Bansko

Avalon Coliving offers cozy private rooms and a tight-knit community vibe. With everything from mountain hikes to Indian buffets cooked by its lovely owner James, we think this is the best place to stay. Having stayed there ourselves, it remains one of our favorite spots. Read our post.

Run seasonally during June and July, Nomadico Coliving is another strong option. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and the focus is on creating a strong community vibe with regular events. A good pick if you want to experience Bansko at the height of summer.

Centrally located, Coliving Valentina blends comfortable private rooms with a dedicated coworking space and communal kitchen. With a relaxed atmosphere, regular community events, and easy access to both the gondola and Old Town, it’s a flexible and convenient base.

One of the best-known spots in town, Coliving Bansko combines strong community energy with practical facilities for remote workers. Expect reliable wifi, organized events, and a social atmosphere. A dependable choice for nomads who want connection built in.

This serviced apartment-style complex offers spacious studios with kitchenettes, good wifi, and access to a shared pool and spa area. Located a bit further out of town than other options, Four Leaf Clover is popular among nomads who want more independence and a cheaper stay.

Right next to the gondola, this apartment in Bansko Royal Towers is ideal if you want convenience with modern comfort. The property includes access to a pool and fitness area, and its central location makes it easy to balance mountain days with evenings in town.

A stylish and compact one-bedroom apartment just steps from Bansko’s gondola. With a full kitchen, modern interiors, and a private balcony, it’s a comfortable choice for solo travelers or couples wanting independence without sacrificing convenience.

Perfect for small groups or longer stays, this two-bedroom apartment offers plenty of space, a full kitchen, and a cozy living area. Located near the gondola, it’s a practical, well-equipped option if you want to combine work, skiing or hiking, and social time.

The Pirin Mountains offer some of Bulgaria’s most dramatic landscapes—alpine ridges, glacial lakes, and wildflower meadows. Trails range from gentle day hikes to more technical routes, so you can choose your level of adventure. Read our post.

Bansko is Bulgaria’s top winter sports destination, with modern lifts and runs that suit beginners and experts alike. The slopes are lively in peak season, with après-ski bars, rental shops, and cozy mountain huts. Read our post.

Pulse Therme combines wellness and luxury, with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and spa treatments framed by mountain views. It’s an easy way to unwind after a day on the slopes or trails. Expect a mix of locals and travelers enjoying the hot mineral waters. Read our post.

ATV tours around Bansko take you into rugged terrain—forest trails, riversides, and alpine meadows. Guided rides are available year-round and add a dose of adrenaline to your mountain stay. It’s a fun way to reach areas you’d never see on foot. Read our post.

At 2,914 meters, Vihren is the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains and Bulgaria’s second-highest summit. The trail to the top is challenging but rewarding, with panoramic views stretching across ridges and valleys. Go early in the day to avoid afternoon storms.

Bansko and the surrounding region have their fair share of atmospheric abandoned buildings—old hotels, Soviet-era factories, and hidden structures taken over by nature. For photographers or curious explorers, these spots offer a moody glimpse into Bulgaria’s recent past. Read our post.

Bansko’s Old Town is full of cobbled streets, stone houses, and traditional taverns. Walk past historic churches, craft shops, and family-run restaurants serving Bulgarian specialties. It’s the cultural heart of the town, and perfect for slow afternoons.

Just over an hour from Bansko, Melnik is Bulgaria’s smallest town, famous for its sandstone pyramids and red wine. Wander narrow streets, visit historic wine cellars, and soak in the timeless atmosphere. The hiking trails here are amazing. Read our post.

For thrill-seekers, paragliding in Bansko offers incredible aerial views of the Pirin Mountains. Certified instructors lead tandem flights and multi-day courses, so even beginners can take part. Gliding over alpine ridges and valleys is a true once-in-a-lifetime perspective.

A short trip from Bansko, Izgreva’s thermal baths provide a rustic but charming soak in mineral-rich waters. Pools vary in temperature, and the atmosphere is relaxed and local. It’s the perfect way to recover sore muscles after long hikes or skiing sessions.

Glacial lakes scattered throughout the Pirin Mountains offer tranquil settings for meditation or quiet reflection. The stillness and crisp mountain air make for grounding moments.

Just outside Bansko, St. Nicholas Waterfall is a peaceful spot tucked into the forest. The hike to reach it (or the shorter ATV tour) winds through pine trees and opens up to a cascade tumbling over rocks into a shaded pool. Read our post.

The Sunday market is where locals come for fresh produce, homemade jams and dips, herbs, and more. It’s lively, authentic, and a great place to sample traditional foods.

Cold plunging has become a staple for wellness enthusiasts in Bansko, especially paired with a run. This spot gets popular in the summer when the weather can get quite hot.

Avalon Coliving is known for its legendary curry nights, drawing nomads together over homemade Indian food cooked by James, Avalon's owner. Vegan options are available, and the curries are fantastic. Look out for an invite in Bansko's Whatsapp group.

Half-legend and half-reality, Bansko’s “Secret Hotel” is an abandoned spot whispered about in nomad circles. Tucked away near the mountains, it’s a moody space for urban explorers and photographers. If you find it, you’ll understand its cult reputation.

A favorite ours, Lubanitza serves vegan banitsa (a traditional Bulgarian pastry) with chickpea, zucchini, sundried tomato, and vegan pesto. They'll also usually have a few raw vegan cakes, and a bunch of plant-based milk options.

Just a short work from Nestwork, Chalet Yanitza usually has a few vegan options on offer. We recommend their chickpea curry with rice, and their vegan spinach patties. If you're lucky, there's sometimes a vegan moussaka on the menu too.

This small bakery is a local gem, famous for its fresh sourdough loaves. While not a full vegan café, most of the breads are vegan, and you can order some slices with jam or hummus. We recommend their vegan cacao loaf.

A restaurant with a homely feel, Zehtindjieva Kashta serves classic Bulgarian bean and porcini soup, grilled vegetables, and vegetable sach. We especially love their homemade lutenitsa (a Bulgarian red pepper dip).

An Italian restaurant with a stunning interior, Casa di Papi is a good pick when you’re craving comfort food in a gorgeous setting. They can make vegan pizza on request, loaded with fresh vegetables and olives, alongside simple pasta dishes with tomato or olive oil bases.

Known for its grilled meats, The Log House also offers excellent sautéed porcini mushrooms (you can ask for olive oil instead of butter), and a vegan burger. It’s a good mixed-group option if you’re looking for something simple and plant-based in a cabin setting.

An atmospheric mehana, Dedo Tase offers a great vegetable sach packed with pepper, potato, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, and topped with fresh herbs.

A lively, traditional spot often filled with music and dancing, Baryakova Tavern offers a vegetable sach and grilled wild mushrooms (ask for olive oil instead of butter if you're vegan).

Skabrin emphasizes presentation and local ingredients. We enjoyed their açaí bowl, which is the only smoothie bowl we found in town.

Another traditional spot that often has live Bulgarian music and dancing, Mehana Bardareva does a nice vegetable sach.

A community highlight, Avalon’s curry night serves up a range of curries, half of which are usually vegan. They're cooked by the owner James, who lived in India in a past life and has a strong appreciation for its cuisine. These nights are usually announced in Bansko's WhatsApp group.

In summer, Bansko feels like a Garden of Eden. Fruit trees line the paths, heavy with plums, apricots, cherries, and more. Bring a basket on your walk and you’ll likely return with a fresh, foraged haul.

These vegan-friendly hiking shoes are ideal for Bansko’s trails—lightweight, breathable, and designed for all-day comfort. The grippy outsole gives solid traction on both rocky paths and forest tracks, while the supportive cushioning helps on longer hikes.

Sturdy yet vegan-friendly, these men’s hiking shoes balance traction and comfort for Bansko’s mixed terrain. They’re built with synthetic materials only, offering durability without compromising on ethics. Expect strong grip on inclines and cushioning that absorbs impact.

Lightweight and adjustable, these collapsible hiking poles are perfect for tackling Bansko’s uphill climbs. They pack down small to fit in your bag, and the ergonomic cork handles keep your hands comfortable during long hikes. A solid add-on for stability, balance, and reducing strain.

Bansko looks even more spectacular from above: peaks, forests, and winding rivers. The DJI Mini 4 Pro is powerful enough for cinematic aerial shots but weighs under 250g, making it easy to carry and often exempt from extra registration. Great for capturing the Pirin Mountains in all their detail.

There are so many amazing hikes in and around Bankso. If you intend to hike regularly, AllTrails is a very useful app. The free version is sufficient for well-marked trails. If you're a more serious hiker, the paid version gets you offline maps, weather overlays, terrain previews, and more.

We use SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance to protect ourselves in case we face an unexpected medical emergency. In addition to covering medical treatment and hospitalization, their policy also covers lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuations.

It can be a hassle to buy a new eSIM every time you enter a different country. That's why we use Saily's Global eSIM, which provides coverage in all the countries we regularly travel to. It's great to land in a new destination and already have data.

Using a VPN is essential to protecting your digital life when moving through unfamiliar networks. We use NordVPN to encrypt our connection on public wifi—whether in airports, cafés, or coworking spaces.