About Bansko Bulgaria

Bansko

Our apartments are situated in the beautiful village of Bansko which nestles at the foot of the Pirin mountains and is located in some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bulgaria.

A captivating and ancient town established in the 9th century AD and located 160km south of Sofia. The town is magnificently encircled by the Pirin, Rila, and Rhodopa Mountains and is home to 12,000 inhabitants. Equally attractive in all four seasons, Bansko provides an interesting combination of natural beauty mixed with the unique atmosphere of an ancient Bulgarian town. While wandering through Bansko's cobblestone streets you will find a sense of peacefulness that emanates from the mountain peaks that surround the town. Bansko exudes a rich historical heritage and attracts visitors with its 120 cultural monuments, museum houses, and the Bansko School of Icon Painting and Exhibitions.

The Pirin National Park spans 100,000 acres and includes all of the northern Pirin from the Predela pass to the Popovi Livadi area in the south. Throughout this area you will find some of the highest peaks and more than 180 lakes, which are home to over half of Bulgaria's flora and fauna. The sheer faces, high altitude slopes and vast lands are an excellent location for mountaineering, skiing and trekking. Bulgaria itself is located at the crossroads of many cultures, nations and religions.

There are also a number of monasteries and archeological sites of interest nearby. Remains of ancient fortresses have been preserved in the Staroto Gradishte (Stankale) locality about 4 km southwest of the town and also in the Yulen locality (downstream Demyanitsa river). Thracian tumuli have been uncovered in the vicinity of Staroto Gradishte. Archaeologists have discovered a 2^nd century BC burial site containing a set of bronze surgical instruments and remains of medicinal preparations in the ancient Dobrokyovitsa locality (west of Bansko). Southeast of Bansko are remains of late-medieval single-nave churches, St George and St Elijah.

Bansko is also the birthplace of many famous Bulgarian enlighteners, poets, writers, painters, iconographers and revolutionaries. Monuments commemorating the life of Nikola Vaptsarov and Paisii Hilendarski have been erected in the town.

Bansko offers a wide variety of cuisines as well as traditional Bulgarian dishes - many restaurants serve food with influences ranging from European to Russian or Indian. You will also find an excellent selection of local wines and beers on offer. Indeed, there are a number of old-style pubs, taverns and cafes in the old town, all possessing a unique charm and offering food and drink at relatively cheap prices. Bansko’s delightful taverns called 'Mehana' offer traditional atmosphere with great cuisine and a good selection of Bulgarian wines. Most of the local Mehanas offer live folk music and many local cafes and bars offer refreshments.

Nightlife in Bansko is unforgettable and varied. At last count there were 45 pubs, 3 night clubs, and over 100 restaurants! There is much to see and do in the surrounding areas with many local villages to choose from. Locals also recommend a trip to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia which has a wonderful cultural heritage, as well as a good selection of shops. Bansko's natural, historical, and cultural wealth makes it the perfect place to visit.