Bansko is resort situated in Southwestern Bulgaria, at the foot of the Pirin National Park and it is nestled between three mountain ranges- Pirin, Rila and Rhodope. The town is also listed in the World Register of Natural Heritage entertainment opportunities. Sofia airport, which is the nearest, is 160 km away from the city and it takes 2 hours to cover that distance.
A famous ski resort
Bansko is the youngest and fastest developing ski resort in Bulgaria. The conditions for skiing are excellent and the tracks are suitable not only for beginners but also for experts. At the moment the access to the ski slopes is possible thanks to the gondola lift. The building of a new lift is planned for 2006/07 season. Bansko also has the ambition to be a host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Summer activities
Surrounded by the Pirin, Rila and Rhodopa mountains, Bansko is a climatic mountain resort with a short summer and long winter. But it is by no means only ski resort. If you visit it through the warmer months, breathtaking views of the surrounding nature will be revealed in front of you. Bansko offers excellent conditions for canoeing, hiking, fishing, horse riding. The resort is also famous with the healing mineral hot water springs not only in the city but in the villages nearby. It’s a great place for relaxation.
Rich history, culture and traditions
The town of Bansko attracts visitors with its 120 cultural monuments. It is famous for its fortified and artistically decorated houses, museums and the Bansko School of Art. A very interesting site is the Holy Trinity Church, with its 30 m high bell-tower and clock, splendid murals and woodcarvings. Every August Bansko hosts the National Jazz Fest. Museum houses and collections, souvenir shops and romantic holiday residences, hotels and taverns complement the unique atmosphere of this splendid Bulgarian resort.
The future
Bansko has attracted exceptional tourist and investor interest in the last three years. Among the most notable developments are the expansion and modernizing of the ski runs and equipment, as well as the construction of new hotels and residential developments. Regardless of the increased capacity, Bansko is generally fully booked during the winter months with Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek and British tourists making up the bulk of the visitors. With its year-round activities, rich history and traditions, and mineral water springs, Bansko represents not only an attractive tourist destination, but also a great opportunity for investment.
