What to Do in Bansko Besides Skiing: Old Town, Sofia and Mehanas

Filling the hours when you are not skiing in Bansko is easy: you can explore the old town with its stone houses and churches on foot, try Bulgarian cuisine at a mehana in the evening, and spend one day on the optional Sofia tour or the thermal spa trip. Because the town and the ski area are so close together, Bansko is also an enjoyable winter stop for family members and friends who don't ski.

Bansko old town

Stone houses and narrow streets

With its courtyard houses surrounded by high stone walls, wooden gates and narrow cobbled streets, Bansko's historic centre is one of Bulgaria's well-preserved old-town quarters. Some of these houses once belonged to the town's merchant families and were built with thick walls for both living and protection. In winter, snow-covered roofs and smoke rising from the chimneys give the town a fairy-tale feel.

Holy Trinity Church

In the centre of town, the Holy Trinity (Sveti Troitsa) Church, with its tall bell tower, is one of Bansko's landmarks. The square around the church is a good starting point for your walk through the old town.

House museums

Bansko is the birthplace of several figures who hold an important place in Bulgarian cultural history. One of them is Nikola Vaptsarov, a well-known Bulgarian poet of the 20th century. The houses of such culturally significant figures are open to visitors as museums. We recommend checking opening times before you go.

Mehanas and Bulgarian cuisine

The best-loved part of Bansko's evenings is the mehanas: traditional Bulgarian taverns finished in wood and stone, with a fire burning in the hearth and often live folk music. A long dinner at a mehana after a day of skiing is an essential part of the Bansko experience.

Some dishes you will see on the menu:

• Shopska salad: Bulgaria's signature salad of tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and onion topped with grated white cheese.
• Banitsa: A layered pastry made with egg and white cheese, especially common at breakfast.
• Kavarma: A meat and vegetable stew, usually cooked in a clay pot.
• Kapama: A dish closely associated with the Bansko area, in which different meats are slow-cooked with sauerkraut and rice. Ideal for winter evenings.
• Lyutenitsa: A relish and meze made from roasted peppers and tomatoes, eaten with bread.

Pork is common in Bulgarian cuisine. If you have dietary preferences, we recommend asking about the ingredients when you order.

Optional thermal spa trip

The Bulgaria Bansko Ski Tour programme includes an optional thermal spa trip on the third day for those who wish (extra). Bulgaria is known for its spas and thermal waters; relaxing in hot water after a day of skiing does tired muscles good. Don't forget your swimsuit, slippers and a small towel.

Sofia day trip

On the fourth day of the programme, those who wish can join the optional Sofia day trip (extra). The tour focuses on the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the city centre.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

With its gold-plated domes, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the symbol of Sofia and one of the great Orthodox cathedrals of the Balkans. In winter, the domes rising above the snow-covered square make an impressive sight.

The city centre

In central Sofia you can see traces of different eras side by side: Roman remains, buildings from the Ottoman period and wide boulevards. A short walk around the city is a good start to getting to know Bulgaria's capital.

A day plan for non-skiers

If there are non-skiers in your group, you could put together a day in Bansko like this:

1. Morning: Banitsa for breakfast, then a walk through the old town and the Holy Trinity Church.
2. Midday: A hot drink and a light lunch at one of the town's cafés.
3. Afternoon: Take the gondola up to the ski area to meet the skiers and enjoy the mountain views. Check in advance the conditions for non-skiers using the gondola.
4. Evening: Dinner together at a mehana.

Practical information

• Payment: Check the currency and card payment options before you travel; carrying some cash is practical for small businesses.
• Clothing: The old town's stone-paved streets can be slippery in winter; wear boots with non-slip soles.
• Visa: Entry requirements can change; check the current situation with Bulgaria's official sources and the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel.

For the skiing side of Bansko, transport and the programme, see our Bansko ski guide, and for all winter options, our ski holidays page.

An evening walk in Bansko

A short evening walk through the old town after a day of skiing is the easiest way to get a feel for Bansko's spirit. Light spilling from the windows of the stone houses, snowy streets and music drifting out of the mehanas give the town a warm atmosphere. Starting your walk around the Holy Trinity Church, wandering through the back streets and ending at a mehana is a lovely way to round off the day. The streets can ice over in the evening; wear your non-slip boots and take your time.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do in Bansko besides skiing?

Walking in the old town, churches and house museums, Bulgarian cuisine at the mehanas, a thermal spa trip and a Sofia day trip are among the things you can do besides skiing.

What is a mehana?

A mehana is a traditional Bulgarian tavern. Local dishes are served in venues usually finished in wood and stone with a fireplace, and there is often live folk music.

Is the Sofia tour included in the programme?

The Sofia day trip is optional and extra. Those who wish can join on the fourth day of the programme; those who don't can spend the day skiing.

What to eat in Bansko?

Shopska salad, banitsa, kavarma, lyutenitsa and kapama, a dish closely associated with the Bansko area, are among the flavours to try.