Is Bansko boring? Not at all!

Many people say that Bansko is not much fun in the off-season. The ski slopes and lifts are closed, many restaurants and shops are closed and it is less lively.
This is all true. But does that mean Bansko is boring? On the contrary!

Besides skiing in winter, Bansko is a top destination for hiking, swimming, spa, mountain biking and even going down Europe's longest inflatable water slide! And then the sun is always shining and all the pavement cafes are just open.
Bansko isn't known as an all-season resort for nothing, so there's plenty to do all year round!

Of course, Bansko is a bit cosier in winter, when there is snow and all the après-ski bars, ski lifts and eateries are open. But just because winter is the high season does not mean that there is nothing to do in summer. That is why in this article you will discover the best summer activities in the Bansko region!

These are the 8 most fun summer activities in Bansko!

1. Rila Fun Park and Bear Park Belitsa

Located in Belitsa, Rila Fun Park is an amusement park located in the Dedovo area of the Rila Mountains 12 kilometres from Belitsa.
There are slides, gazebos where you can sit comfortably, swings, climbing frames, climbing walls, sandboxes and a toboggan run that is suitable for children from 7 years old and, of course, adults. There is also a special track for younger children.
A toboggan run is a kind of long slide that you go down in a kind of sledge. Toboggan runs are a bit similar to a bobsled run.

Opening hours are every day from 10:00 to 18:00, including weekends, all year round. Children between 3 and 12 are 10 BGN (€5) and adults and children over 12 are 15 BGN (€7.50).

The bear park in Belitsa is a sanctuary for brown bears that were forced to 'dance'. It consists of seven large outdoor enclosures where the bears live in pairs or groups.

Bears that have experienced terrible events, such as forced 'dancing', are taken in here and well cared for to give them a second chance at life. These bears were mistreated for human entertainment and had to spend their lives on a chain. Fortunately, these terrible practices have been banned in Bulgaria since 2007.

It houses not only Bulgarian bears, but also mistreated bears from Albania and Serbia, for example.

As much as possible, the enclosures are designed in a way that resembles the bear's natural environment. There are grassy plains, hills, caves, forests and swimming ponds so that the bear can live a normal and good life!

You can visit this bear park from April to November for 10 BGN (€5) for adults and 3 BGN (€1.50) for children aged 7 to 18. Children aged 6 and under and people with disabilities can enter for free!

And the great thing is: both parks are within walking distance of each other!

2. Hiking, mountain biking and outdoor activities

Bansko lies at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, making it incredibly rich in nature. This mountain range is known for its high peaks, wildlife and many plant species. For instance, the edelweiss grows here and a bear population lives here.

The Pirin is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Europe. Not surprisingly, there are so many hiking trails that you can walk with or without a guide.
Simply put, you only have to step out of your door and you are already standing with your feet in nature.

There are hiking trails up to the highest mountain peaks, but it is advisable to hike them together with a guide, as the quality of some trails and the steep chasms combined with possible poor visibility or slipperiness can create dangerous situations.
But if you are a trained hiker, this is basically not necessary.

There are also many hiking trails in the valley and lower mountains. Here there are many historical buildings and ruins worth visiting. There are also many chapels in the region in the most beautiful places.

Some great places to walk to are Baikuchev's Pine, the St. Nicholas waterfall and the hiking trails around the ski slopes of Bansko.
Are you more of the bigger treks? Then hike to Vihren Peak, Bulgaria's second-highest mountain peak. A challenging but rewarding trek.

In the Pirin, there are plenty of mountain huts and (fish) restaurants to grab some food and drink during your hike.

The international hiking trail E4 also passes through this area. This route runs from southern Spain through Austria and Bulgaria to the Greek part of Cyprus.

But you can not only hike here, but also take a trip towards Blagoevgrad to raft in the Struma river, for example. In the Kresna Gorge, there are several opportunities to rent rafts. The water here is rough and there are class 2 to 4 rapids. An exciting and challenging activity!
Or how about camping or rock climbing? There are several campsites in the region, including one near Bansko in the mountains, surrounded by nature. This one has a great restaurant with good food and is near the Baikuchev's Den, so perfect to combine!
And for the rock climbers among us, near Ski Road 1 there is, among other things, the ‘Cave Area’, with climbing routes up to 15 metres.

Finally, you can enjoy mountain biking. For this purpose, special routes have been marked in the forests with signs. Like the Bunderitsa Trail: a popular route that starts at the mountain cable car station and is suitable for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers.
But of course, you can also just map out a route yourself and go cycling. There are many wonderful routes through the valley for this.
Don't have a bike? That's no problem at all. In Bansko there are plenty of shops selling cycling equipment and mountain bike rental companies. They can also help you find a guide if necessary.

3. Relax in spas

Besides being a winter sports destination, the Bansko region is also known as a major spa resort. And that is quite special, as it is the only place in the world (!) where you can both ski and enjoy a spa in one of the many spa hotels, bath houses or swimming pools.

The two main villages in this area are Banya and Dobrinishte. Both villages have been well-known spas since Roman times and the word Banya literally means bath in Bulgarian. So it even gets its name from the thermal baths nearby!

Swimming pool Dobrinishte

Both villages have hundreds of water springs with hot water up to 40˙C! Dobrinishte even has an outdoor swimming pool (Alfa Spa & Pool) where you can swim in warm water even in winter.
This town has no less than 17 mineral water springs, all of which offer different healing powers for the body. For instance, the water is very good for the intestines and reduces skin complaints.

This water comes directly hot from the ground and is thus 100% naturally heated.
Well-known spa hotels in the region that have natural thermal baths at their disposal include Katarino SPA Hotel, Pulse Therme Banya and Ruskovets Resort.

4. The Rhodopes Narrow Gauge Railway Line

The Rhodopes Narrow Gauge Railway Line is a railway line that runs from Dobrinishte via Bansko, Razlog, Belitsa and Velingrad to Septemvri. This is a total of 125 km through the Rhodopes and Rila mountains.

The railway has been an important link between Septemvri and Bansko since its construction from 1921. It serves many mountain villages.
Today, it has also become a popular tourist attraction, attracting many tourists every year.

It is not just another railway line. What is special about this line and the trains on it is that it goes high through the mountains, with the most beautiful views and sights. In addition, it was built entirely by hand (!) by hundreds of workers and volunteers from Dobrinishte.
The track gauge is also special. Because of the mountainous terrain through which the railway passes, a uniquely narrow track of only 760 mm width was chosen during construction. Hence the name 'narrow gauge railway'.

Due to the narrow track, the trains running on it are also not common. These are special wagons that are thoroughly serviced every five years.
These wagons are equipped with toilets, sockets, tables, padded seats with armrests, LED lighting and windows that you can open to enjoy the stunning views, fresh mountain air and the sound of the train wheels!

The carriages are pulled by old German diesel locomotives by Henschel. This makes you feel like you are going back in time as soon as you see the train standing or moving.

The total journey from start to finish takes just under five hours. This is due to the speed of the train, which is not that high because of the mountainous terrain and many tunnels along the way.

But of course, you don't have to stay seated for the whole ride. You can hop on and off whenever you want.
And will you continue as far as Septemvri or get on here? This is where trains go to major cities, such as Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna.

We have driven this route several times ourselves and it is definitely recommended! The nature and views are stunning, the staff are nice and the old trains, villages and little stations take you back in time.
It is known as one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. This makes for a unique experience for young and old alike!

Want to know more about this train? Then read this article with information on tickets, prices and more.

5. Go up by cable car!

As Bansko is a winter sports resort, there are of course ski lifts. Most of the lifts are closed in summer, but the Gondola is open. This comes out at ‘Bunderishka Polyana’. Many summer activities are organised here, including mini golf, Europe's biggest water slide, football, climbing equipment and more.
At the top of the Gondola every summer is Europe's longest inflatable water slide. It is no less than 400 metres long!
There are also fun activities and play equipment for the kids.

But of course you can also go hiking and mountain biking beautifully here. You can follow the ski slopes up or down the mountain, or one of the many hiking or mountain bike routes that depart from here.
For example, you can walk or cycle to Baikuchev's Pine, an ancient tree where you can only get the last bit on foot. It is located next to Bunderitsa Camping, some 15 km from Bansko.

Finally, this is a wonderful place to have a picnic, for example, overlooking the mountains and nature.

Tickets for a ride on the Gondola cost a minimum of BGN 50 per person for adults in summer. This is for a return trip.
For children, this is 35 BGN.

Another unforgettable experience is the Dobrinishte chairlift. 18 km from Bansko is the Gotse Delchev Hut, where the chairlift takes you from 1,400 m to 2,200 m, near the Bezbog Hut and Bezbog Lake. You can also ski here in winter, while in summer it is a true hiking paradise!

6. Discover Bulgaria's diverse culture, festivals, traditions and events

Bansko is known for its rich history and culture. For example, an accent of Bulgarian is also spoken in Bansko, which can make it difficult to communicate even if you speak a little Bulgarian.

Bulgarians do love a party. So there are plenty of holidays, more than in the UK. And there is always a lot of fun on these days. There is the Kukeri festival Starchevata in Razlog on 1 January, Bulgarian Independence Day on 22 September and St George Day on 6 May.
St George Day, for instance, is a big and important public holiday. Across the country, there are military parades, dancing and music.
In Dobrinishte, this day is always special. The whole town gathers in the central square for the folklore festival, to enjoy traditional Bulgarian dancing, music and costumes.

The video below shows how St George Day was celebrated in Dobrinishte in 2025.

Walking through Bansko, you will immediately notice the traditional Bulgarian architecture. Many houses are old and built in typical Bulgarian style. This can make for insanely beautiful photos.

Are you a fan of festivals and music? Then Bansko is the place to be. Every year in August, it hosts the Bansko Jazz Festival and Rock Evenings, among others. And don't forget the Dobrinishtko Lyato parties in Dobrinishte; every Saturday night in summer there is Bulgarian music and folklore on the square!
For digital nomads, there is one of the world's most important gatherings in Bansko: the Bansko Nomad Fest. Every year in June, this is organised with lectures, presentations and gatherings especially for the extensive digital nomad community.

Finally, the city is also home to several museums, such as the Neofit Rilski Museum and the Museum Velyan House.

In short: there is plenty to do in Bansko!

7. Taste the flavours of Bulgarian cuisine

There are an awful lot of restaurants and cafes all over the region. Many of them are typical Bulgarian restaurants, which are called ‘Mehana’. These are the perfect places to discover and taste Bulgarian cuisine and culture.
But you will also find Greek and Italian restaurants, for example.

Kavarma stew dish

An example of a typical Bulgarian dish you can get in many restaurants in Bansko is kavarma. This is a kind of stew with meat, vegetables and herbs.
Shopska salad can also be found in literally every restaurant. This is the national dish of Bulgaria, which is also reflected in the colours of the salad, which form the Bulgarian flag: white cheese (white), cucumber (green) and pepper and tomato (red).
It is a wonderfully refreshing salad that is particularly popular in summer.

Furthermore, Bulgarian cuisine is particularly known for its meat and yoghurt, which is unique in the world because of the bacterium ‘lactobacillus bulgaricus’. This bacterium occurs naturally only in Bulgaria and plays an important role in the production of the unique Bulgarian yoghurt.

Want to know more about Bulgarian dishes? Find the tastiest dishes, best restaurants and more in our article on Bulgarian cuisine!

8. Take a city trip!

Have you already seen everything in Bansko or are you ready for some shopping in a bigger city? Then you can always hop in the car (or take public transport) and drive to Blagoevgrad. This is the centre of the province and is known as a student city because of its high schools and universities.
It is 'only' a 45-minute drive on an excellently maintained road.

Blagoevgrad is a city with many shops, restaurants and squares. It also has a professional football club : OFK Pirin Blagoevgrad.

You can also take a day trip to Sofia, Velingrad or Plovdiv, for example. And you can even spend a day at the beach in Greece. The Greek coast (Thessaloniki) is only just over 2.5 hours away!

Bonus activity: a unique quad safari through the mountains

Have you always wanted to ride a quad bike through the mountains? Then this is your chance!
Hop on a quad, drive through the beautiful surroundings of Bansko and enjoy the view.

This quad safari will take you to places you wouldn't otherwise go. It will take you to the most stunning places you can only get to by quad.

Quads prices may vary depending on the group size, the duration of the tour and the type of tour. Keep in mind prices of at least BGN 150 (so about €75) per ATV for at least an hour's ride.

Before the tour starts, everyone gets a short driving lesson and important information in a safe environment, outside tour time. This, of course, to avoid accidents.

These safari tours are organised by Bansko ATV. This company has very good reviews and offers you an off-road experience like no other in the Bansko region.

Want more information about the quad safari? Then check out Bansko ATV's website and contact John or Chris.

Sights in Bansko

The Holy Trinity Church

Bansko's old town is very photogenic. With its historic houses and buildings in traditional Bulgarian style, this is a sight in itself, but there is much more to discover!
These include Holy Trinity Church, the beautiful central church also in the typical Bulgarian style.
Finally, there are many traditional restaurants and taverns in the old town, giving it a cosy atmosphere.

Another attraction is the St Nicholas waterfall. This is located between Bansko and Dobrinishte and is a lovely calming spot in the middle of nature.

Finally, the national parks are real must-visits. Pirin National Park and Rila National Park are two mountain ranges in Bulgaria known for its rich flora and fauna. Also, the Rila Mountains are known for the Seven Rila Lakes and, of course, the Rila Monastery, which are well worth a visit!

Practical information

Here is some practical information for a hassle-free holiday in Bansko:

• Best travel time: Winter (December - March) for skiing; summer (June - September) for hiking and festivals.
• Accessibility: Bansko is about 160 km from Sofia and can be reached by car, bus or train.
• Accommodations: From luxury resorts and campsites to cosy guesthouses and bungalows, there is a wide range of accommodation options.
• Food & drink: Try local specialities such as ‘Banski Starets’ (dried meat) and the traditional stew ‘Kapama’.
• Currency: Bulgarian Lev; Euro payments are possible in some places, but exchanging at the local bank is recommended. Bear in mind that you cannot pay by card everywhere.
• Culture: Bulgarians shake no when you mean ‘yes’ and nod yes when they mean ‘no’.
• Safety: Bansko is a very safe destination, but keep an eye out for pickpockets or scammers in crowded places.
• Language: Bulgarian is spoken, but English is fine in most places.

How to reach Bansko? Rent a car easily and quickly!

Bansko is relatively easy to reach by car from Sofia in a 2-hour drive. If you come from Sofia Airport (check out cheap flight tickets here), all you need to do is follow the ring road (II-18) to enter the Struma motorway (A3). This you follow south, passing places like Pernik, Dupnitsa and Blagoevgrad.
In Simitli, get off the motorway and follow the signs for Bansko and Razlog on national road II-19 and you will automatically arrive in Bansko.
This road was completely resurfaced in 2023 and 2024.

Public transport is also an option. By train, you're about 8 hours away (including transfers) for just a few euros, and by bus a little over 2.5 hours for a similar amount.
If you don't want this, you can of course book a taxi. These are also affordable in Bulgaria and will get you to Bansko from Sofia in about two hours.
An Airport Transfer is also a good and safe option.

One advantage is that the roads in and around Bansko are generally of good quality. Also the motorway is fine.
So you will definitely be able to drive comfortably, with beautiful views of the mountains!

Conclusion: is Bansko worth visiting in summer?

As you have read in this article, Bansko in summer is anything but boring. Because of course, the activities we have mentioned here are not even all of them. There is so much more to do in this beautiful region!

So it is definitely worth exploring Bansko in summer. Swimming, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, city trips, museums, thermal baths: you will find it all in Bansko!

When will you discover this wonderful area?