Location: Bansko
Top Things to do in Bansko
9 Free Things to do in Bansko That You Shouldn't Miss
Bansko (Bulgarian: Банско) is a town in southwestern Bulgaria, located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains at an elevation of 927 m above sea level. It is a popular ski resort.
Restaurants in Bansko
1. Bansko Free Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
BANSKO FREE TOUR is a local initiative aiming to spread the rich cultural heritage of Bansko to the travellers and guests of the town. The tour takes place in the central part of Bansko known as the OLD TOWN. Discover the most interesting historical sights and hidden gems while at the same time learn about the unique local culture, cuisine, language, tradition, arts and architecture of Bansko
2. Wine Bar 25
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By danieldO5357FK
Visited the place a few times.. (special wine-tasting evenings and regular ones) Gotta say that it was great! The house wine (Melnik), was very tasty :)
3. Mega Ski Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
We have 8 years of experience in providing ski or snowboard equipment and lessons at best quality and price in Bansko
Reviewed By Joniboy12 - Yokneam Illit, Israel
Great stuff , helpful great spot walking distance to the gondola about 2-3 minutes The equipment is great ! I enjoyed it all 2021 may (Jonathan Rubanovich)
4. Vihren
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By ceebeebee2017 - Derbyshire, United Kingdom
It is really difficult as a Brit to find out how to safely climb the mountain, the 2nd highest peak in Bulgaria, but where there's a will, you must find a way! You can drive up Pirin Rd out of Bansko, past the National Park centre where I saw a wild tortoise- yes, wild! Drive up and up and up the windy road, following the Vihren hut signs. When you drive through an enormous bus parking, go through it, sweeping round to the far left and continue up again, eventually past Banderista hut on your left. It is worth stopping here for 15mins- walk up the steps on the uphill side of the hut and visit the second oldest tree in Bulgaria- amazing! Then continue, after 10 mins reaching uneven track and Vihren hut, your starting point. There is not much parking there, maybe 20-25 vehicles, but you can turn round to park wherever you can find just below it. The hut here is lovely, with opportunity for refreshments throughout the day. The journey took 35 mins from Bansko. Then, follow the yellow signs to Vihren, following the blue and yellow symbols painted on rocks every few minutes. The way they are painted gives the direction of travel, and little cairns often mark changes in direction- clues I figured en route. Vihren means 'windy mountain' and even though it was 30 degrees in June, we needed an extra layer at the top. Also, at this time of year, the weather can be unpredictable so go prepared for rain and never attempt if thunderstorms are predicted incase you are hit by lightening. Check Accuweather Virhen website the day before. The route up took us just over 4 hrs from the hut; we are 60 yrs of age and I walk VERY slowly uphill, and yes, I drank my litre bladder dry on the way. The terrain is stepped most of the way over natural stones alongside a stream, crossing Boulder falls at times, and through scrub on narrow paths. If in doubt of the correct route, walk no further than 15 mins without seeing the coloured symbols ( some of them are a bit faded). We found there are a few well walked pathways leading up but if they are in the general direction, they are all painted with this symbol to help guide you. The main pathway is slightly wider. There are some larger, steeper slabs of rocks to haul yourself up, but nothing requiring wire ropes and nothing technical or higher than a very large Boulder. I read online accounts beforehand which say this peak is easy and suitable for children. I have lots of mountain walking experience, and I think children need to be 8 or above and confident on rocky, steeper terrain. The views are wonderful as you walk uphill. About 30 mins from the top, the convex slope becomes exposed and extremely rocky, so pick your path wisely and preferably follow a painted symbol path. This is a hard final slog. At the top, there is a tall cairn encased in metal. An amazing view of the Pirin and Rila mountains. By the way, a 1:50,000 Pirin mountains map can be bought from the tiny fronted bookshop about 5 doors up from the central Tourist Information. We followed the red route on the map clockwise from the hut, by far the easiest route. So retrace your steps back down to the hut unless you are a very experienced walker/ scrambler/ mountaineer, mad following it clockwise off the summit towards the Premkata col, requires climbing downhill using wired ropes and down large rocks with vertical drops if you slip! We were warned at the top against doing this by a very experienced Bulgarian, who said he viewed it as more dangerous than Koncheto ridge, which is at least horizontal. He advised only doing this stretch in an upwards direction, so you are pulling yourself up the wires. In the past I have found wearing half fingered mountain biking gloves gives good grip for this and protects hands against any protruding wires. Hope this helps you to confidently give this beautiful mountain a go! It's well worth the effort.
5. Holy Trinity Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By bilyanar11 - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
If you go in Bansko don't miss to visit it . It's a place that keeps the spirit of the past centuries and brings inner peace. There you can enjoy the unique art of masters painted icons and immerse yourself in an amazing atmosphere
6. Pirin 75
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Fr3nRevi3w3r
This bar is very cosy and has a nice atmosphere. There is table service which is nice and drink prices are cheap 10lv for a cocktail which is about £5 so very reasonable. This place has a good atmosphere, nice staff so would highly recommend
7. Pirin Street
8. Happy End Bar
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By Teacher2014 - Kuwait, null
Apre ski place for sure and service is good. Inside from 330 to 5 you get two for one. We spent many hours there and it was great. Live music is fun as well.
