BANSKO

Bansko is one of the biggest and most attractive mountain resorts in Bulgaria and during the last years it has been developed as the best and most modern ski resort. It is situated at the foot of Pirin Mountain, 160 km away from Sofia.
Bansko is a small cosy town with many luxury hotels and small hostels. The lovely unique nature of Pirin Mountain flanks it. There is a lot to explore in Bansko. It is not only the magnificent slopes and venerable woods that the visitors will always remember.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

There are about 150 cultural and historical memorials in Bansko. You can see Thracian mounds and many archeological finds from the ancient times in the surrounding areas. But there are a lot of interesting sites in the town as well. During the time of Bulgarian Renaissance Bansko became a cultural, craftsman’s and trade centre. Many of the crafts and traditions are preserved in the museum complex which comprises typical Bulgarian houses, works of Bulgarian craftsman and artists. The church “St. Trinity” with a bell and watch tower, the church “Uspenie Bogoroditchno”, the house museums of great Bulgarian social figures, poets and artists are among the sites with national significance. Many important Bulgarians were born in Bansko. The most famous are Paisii Hilendarski, who started the Bulgarian Renaissance as he wrote „Istoria Slavianobulgarska” (The first summarized Bulgarian history), in 1762, his adherent Neofit Rilski, the great Bulgarian poet Nikola Vaptsarov and many more.

BANSKO TODAY

Bansko, once mainly a stockbreeding and travelling merchant community, has nowadays become a centre of winter and summer tourism. The mountain peaks near the town, the numerous lakes and the old pine woods make it a popular site for recreation. In recent years, the town has gained international popularity after the start of the annual Bansko Jazz Festival and consequently the annual Bansko pop-star concert featuring top pop stars. The nearby village of Banya, located only 5 km from the town, is known for its 27 thermal mineral springs.

A new gondola lift was built in 2003 to replace a minibus ride up to the ski slopes of Todorka. The slopes are suitable for all level skiers - from the very beginners to ones who love extreme slopes. A few competitions take place annually alpine ski disciplines and also biathlon competitions. In Bansko will take part - the women's world cup for the alpine ski discplines. It is expected that the world cup for summer biathlon will also take part in the resort of Bansko. The town is served by a scenic narrow gauge railway from Septemvri to Dobrinishte.

Since the 2008–2009 season, Bansko has been hosting ladies' races from the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

SPORTS

Surrounded by the Pirin, Rila and Rhodopi mountains, Bansko is a climatic mountain resort with a short hot summer and long mild winter. The average temperature during January, the coldest month, is - 1.9C. Snow falls are abundant, providing a constant winter snow cover up to 2 m thick. The skiing season along the Pirin slopes starts in the middle of December and ends in mid-April.

Bansko becomes one of the favorite places of Bulgarian and foreign skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers and adventurers. After you have spend your day in wild downhill during the winter or climbing, hiking and cycling in the mountain during the summer you can have well deserved respite in the taverns with a glass of high quality wine and delicious dishes.

Read more about Bansko here

Useful links for Bansko
We would recommend all property investors interested in Bansko to visit the following links with useful information:

View our properties for sale in Bansko

Search for related articles in our article section

Bansko info-page (for property investors)

• Print
• Ask for free advice