Bansko – A small mountain town with a great vibe

Eastern Europe has rapidly gained a positive reputation among digital nomads for countless reasons, and Bulgaria is the perfect example. Bulgaria is diverse in culture and terrain, but what’s even better is the potential for comfortable, affordable living as a nomad.

Although this is one of the cheapest countries in Europe, Bulgaria has great potential for anyone who wants a balance of work and play. You can get by on a low budget while simultaneously experiencing the cultural melting pot of Greek, Slavic, Ottoman, and Persian influences that converge here. 

Bulgaria is a cheap, culturally rich destination to spend your time, and it’s even a solid place to set up residency and establish a business. That’s because the Bulgarian government requires a flat rate of just 10% for income and corporate taxes. 

Out of all the Bulgarian cities, a great option for settling down is Bansko. Let’s find out more about spending time in Bulgaria and Bansko as a digital nomad.

Quick Facts on Bulgaria

If you’re not yet on board with becoming a resident and taxpayer, most nationalities can stay for 90 out of every 180 days. And of course, Europeans can stay in Bulgaria as long as they want with no visa at all.

Since it’s not part of the Schengen system, your time spent in-country won’t count towards your Schengen visa. That means non-Europeans can go from 90 days in Bulgaria to 90 days in Schengen area countries, and then back again.

Guide to Bansko as a Nomad

The biggest draw of Bansko is the fact that this town is a ski resort. People from all over the world come here to ski. This is no surprise considering Bansko is located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains 1000 meters above sea level. 

During winter from December to April, this town is all about snow sports, primarily skiing and snowboarding. Once summer hits from June to September, Bansko visitors change gears and spend time hiking, mountain biking, and chilling by the pool.

Aside from the outdoor activities, long-term travelers love the affordability of renting an apartment. Summer prices can be as low as 200€ per month. In the winter, when tourism is higher, 250€ per month is more realistic.

Getting There

Bansko is just a 3-hour drive from Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. This is where you’ll find Bulgaria’s closest international airport, so your best bet on getting here is to fly into Sofia and travel by road from there. 

One option is to book private transportation from Sofia ahead of time or take a bus. If you choose to fly into Thessaloniki in Greece, which is also about 3 hours away, you can take a train, bus, or rent a car.

If you are flying into Sofia and making the drive to Bansko, I definitely recommend spending some time here. Even 2 to 3 days in Sofia will give you a taste of Bulgaria and its blended culture.

Getting Around

One of my personal favorite things about Bansko is its walkability. Almost everything – food, drinks, coworking, groceries, etc. – can be accessed by walking. This obviously depends on the location of your accommodations, but in general, you can plan on getting your 10,000 daily steps in.

Renting a car is another option, but this won’t be necessary unless you want to drive to sites that are outside Bansko. You can also rent a bicycle, which is especially nice in the warmer months.

Things to Do

Being located in the Balkan mountain range, there’s a lot to do in Bansko. Hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and rafting are just a few of the ways you can spend your time. 

Directly to the south, you’ll find Pirin National Park. The area here is filled with extremely diverse terrain, including limestone landscapes, glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls, deep caves, and coniferous forests. It’s even home to some of the highest mountain peaks in the Balkans.

Then to the east, you’ll find the Black Sea, which is home to even more diversity. But even if you’re not overly interested in nature, there’s tons to do in Bansko every season, like:

• Take a weekend trip to Kavala, Greece on the Mediterranean Sea
• Visit hot spring spas in the neighboring towns of Bania and Dobrinishte
• Sign up for a wine tour in Melnik
• Book a city weekend trip to Sofia or Plovdiv
• Buy fresh produce, homemade wine, and fruity jams at Bansko’s Sunday Market in the main square

Accommodations

Hotel Avalon is my top pick for staying in Bansko, and not just because it’s a nomad-friendly coliving space. The place is affordable, clean, and centrally located, plus the staff is friendly and helpful. You can read more on Avalon Coliving in my full review. 

If you prefer to stay in a private apartment, you’ve got options. Most of Bansko’s apartments are small and basic with a kitchenette and just the essentials. The walls tend to be thin, so whether you want to or not, you’ll get to know your neighbors.

Another thing to keep in mind is that wintertime will bring extra costs. Most places use electric heating to stay warm, so expect to pay extra for utilities. From my experience, the perfect winter locations are near the gondola, like Bansko Royal Towers or Belvedere.

For the best monthly price, avoid booking an apartment on Airbnb. This is way more expensive than renting directly from a property manager, which you can find info on in Facebook groups for digital nomads in Bansko.

Where to Eat

Bulgaria is home to comfort food that much of Eastern Europe is known for. The food is heavy and hearty, so let’s just say you won’t go hungry in Bansko. 

Banitsa is a traditional Bulgarian breakfast dish you’ll want to try. This pastry is made by layering beaten eggs and cheese between filo pastry. It’s then baked into crispy perfection, and it’s the perfect wintertime meal. 

After eating my way through the city, here’s a list of my favorite Bansko restaurants: 

• Bar and Diner “Damyanitza” for a daily changing lunch menu
• The Station for its yummy Greek food and hearty breakfast
• The House for a wide variety of food with good quality and service
• 5M for a fancier meal and juicy steak
• Casa di Papi for a nice atmosphere and great pizza

Bars & Nightlife

There’s a pretty good selection of pubs, clubs, and bars in Bansko. While the city isn’t known specifically as a party destination, that won’t stop you from getting a few beers or cocktails in the evening. Here’s where to go for the nightlife scene:

• Pirin 75 if you’re looking to socialize with fellow expats and nomads 
• Hub 360 if you want a party location with great prices after skiing (apres ski)
• Happy End to grab a drink directly at the bottom of the gondola (only open in the winter season)

Coworking in Bansko

Bansko didn’t become a digital nomad hotspot until quite recently. In fact, the first coworking space only opened in 2016. Even so, the city is quickly becoming a nomad/expat hub, and new coworking spaces are opening each year. 

If you want a space that’s ideal for working but also for meeting fellow nomads, check these out:

• Altspace Coworking
• Nestwork Coworking
• Coworking Bansko