There are so many amazing things to do in Bansko and I have picked out my favourites in this blog. This is for those that are heading to Bansko in the winter. Read my blog, the best things to do in Summer in Bansko if you’re visiting in warmer climes!
Although Bansko is famous for its skiing, there are so many fun things to do in Bansko. So even if you’re not a keen skier, or if you want some alternative options for your holiday, there is plenty to keep you occupied.
So let’s take a look at my favourite things to do in Bansko Bulgaria during the winter.
1. Skiing in Bansko (or Snowboarding!)
It’s impossible to put together a blog of the best things to do in Bansko and not include skiing at the top of that list! After all, that is why the majority of people visit Bansko in the winter.
The Bansko ski resort is nestled in the beautiful Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It comprises over 75 kilometres of ski runs, of which around a third are for beginners, 40% are for intermediate and a quarter for advanced skiers.
So there is something for everyone at Bansko. It’s an excellent place to learn to snowboard or ski, as I did. Ski and snowboarding lessons are very good value and there are some excellent beginner slopes to practice on.
If you’re a more experienced skier or boarder, like Aaron, then there are plenty of challenging red and black runs as well as plenty of off-piste areas to test yourself.
The best thing about skiing in the Pirin Mountains, for me, is that the ski area is not huge, so you can learn your way around within a week or two. There are also some great bars and restaurants in the mountains for lunch or starting the après-ski early.
If you want the full low-down on skiing in Bansko then take a look at my collection of blogs that I put together during my ski season:
- A complete guide to skiing in Bansko
- A guide to the Bansko Ski Map
- Bansko Ski Pass Prices for 2022-23
- A guide to the weather in Bansko
Overall, Bansko is a great place to ski, whether you’re a learner, more experienced or a group/family of mixed abilities.
Equally, there are also plenty of other great things to do in Bansko. So if any of your group or family don’t ski, or you just fancy a few rest days, you’ll find plenty to keep you company.
2. Visit the Bansko Thermal Baths
One of my favourite Bansko things to do after a long day skiing is to visit some of the incredible thermal baths in the area.
The neighbouring town of Banya is famous for its hot springs. Mineral springs fill pools at a number of great Bansko thermal baths that are all a short car journey away from Bansko itself.
One of my favourite options is Villa Victoria. This lovely spa resort has an outdoor heated pool. It has a seating are and restaurant which overlooks the cosy pool area. At night, the whole area is softly lit, and you can sit in the pool with snow all around.
There is a separate children’s pool at one end and a jacuzzi style pool with even warmer water. There is a full spa area inside with sauna, steam room, salt room and massage treatments are available for an additional charge.
The restaurant is very good, and the food is reasonably priced, so it’s a good option for dinner.
Villa Victoria is around 20BGN (£8.80, €10) per person, so it’s very well priced. You can either head there in the evening after a day of skiing or for a full day if you’re taking a well-deserved rest day from skiing.
If you prefer to try and more local version then I would highly recommend Izgreva thermal baths which are also in Banya.
The main pool has a rugged feel to it and is heated to a very pleasant temperature. There is a second, much hotter pool as well for the full thermal baths experience.
The changing rooms are more ‘rustic’ than at Villa Victoria. There is a restaurant on site which is very good, cheaper than most options in Bansko and serves some great local Bulgarian food.
Izgrava is a cheaper option than Villa Victoria at 15BGN (£6.50, €7.50) per person.
Alternatively, you can organise a round trip in a taxi and entry with the Thermal Pools Escape to Izgreva. This is a great option if you don’t have a car, and you want an organised trip to Izgreva, particularly after skiing.
I have written a full blog on my top 5 favourite Bansko hot springs, so take a look to read more about the various options in the area.
3. Dine in the Best Bansko Restaurants
One of the things I love about Bansko is the range of food and dining options available.
As it’s a town as well as ski resort, there’s a range of food options. At the top of Pirin Street, there are some great international restaurants. As well, there are some delicious Bulgarian food available in the Bansko old town.
Given the size of Bansko, there are also plenty of different dining options, so you can eat somewhere different every night. The food is very reasonably priced as well, which is not always the case at a ski resort!
I have written a full blog on my favourite restaurants in Bansko so take a look if you’re heading to Bansko this winter. There are options for a celebration meal, places for kids, some great local mehanas and some options with great entertainment.
International Restaurants
Whilst it’s hard to narrow it down, one of my favourite restaurants is Five M, located on the popular Pirin Street. It’s a beautiful, modern, cosy restaurant with a delicious menu and very reasonably priced.
It’s a very popular place, so if you’re a larger group, then drop them a message on Facebook. Or give them a call on +359 89 561 5160 to book your table.
Traditional Restaurants
If you fancy a more traditional Bulgarian experience, then head to one of the many mehanas (taverns) in town. Vezyuva House is a very popular option and is headed closer to the ski area than other options. It’s a very traditional, cosy setting inside and an impressive menu of Bulgarian food.
The staff are incredibly friendly, and they’ll help you understand the menu. It’s a large space as well, so it’s great for groups and families.
Fast-food Restaurants
Finally, if you’re after a quick bite, then head to my favourite takeaway and bar at the Station. It’s a fantastic Greek fast food joint which does the best souvlaki. Perfect for after a day on the slopes. They serve beer and alcoholic drinks as well, and it’s hugely popular as a takeaway and a bar. It’s one of my favourite places!
It’s run by Tsakris, which owns one of the best ski rental shops in Bansko. They’re also excellent for lessons, so check them out if you want to hire your gear for your ski holiday.
Finally, if you’re heading out to Bansko for Christmas or New Year then check out my blog which has my favourite spots to spend the Christmas period. Here you’ll find bars and restaurants to make the most of Christmas in Bansko.
4. Take an ATV Tour
During my ski season in Bansko we took an ATV tour with the excellent Bansko ATV guys.
I bought this for Aaron for his birthday and he absolutely loved it. We met John Hog from Bansko ATV on Pirin Street for a safety briefing. After that, we then headed into the foothills of the Pirin Mountains through the snow and fields.
We crashed through rivers, ploughed through deep snow, dodged in and out of trees and had an incredible time exploring. You’re out in the middle of nowhere, but thanks to John’s knowledge of the area, you find some unique and incredible spots.
You can customise your tour to suit you. Every tour is private, so whether you’re on your own, a couple or a large group, it will just be you and your guide. There are plenty of ATVs available, so large groups can be accommodated.
Drop John and his team a message on Facebook if you fancy booking in an excellent tour. It’s a great way to get another perspective of the area and explore the Pirin Mountains.
5. Explore Bansko Old Town
If you’re skiing in Bansko I absolutely recommend that you venture to the Old Town to take a look around.
Not only is it full of historical buildings and fascinating architecture, but there are also some amazing mehanas to try. You get a real experience of Bulgaria rather than the more international vibe up at the top of Pirin Street.
Probably the most famous spot in the old town is the beautiful Holy Trinity Church. It’s described as one of the finest examples of the middle and late Bulgarian National Revival church architecture. It’s an impressive building and hard to miss as you head down Pirin Street.
Just after the Church, you will reach the main square. From here, you’ll find lots of small streets that you can wander down and explore traditional buildings and some excellent mehanas and bars. It’s also an excellent place to watch the fireworks if you’re in Bansko at New Year.
If you prefer, why not take this excellent 2-hour walking tour around Bansko old town. It takes in the Church and various other highlights in the old town whilst teaching you more about the history of Bulgaria.
It takes place all year round, so it’s perfect whether you’re here in summer or winter. Or check out the equally popular free walking tour here.
The old town is a must for anyone visiting Bansko. If you have the time, I highly recommend the walking tour. But if you’re busy skiing, head down there in the evening and pop into some of the mehanas for a cosy meal and a warm welcome.
Want to know more about Bansko? Check out my other blogs:
- My Guide to Bansko Nightlife
- Bansko Lift Pass Prices 2022-23
- The Best Bansko Hotels
- My top 5 Bansko Hot Springs
- The Best Bansko Christmas and New Year Hot Spots
6. Go Ice Skating
Located towards the top of Pirin Street, and close to the main bars and restaurants in Bansko, is a great ice rink for some more wintery fun.
It’s a good size, and it’s family friendly, so excellent for adults and children alike. It’s open through the day and during the evening, so it’s a great option after a day on the slopes.
The ice rink will be open for the whole of the ski season, from around the 3rd week of December. It’s usually open from around 1pm until 10pm.
We’re still waiting for the prices, as it isn’t open yet, but expect to pay around 30BGN for 2 hours. That’s around £13 or €15 per person.
If you’re a pro ice skater, then you might think the rink is a little small or the skates are not as sharp as they could be. But if you’re like me and are just happy to stay upright, then it’s a perfect spot for a few hours!
It’s right in the heart of the après-ski bars and restaurants, so once you’re done you can pop into one of the nearby bars for a well-deserved drink!
7. Enjoy the Bansko Nightlife
Talking of a well-deserved drink, the Bansko nightlife is excellent. Sampling the après-ski scene is one of the best things to do in Bansko during the winter ski season.
There is also a good range of different options for an evening drink, whether you fancy a quiet one or a big night out.
The first port of call for most skiers in Bansko is Happy End. This excellent après-ski bar is open from 3pm and is located right at the end of the ski road, next to the Gondola. You can literally ski into it, which makes it the perfect first stop.
After Happy End dies down around 8-9pm, Amigos takes over. This is probably the loudest bar in town with their in-house band, Step by Step. These incredible performers take to the stage every night for a 3-hour set covering a range of popular pop and rock anthems. It’s not to be missed!
There are also some great wine bars, pubs, late bars and clubs in Bansko. I have written a full blog on the highlights of the Bansko nightlife. So take a look and plan your perfect night.
Another favourite of mine is the pub quiz that takes place every other Monday. It supports the Bansko Street Dogs charity, which is why I love it! The quiz always popular, so if you’re in Bansko when it’s on, book a table and enjoy. It’s in a different bar or restaurant each time, so it’s a great way to get to know some different places. Check out my Bansko nightlife blog for more info.
8. Take a Trip to Borovets
If you’re in Bansko for an extended period, and you want to try out another of the great Bulgaria ski resorts, then consider heading over to Borovets.
Borovets is the oldest ski resort in Bansko, but boasts plenty of modern lifts, pistes and a great night scene.
It’s a purpose-built resort rather than Bansko which is an existing town, and so everything is very close to the slopes in Borovets. There are 58 kilometres of slopes in Borovets, so it’s slightly smaller than Bansko but has a great range.
There is also night skiing available at Borovets which is a lot of fun. At the bottom of the slopes you will find plenty of great bars and restaurants to enjoy some excellent après-ski.
It’s around 150 kilometres from Bansko to Borovets and the drive is pretty straightforward. It’ll take around 2 hours. We stayed overnight for a few days of skiing in Borovets. This was a good option to explore the whole ski resort and enjoy the bars and restaurants in Borovets.
If you’re looking for more details about Borovets, check out my full blog on skiing in Borovets. Here you’ll find some hotel options as well as my favourite bars and restaurants. There’s also a complete guide to the ski resort, the slopes and prices for lift passes.
If you want to complete the hat trick of the best Bulgaria ski resorts, then check out my guide to Pamporovo which is also great for a day trip from Bansko.
9. Explore the Neofit Rilski House Museum
If you want to learn more about Bulgaria’s fascinating history, then consider heading into the house of Neofit Rilski.
Located next to the Holy Trinity Church, this is the birth-place of Neofit Rilski. He was born in 1793 and was a monk and teacher who became a very important figure in the Bulgarian Revival.
One of his greatest contributions was to produce the first translation of the Bible into Bulgarian. He also wrote the first Bulgarian grammar book and a Greek-Bulgarian diary.
His house is a traditional 18th century “Benina” which is an interesting insight into life in the 18th century. There are lots of interesting artefacts relating to the works of Neofit Rilski, and it’s a good place to spend an hour or so learning more about Bansko and Rilski’s fascinating contribution to modern day Bulgaria.
10. Visit the Rila Monastery
Finally, if you want to explore of Bulgaria, then take a day trip to the stunning Rila Monastery.
It’s a beautiful 10th century, UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the Rila Mountains. Rila is Bulgaria’s largest monastery and is famous for its detailed frescoes and the amazing setting.
It’s around 100 kilometres from Bansko and so you’ll either need to hire a car or take this great day trip to Rila from Bansko.
There is also a museum on site as well as two restaurants, so you can come for lunch or dinner before heading back to Bansko in the evening.
It’s one of my favourite day trips for either the summer or winter, and a great option if you’re in Bansko for the season.
FAQs about Things to Do in Bansko
Enjoy the Best Things to Do in Bansko
I hope this blog of my favourite Bansko things to do gives you some good ideas for your trip to Bansko.
There’s a huge range of things to do in Bansko, with plenty of options if you are in Bansko during the winter and don’t want to ski every day.
I hope you have a great time and if you have any questions then get in touch either in the comments below or on social media, and I’ll be happy to help!
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