Bansko

Rapidly developing, the newest ski resort of Bansko is located at 925 m above sea level between the Pirin, Rila and the Rhodopes mountains, nestled in the shadow of ice-caped Mt Vihren, the highest peak in Pirin.

It provides a superb combination of the virgin mountain nature and the atmosphere of the ancient Bulgarian small town. An enchanting historical spot, the town itself attracts visitors by its 120 cultural monuments, its museums and the permanent ethnographic exhibitions.

In addition, Bansko is an excellent mountain resort with a short hot summer and long mild winter. Skiing is practised around Bansko from December until March with abundant snow falls, providing a constant winter snow-cover up to 2 m thick. Pirin mountains have a predominantly Alpine character with 2 peaks towering above 2900 m and though all grades are catered for, Bansko is the best resort in Bulgaria for advanced skiers.

There are about 250 sunny days a year in the resort . The average January temperature is -5'C. The average August temperature is 19'C. In the summer it is a bit cooler compared to the other parts in Bulgaria, thanks to its location characteristic with higher altitude and in a basin and surrounded by mountains. It is suetable for Central, Western and North Europeans, who are used to lower summer temperature.

As a mountain resort the town offers rock and ice climbing, horseriding. There are few spas around.

For the golf lovers there are good news - a golf course is going to be built just 8 km /5 miles/ from Bansko. Its ground is considered to be the best and the most suitable for golfing on the Balkan peninsula.

And for the sea lovers - the Agean sea coast /Greece/ is just two and a half hours drive from Bansko. There is a new inland port to be opened between Bulgaria and Greece, which would shorten the distance. The people who like sunbathing and swimming in the sea will be able to get to the coast in just two hours /120 km ; 75 miles/

You can rach Bansko either by flying to Sofia and driving three hours to the south, or by flying to the Thessaliniki /Greece/ and driving three hours to the north.

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