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Place in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Photo: Интерпрайм Банско Недвижими Имоти, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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Bansko is one of the oldest settlements in the foothills of Pirin Mountain. You can stroll around the narrow cobbled streets and enjoy the charming old-fashioned ambience of the traditional stone buildings.
Велянова къща
Built during the 18th century, the House of Velyan is a national cultural heritage. The building has impressive frescoes and wood-carved ceilings.
Къща-музей "Неофит Рилски"
Neofit Rilski is a prominent figure in the Bulgarian Renaissance. He is the founder of the Bulgarian secular education and the first Bulgarian encyclopedist. His house from the 18th century is turned into a museum to show the traditional architecture of Bansko.
"Радонова къща"
Radonova house is now a historical and ethnographic museum. Built in the 19th century, the house hosts a rich exposition of materials following the development of Bansko from its origins to the liberation in 1912. The ethnographic exhibition shows the lifestyle of Bansko people during that period.
Църква "Света Троица"
A fine example of middle and late Bulgarian National Revival church architecture. Beautiful interior. Next door to the Neofit Rilski house.
Mountain Club Bulgaria
Ride horses (from €20/person for 30 minutes) or ATVs (from €50 for 1 hour) in the mountains, ropes courses, zip lines.
Хижа Вихрен
Vihren Hut is around 30 min drive outside of Bansko at the end of the only public road going from Bansko into the Pirins. Meals are served on demand and are very inexpensive (less than €5 more, tons of food). English is sparse.
Modern hotel near the main road into the town. It has a very good indoor pool/spa centre. 2 km from the main ski station, but a frequent shuttle is provided. Fast wifi throughout.
Къща за гости Чичо Цане
Small hotel owned by the family of the old mayor of Bansko.
Sauna and steam bath, nice garden in summer with a broken jacuzzi.
Walking distance from downtown and the ski gondola.
Home made products on the buffet.
MPM Guinness
Full service hotel with options for breakfast and breakfast/dinner (half board). Large hotel with indoor atrium, indoor pool, children's room, bar. Walking distance to gondola and regular shuttle.
Catered ski chalet in the heart of Bansko. Sleeps up to 14 guests with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Large lounge with log fire, honesty bar, TV, cable, large movie library, Nintendo Wii, Wi-Fi internet with computer, CD player. English hosts.
A 5-star hotel. As a hotel guest you get free access to the spa and pool as well as the ski shuttle to the gondala every 30 min. There is free Wi-Fi in all public areas and all the rooms. Breakfast is included.
Chalets sleeping 16–21 people, catered or non-catered. Can arrange ski rental.
By train
Trains from Sofia to Blagoevgrad, the provincial capital, take about 4 hours. This is the main line that leads south to the border. From Blagoevgrad Bus Station, buses to Bansko are plentiful.
By bus
There are many buses departing Sofia each day from different stations so be sure to check which station your bus is departing from.g. a snowboard. The cost is around €10 each way.
Getting around in Bansko is relatively easy. The town is not large, and walking around is nice. The city government never permit high rises hotels to settle within the old city area.
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