The apartment is on the 1st floor (lift on the premises) of the new Tamplier Complex on Pirin Street, and is just 500 yards from the gondola station, 10 minutes walk from Bansko's modern town square and 5 minutes walk from the traditional stone houses, mehanas (taverns) and cobbled streets of the old quarter.
Bansko is a beautiful mix of old and new. It is described in the ‘Lonely Planet’ guidebook as “the shiniest jewel in Bulgaria’s tourism crown…a base for top notch skiing and superb hiking in the summer”. Most of the shops and cafes are located along the pedestrian mall near the town centre, along with banks, post office and ATM's.
Bansko is superbly geared for apres ski, whether you prefer to eat and drink in its modern restaurants, trendy bars and nightclubs, or in the more traditional 'mehanas' or taverns in the old town - which provide traditional fare at competitive prices. You can also eat in Tamplier's 4-Star restaurant, again at reasonable prices.
Live music is not uncommon at many restaurants and taverns. The Happy End Restaurant by the Gondola transforms itself into a club in the evenings; Amnesia club in the town centre; the Night Club in Pirin; the Karaoke Bar in Bansko, the Buddha Bar Club and Club No Name on Tsar Simeon Str.
Summer/Off-Season Hiking: There are 13 primary and 17 secondary marked hiking trails which link 13 huts and shelters throughout the Pirin National Park, and many shuttle buses are available throughout the summer months to take hikers, sightseers and day trippers up through the fragrant, pine covered mountainside to the beginning of these uncrowded trails. Off season/ off slope, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, horse riding, thermal spas, Pirin National Park UNESCO heritage site are just some of the local attractions / distractions!
Famous for its many mineral hot springs with high therapeutic qualities, the nearby village of Banya, located only 5 km from the town, is a must visit.
Holy Trinity Church with its belfry and clock tower is famous for its collection of icons and murals painted by local Bansko artists who once made the Bansko School of Painting one of the best in Bulgaria.
Kids Ski & other activities: Bansko is a great place for families. The resort offers a ski and non-skiing kindergarten located by the bottom station of the Gondola lift. Children from 3-6 yrs. inc. are welcome at the club, where supervised activities are provided. For children 4-7 years, the package includes daily tuition (2 hours per day), skis, boots, lift pass (to the snow club only) and daily activities including outside snow fun!
The Ulen Ski and Snowboard School offers tuition, particularly for children who are cared for at the Ulen Junior Ski Club. In addition to on-piste skiing, skiers and snowboarders can use the fun park in the Platoto area which offers fans of extreme winter sports the option to ski over artificial bumps & jumps as well asto build their own.
Ski:
There are three main skiing zones in Bansko:
SHILIGARNIKA (1700m - 2500m): North of Bansko. Here are the slalom and the grand slalom ski runs. Shiligarnika is the highest ski area in Bansko. Nursery slopes are available.
CHALIN VALOG (1100m - 1600m): This is the second highest ski zone; suitable for intermediate & advanced skiers.
BANDERITSA: North of Bansko. Has an excellent 5km long cross country ski track 1530m above sea level.
SKIING Facilities include: 8 man gondola, 65kms for ski runs, 44 snow guns, 5 x 4 person chair lifts, 1 x 3 seat chair lift, 6 drags, 10 baby drags, Ski kindergarten, Numerous professional ski schools, High quality rental equipment, Slalom runs
New SNOWBOARD area has: Brand new half pipe that is 90m high and 16m wide; At any one time, 40 people can use the half pipe; 8 sliding parapets; Wide variety of competitions including Big Air competitions; Webcam display.
