Bansko

Bansko is the best ski resort in Bulgaria. The snow lies here for six months, after which this place does not empty: lovers of mountain biking come here. Personally, I was lucky to visit Bansko at the end of the ski season and get a lot of vivid impressions of the trip, despite the snow melting at the foot of the mountain.

If I were asked to describe Bansko in three words, it would be: a beautiful view, the widest slopes and delicious food.

I must say that Bansko is primarily an old town, walking along the streets of which it is impossible not to be touched by stone buildings, not to admire the views of the mountains and not to go to at least one of the many restaurants to enjoy food.

How to get there

There are two sure ways to get to Bansko from Russia:

• by plane to Sofia and then by other transport to Bansko (more on this below),
• by car.

Of course, the first option will be shorter.

There are several ways to get to Bansko from the city of arrival, that is, Sofia:

• transfer,
• by car,
• by bus,
• by train.

From Sofia to Bansko, 96 kilometers, or 2-3 hours by car or bus. At times more time will take a train ride. The fastest way (but also the most expensive) will be a group transfer. More on this below.

By plane

It is better to plan a trip to Bulgaria in advance, since you will need to apply for a visa. Bulgaria is not a member of the Schengen zone, although it is a member of the European Union. A Bulgarian national visa gives you the right to visit not only this state, but also Romania, Croatia and the Republic of Cyprus, but you can not stay in the Schengen zone through it.

From Moscow and St. Petersburg to Sofia

The main airlines operating direct regular flights to Sofia from Moscow are Aeroflot and Bulgaria Air. The journey time will be approximately 3.5 hours, and the cost of a two-way ticket starts from 12 000 RUB subject to transfers (without transfers approximately 18 000). You can see the prices of flights for dates relevant to your trip on the websites of airlines or, for example, here.

From St. Petersburg to Sofia can only be reached with transfers. The fastest way with the airline "Russia" and connecting in Vienna is decent (from 60 000 RUB). And the cheapest of the flights I found is operated by Turkish Airlines: transfer in Istanbul, from 10 000 RUB round trip. In my opinion, Aeroflot has the best option with a change in Moscow and costs from 15,600 RUB. Travel time is approximately 7 hours.

From Sofia Airport to Bansko by car

Rent a Car

You can rent a car to Bansko in advance on the websites of companies such as Hertz, Avis, SiXT, Top Rent-A-Car, and you can compare prices and offers from all the listed companies here. The last one is the most profitable. You can rent a car for a day, the price per day starts from 26 EUR. Taking a car for a week is more profitable, the same Ford Fiesta will cost 84 EUR for 7 days, and you do not need to pay 50 EUR for returning a car to Bansko, because they do not have an office in the city.

When renting online, there is the possibility of partial or full prepayment. In one case or another, you still have to go to the office on the spot to draw up documents and make a deposit for the car. The trip to the office is free, and at the airport you will be met by a company representative with a sign. To rent, you will need a passport and a driver’s license, not necessarily international.

Taxi

Taxi park is located at the airport. Trains to Bansko will cost no less than 70 EUR.

Transfer

Prices vary and depend on the number of people. But the approximate cost of one way per person from the airport to Bansko starts from 20 EUR. Transfer is better to book in advance. You can easily find the right company on the Internet, I found the cheapest here.

From Sofia Airport to Bansko by public transport

If you choose public transport, first of all you need to get from the airport to the bus and train station in Sofia. This can be done using buses.

From Sofia Airport to the bus and train stations

You can get to the bus station and Sofia railway station from the airport by bus number 84 (it leaves the first terminal every 30 minutes) with a change at the Hotel Pliska stop. Then choose one of the following buses: No. 213, No. 214, No. 305 or No. 313. Read more about this route here and here.

The road from the airport to the stations will cost:

• by public transport:
  • bus ticket number 84 - 0.5 EUR,
  • ticket for one of the buses No. 213/214/305/312 - 3 EUR,

• taxi from the airport to the train station from 8 EUR.

Total you spend from 3.5 to 8 EUR.

By bus

I didn’t find any options to get to Bansko by bus directly from Moscow or St. Petersburg, but, as I already said, this can be done by arriving in Sofia by plane. This way to get from the airport to Bansko will be the most profitable.

From the Central Bus Station in Sofia, where the second bus from the airport will bring you, you can catch the third bus you need to Bansko. Thus, the total amount of travel by bus from the airport will be approximately 13 EUR, and the travel time is about 6 hours. Online bus tickets are not for sale.

By train

It’s impossible to get directly to Bansko by train. But if you have a lot of time in reserve and have a great desire to ride an attraction 200 km long at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour through the picturesque expanses of Bulgaria, then the train would be the most suitable option.

Why, in fact, even local residents call this type of transport an attraction? The fact is that the construction of this narrow gauge road with a strip width of 76 centimeters (the standard is usually 2 times wider) lasted for some 5 years, and, apparently, since then (1926) it has not been repaired.

The total travel time from the airport will be 8 hours, and the amount of money spent on the trip:

• a train ticket from Sofia to Septemvri will cost 6 EUR;
• a ticket from Septemvri to Bansko will cost about 7 EUR.

Total, together with a trip from the airport from 16.5 to 21.5 EUR. A ticket can be purchased at the railway ticket office of the station, alas, it is impossible to do this in advance online.

By car

On your car from Russia

Getting by car from Moscow to Bansko without stopping is not possible: the shortest route will be 2,400 kilometers with the ferry in Nikopol, which will be the paid part of the route on your way. The route will pass through Moldova, Romania and Ukraine. Without a crossing, the path will be 400 kilometers longer.

The shortest route from St. Petersburg to Bansko also passes through Ukraine with a ferry in Nikopol and across the Dnieper River and is 2,800 kilometers, which is equivalent to 1 day and 15 hours without traffic jams.

Ferry service runs three times a day:

• Nikopol - 7:00; Kamenka - 8:00.
• Nikopol - 13:00; Kamenka - 14:00.
• Nikopol - 17:00; Kamenka - 18:00.

The cost of transporting a car is calculated according to the technical characteristics of the vehicle upon presentation of a technical passport to the ticket office and averages around 4.47 EUR.

The road from Sofia passes along the E83 and E79 highways and first consists of a highway (2/3 of the route), on which everyone flies on average at a speed of 130 km / h, and after Blagoevgrad a two-lane of good quality will start, which goes into the mountains and beyond to Bansko. The whole road is very picturesque.

Traveling to Bansko by car is very convenient due to its location. Having a Schengen visa in your passport, you can go to neighboring countries on days of rest from skiing. The nearest major cities of Greece (Thessaloniki and Kavala) can be reached in 4 hours. During the same time, you can find yourself on the Greek island of Thassos, taking into account the ferry, and in half a day you can get to Turkey by hitting the Mediterranean highway to Istanbul.

There is a huge parking lot near the ski lifts in Bansko.

However, it is paid, but the prices are reasonable.

hint: Bansko - time now is 22: 5313 OctoberDifference in hours: Moscow & plus; 0 Kazan & plus; 0Samara & plus; 1 Yekaterinburg & plus; 2 Novosibirsk & plus; 4Vladivostok & plus; 7

When is the season. When is the best time to go?

The ski season lasts from mid-December to mid-April next year. These days are mild snowy weather. The average temperature in the city is -2-3 ° C, and in the mountains it ranges from +1 to -15 ° C. Such weather allows you to keep natural snow at a two-meter level of depth. Snow cover is constantly updated due to frequent snowfalls, and in case of their absence 400 snow cannons work on the slopes. It happens that the resort opens its doors earlier and closes too.

In the autumn-spring period in Bansko it is hot for skiing, there is almost no snow, and I would not recommend arriving in the off-season. However, if you do not pursue the goal of dissecting the ski slopes, but are just going to take a walk, enjoy the beauty of nature and swim in the baths, then a trip out of season will be favorable both in weather conditions and the cost of rest. From September to December and from mid-April to May there are especially few tourists, and prices for many entertainment are falling.

Bansko in the summer

The landscapes of the Pirin National Park are especially beautiful in the summer. There are many cycling and hiking routes in the Pirin Mountains. At this time, it is hotter than at sea. The average temperature during the day is +29 ° C, and in the evening it drops to +24 ° C. You can feel the coolness by swimming in the crystal clear mountain lakes with melt water.

Also, summer Bansko will be interesting to fans of event tourism, as music festivals take place at this time:

• summer theater festival (July);
• Pirin Sings festival (mid-August on odd years);
• Bansko International Jazz Festival, or International Jazz Festival, traditionally gathering famous performers from a dozen countries (in August).

Bansko in the fall

In the daytime, the average air temperature in Bansko is +17 ° C during the day, while in the evening it drops to +10 ° C. Precipitation is reduced by November, as is air temperature, which rarely reaches +10 ° C in the daytime. On the whole, the weather is favorable for walking, but you can’t do without an umbrella and warm clothes. There are very few tourists in this period.

Bansko in the spring

In my opinion, March is the best time to travel to Bansko. Prices for ski passes have been falling since mid-March, and the flow of tourists has been declining. The queues for the lifts are minimal, and the tracks are empty compared to the New Year period. However, you should not come in the first week of March, because at this time there may be lines because of the national holiday of Bulgaria Independence Day.

In the afternoon the air in the city warms up well by the end of the season, you can walk in a light jacket, while frost remains on the slopes.

Bansko in winter

From year to year, representatives from different countries gather in Bansko. Since the opening of the season, mid-December, the influx of tourists is gradually increasing. The peak falls on Christmas (December 24-26), New Year holidays (until the end of the second week of January) and mid-February (the period of school holidays in different countries).

I do not recommend coming to Bansko during such tourist outbursts, as you will spend the lion's part of the time in lines on the lifts with families from Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, England, Greece, Russia and Israel. On weekends, the queues increase even more, because from the nearest cities of Bulgaria to Bansko there are only a couple of hundred kilometers, and local residents come here to relax.

Output

If you can plan your vacation in advance for any dates, the best time to come to Bansko is:

• the first week after the opening of the season,
• January 10th to 20th
• or any length of time starting from the 2nd week of March and ending with the closing date of the season in mid-April.

Bansko - monthly weather

hint: Bansko - weather for the months of January −5.0 February −3.5 March −0.5 April 3.7 3.7 May plus 8.2 June 11 11.2 July plus plus 13.7 August plus 13.5 September plus 10.8 October plus 6.4 November plus 1.3 December - 3.0

Areas. Where is better to live

The city is very different: the tourist part, where the apart-hotels are located, looks completely different than its historical region, which is located in the northeast and is marked with the number 4 on the map below. The terrain is flat and hilly, so the proximity to the ski lift matters: the closer you get, the more convenient it is to get on foot, as the transfer from the hotel is not always free. On the map, the lift is located next to the number 1.

I’ll tell you more about each of the areas indicated in the diagram:

1. Here, mainly expensive accommodation is located, such as the Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena and other boutique and apart hotels. Out of season, you can live in them for ridiculous money (30 EUR / day, for example), in the season, a double room will cost about 70 EUR / day. From such hotels are within easy reach of the ski lift. Prices for hotels in this and other areas of the city can be compared in advance here, and booking your favorite option is the easiest on Booking. Near the hotels there are some of the best restaurants and bars in the city, including the Happy End bar. There is also an Aldo supermarket and Mall Bansko, which I will talk about below in the relevant sections.
2. From this area, the road to the ski lift takes about 15 minutes on foot, many hotels and apartments. Here we lived. There are also many supermarkets and restaurants along the way. Prices here are much lower than in the area under the number 1. On average, a room costs 30 EUR per day, and even out of season even 10 EUR. Free parking is available near the hotels. However, not always the view from the windows overlooks the mountains. There are a lot of unfinished buildings in Bansko.
3. This area is also close to the ski lifts, you can get from here by transport in just a couple of minutes. The mountain river Glaznye flows here, very close to Mall Bansko, next to which there is a small amusement park. Regarding housing: prices vary, but apartments are also available for a reasonable amount (about 20 EUR / day), which can be searched here. There are also hotels a bit more expensive.
4. The old part of town. Here is the central square on which the Holy Trinity Church is located. Houses in Bansko are heated with wood and coal, they themselves are made of stones, since here this natural material is literally at every step. Despite the age of the buildings, the apartments and hotels are very comfortable and have a pretty good repair. But the equipment, as a rule, since the time of this repair and the whole company from the refrigerator to the kettle and TV. The central street Pirin from the foot of the mountains goes down to the central square. It’s very easy to go in this direction, but back is more difficult. In general, the main street is not very noisy, except near clubs and bars. Housing prices in this area vary. A lot of cheap guest houses.
5. This area is located in the steppe. There are also many unfinished buildings, and it’s a very long walk to the ski lift. There are quite a lot of hotels here, shuttles are available from each, which can be either paid or free. Not far from the district is a landfill. In general, it’s up to you to decide, I liked the area except for the mountain views. Accommodation here is inexpensive, about 30 EUR / day, but there are more expensive, because there are aport hotels.

What are the prices for vacation

The resort is popular among Europeans. When we first got out to eat, we were surprised not to meet a single compatriot. As one friend of mine said:

Bulgaria - no Europe!

And he was right: the prices here, especially in restaurants, are two times lower than European ones. Lunch in a three-course two-course restaurant with drinks will cost 1,000 RUB, hotel accommodation will cost from 2,000 RUB, and a ski pass for a day from 1,200 RUB.

hint: Cost of food, accommodation, transport and other currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Bulgarian lev, lv Prices in restaurants and cafes

Eating (lunch / dinner) in a reasonably priced restaurant	314 rub
Lunch / dinner for two, 3 course, middle class restaurant	1388 rub
McMill at McDonald's or similar combo lunch	256 rub

More details

The main attractions. What to watch

In Bansko, it is impossible not to notice two things: the Pirin National Park and the Holy Trinity Church, located on the main street named after the park. Following the main street, you can see all the beauty of the city and not miss almost any sight.

Top 5

I will outline here five, in my opinion, the most interesting places in Bansko without descriptions, and in the sections below you will find my most detailed story about each of them:

1. Pirin National Park
2. Church of the Holy Trinity
3. Historic District Old Town
4. Neofit Rilski House Museum
5. House-Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Church of the Holy Trinity

The main attraction, a symbol of the city, built in 1835 by the hands of citizens themselves.The bell tower of the church can be seen from afar, and at the top you can see the huge nest of a stork.

Located on the central square of the city, access to which is possible from the main street Pirin.

Opening hours: daily - from 8.00 to 18.00, in the winter - until 17.00.

Address: st. Vazrazhdane, 2.

Museums Which are worth a visit

House-Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov

On the central square of the city is the house-museum of the Bulgarian poet, who died in the struggle against fascism at the age of 33 years. Poems of the ingenious city dweller are translated into 50 languages ​​of the world. Vaptsarov was the only Bulgarian who in 1952 was awarded posthumously the International Peace Prize. By the way, the museum conducts excursions in Russian.

Working hours: daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Entrance fees: 1.5 EUR (3 BGN) for adults, 0.5 EUR (1 BGN) for children.

Address: pl. Nikola Vaptsarova, 3.

Neofit Rilski House Museum

The house-museum of the founder of Bulgarian enlightenment and the first Bulgarian encyclopedist has a unique exposition and architecture.

Working hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Entrance fees: 1.5 EUR (3 BGN) for adults, 0.5 EUR (1 BGN) for schoolchildren and students. Entrance to the museum is completely free on Mondays.

Address: st. Pirin, 17.

Parks

Pirin

In the mountains of Bansko at an altitude of 1,000 to 2,900 meters is the Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the park are two of the oldest nature reserves in Bulgaria. The park has many hiking trails that can be explored for several days.

For convenience, all the tourist routes of the national park are marked with different color markings. Eight camp sites and four shelters are equipped for tourists on the territory of the Pirin conservation zone.

The main information center of the Pirin National Park is located in the town of Bansko; an exposition "Pirin Forests" was created here, in the center of which an auditorium with 30 seats with a large screen is equipped. The film library has more than 150 popular science films about the nature of this unique protected area of ​​Bulgaria. On the basis of the Information Center, lectures are held for different age categories; special educational lessons are organized for children in nature, and an excursion can also be booked.

The information center for visitors to the National Park is located at: st. Bulgaria, 4.

Tourist streets

Pirin street

On the pedestrian street Pirin, right next to the Holy Trinity Church, there is a monument dedicated to Father Paisius. The monument is one of the main symbols of the city. Father Paisiy was one of the founders of the Renaissance, a fighter for freedom from the Turkish yoke, wrote a book on the history of Bulgaria. His name is the university and gymnasium in Sofia. Also, a great figure is depicted on a banknote of 2 leva.

And right after the church is the Neofit Rilski House-Museum, and after going 200 meters ahead, there will be the Nikola Vaptsarov Museum, described by me above.

So be sure to take a walk along this old Bansko street: you will find many interesting things.

What to see in 1 day

The route plan on a day off from skiing can be as follows:

• 9.00 - meeting at the monument to Father Paisius;
• 9.15 - Church of the Holy Trinity;
• 9.45 - Neofit Rilski House Museum;
• 10.30 - the house-museum of Nikola Vaptsarov;
• 12.00 - the historical district of Staroto Gradishte;
• 13.15 - lunch at Lovna Streshta Mehana. For more than 160 years, the building in which the restaurant is located is sure to drop by;
• 14.00 - a trip to the city of Dobrinishte, free time, swimming;
• 18.00 - back to Bansko.

What to see in the surroundings

• at 35 km from Bansko to the village of Ognyanovo there are free mineral baths with medicinal hydrocarbonate-sulfate-sodium water, the temperature of which is +38 ° С. You can get here by renting a car, or ask at the reception of any hotel how to do it cheaper.

• at 7 km from Bansko to the village of Dobrinishte From mid-June to mid-August, a large open-air pool is poured with mineral water. The maximum depth of the adult pool is 1.80 meters, there is also a children's and a jacuzzi. Entrance to the territory is paid: 3.5 EUR (7 BGN / BGN) per person, for this amount you get access to sun loungers and umbrellas, the locker room and parking. You can also go for a massage and refresh yourself at the bar. The facility is designed for 100-150 people.

• on the other side of Bansko (6 km) at Banya village There is a spa bath with a small pool for 20 people. Also nearby is a sauna, Roman and Turkish baths, a gym, restaurants and hotels. I must say that the source is very hot water, for a long time in which it is better not to stay too long. You can get to Bani by bus or train, but they go very rarely and almost at 5 in the morning. We decided to go on foot. Our path lasted about an hour and a half, during which we managed to meet huge wild dogs, a shepherd with sheep and be attacked by ponies. And in the photo below in the distance you can see the mountains of Bansko themselves.

hint: Routes to neighboring cities Bansko - Razlog 5 km Bansko - Belitsa 14 km Bansko - Simitli 32 km Bansko - Sandanski 34 km Bansko - Gotse Delchev 35 km

Food. What to try

This topic is my favorite, because going to Bansko is like going on a gastronomic tour. The portions in the restaurants are huge. Greek salad, for example, you need to try to find a weight of less than 400 grams. For 50 EUR in the restaurant you can overeat four.

In Bansko, at every step there are restaurants with national cuisine mehany.

The tastiest of what I tried were fried feta cheese with blueberry homemade jam and sach - A dish of several varieties of meat with various vegetables, which is prepared in a special large pan and served sizzling.

In the photo, the table is served with national dishes and delicious wine.

Lovers barbecue I advise you to try chicken. Tender meat I have not tried. It just melts in your mouth :).

Where to buy products

Not far from the central square of the city and the Holy Trinity Church there is a small market with fresh food. The prices are nice.

If you live closer to the lift, and you don’t have the strength to walk 15 minutes to the market along the cobblestones down Pirin Street, then it will be more convenient for you to buy food in Aldo.

Grocery Aldo is large and is open until 22:00.

Recommended Places

Queen's pub

Perhaps this restaurant-pub with its authentic English atmosphere has become our favorite place. It is located just below Aldo. In the evenings, live music is played here, and football is broadcast on TV.

The portions turned out to be even more than those stated in the pictures.

And the presentation is more interesting. See for yourself:

This pub has the cheapest and freshest Guinness for bottling. From food for myself, I discovered calf ribs. A pint of beer cost 4 EUR and ribs about 8 EUR. In Moscow, you can only buy frozen for this money.

It’s better to come to the pub early in order to take places. Even out of season at 22:00 there was a full room. If desired, a table can be booked in advance in the restaurant itself.

Amigo pub

For me it became the most fun bar with a great extensive menu, an interesting serving of cocktails and dishes. Upon arrival in Bansko, he was our first place to visit. We were met by a guy in an Irish costume, live rock music was playing in the pub itself, and on the second floor the bartender juggled glasses and fired from his mouth. With all this, the food in the institution was very tasty!

Amigo Pub also always has a lot of people, so I advise you to come early. I didn’t see the tables booked in advance, but I think that it’s possible to agree.

Budgetary

Here are examples of the most popular budget places for a snack in Bansko:

• Bar and Grill El Torito,
• Peshterite,
• Boyanovi Pizzeria Bansko,

• Bai Mile Tavern.

Mid level

Particularly popular are mid-range restaurants:

• The Lions Pub,
• The Bears Bansko,
• Victoria,
• The Irish Harp,
• Lovna Streshta Mehana.

Expensive

List of expensive restaurants:

• Amvrosia,
• Vip Room Ristorante,
• Come Prima Restaurant.

Holidays

I spoke in detail about the main holidays above in the section "When is the season ...".

Security. What to watch out for

Bansko is a peaceful and safe city. Crime comes down to pickpockets, so you should keep an eye on the valuables and leave them in the safe. Also, I do not recommend going down the wild slopes, especially during the period when there is a danger of avalanches. We were warned about this by a guide on the way to Bansko, because literally a week before our arrival, people disappeared on such routes.

Things to do

After long walks or skiing on the slopes, you can relax in the spa complexes located in the hotels of the city. Astera Bansko Apartment Tourist Complex & SPA has a year-round outdoor pool.

Near the center and the Aldo store there is an open ice rink (Ledena Parzalka), open from December to April.

As conceived by the designers, the structure of the ice rink looks like a dry sheet.

Opening hours often change, but the ice rink is open from morning to evening. Here you can rent skates and have a bite to eat in a cafe, although it’s a little expensive there.

The minimum riding time is 2 hours.

Approximate cost of 2 hours of skiing with skate rental:

• 15 EUR for adults
• 7 EUR for children under 12 years old.

If you have your own skates, then the prices are correspondingly lower (time is also at least 2 hours):

• 7,5 EUR for adults
• 3,5 EUR for children under 12 years old.

Shopping and shops

There are no major shopping centers and outlets in Bansko. In general, shopping in the city is limited to Turkish clothing of poor quality and dubious beauty, as well as, of course, ski equipment and clothing. Almost every house has at least one ski store on the streets of the city. The assortment is diverse, brands of world famous brands are represented. At the end of the season you can buy good things at a good price.

Mall bansko

In the center of Bansko there is something like a shopping center. It also has Turkish ski clothing stores and Aldo, a large, good grocery store. Above in the photo, he seemed to have gone beyond the frame, but I could not find any fresh ones on the Internet. Unless the period when Aldo was Carrefour in place. Now in town 2 Aldo: in the center at Queen's Pub and in Mall Bansko.

Address: st. Yavor, 68.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 22:00.

Lidl

In the nearby town of Razlog (5 minutes by car) there is my favorite chain store. At Lidl you can buy groceries, clothes, shoes, baby products, appliances, tools, household and household goods. The prices in it are very affordable, and the quality of the goods is on top.

Address: st. Gotse Delchev 24.

Opening hours: daily - from 8:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - until 20:00.

T-market

No less large Lithuanian store can also be found in Razlog. It sells products, household goods, clothes, shoes, appliances, tools.

Address: intersection st. Gotse Delchev and ul. Telemach Iliev.

Opening hours: from 8:00 to 22:00.

Bars Where to go

The most popular bar in Bansko is located at the very bottom of the ski lifts, and its advertising can be found everywhere.

At the end of the day, at 5 p.m., people gather here from all over the slope. In the evening, the veranda moves to a noisy spacious room. Happy End Bar is a little expensive, prices for ordinary light Bulgarian beer start from 3,5 EUR (7 BGN).

Basically, all the bars are open until late or until the morning, but their mode also depends on the season. Thanks to the local barkers in the institutions, there is a completely different contingent of guests. The most famous bars in Bansko are:

• Amigo Pub,
• Morris Bar,
• Happy End Bar,
• Karaoke Bar.

Clubs and nightlife

Nightclubs in Bansko operate to their fullest only during the season. At the end of March, popular clubs were not always open. There are not so many clubs in the city: only 2-3. Clubs are open all night and prices are quite high. There is an entrance fee and a table. Judging by the reviews, face control is present, and the security is not always friendly. The clubs themselves are very bright, to match the names. I give the list:

• The club
• Flash club

• Jack's Dance Club.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Bulgaria is famous for its national dishes and perfumes with rose oil.

I personally carried a gift honey in a national pot with a wooden spoon. It is most advantageous to buy it not at souvenir shops, but at the grocery store. Such a pot cost me 4 EUR.

Bulgarian vodka "brandy" - The most popular local vodka, or rather moonshine. Rakia can be considered as a traditional national drink. It is presented in a large assortment and is quite inexpensive. Rakia (Bulgarians advise Burgas 63, Solivenska Pearl, Sungularska) is better to buy in a local store.

Another typical Bulgarian strong drink is anise mastic. Its strength ranges from 40 to 50 °, there are several varieties, the best of which is Peristera.

For culinary enthusiasts, you can bring from Bulgaria seasonings, which are represented in abundance and have a special, strong aroma of mountain herbs. Souvenir gift sets are popular with "sharena salt" - salt mixed with ground red pepper and odorous mountain herbs.

Kashkaval and feta cheese. Brynza is an indispensable component of a huge number of Bulgarian dishes, ranging from Shopska salad to Mish Mash. It is not difficult to bring it, because in supermarkets it is often sold in perfectly closed plastic or tin cans. No less delicious is the traditional Bulgarian cheese Qashqal, which is made from cow, goat, sheep or buffalo milk. If all this comes with a finely rolled out pastry “Kori”, which is easy to transport thanks to the factory packaging, then upon arrival you will be able to please friends with a traditional banitsa - puff pastry with feta cheese.

Herb tea. Bulgaria seems to be the country with the highest concentration of medicinal herbs and plants per capita. Almost everyone treats herbs here, and as a prophylaxis they love to drink various herbal teas, which are called "bilk tea" here.

Such tea is sold in almost any supermarket. I bought in Aldo, there is a wide selection. I still regret that I took so little peppermint tea. He is very saturated.

You can read more about these and many other purchases that can be brought as a gift from Bulgaria in this article on our website.

How to get around the city

There are only three options for moving around the city: on foot, shuttle and taxi. More on each will be discussed later.

Taxi. What features exist

Bansko is a small town. Taxis are not very common here, however, from every hotel there are minibuses to the ski lifts. The price depends on the destination. It was only a 15-minute walk from my hotel to the ski lift, and I did not use the shuttle, as the driver counted almost 5 EUR per person one way.

Taxis are available at the hotel. Although there are meters in the taxi, the taxi driver always knows approximately the price of the place. Average prices in the ski season per trip depending on the zone (one way price):

1. In the city - 5-7 EUR (10-15 BGN).
2. From Bansko to ski lift stations in the mountains - 7-10 EUR (15-20 BGN). Read a post about this route as an alternative to the gondola lift from Bansko to the mountains.
3. From the vicinity of Bansko to the city (relevant, for example, for those living in Pirin Golf, Aspen Golf, Terra, etc. complexes) - 10-15 EUR (20-30 BGN).

As for the taxi to the airport, it is better to book it at the hotel. But keep in mind that such a trip will cost a pretty penny - about 100 EUR.

Vehicle rental

The price for a small car starts from 20 EUR per day. For rent, you need rights and a passport. You can rent a car from the age of 18. Since large companies are not represented in the city, the rental procedure is simple: the residents themselves rent the cars, and they hold such points. You can get acquainted with offers and prices from distributors, for example, here. Out-of-season rental points do not work well - a bicycle or a moped cannot be rented at this time.

Bansko - holidays with children

Riding in Bansko with children is a must! Here are excellent Russian-speaking instructors teaching children from 4 years old to ride on the slopes. The cost of group classes is 30 EUR / per day, and an individual lesson will cost 65 EUR. With such training in a short period, any child will go skiing or snowboarding. I have repeatedly seen how a string of children performs better tricks than adults. At an early age, there is no fear of falling that so often stops us, and the chances of learning how to ride superbly are great.

At the station "Banderishka-Polyana" there is a ski kindergarten. You can also give a child to him from the age of 4, and he will not be bored there: he will be looked after by a caregiver while he frolics on a ski carousel or on a moving track.

Ski vacation

Ski holidays, of course, is the first reason for a trip to Bansko from mid-December to April. The lifts operate from 8.30 to 16.30-16.45, depending on their proximity to the top. The gondola lift takes tourists to Banderishka-Polyana. You can rent equipment or take an instructor on it. On the training tracks, belt and tow lifts. To the peaks are chair lifts.

There are tracks of different difficulty levels, more on this below.For fans of snowboarding - Fun Park mini-park with a couple of three rails / railings, but this place is more likely to show off, because except for tourists nobody looks there.

There are good conditions for freeriding for lovers of snow virgin snow. A guide to the wild slopes of the mountains can be found in cafe-restaurants on the slopes themselves. Without it, sticking to the northwestern slope of Todorka is extremely dangerous due to frequent avalanches.

Ski passes

Prices for ski passes in Bansko are not high at all. You can purchase passes at the box office of the resort near the ski lifts. In 2017, a day pass cost less than 30 EUR. As a rule, a deposit of EUR 2.6 is taken, which can be obtained by renting a ski pass at the end of the trip to a special machine near the ticket offices. One-lift ski passes are not for sale. Climbing up, looking at the mountains and going back will cost 14 EUR.

Children and students receive discounts. A student card is required to use a student card. You can save on ski passes by purchasing a half-day lift (from 12.30 to closing). Details and current prices see here.

The full price list for the 2016/17 season was as follows:

Adults:

• lift "Starting station" - 5.1 EUR (10 BGN),
• gondola lift to the mountains from Bansko (round-trip) - 14.3 EUR (28 BGN),
• half-day ski pass (from 12.30 to closing) - 24.5 EUR (48 BGN),
• 1 day - 29.6 EUR (58 BGN),
• 2 days - 57.3 EUR (112 BGN),
• 3 days - 87 EUR (170 BGN),
• 4 days - 114.6 EUR (224 BGN),
• 5 days - 143.2 EUR (280 BGN),
• 6 days - 173.9 EUR (340 BGN),
• 9 days - 255.8 EUR (500 BGN),
• 13 days - 358 EUR (700 BGN),
• ski pass "Bansko-20" - 409.2 EUR (800 BGN),
• seasonal ski pass - 767.2 EUR (1,500 BGN).

Students:

• Elevator "Start station" - 5.1 EUR (BGN),
• gondola lift to the mountains from Bansko (round-trip) - 16.3 EUR (28 BGN),
• half-day ski pass (from 12.30 to closing) - 22 EUR (43 BGN),
• 1 day - 26.6 EUR (52 BGN),
• 2 days - 51.7 EUR (101 BGN),
• 3 days - 78.3 EUR (153 BGN),
• 4 days - 103.3 EUR (202 BGN),
• 5 days - 128.9 EUR (252 BGN),
• 6 days - 156.5 EUR (306 BGN),
• 9 days - 230.3 EUR (450 BGN),
• 13 days - 322.2 EUR (630 BGN),
• ski pass "Bansko-20" - 383.6 EUR (750 BGN),
• seasonal ski pass 716 EUR (1,400 BGN).

Children from 7 to 12 years old:

• lift "Starting station" - 5.1 EUR (10 BGN),
• gondola lift to the mountains from Bansko (round-trip) - 10.2 EUR (20 BGN),
• half-day ski pass (from 12:30 to close) - 17.4 EUR (34 BGN),
• 1 day - 20.5 EUR (40 BGN),
• 2 days - 35.8 EUR (70 BGN),
• 3 days - 50.6 EUR (99 BGN),
• 4 days - 61.3 EUR (120 BGN),
• 5 days - 71.6 EUR (140 BGN),
• 6 days - 84.4 EUR (165 BGN),
• 9 days -112.4 EUR (220 BGN),
• 13 days - 166.2 EUR (325 BGN),
• ski pass "Bansko-20" - 358 EUR (700 BGN),
• seasonal ski pass - 664.9 EUR (1,300 BGN).

Children under 7 years:

• lift "Starting station" - 0.5 EUR (1 BGN),
• gondola lift to the mountains from Bansko (round-trip) - 0.5 EUR (1 BGN),
• half-day ski pass (from 12.30 to closing) - 0.5 EUR (1 BGN),
• 1 day - 0.5 EUR (1 BGN),
• 2 days - 1 EUR (2 BGN),
• 3 days - 1.5 EUR (3 BGN),
• 4 days -2 EUR (4 BGN),
• 5 days - 2.5 EUR (5 BGN),
• 6 days - 3 EUR (6 BGN),
• 9 days - 4.6 EUR (9 BGN),
• 13 days -6.7 EUR (13 BGN),
• ski pass "Bansko 20" - 10.2 EUR (20 BGN),
• seasonal ski pass (1 person) - 51.2 EUR (100 BGN).

Trails

Trails and difficulty levels

The total length of eighteen resort routes is 75 kilometers with a height difference of 1,600 meters. The longest of them is 16 kilometers, this route connects the highest slope with the city. Suitable for mid-level skiers and snowboarders. Served by guns with artificial snow, well lit.

If you suddenly didn’t have time to go down, and it was already dark on the street, this route will be a great end to skiing. The route branches and is suitable for vacationers of different levels, but to the bottom it is gentle enough to allow you to relax. On a snowboard I recommend moving out of it faster, because there is a chance to stop, and then you have to go on foot.

In terms of difficulty, all routes can be divided into 3 categories:

• for beginners (35% of all routes, 23 kilometers),
• for the average level of skiing (40%, 34 kilometers),
• for experienced (25%, 18 kilometers).

So, if you are just mastering the basics of skiing art, it is better to give preference to such routes as:

• Shiligarnik
• "Plateau",
• "Ski Road",
• "Bansko".

For those who want more coolness and adrenaline, they are perfect:

• "Balkaniada",
• Stara Pista
• Chalin-Valog,
• Todorka.

But the real experts of this sport will pay tribute to such routes as:

• Tomba
• "Tsirna-Tomb".

Lifts

The highest station of the Todorka lifts is at a level of 2,600 meters; you can get to it from two sides on different lifts: Banderitsa-2 and Plateau. Below is a photograph from the Plateau lift, where only half the width of this slope is visible, as well as Todorki Peak (2,746 meters), where a group of climbers hang out regularly. If you look to the left on the edge of the slope, you can see the beginning of Fun Park.

You can climb to Banderitsa-2 either from Banderitsa-1, or by going down a little from Todorka.

View from Banderitsa-2. This lift works until 16.45. If you leave to the right of the track, you can ride on unsolved snow and enjoy the gorgeous views, while not leaving far from the ski lifts.

Track Status

The tracks are prepared daily, but their best condition occurs in the early morning, before they are rolled out yet. At the end of the season, due to the low workload, they remain in good condition until lunch. The hot sun of the Southern Balkans at these heights also does its job, and on a sunny day the slope on the slopes of the ski lifts can be broken up.

Red line No. 14 “Tsyrna-Mogila” is more often closed than open. We had a chance to look at her from the ski lifts. In addition, due to bad weather conditions (strong winds, ice, zero visibility due to fog or clouds), lifts to the highest station Todorka are closed. There is nothing to be done, the operator of the complex is responsible for the safety of people on the slopes and does not risk sending skiers to places where there is a danger of an avalanche.

General information

In general, the map of the slopes is so vast that even an experienced rider is unlikely to have time to go around all the tracks in one day, unless at all without a break :).

You can’t stand in line during rush hour during high season if you can drive to Chalin-Valog or Banderishka Polyana by car. There is an excellent road for this route with places for a picnic and barbecue.

Watch the video: Bansko Ski Travel Video. Mountains. Travel Tips & Guide (April 2024).