ski_bansko

bansko

about BANSKO

Bansko is a town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, which are part of Pirin National Park, in southwest Bulgaria. It’s a gateway to numerous ski and snowboard slopes on Todorka Peak, including the challenging Tomba run. Footpaths cross the park’s craggy alpine landscape, home to bears and wolves. The park is also known for the high-altitude Vihren Peak, with forested ridges and striking glacial lakes.

WHAT IS IT FAMOUS FOR?

Bansko is most famous for skiing. If you are looking for an alternative European skiing destination, Bansko is the perfect place to visit. Not only is it one of Eastern Europe’s premier ski resorts, it is also a great town to explore. Bansko has a rich history, lots of traditional Bulgarian restaurants and a selection of spas to help you relax after a day on the slopes.

Bansko has something for everyone and you don’t need to be a winter sports enthusiast to enjoy your time here. The service and experiences available to you rival those of the more popular Alpine destinations.

  • Hotels

  • Restaurants

  • Attractions

  • Nightlife

© Ben Lowes, Bansko, Bulgaria

© Ben Lowes, Bansko, Bulgaria

when to visit

Bansko has one of the longest ski seasons in Europe with the snow staying around from December to May. February to March are generally considered the best months to go as the days are longer and there's often a new dumping of snow in March.

© Ben Lowes, The Strazhite Hotel, Bansko, Bulgaria

© Ben Lowes, The Strazhite Hotel, Bansko, Bulgaria

top 5 hotels in bansko

There’s no better feeling than sliding off the slopes and into the warmth of your hotel spa. When choosing your dream hotel in Bansko it’s a good idea to carefully select one that’s within walking distance of the Ski Bansko resort - and that’s where we come in!

Here are our 5 top hotel picks that will help you unwind and save your aching arms from carrying those skis!

1 Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena Bansko

Photo: Kempinsi Hotel, Bankso

Photo: Kempinsi Hotel, Bankso

Discover the beauty of unspoiled nature, magnificent landscapes and endless relaxation at the footsteps of the majestic Pirin Mountain – a UNESCO World Heritage environment. The Kempinski welcomes you to an oasis of luxury, comfort and tranquillity in Bansko - the most modern winter resort in the Balkans. Their five-star hotel is open all year-round and comprises Alpine-style rooms and suites, superb conference facilities, lavish dining services and an award-winning spa centre.

3 Aparthotel lucky

2 Stratzhie Hotel

© Ben Lowes, The Strazhite Hotel, Bansko, Bulgaria

© Ben Lowes, The Strazhite Hotel, Bansko, Bulgaria

The Strazhite Hotel is just 400 metres from the Gondola Lift of the Ski Dubai resort. It features a bowling alley, half board options, free parking and an on-site bar, making it the perfect hotel for an affordable family vacation.

The Strazhite is a popular pick throughout the year with its interesting package deals tailored to the season. This makes The Strazhite Hotel one of the most preferred and sought after hotels by Bulgarians and foreigners alike at any time of the year.

4 saint george palace aparthotel

Photo: Aparthotel Lucky, Bansko

Photo: Aparthotel Lucky, Bansko

As early as its creation, Lucky Bansko became the most advanced apartment-type hotel in Bansko, successfully combining the advantages of hotel accommodation and the convenience of having all the extras of a fully equipped apartment or studio.

The Aparthotel has 115 comfortable studios and apartments, but there is also a deluxe hotel infrastructure with a 24-hour reception, a lobby bar, a classic restaurant, conference rooms, a children’s room and a full range of additional services that will make your holiday pleasurable and rewarding.

5 Regnum Bansko Apart Hotel

Photo: booking.com

Saint George Palace 4* Aparthotel bordering the Pirin National Park some 800m above the Bansko Ski Gondola, provides 150 Apartments and Studios full equipped to international standards.

The highest hotel in Bansko provides unique views to three mountain ranges along with one of the biggest swimming pools, relax zones as well as multiple dining and bar options.

Perfect for families, groups of friends as well as team building and business meetings, the hotel opened its doors in 2012 and operates all year around.

Photo: Regnum Bansko

Enjoy an unforgettable vacation at the Regnum Bansko Apart Hotel & Spa. Here you will find a combination of spacious Suites with spectacular views of Pirin Mountain, the only aqua park in Bansko, perfect facilities for conference events, team buildings, weddings, children's birthday parties. Your memorable vacation will be perfect with trip to their luxury on-site spa, international cuisine, playground and children’s animation for the whole family to enjoy.

© Ben Lowes, George & Mary Restaurant, Bansko

© Ben Lowes, George & Mary Restaurant, Bansko

TOP 5 RESTAURANTS IN Bansko

Bansko has a remarkable nightlife scene and a wide variety of restaurants. The resort offers numerous high class restaurants and more than 200 traditional taverns (mehanas) with local and national specialities, selected drinks and live music.

Go ready, armed with a healthy post-ski appetite and some good friends to share your dishes with.

1 queens pub

© Ben Lowes, Queens Pub, Bansko

© Ben Lowes, Queens Pub, Bansko

Queen's Pub is a ‘mega pub’: the biggest place for food & fun and a must see in Bansko. Queens is child friendly and visitors look forward to its nightly entertainment show featuring children’s entertainment, a live band and dance acts. Queen’s Pub will help you and your family make the most amazing holiday memories you could have asked for.

3 familia

2 FIVE M

© Ben Lowes, Baileys Ice Cream, Five M

© Ben Lowes, Baileys Ice Cream, Five M

Five M is a chic, modern restaurant in the heart of Bansko Old Town. It’s modern decor and impressive menu makes it a refreshing change from the numerous Bulgarian Taverns you will be frequenting whilst in Bansko.

One of our recommendations for this particular restaurant would be their Baileys ice cream which is a little slice of heaven.



© booking.com , Familia Restaurant, Bansko

© booking.com , Familia Restaurant, Bansko

Familia restaurant is located in the quiet, central part of Bansko, five minutes walk from the Revival quarter and Pirin Street, and 500 meters from the ski area.

Familia is a cosy family restaurant offering excellent menu choices and live entertainment during any season of the year. Completed in a traditional style, the restaurant successfully fits into the specific Bansko architecture, combining white plaster, wooden santrachi, tiles, suitable stone and wonderful interior.

5 the lions pub

4 George & mary

© Ben Lowes, Chicken Kebab, George & Mary

© Ben Lowes, Chicken Kebab, George & Mary

George and Mary's is well known in Bansko for its fantastic customer service & welcoming atmosphere. It has a wide range of dishes on offer from traditional Bulgarian dishes to Italian favourites (such a spaghetti bolognase).

Visiting George & Marys is a breath of fresh air and its hearty, flavoursome food will certainly warm you up after a long day on the slopes.

Our recommendation at this restaurant is the fries!


© Ben Lowes, Cheese Bread, The Lion’s Pub, Bansko

© Ben Lowes, Cheese Bread, The Lion’s Pub, Bansko

Entering the warmth of the Lion’s Pub after a long day on the slopes is the most rewarding feeling you can experience.

The Lion’s Pub has a real "homely" feel and the hospitality on offer is to a high standard. The mouthwatering food will refuel your empty engines and prepare you for a night on Bansko Town. They have live entertainment during the evenings and the venue itself has a fantastic atmosphere!

Our recommendation at The Lions Pub would be one of their delicious pizzas or their cheesy bread.

© Ben Lowes, Bankso Ski, Bulgaria

© Ben Lowes, Bankso Ski, Bulgaria

TOP 5 attractions in bansko

Bansko is most famous for skiing and is one of Eastern Europe’s premier ski resorts, but it’s not all about the skiing, Bansko is also a great town to explore. When the temperatures rise and the Bulgarian summer has arrived there’s plenty to keep you and your family occupied.

We’re giving you the low-down of all things ‘Bansko’ - on and off, the slopes!

1 bansko ski

© Ben Lowes, Bansko Ski, Bulgaria

© Ben Lowes, Bansko Ski, Bulgaria

Bansko ski resort is the best winter resort in Bulgaria with the longest ski runs and the richest cultural history. The resort offers excellent ski and snowboard conditions and infrastructure. With regards to Apres ski - the resort offers hundreds of bars and traditional restaurants called 'mehana'. Bansko mountain resort is an excellent choice for your ski and snowboard holiday in Bulgaria.

3 mountain hiking

2 kempinski spa

© Kempinski, Kempinski Spa, Bulgaria

© Kempinski, Kempinski Spa, Bulgaria

The Kempinski’s brand new spa features Finnish & herbal saunas, an infrared cabin, experience showers, a deep digital detox area, tailor-made aroma steam bath, indoor & outdoor swimming pool & jacuzzi, extensive fitness centre and unique snow room. This is on top of their variety of Thai massages, seasonal treatments and beauty procedures with natural cosmetic products.

© Traventuria, Bulgaria

© Traventuria, Bulgaria

The Bulgarian mountains are known as “the walker’s paradise”. Whether you are going on a guided, walking hike or a self-guided hike, thousands of kilometres of way-marked trails will be at your disposal. These will grant you access to stunning alpine terrain, remote villages, spectacular peaks, green meadows, century-old woods, crystal-clear blue lakes, vast nature reserves, rare plants and animals.

5 horseback riding

4 river rafting

Photo: runbulgaria, Bulgaria

Photo: runbulgaria, Bulgaria

© Traventuria, Bulgaria

© Traventuria, Bulgaria

For adrenaline junkies and fans of being outdoors, the area around The Balkan Jewel Resort & Chalets, Bansko is perfectly positioned for your river rafting adventure. Bansko offers river rafting in the most beautiful rivers in Bulgaria – The Struma and the Mesta rivers situated in the scenic Pirin Mountains, surrounded by rock formations and incredibly beautiful nature.

Horseback riding in Bansko is a great way to explore the unique, natural mountain-setting regardless of whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider.

The majestic mountains offer a fantastic variety of clear crystal lakes and wonderful natural catacombs. An endlessly green and vibrant experience as you ride in the heart of unique Bulgarian nature.

Photo: Novinite, Bansko

Photo: Novinite, Bansko

top 5 nightlife spots in bansko

Each year Bansko continues to attract more and more tourists from Bulgaria and around the world. Over the years, Bansko has become one of the most popular winter resorts not only in Bulgaria, but also in the region and not only during the day, but at night due to its demanding nightlife scene.

Bansko’s nightlife features everything you can think of from live bands to fire-throwers, magicians to cabaret dancers - there is something to suit everyone!

1 happy end

Photo: Emsworth Oversea Properties, Happy End, Bansko

Photo: Emsworth Oversea Properties, Happy End, Bansko

Not really known as a ‘nightclub’, but Happy End is by far the best place in Bansko for Apres Ski and atmosphere. Situated at the very bottom of the Pirin Mountains you can practically slide straight off the slope, and into Happy End. Its own resident DJ (blaring tunes from the early-afternoon onwards), and huge drinks menu (including your favourite cocktails), make it easy for you to clip off your skis, put on your comfies and enjoy a relaxing pint (or five) after a long day on the slopes. Children are also welcome to Happy End making it ‘Happy Ends’ all-round.

3 oxygen club

2 amigo pub

Photo: TripAdvisor, Amigo Pub, Bansko

Photo: TripAdvisor, Amigo Pub, Bansko

Get ready to ‘light-up the town’ - quite literally at Amigo Pub, Bansko. This bar has a unique feel and fantastic atmosphere with live bands on the agenda every evening and crazy bar staff who are ready to ‘light-up’ the night with fire sprays and shots of tequila. There’s no admission fee and drinks are reasonably priced which makes it a hit amongst big groups and party-seekers.


Photo: OxygenTours, Bansko

Photo: OxygenTours, Bansko

Oxygen is primarily an “end-of-the-night” haunt, with one of the latest licenses in Bansko. Here you can order bottle service, dance all night long and even try some laughing gas (if this is what takes your fancy). Be sure to bargain with the doorman to bag some free shots on arrival. This club is 18-30’s-esque with a mixture of chart music, house & techno and RnB it’s enough to keep your adrenaline pumping until bedtime.

5 the irish harp

4 The Lions Pub

Photo: Bansko-guide, The Lions Pub, Bansko

Photo: Bansko-guide, The Lions Pub, Bansko

Photo: Mountain View Lodge, The Irish Harp

Photo: Mountain View Lodge, The Irish Harp

Similar to The Lion’s Pub, The Irish Harp is a traditional Irish Pub situated off the beaten track of Bansko’s main town (and around a 15 minute walk from the gondola to Bansko Ski resort) - but it’s worth the trek. If hearty Irish grub and a pint of Guinness is what you’re after, then look no further.

The Irish Harp is a relaxed nightlife venue with light entertainment and a welcoming ‘homely’ feel.

Situated close to the Strazhite Hotel, the Lions Pub brings the traditional British pub feel to Bansko. Here you can find a wide range of British drinks, food & entertainment at your peril.

The Lions Pub is one of the more ‘low-key’ venues in Bansko - so if you’re looking for a nice, relaxed evening where you can enjoy your favourite tipple and listen to some light entertainment, then this is the place to be.