Bansko - A Place Of Never Ending Winter Stories

This unique town has become a cult place forBansko has attracted an unprecedented number of
mountain lovers, winter sports, and year roundtourists and investors.
tourism.The influx of visitors has prompted the building of
Many first-time visitors to Bansko, the town tuckedmany new developments of vacation properties,
into the foothills of Pirin Mountain, say they instantlywhose supply still cannot satisfy the high demand.
fall in love with this place. Indeed, this town begs toBansko offers great ski conditions and an easy
be visited again and again. It has combined toaccess to the ski runs. The town is located at 925m
perfection the charm of its natural beauty with itsabove the sea level, while the ski area is at
unique cultural heritage.2000-2500m. A quick new Gondola lift takes the
Located 170km south of Sofia, Bansko is a 2.5-hourskiers directly from the town up the mountain. The
drive from an international airport. However, oncetourism growth prompted the creation of many new
one gets there, the town feels like a surreal placelifts, ski runs, and tracks in the ski area. Because of
from a beautiful fairytale. The region of Bansko is anthe high elevations, practicing winters sports on this
ethnographical, archeological, and architecturalmountain can be possible as late as early summer.
preserve. Beautiful churches and houses, eachWhen summer comes, Bansko once again becomes a
representing a unique masterpiece with theirplace for mountain lovers - hikers, rock climbers, cave
woodcarving and mural paintings; nearby archeologicaldivers, and all sorts of nature enthusiasts come to
sites - ancient fortresses, Thracian tombs, and athis area to breath the crystal air and admire the
Greek necropolis - all add to the beautiful mystique ofbeautiful sites. In the summer, Bansko is also a
this town.bustling cultural center, where many international and
Bansko serves as a gateway to Pirin, the alpinenational festivals take place. Folk singing and dancing,
mountain range with many lakes and waterfalls,craft making, woodcarving, icon painting, music
majestic peaks, deep caves, thermal springs andplaying - all can be found here.
magical alpine forests, with trees over 1,000 yearsAmong other Bansko attractions are its numerous
old. The Pirin National Park is included in the list ofcozy cafes, restaurants, and traditional Bulgarian pubs
UNESCO preservation projects for having anthat offer great cuisine and unique atmosphere. The
exceptional natural and historical value.local people in this town often say that those who
As the fame of this mountain resort spreadcome here never want to go back and perhaps
internationally in the past few years, the region ofthey're right.