their sight returned to them. According to another legend, Klement of Okhrinsky was treated with the help of this healing water.

On this excursion you will be able to learn more about local folklore and handicrafts and eat delicious local home-cooked dishes, enjoy relaxing among untouched pure nature – ancient pine trees, on a plateau in the highlands, on beautiful meadows, near cold streams surrounded by mountain peaks Rodolit .

You will also be held holidays in a traditional style, you will hear local songs, see national dances. In addition, you will be able to take a souvenir photo with local villagers who will be dressed in wonderful national costumes.

This excursion is combined – you will travel both by transport and on foot. It will take four hours and cost fifty dollars.

Winter fishing

Winter fishing is an entertainment that you can afford to try at least once in your life. And the main thing here is the process of fishing, not the “accompanying” pleasures. This excursion is similar to a picnic. It is suitable for all those who love a tribute to time, as well as for those who set a goal to prove to their girlfriend or wife that fishing is a great entertainment. You can go on this excursion with the whole family, you can take children – we guarantee that everyone will have fun.

This excursion starts in the afternoon, we leave at 15:00, then fishing directly – from 16:00 to 17:00 (all necessary equipment is provided), from 17:00 to 18:00 – dinner (you will taste soup, salad, there will also be trout with a side dish, wine and brandy), and at 19:00 we return to Bansko.

The cost of the excursion for adults is 27 euros, and for children under twelve years old – 14 euros. The duration of the trip is three hours.

Ognyanovske mineral baths

Water from mineral springs helps strengthen the immune defense system in the human body and also helps to cleanse it of toxic substances. On this excursion, tourists are offered a visit to the complex with curative springs located in the village of Ognyanovi, which are the heirs of the baths where Roman legionnaires were healed. Here you will be provided with a comfortable environment for relaxation, in this place there are reservoirs with mineral water – open and closed types. Those who wish will be able to visit the hydrogen sulfide bath, in which the water temperature reaches approximately 35 – 40 ° C. The excursion departs at approximately 15:30, then from 16:30 to 17:30 water procedures follow (for this you need to take a towel with you), and at 18:30 we return to the city of Bansko.

The price of the excursion: for adults – 16 euros, and for children under twelve years old – 9 euros. The duration of the trip is three and a half hours.

Snowmobile tour

If you have ever had to go on a snowmobile trip, you already know how interesting and fast you can use this vehicle to get to places where motor vehicles are prohibited from accessing. You will be offered wonderful snowmobiles, all the necessary equipment and an accompanying guide who will be with you during this winter excursion. This entertainment takes one hour.

Excursion: Rupite – Melnik – Rozhen Monastery

This trip is designed for those who are fans of everything strange and mysterious. First, we will go to the Rupite area – the famous clairvoyant and healer Vanga used to live and be buried there. Then we will go to the Rozhen Monastery, which is one of the few medieval temple buildings that have survived to this day, almost unchanged from its original appearance. This temple has preserved both authentic architecture and monumental painting. It was founded in 1220, this monastery is one of the oldest in the country. It houses the miraculous icon of the Theotokos Eleusa (The Assumption). After that, the program includes lunch and free time for walks around Melnik – the smallest and most strikingly beautiful city in Bulgaria.

The tour begins at approximately 08:30, from 10:00 to 11:00 – a trip to the Rupite area and a visit to the St. Petka of Bulgaria Church”, as well as the grave of the prophetess Vanga; from 11:20 to 12:00 – we will visit the Rozhensky Monastery, from 12:20 to 13:40 – a tour of the city of Melnik – we will, in particular, visit the house-museum of the merchant Kordopulo. After that – lunch time, from 13:50 to 14:50 (soup, salad, meat with a side dish, then dessert, wine and mineral water). From 15:00 to 16:00 you are given time for free walks around Melnik, and at 18:00 – we return to the city of Bansko.

The price of this trip is 46 euros for adults, for children under twelve years old – 23 euros. The excursion is designed for the whole day.

Horseback riding

Your attention is offered such entertainment as a horseback ride surrounded by a winter forest, far from the noise of the city. And for those who do not like horseback riding, a ride on a sleigh pulled by a pair or three horses is offered.

The price of such a walk is 31 euros, the duration is one hour.

Екскурсія в Рильський монастир

У програмі даної подорожі – поїздка в Рильський монастир, який є найбільшим храмовим комплексом на Балканському півострові, за межами Афона. Рильський монастир – є найважливішим християнським, культурним і просвітницьким центром, значним пам’ятником місцевого старовинного зодческого і художнього мистецтва. Цей храм внесено до переліку Світової культурної спадщини ЮНЕСКО.

Ціна екскурсії для дорослих – 36 євро, для дітей до дванадцяти років – 18 євро. За часом вона розрахована на півдня.

Харчування

З харчуванням в Болгарії немає ніяких проблем. Відпочиваючі можуть вибирати як варіант з харчуванням в своєму готелі, так і серед безлічі ресторанів і механу (місцевій таверні) в Бансько. Всі продукти свіжі, дуже смачні, а розмір порцій нікого не залишать голодним. Середня вартість вечері складає близько 10-15 євро. Варто спробувати і болгарське вино – їх асортимент широкий при невисокій ціні і непоганих смакових якостях молодих вин.

Проживання

У гірськолижному Бансько багато 3-х і 4-зіркових готелів. Якість номерів і обслуговування досить висока, за відгуками відпочивальників кращі готелі Бансько – це 3-зірковий Pirin River Ski & Spa, затишний сімейний Hotel Avalon і 5-зірковий Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena. При бронюванні краще вибирати готель ближче до нижнього підйомника. Втім, віддаленість від підйомника не так і страшна, оскільки відстані в Бансько невеликі, а від готелів регулярно курсують автобуси до підйомника. Втім, як правило, гірськолижні курорти Болгарії пропонують трансфер від готелю до найближчого підйомника.

Проїзд

Доїхати до Бансько можна через Софію (161 км) або Пловдива (162 км). Є досить багато авіарейсів в Софію, ряд авіакомпаній літає в Пловдив. Як варіант, можна летіти через грецькі Салоніки, але в цьому випадку доведеться подбати про грецької візі. Також можна доїхати до Болгарії на поїзді до Софії, але за часом проїзд від Київа складе близько 40 годин в порівнянні з 3 годинами на літаку. Від Софії дістатися можна на автобусі, який ходить від центрального автовокзалу (вартість проїзду в одну сторону близько 7 євро), або орендувати машину в аеропорту. Трансфер Софія – Бансько за часом займе близько 3 годин, приблизно стільки ж добиратися від Пловдива. Готелі також практикують трансфер від аеропорту чи залізничного вокзалу, таку можливість потрібно уточнювати при бронюванні номера. Вартість трансферу на легковому автомобілі становить близько 70-80 євро в одну сторону.