Bansko: a pearl in the Bulgarian mountains

Few people in the UK have heard of Bansko. Indeed, few have been to Bulgaria.
And that's a shame. Bulgaria has so much to offer and is extremely diverse. Beautiful sandy beaches, high mountains, vast moors, the colourful Rose Valley, untouched nature, vibrant cities and, of course, winter sports resorts.
Borovets, Vitosha, Pamporovo and Bansko are the best-known and largest ski resorts in Bulgaria, of which Bansko is the largest and most famous.

Recently, Bansko was named one of the trending travel destinations for 2025 by Lonely Planet, thanks in part to its affordable prices and combination of traditional and modern attractions.

In addition, the Razlog and Bansko area is one of the most important spa areas in Europe. The hundreds of mineral water springs and thermal baths provide a unique experience and ensure that many tourists enjoy a well-earned, relaxing holiday.

With its many traditions, historical architecture and traditional Bulgarian restaurants, Bansko is a real cultural gem. Not only that; Bansko is the ideal holiday destination for all types of travellers both in winter and in summer!

On this page, you will discover the many ski slopes in Bansko and the best activities in the region that appeal to everyone!

These are the 4 biggest ski resorts in the Bansko region

Bansko is mainly known as a ski resort. This is what most tourists come to Bansko for in winter.
But did you know that Bansko is not the only place in the region where you can ski? There are at least three other resorts in the region that are gaining popularity!

1. Bansko: Bulgaria's biggest and best ski resort

The biggest ski resort in the region is, of course, Bansko itself. After all, Bansko is the tourist attraction of the region. As such, it is the biggest ski resort in the Balkans!
Bansko has been voted the best ski resort in Bulgaria for years in a row.

Bansko is an Eco Friendly all-season resort, which means you can come here all year round to enjoy the best activities and breathtaking nature.

You will find more than 70 kilometres of slopes at this resort. This is more than the other well-known resorts in Bulgaria, such as Vitosha, Pamporovo and Borovets.

Official slope map of Bansko

Bansko's slopes are known for their excellent quality. Snow security is high due to the resort's high altitude (900 m to 2100 m)
The slopes are excellently maintained by the many piste bullys.

An advantage of skiing in Bansko is that it is cheap, although this applies to the whole of Bulgaria. A downside to this is that it is quite a bit further than, say, the French or Austrian Alps.
Still, it is a very good alternative to the always crowded and expensive Alps!

Besides, the town of Bansko is great to visit with a nice and cosy atmosphere, especially in the high season in January/February and around the holidays in December.
In winter, all restaurants, hotels and shops are open. There is also plenty of après-ski and nightlife in Bansko is vibrant with its many clubs and bars.

2. Dobrinishte

After Bansko, Dobrinishte is the largest ski resort. The town of Dobrinishte is just 6 km from Bansko, while the chairlift and ski slope are 10 km further up the mountain. You have to follow a mountain pass to get there.
An advantage of this is that it is in the middle of nature and high up in the mountains, making it very quiet and pleasant skiing in the fresh mountain air and with beautiful views. This also makes for high snow safety.

However, one drawback is that the chairlift is somewhat outdated. It is also only a small ski resort, with only 5 km of slopes and four lifts (one chairlift and three drag lifts).
There are also blue, red and black ski runs, most of which are red. The resort is suitable for all levels and is also great fun for children!

The resort starts at the Gotse Delchev Hut and at the top is the Bezbog Hut. Here you can stay overnight and eat delicious food. At the top of Bezbog Lake, there is also a teahouse.

Dobrinishte is thus an ideal destination for those looking for affordable skiing in an authentic Bulgarian atmosphere. It is especially a good option for beginners, families and those seeking peace and quiet.

3. Semkovo Mountain Resort: a small resort for digital nomads

Semkovo is located near Belitsa, an hour's drive from Bansko. Like Bansko, it is best known as a digital nomad hub because it is in the midst of the nature of the Rila Mountains, making this village an oasis of tranquillity. Cable internet here is also of good quality.
An old ski hotel that stood empty for years is now being converted into a luxury coliving paradise. This place is being revived after years of neglect!

Semkovo is a good year-round holiday destination as it is close to the Bear Park (a park with rescued dancing bears) and the Rila Fun Park (an amusement park).
You can do plenty of hiking, mountain biking and enjoy nature here. There are many beautiful waterfalls in the vicinity.
You can also ski there on a total of 4 km of slopes served by drag lifts.

Semkovo is a lot cheaper and quieter than Bansko, although of course the facilities are much less. There are a few hotels and restaurants nearby, though.

4. Kartala Ski Park

Although Kartala Ski Park is still quite a distance from Bansko (80 km), this resort is worth mentioning.

Kartala Ski Park has a total of 5 km of slopes and 3 lifts: a gondola and 2 drag lifts. There are plans to build two more lifts and more slopes, but we have no information about this yet.
What we do know is that this ski resort is developing rapidly. New piste bullys have been acquired and investments are being made in new hotels, cycling routes, new parking areas and more and better facilities.

Kartala is mainly suitable for children, beginners and mildly advanced skiers. With blue, red and green practice slopes, Kartala is an excellent destination for the very first ski holiday!
But Kartala is also suitable for more advanced skiers, with plenty of steep slopes. Kartala is also suitable for off-piste skiing. There are several options for this.

Want to know more about winter sports in the Bansko region? Then read our extensive article on skiing in Bansko! Here we go into more detail about prices, types of slopes, lifts, accommodation etc.

These are the 5 best winter activities in Bansko besides skiing

There is a huge amount to do in the Bansko region. Among other things, the area is known for its breathtaking nature and mountains. There is plenty to do in both winter and summer.
Coming to discover Bansko in summer? Then read about the best summer activities in Bansko here!

In winter, Bansko is known as the second largest ski resort in Eastern Europe. Not surprisingly, Bansko has gained considerable popularity in recent years.
Tourists from all corners of the world make it a cosy affair in this mountain town.

But there are also fun winter activities in the surrounding villages, though these are less known to the general public. Here you will discover the five most fun activities for everyone!

1. Discover the charms of Bansko’s old town!

Holy Trinity Church

Bansko is a historic mountain town with unique customs and historical architecture.

Bansko's old town is very photogenic. With the historic buildings and sights, such as Holy Trinity Church, for example, you really imagine yourself in the past.
The historic stone and wooden houses with wooden balconies and the cobblestone streets, combined with the many cosy taverns, make Bansko's Old Town highly recommended for anyone who loves culture, architecture and delicious food.

Pirin Street is Bansko's longest street, running from the central square all the way to the top of Mount Todorka. Pirin Street is Bansko's main shopping street, which is always very pleasant. Historic architecture, good restaurants, squares and churches; Pirin Street is the street of Bansko!
This street is home to an awful lot of souvenir shops. I bet you won't get to the end of this street without buying a souvenir!

Also located on this street is Bansko's only ice rink. Ice skating is always a fun activity in winter!

Or discover Bulgarian culture in the many museums found throughout the city. Some examples are: the House Museum Nikola Vaptsarov, Neofit Rilski House Museum or Paisii Hilendarski Historical Centre.

2. FIS Ski World Cup Bansko

Almost every year, the Ski World Cup is organised in Bansko by FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski). For a weekend, the world's best skiers then come to Bansko to show their qualities to the public.

In January 2025, the Snowboard Alpine World Cup was organised in Bansko. This attracted a few hundred spectators who came to admire the best skiers in the world!

The World Cup is always a big event in Bansko that involves months of preparations.
During the preparations for the races and the race itself, the race track is closed to visitors.

3. Hiking in the snow and nature

Hiking can be done the whole way through. And how beautiful is it to do so in a thick layer of snow on the mountain?

 You can walk up via Bansko's valley slope (watch out for skiers!) or go up by Gondola. You will then arrive at Bunderishka Polyana, where there are many hiking trails. Here are excellent conditions for snow hiking!

Want to go professional? Then book a trekking tour and set off with a guide. Such a trek takes at least 3 hours and will show you a real winter wonderland with breathtaking views and unique natural phenomena.

The prices of these vary widely, from €50 to €200. It depends on the group size and the duration of the tour, among other things.

 If you want to do this, it is advisable to have some hiking experience, as walking through the snow is a lot harder than a ‘normal’ hike.

But you can also take it slower. The valley usually has no or hardly any snow around 80% of the days in winter. However, the sun does show itself regularly. Ideal hiking conditions, then!
The valley has many forests, moors, lakes, chapels and special hiking trails with beautiful views. So you can have a great time here even in winter.

And do you need inspiration for a nice hiking route around Bansko? Feel free to contact us or grab a hiking app such as Locus.

4. Spas and hot springs

Besides being a ski and golf resort, Bansko is also internationally known as a spa resort. Even one of the most important in Europe. And you can do this all year round, too!

 In particular, the villages of Banya and Dobrinishte just a few kilometres from Bansko are well-known in this area. In these villages you will find thermal baths with spring water of up to 40˙C that have been used since ancient times.

In total, there are dozens of hot springs! Each of these has its own composition and associated health benefits.

Spa hotels with wellness areas and pools abound here to give you a unique spa experience, whatever time of the year.

Even the outdoor swimming pool in Dobrinishte (Alpha Spa & Pool) is filled with this warm spring water, making it open as usual even in winter.

Just think how special it is to dive into a naturally heated pool in winter temperatures and snow!
There is also a Roman-era thermal bath in Dobrinishte.

And Banya, too, is a real spa. It even got its name from it, as Banya literally means ‘bath’ in Bulgarian. This village is home to some of the best and the most impressive spa hotels in the country.
There are also thermal springs in Banya that have been used for centuries. These include an Ottoman bath house.

5. The Rhodopes Narrow-gauge Railway

The Rhodopes Narrow Gauge Railway Line is a railway line that runs from Dobrinishte via Bansko, Razlog, Belitsa and Velingrad to Septemvri. This is a total of 125 km through the Rhodopes and Rila mountains.

The railway has been an important link between Septemvri and Bansko since its construction from 1921. It serves many mountain villages.
Today, it has also become a popular tourist attraction, attracting many tourists every year.

It is not just another railway line. What is special about this line and the trains on it is that it goes high through the mountains, with the most beautiful views and sights. In addition, it was built entirely by hand (!) by hundreds of workers and volunteers from Dobrinishte.
The track gauge is also special. Because of the mountainous terrain through which the railway passes, a uniquely narrow track of only 760 mm width was chosen during construction. Hence the name 'narrow gauge railway'.

Due to the narrow track, the trains running on it are also not commonplace. These are special wagons that are thoroughly serviced every five years.
These wagons are equipped with toilets, power sockets, tables, padded seats with armrests, LED lights and windows that you can open to enjoy the stunning views, fresh mountain air and the sound of the train wheels!

The carriages are pulled by old German diesel locomotives. This makes you feel like you are going back in time as soon as you see the train standing or moving.

The total journey from start to finish takes just under 5 hours. This is due to the speed of the train, which is not that high because of the mountainous terrain and many tunnels along the way.

But of course, you don't have to stay seated for the whole ride. You can get on and off whenever you want.
And will you continue as far as Septemvri or get on here? This is where trains go to major cities, such as Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna.

We have driven this route several times ourselves and it is definitely recommended! The nature and views are stunning, the staff are nice and the old trains, villages and little stations take you back in time.
It is known as one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. This makes for a unique experience for young and old alike!

Want to know more about this train? Then read this article with information on tickets, prices and more.

Practical information

Here is some practical information for a hassle-free holiday in Bansko:

• Best travel time: Winter (December - March) for skiing; summer (June - September) for hiking and festivals.
• Accessibility: Bansko is about 160 km from Sofia and can be reached by car, bus or train.
• Accommodations: From luxury resorts and campsites to cosy guesthouses and bungalows, there is a wide range of accommodation options.
• Food & drink: Try local specialities such as ‘Banski Starets’ (dried meat) and the traditional stew ‘Kapama’.
• Currency: Bulgarian Lev; Euro payments are possible in some places, but exchanging at the local bank is recommended. Bear in mind that you cannot pay by card everywhere.
• Culture: Bulgarians shake no when you mean ‘yes’ and nod yes when they mean ‘no’.
• Safety: Bansko is a very safe destination, but keep an eye out for pickpockets or scammers in crowded places.
• Language: Bulgarian is spoken, but English is fine in most places.

How to reach Bansko? Rent a car easily and quickly!

Bansko is relatively easy to reach by car from Sofia in a 2-hour drive. If you come from Sofia Airport (check out cheap flight tickets here), all you need to do is follow the ring road (II-18) to enter the Struma motorway (A3). This you follow south, passing places like Pernik, Dupnitsa and Blagoevgrad.
In Simitli, get off the motorway and follow the signs for Bansko and Razlog on national road II-19 and you will automatically arrive in Bansko.
This road was completely resurfaced in 2023 and 2024.

Public transport is also an option. By train, you're about 8 hours away (including transfers) for just a few euros, and by bus a little over 2.5 hours for a similar amount.
If you don't want this, you can of course book a taxi. These are also affordable in Bulgaria and will get you to Bansko from Sofia in about two hours.
An Airport Transfer is also a good and safe option.

One advantage is that the roads in and around Bansko are generally of good quality. Also the motorway is fine.
So you will definitely be able to drive comfortably, with beautiful views of the mountains!

Conclusion: will you come and experience Bansko too?

Bansko is a true paradise in winter and a true Valhalla for winter sports enthusiasts. But Bansko is known not only as a ski resort, but also as a health resort, for its beautiful surroundings and nature and its many hiking trails.

In this article, you have read about the best activities in Bansko in winter. But Bansko is also an attractive holiday resort in summer. In this article, you will read about the 7 best summer activities in Bansko.

When will you visit Bansko?