Attractions
There are many summer attractions to keep you occupied whether you interests lie towards mountain biking, hiking and various extreme sports or relaxing with a game of golf Bansko has something to entertain everyone.
There is also the world famous Bansko Jazz Festival taking place in August. Bansko has something to entertain everyone.
Bansko Culture
The small town of Bansko is full of Bulgarian culture and traditions, just take a stroll throughout the town centre, sample some classic Eastern European cuisine or relax in a local café.
Typical Bansko summer scene.
Rila Monastery
The most impressive monument from the Bulgarian National Revival period rises amidst the rugged beauty of the Rila Mountain, just 120 km from Sofia. The Rila monastery lies in the very Rila mountain, at 1,147 meters above sea level and is flanked by the small mountain rivers of Rilska and Drushlyavitsa and is only 4 hours walking distance from the Malyovitsa peak, rising at 2,729 meters above sea level. The highest peak of the Rila mountain, Mousala (2925 meters), which is also the Balkan peninsula’s highest point, is further away at about 8 hours’ walk.
Painted ceiling of the stunning Rila Monastery.
The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church and the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century. The monastery also houses a rich museum collection of valuable old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewellery, carpets and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books.
Thermal Springs
There are over 27 thermal hot springs in the area. Banya is situated 5 km from Bansko between the three big mountains: Pirin, Rila and Rodopi. It is famous for its mineral hot springs with high therapeutic qualities. The healing effects of the thermal springs in these mountains have been famous since antiquity. There are more than 70 hot mineral water springs in Banya with average temperature of 58º C.
Jazz Festival
This year the Bansko Jazz Festival turns 10 - and every time it was in fact an amazing event trilling the thousands that flock to enjoy the magic of jazz. The event takes place or a whole week from August 8th. This year's program promises to beat all previous successes - performers of 15 countries will take part. This will give you the unique mixture of musical emotions and rhythms from 3 different continents. The festival guests will have it all: classic, blues, fusion, Latin, nu-jazz, gipsy jazz, R&B, soul, afro-beat and other jazz styles who will contribute to making the 10th Festival the most spectacular musical event of the year.
The festival guests will have free of charge entrance to all performances on stage. It's the feast's tradition that the daily stage performances go on and dissolve into jam sessions and improvisations at the pubs and discos. The event charges the air with a huge positive emotion that make the fans remember every festival till the next year's one. Tourist tip: Plan and book well in advance. Bansko will be amazing from 8th to 13th this year, but it will be crowded as well. Bansko Jazz Festival official web site: banskojazz.com
Razlog Hunting
Have the chance to see the wild life from close by.Dip into nature and feel what it is to be a real hunter. Razlog Game Breeding Station will offer you an unique experience- exellent hunting conditions, opportunities for eco tourism, photo-safaris and fishing.
For more information on further activities please use the links below;