Where is Bansko and what is it known for?
Bansko is located in south-west Bulgaria. It lies at the foot of the Pirin Mountains with peaks of up to 2,900 metres.
This mountain town has over 10,000 inhabitants and is the largest ski resort in Bulgaria and even Eastern Europe. In addition, Bansko is known for its beautiful natural areas, mountains, hot springs and spas.
Bansko is also the place to be for culture lovers; with its churches, traditional architecture, museums and many restaurants, Bansko is a wonderful holiday destination!
Finally, Bansko is known as one of the sunniest areas in Europe. The sun shines some 300 days a year, which means you can enjoy the sun's rays all year round and always grab terraces!
These are the 5 top sights in the Bansko region
Bansko has a lot to offer. Mainly the beautiful vast nature is in demand by locals and tourists alike, but there is also plenty to do and see in the city.
Quickly discover the five most beautiful and important sights in the Bansko region here!
1. Holy Trinity Church and the old town of Bansko
An example of a place of interest in Bansko is Holy Trinity Church, the central church of Bansko. It stands in the middle of Bansko's old town, which is also a beautiful sight.
Built in typical Bulgarian style, the church looks a bit like a monastery. The tower is separate from the church building and the complex is walled, as you can see in the picture.
Bansko's church is one of the most beautiful in the region. Inside are many beautiful murals and the tranquillity dominated by the trees and the way it was built.
Inside the church, you can buy and light candles for any loved ones you have lost.
Besides the church, Bansko Old Town is also a well-known attraction. From the main shopping street (Pirin Street), turn right at the church and you suddenly find yourself in a completely different world. Here you are surrounded by beautiful old houses in old Bulgarian style.
Well-known streets in Old Town are Neofit Rilski Street and Alexander Buynov Street.
This Old Town is very photogenic and the architecture is beautiful. The streets are narrow and beautifully paved. The houses are also beautiful and some have been there for centuries.
The combination of wood and stone gives the houses a medieval style that is rarely seen today.
Finally, there are many traditional restaurants and taverns in the old town, giving it a cosy atmosphere.
In the middle of the old town, there is also a museum: Velyan House. This museum shows the way of life of wealthier families in the past. In this museum house, you go back in time and get a clear impression of how people used to live in Bansko.
The exhibits include many paintings, a craft room and a fruit-drying platform. An audio guide is available in several languages.
2. St. Nikola Waterfall, Viewpoint, and the Nameless City
Between Bansko and Dobrinishte, nestled against the mountains, lies an area consisting of a waterfall, a viewpoint, and the ruins of an ancient fortress or city.
The Nameless City was discovered in 2003 when the chapel on the site was being renovated. They stumbled upon the foundations of an ancient building.
This was a great shock and surprise to the locals, as no one had expected human activity there, given the complex's location on a steep and high mountain.
Following the unexpected discovery, archaeologists and the administrator of the Bansko Museum Complex began excavating the building.
It was discovered to be a fortress estimated to be around 3,000 years old.
Remains of watchtowers, small buildings, streets, a defensive wall, and city gates were uncovered. A necropolis containing skeletons measuring two meters long was even discovered!
Many artifacts were also found. Roman coins, pots, cups, necklaces, glass, and much more were unearthed. The quantity of coins and glass found is remarkable. This indicates that the town was wealthy, as glass was very expensive and rare at the time.
The greatest mystery remains the name of the town. No clues have been found, and no writings or myths mention the name of this town, which is, of course, quite mysterious for such a large, wealthy, and important place. Therefore, it is called the Nameless Town.
You can visit the Nameless Town for free. However, it is situated quite high on a steep hill, making it difficult to reach for people with limited mobility.
Near the ruins is a waterfall, from which it is about a half-hour walk to the ruins. This is a steep path up, but it is not too exciting and easily manageable with a good pair of shoes, even for children.
Along the way, there are opportunities to rest and enjoy the beautiful view of the entire valley.
The St. Nikola Waterfall is also well worth a visit. Tourists flock here daily, and locals also enjoy it. It's known as a peaceful, spiritual place. So please keep it clean and tidy.
At the waterfall, there are two covered picnic tables where you can enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature. There's also a barbecue area.
3. Baikushev's Pine in Pirin National Park
Bansko lies at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. This mountain range has peaks reaching up to 2,900 meters and is known for its beautiful, vast, unspoiled nature.
Bears, wolves, deer, and much more live there. And that's not even mentioning the many species of plants and trees. It's no wonder it's a protected nature reserve and National Park.
And then there's the oldest conifer in Bulgaria near the Bansko Gondola mountain station! This tree is the Baikushev's Pine, a Bosnian pine that's an impressive 1,300 years old.
It's approximately 26 meters tall and one of the oldest trees in Europe.
The tree is easily accessible via a staircase. At the bottom of the stairs is a campsite with a mountain restaurant where you can enjoy delicious, fresh food at reasonable prices. The bean soup, for example, is highly recommended.
It is not only the destination but also the journey that makes this a fun day out.
4. Dobarsko Church of St. Theodore
Dobarsko is a small mountain village on the edge of the Rila Mountains that takes visitors back in time. The village is best known for the Church of St. Theodore, a hidden historical gem with impressive medieval frescoes that are among the most remarkable in Bulgaria. These centuries-old paintings tell biblical stories in a unique way and make a visit to Dobarsko a special experience, nestled in a tranquil mountain setting.
5. The Stairs to the Razlog Lookout Tower
The Stairs to Razlog Tower form a pleasant educational and experience trail that leads you step by step up 365 steps, with several benches along the way where you can relax and enjoy the sun and the view.
At the top, a lookout tower offers a wide panorama of the Razlog Valley, with views of the Rila and Pirin Mountains and the towns of Bachevo, Banya, Godlevo, Razlog, and Bansko.
It is an accessible and relaxing place where nature, landscape, and education converge, ideal for a short walk with sweeping views.
Other fun activities in the region
There are plenty of sights to see in the area around Bansko. Because in addition to the five you have read in this article, there are many more. We have already listed the nicest and largest ones for you.
You are also in the right place in terms of activities in Bansko. The vast nature invites you to go hiking and mountain biking and with two parks next to each other within walking distance (Rila Fun Park and the bear park) there is more than enough to do.
Because of course there is much more to do in the region, which we discuss on other pages on this website.
One thing is for sure: you will not be bored when you are in Bansko!
Would you like to know more about fun activities in the Bansko area? Discover our pages about summer activities and winter activities via the buttons below.