happy traveller bansko

21 Magical Things to Do in Bansko, Bulgaria’s Mountain Getaway

If you’re looking for a wonderful mountain getaway at any time of year, Bansko ticks the boxes.

Magical in winter under a dusting of snow, charming in autumn when the leaves start to do their yearly metamorphosis, vibrant in summer when festivals pop up throughout town, and fresh in spring when the flowers start popping up from their winter hibernation.

While Bansko may be best known as Bulgaria’s premier ski resort – and indeed, the largest  ski resort in the Balkans  – there are still plenty of things to do in Bansko at any time of year.

Between Stephanie and I, we’ve visited Bansko at three distinct times of the year: summer, fall, and winter. Each season offered different Bansko activities to take advantage of: hiking in Pirin national park in the summer, eating hearty Bulgarian meals on crisp fall evenings, and playing in the snow in the winter (since neither Stephanie or I are coordinated enough to learn how to ski).

With each visit, we feel Bansko grow on us a bit more, and we see why the small mountain town of Bansko is quickly becoming a hub for nature-loving digital nomads as well as skiers and snowboarders from around Europe looking for a budget-friendly winter holiday. From some of the tastiest food in Bulgaria to plentiful day trips to all the outdoor activities you can dream up for the season, here are the best things to do in Bansko, Bulgaria!

The Best Things to Do in Bansko (Year-Round)

Meet bansko’s adorable feline residents.

I don’t know, but cats in Bulgaria are generally not as friendly as their Greek or Turkish neighbors. This, however, is not the case in Bansko, where I was adopted by several adorable cats within an hour of arriving.

These friendly kitties proceeded to climb onto my lap unprompted, nuzzling me, and just generally being adorable. It was hard for me to leave without wanting to take them all home! If you’re a cat lover, you’ll love Bansko!

Visit the Bansko International Art Gallery

One of the largest art galleries in Bulgaria, the International Art Gallery in the town center of Bansko ( address : ul. “Nikola Y. Vaptsarov” 2) is well-worth a visit! There are dozens, if not hundreds, of talented artists from around the world on display at this gallery.

The gallery opened in 2016, and it’s home to artists from around the world, primarily from around Eastern Europe: from Bulgaria to Russia and beyond.

The artists there are really phenomenal, and I had to stop myself from buying several large pieces that were gorgeous but out of my budget! It’s free to visit and 1000% worth the time.

Wander the streets of Bansko’s Old Town

You may be surprised that Bansko, a small town of some 10,000 inhabitants, has an Old Town whereas Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, doesn’t!

While the Old Town of Bansko isn’t nearly as old as many other Old Towns in Europe, it’s still extremely beautiful and well-worth getting lost in its winding alleyways. It provides a quiet, nostalgic counterpoint to the modern developments happening around the gondola in Bansko’s northern end.

It’s a great place to wander with a camera – especially around golden hour – and snap some photos.

Visit the childhood home of Neofit Rilski

One of Bulgaria’s most beloved historical figures is Neofit Rilski, who was a major figure of the Bulgarian National Revival movement. He was born in the mountain town of Bansko and his childhood home has been converted into a museum dedicated to his legacy.

An educated monk, celebrated teacher, and talented artist, Neofit Rilski revolutionized education in Bulgaria and is best known for his work in standardizing Bulgarian grammar and translating the New Testament into Bulgarian for the first time.

See the colorful Velyanova House

Beautifully painted with intricate murals on both its exterior and interior, the Velyanova House is, in my opinion, the most photogenic place in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has dozens upon dozens of house museums in its historic towns – I’ve visited ones in Koprivshtitsa, Plovdiv, and Melnik, and probably others I’m forgetting! Among all the house museums, the Velyanova House stands out strongly.

See the gorgeous Trinity Church (and its storks!)

The lovely Trinity Church located right on Bansko’s main walking street, Pirin Street, is an absolute can’t-miss in Bansko.

Plans for the church started in 1810, when locals decided they wanted a church in Bansko proper, rather than in an adjacent town. They began to raise money, and with the donations of nearly 300 locals, enough was raised to begin building a church.

There was only one problem: Bansko was currently under Ottoman occupation, and according to Ottoman laws, a church could only be built in a place where there was already a church (so basically: no new churches).

To get around this, the man behind the church’s idea – Dyado Lazko – snuck into the site of the future Trinity Church, added a small icon and some church relics, and then he asked a woman to ‘prophesy’ a dream about these relics in order to give a pretense for the construction to begin.

After this — and several other circuitous steps along the way, including obtaining official permissions — the church was still not given full permission to be built… so Dyado Lazko just began building it anyway, quickly so as to hide the original ‘origins’ of the church… those ‘origins’ being nothing more than a mere ruse.

Eventually, money ran out, and construction stopped. Dyado Lazko was imprisoned and later killed, mostly for his role in advocating for the church’s construction, and the Ottomans wanted to tear down the church in their rage against him and his many tricks.

But, the people of Bansko had one final trick up their sleeve. His friend, Lazar German, carved two Turkish half-moons next to the cross on the church door (seen above). Upon seeing this, this saved Trinity Church from destruction, and sealed the fate of Trinity Church’s preservation for future generations.

Nowadays, the church is really interesting to visit for its beautiful walled grounds with gardens, its spectacular inside with its murals and iconostasis, but also for its adorable resident storks who have taken residence in the tower and become the unofficial mascots of Bansko.

Visit the House Museum of Nikola Vaptsarov

This museum, set in a historic house where Nikola grew up, shows the story of the life of the poet and revolutionary Nikola Vaptsarov through three distinct stages in his life.

The museum opened in 1952 and has been renovated three times to continue modernizing the museum for guests. It shows documents from his life and family tree, typical Bansko-style furnishings, stories of the revolutionary years against the Ottoman regime, and another annex building contains traditional costumes and artifacts from Bansko’s older period.

Marvel at the imposing Monument of Paisii Hilendarski

In the center of Bansko, you’ll find a massive monument to Paisii Hilendarski. He was a key figure in the Bulgarian National Revival movement which sought to maintain a uniquely Bulgarian identity in the face of Ottoman dominance.

Both a clergyman and author, his main contribution to Bulgarian society was writing his masterpiece Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya  in 1762, which tried to capture the complete history of Bulgaria in order to wake up the sense of Bulgarian nationalism, which had been dulled under centuries of occupation.

Cowork with digital nomads at Coworking Bansko

Bansko has a thriving digital nomad scene, the heart of which is Coworking Bansko. The passion project of friends Mathias and Uwe, Coworking Bansko focuses on community, offering social events every single day of the week (sometimes multiple a day!) in order to really create a group of friends – not just networking.

My second trip to Bansko, I visited for the Bansko Unconference, which focuses on collaborative growth through communication, spontaneity, and community. I highly recommend it to other bloggers and travel entrepreneurs who want to grow their business collaboratively.

Enjoy the Bansko restaurant scene!

For some reason, I find that Bulgarian food in Sofia is just ‘meh’ – but when I go to Bansko, I fall in love with Bulgarian food all over again. They use such fresh and tasty meat, dairy, and produce, that it’s hard not to fall in love!

Bulgarian food is a synthesis of Slavic, Greek, and Turkish food traditions, and Bansko, being relatively close to the Greek border, seems to have absorbed Greek influence most of all. You’ll find phenomenal salads, fresh yogurts and cheeses, local grilled meats and stews, and the tastiest potato dishes you can imagine — all at affordable prices. Your average meal for two in Bansko should cost about 50 leva with wine, about 25 euros for two people.

My favorite restaurants in Bansko are: Banski Han, Banksi Aiduti, Zehtindjieva Kashta, and Baryakova Mehana.

The Best Things to Do in Bansko in Summer

Visit during jazz fest.

If you’re a fan of jazz music, you won’t want to miss Bansko during Jazz Fest. My first trip to Bansko was for Jazz Fest, since my husband is a fan of jazz music. The music festival takes place over the course of about five days, and includes about 3 hours of music acts every evening in the main square of Bansko.

There are paid-for seats near the stage or you can make like the rest of the crowds and buy a beer or cider from one of the local nonstops, find a comfy patch of grass or slab of concrete, and enjoy the tunes for the price of free-fifty.

Take a scenic gondola ride up to Bunderishka Polyana

While the gondola queues can get crazy in the peak ski season – such as around Christmas/New Year, school holidays, and long weekends – at other times of the year, taking the gondola from Bansko up to Bunderishka Polyana is a breeze.

Take in stunning views of the forest as you soar over Pirin National Park in about 30 minutes, up to the meadow where there is a restaurant, the starting point of several hiking trails, and even a shooting range, because #Balkans.

Hike in Pirin National Park, Bulgaria’s gorgeous nature escape

Pirin National Park is full of incredible hiking trails, and it would take several months to hike them all. Depending on your fitness level, there are a huge variety of hikes you can do.

My husband and I are pretty lazy hikers, so we just hiked from Bunderishka Polyana to the Banderitsa hut, where we had some delicious Bulgarian food and Somersby ciders, before moving onwards to the oldest tree in Pirin National Park (more on that below!) before heading back down to Bansko. It was about a 2.5-hour roundtrip hike at a pretty low exertion level, so it’s what I would recommend for beginner hikers.

For intermediate hikers, you could hike from Bunderishka to the Vihren hut and then go to one of the lakes nearby Vihren, like Bezbog and Popovo.

Alternately, you could take the shuttle bus organized by the tourist center up to Vihren hut and then hike to several of the lakes by Vihren to cut out a less scenic and more challenging part of the hike, but you wouldn’t be able to take the gondola in this instance.

For advanced hikers, I suggest starting at Vihren hut via the shuttle bus and then hiking to Vihren peak, which is the highest peak in Pirin National Park, the second-highest in Bulgaria, and the third-highest in the entire Balkan peninsula. It’s definitely a difficult hike and not for the faint of heart, so be sure you’re aware of your skills and be prepared before departing!

See the oldest tree in Bulgaria

One of the coolest places in Pirin National Park is Baikushev’s pine: a 1,300-year-old white fir that is the oldest known tree in Bulgaria.

It is truly massive: 8 meters in circumference and 26 meters high. It’s not super widely known except by locals, and you’ll see lots of Bulgarian tourists making the pilgrimage to visit this impressive, historic tree.

Things to Do in Bansko in Winter

Get a thrill on bansko’s ski slopes.

I’m not a skier, but the skiers I know love Bansko! There are several ski areas in Bulgaria – Borovets and Pamporovo are the two other most popular – but Bansko is by far the biggest and most popular among international tourists.

With 13 ski lifts and 75 kilometers of ski slopes, Bansko has someone for everyone! But do be aware that sometimes during holiday weekends and peak travel times, the lines for the gondolas can get extremely long, so do bear that in mind!

Enjoy its apres-ski scene (even if it’s not ski season!)

From my outsider perspective as a skier, the best part of skiing is the part where it’s all finished and all you do is, well, drink off the cold!

The area around the Bansko ski lift is full of fun bars with apres-ski scenes that will delight you. One of my favorite bars is Smoky Mountain Bar, which I went to on my most recent trip to Bansko. Another great one is Pirin 75.

Relax in thermal springs

To warm up cold muscles and achy bones, check out the thermal springs in Bankya, just 15 kilometers away from Bansko.

No car? This tour will take you there and back with a roundtrip transfer and entry fee for a reasonable price!  Check availability and inclusions here.

Snowmobile around the slopes

Want an adrenaline-pumping activity but you don’t know how to ski?  Check out Bansko skimobile tours!

Easy Day Trips From Bansko

Go on a day trip to the dancing bear sanctuary.

Unfortunately, for decades, bears were captured and mistreated throughout the Balkans: caged outside of restaurants, trained to “dance” and brought onto trams and down the street, and all sorts of other unnatural behaviors that involved captivity, abuse, and torment.

Luckily, countries around the Balkans are waking up to what a horrible injustice this is, and it’s become illegal in most countries to entrap bears and use them for human entertainment. But what happens to those bears, whose lives have been destroyed by human intervention?

They can’t exactly fend for themselves out in nature — and they’d be a danger to other humans if let go, as they now relate humans and food as hand-in-hand. So in the place of these horrible bear attractions now exist wonderful bear sanctuaries, where these poor bears can enjoy a more natural life while still being protected in a sanctuary designed to protect them and give them a nearly-normal life.

While of course, the better answer is that these bears never had to experience abuse at the hands of humans in the first place, this is as good of a place as they can live in now, after the damage has been done.

Belitsa ‘Dancing Bear’ Park is one such sanctuary, located about a 45-minute drive from Bansko, which makes a phenomenal place to visit. Do keep in mind that bears hibernate during winter and therefore it is only possible to see the bears during the months in which they are not hibernating.

Visit the impressive natural pyramids in Stob

For a landscape that looks like a slice of the American Southwest uprooted in the middle of Bulgaria, head to the small town of Stob and embark on an easy hike to visit the so-called Stob Pyramids.

Stephanie and I visited on a hot summer day after visiting the Rila Monastery, and while the heat made the hike more challenging that it should have been, it was still a delightful 1-hour return hike (with time for photo stops!).

It’s an ideal stop if you’ve rented a car and are already visiting Rila Monastery, the next item on this list!

See the enchanting Rila Monastery

We love Rila Monastery – it’s exquisite, and in our opinion, it’s the crown jewel of Bulgaria’s tourism potential.

From its ornately painted striped arches to its colorful mural ceiligns to its comic-panel-like storytelling on the walls of the church, there are so many beautiful things to see at Rila Monastery before you even enter the church!

Inside the church is, of course, also lovely, with a beautiful iconstasis, wonderful murals, stunning chandeliers, and an overwhelming sense of peace and importance.

Want to visit Rila Monastery from Bansko?  Check tours here.

Where to Stay in Bansko

We have a full post on the  best ski resorts in Bansko  which may be helpful, but here are our top 3 suggestions if you just want a quick tip.

Budget:  This small, friendly  Boutique Hotel Uniqato  has only 16 studios and suites, all with large and modern stylish rooms. There are three types of rooms available: double, maisonette, and suite.

All rooms have a balcony and you can choose either a view of the mountain or the city of Bansko! Breakfast is large and the choices vary daily, so it’s hard to get bored. It’s extremely well-priced and well-located, so book early!

>>  Check rates, photos, reviews, and availability here.

Mid-Range:  The charming  Astera Bansko  apartment and hotel complex has 105 rooms, with large windows and stunning mountain views. The rooms have a cozy cabin feel with all the wonderful amenities of a 4-star hotel. There is a ski school, and if you didn’t bring your own skis or snowboard, ski equipment can be rented.

The spa and wellness facilities are world-class at Astera Bansko. The ski resort offers well-priced packages that are sure to free you from tension and stress. They have an indoor pool, fitness center, beauty salon, hot tubs, hammam, steam room, and sauna, all for you to enjoy when you’re not hitting the slopes (or you’re recovering from them!).

Luxury : There’s only one 5-star option in town — luckily it’s pretty amazing! The spacious, gorgeously decorated rooms and luxe amenities at Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena are sure to impress even the pickiest of us.

Skiers don’t have to worry because they provide passes at the hotel for the gondola lift. The ski lift is only a short walk from Kempinksi so it’s a true ski-in, ski-out resort in Bansko! There’s also a ski room where ski storages are available.

The Kempinski Spa offers several unique relaxation experiences, from an Alphasphere to a snow room to saunas and pools to soothe tired muscles and reduce stress. They also have your standard massages and other wellness packages!

>>  Check out guest reviews, prices, and availability here

What to Pack for Winter in Bulgaria

We have a full  Bulgaria packing list , but in case you just want the quick version, here are a few essentials you shouldn’t forget to pack!

A good guidebook:  While travel blogs are great, we still think a good guidebook is always handy. We own and strongly recommend the  Lonely Planet Bulgaria & Romania  for travel in Pamporovo and beyond!

One or two swimsuits:  While swimsuits may not come to mind for ski season, if you’re staying in a ski resort with a sauna, indoor pool, or steam room, you’ll likely want one! We suggest bringing two so you never have to put a cold wet one back on.  We love this one .

Plenty of winter clothing:  You can check our packing list above for our full winter packing suggestions for men and women. At a minimum, you’ll want to bring a warm winter jacket (I love this  North Face parka ), cozy  snow boots , warm  wool socks , touch-screen friendly  gloves , a  scarf , and a  winter hat .

Any ski equipment and clothing:  We’re not skiers ourselves, so we don’t have specific ski gear equipment, but special ski clothes — waterproof pants and jackets, goggles, etc. — and ski gear obviously should be on your packing list, unless you have decided to rent it all when you arrive at your Bulgaria ski resort.

Moisturizer:  Travel will beat your skin up in the best of times — and winter travel in addition to skiing will really do a number on it! If you use a moisturizer at home, bring it. If you’ve never used  a moisturizer  before, you really should start. You’ll be happy to give your face a boost before heading outside in the cold all day.

Sunscreen : We strongly suggest wearing sunscreen when you spend time outdoors, no matter the weather outside. The higher altitudes combined with the reflection of the sun off the snow can lead to unexpected sunburns. I love this  solid Neutrogena sunscreen  – it’s mess-free, works well in carry-ons, is ultra-protective, and blends in well.

Bulgaria Travel Resources

We want you to have the best trip to Bulgaria possible! If this will be your first time in Bulgaria, check out our  Bulgaria trip planning guide  as well as our  packing list for Bulgaria  (which includes a winter section if you’re coming to ski). We also have a full guide to things to do in  Bulgaria in winter !

To help you, we’ve created a number of resources that will be helpful. If you’re visiting Sofia, this  101 things to do in Sofia  should be a nice start! Also read our  Sofia travel tips post  and  where to stay in Sofia .

For transportation, check out our guide to  avoiding taxi scams in the city.  If you’ll be flying into Sofia, you can read our tips for flying in and out of  Sofia Airport. We have a guide to getting from Sofia to Bansko here .

We also have  Sofia restaurant  and  bar recommendations.  We also have articles for popular day trips from Sofia like  Plovdiv , the  Rila Lakes , and  Buzludzha .

If you’re thinking of Borovets instead of Bansko, check out  how to get to Borovets from Sofia , our favorite  Borovets ski resorts , as well as our favorite  Borovets restaurants .

For more resources for your trip, check out our pages on traveling in  Bulgaria  and the  Balkans . 

Planning a Trip to Bansko? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

We strongly suggest that you travel to Bulgaria with a valid  travel insurance  policy. While the country is safe, accidents can happen anywhere. If you experience an accident or theft, travel insurance will help you recover your costs and enjoy the rest of your trip.

This is especially important in winter, since winter activities carry a certain amount of risk with them. We recommend the Explorer upgraded insurance plan if you plan to do any skiing or snowboarding so that you can be fully covered.

For travel insurance, I use  World Nomads .  I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.

Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here.

Pin this Guide to Things to Do in Bansko for Later!

Originally from California, Allison has been living in Bulgaria for the last two years and is obsessed with traveling around the Balkans. She has been published in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, Matador Network, and the Huffington Post. She loves befriending dogs, drinking coffee, geeking out about wine, and cooking food from around the world.

Related posts

Submit a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

New on Sofia Adventures:

• How to Spend a Magical One Day in Istanbul: Mini Itinerary
• 30 Insanely Delicious Greek Street Foods You Need to Try
• 13 Things That EXIT Music Festival Visitors Should Know

• 026.612.164 • 026.410.33.17 • 069.612.164
• [email protected]

Grand Hotel Bansko

Grand Hotel Bansko 4* je jedan od najboljih, najpoznatijih i najtraženijih hotela u Banskom. Odlikuju ga odličan smeštaj, vrhunski spa centar i raznovrsna hrana u restoranu! Lociran je na samom ulasku u Bansko i udaljen je oko 1,5 km od gondole i svega 7 minuta hoda od centra Banskog.

Smeštaj:  Grand Hotel Bansko ima u ponudi 64 dvokrevetnih standardnih soba, 43 dvokrevetnih delux soba, 24 studija, 46 apartmana. Svaki studio i apartman raspolaže  mini barom, TV, telefonom i internetom, A/C, sefom i  terasom. Kuhinja nije sastavni deo apartmana, mada pojedine smeštajne jedinice imaju i kuhinju u svom sastavu. Smeštajne jedinice sa balkonom se doplaćuju 20 EUR po jedinici za ceo boravak.

• Standardna dvokrevetna soba (1/2):  površine oko 25 m2, francuski ležaj ili dva singl kreveta, kupatilo, balkon. Namenjena smeštaju maksimalno dve osobe.
• Delux dvokrevetna soba (1/2+1):  površine oko 35 m2, francuski ležaj ili dva singl kreveta, kupatilo, balkon. Namenjena smeštaju maksimalno dve odrasle osobe + 1 dete do 5.99 god.
• Executive dvokrevetna soba ( 1/2):  površine oko 45 m2, king-size francuski ležaj , kupatilo, balkon. Namenjena smeštaju maksimalno dve odrasle osobe. Sve VIP sobe se nalaze u odvojenom A sektoru hotela. Namenjena smeštaju dve osobe.
• Jednosobni apartman za 4 osobe (2+2):  površine oko 60 m2, spavaća soba sa francuskim krevetom i dnevni boravak sa dvosedom na razvlačenje. Namenjen smeštaju maksimalno dve odrasle osobe + dvoje dece do 11.99 god.  ili tri odrasle osobe + 1 dete do 5.99 god.
• Dvosobni apartman za 6 osoba (4+2):  površine oko 90 m2, jedna spavaća soba sa francuskim krevetom, druga spavaća soba sa francuskim ili dva odvojena kreveta i dnevni boravak sa dvosedom na razvlačenje. Namenjen smeštaju maksimalno četiri odrasle osobe + jedno dete do 5.99 god.
• Predsednički apartman za 2 osobe:  površine oko 200 m2,  deluxe opremljen apartman u kome su kombinovani  prirodni materijali (drvo, staklo, koža) i moderni elementi. Sastoji se iz spavaće sobe sa king size francuskim krevetom, velikog dnevnog boravka sa kaminom, kuhinje, kupatilo, hidro-masažni đakuzi. Gosti mogu uživati u konzumiranju vina iz privatne kolekcije renomiranih proizvođača.

Sadržaj hotela:  recepcija, lobi, lobi bar, restoran-mehana, relax bar, kazino, dečija igraonica, kozmetički salon, frizerski salon, vitaminski bar, Spa centar,  masaža, fitnes, solarijum, parno kupatilo, više vrsta sauna, đakuzi, zatvoreni bazen, konferencijska sala, krevetac (na upit), sef (uz doplatu), parking (parking iza hotela je besplatan, a parking ispred ulaza u hotel je uz doplatu)).

Besplatne usluge:  korišćenje zatvorenog bazena, dečijeg bazena, finske saune, slane saune, aroma saune, đakuzija, parnog kupatila, hamam, relax sobe, fitnes, skijašnice, prevoza do parkinga ispod same gondole, parking iza hotela.

Pirin Street is a great attraction for tourists who come to eat at this bar after long walks. That's a nice idea to order perfectly cooked pizza , chicken and rolls . At Happy End , guests can have good draft beer . In accordance with the reviewers' opinions, coffee is great.

The convenient location of this place makes it easy to reach by any transport. The cute staff demonstrates a high level of quality at this spot. The cool service is something these restaurateurs care about. Prices at this bar claim to be reasonable. You will definitely appreciate the charming atmosphere and terrific decor. Google users are quite generous with Happy End : it was granted 4.3 stars.

Restaurant menu

Frequently mentioned in reviews, ratings of happy end, visitors' opinions on happy end.

Similar restaurants nearby

Tasty dishes in bansko.

Restaurant features in Bansko

Chalin Valog

Banderishka Polyana

Shiligarnik

Explore near Happy End: Where to Stay, Eat, and Visit

Happy end reviews: insider insights and visitor experiences.

Wouldn't go there again

Went up to bar to see what drinks they had, was told it was table service, so went and sat at a table and then got completely ignored.

Thumping bar

Great place to finish the day off. Before 4.30 there is Happy hour. We had x2 beers and x2 G n T for £11 which was not bad. We drank inside and they had decent music. Outside there was a party going o...

Total rip off merchants, not to be trusted, you'll get ripped off in here!

Total rip off! Avoid this place, they charge you extortionate prices. My bill was 17bgn for 1 small Leffe bottle of beer!

Happy end for real

Cracking apres ski bar with amazing atmosphere and great music. All up on the stools shaking what our mother's gave us while having a booze with friends new and old. Give it a go.

Fun place, but could easily be better. 3.5/5

Upon arriving at our accommodation only a few hundred meters away from Happy End, we heard a cracking party going on and felt the buzz instantly from a distance. Leaving all our luggage in the car, we...

Additional Information

Available amenities, you might also like.

Saint Alexander Nevsky Patriarch's Cathedral

Nearby attractions, popular types of attractions in bansko, popular restaurants in bansko, popular destinations, recommended attractions at popular destinations, popular ranked lists, popular trip moments, popular travel types, more things to do in bansko.

• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List Your Property
• Become a Supplier

Euros 2024 – Articles

This world-famous wine region has been named one of the best destinations for sober travellers

Share this with

As the sober curious movement grows, more and more people are firmly closing up the bottle and either stopping drinking entirely or drastically cutting down their alcohol consumption.

Now, one country ironically world-renowned for its wine has been named one of the best locations for sober travellers.

Though it might conjure up images of sprawling vineyards, Italy is also a top ‘dry’ destination. Here, when it comes to aperitivos, it’s more than acceptable to switch a classic Aperol Spritz for a Crodino Spritz instead, which is akin to Campari, just without the buzz.

The younger generation of globetrotters is particularly interested in sobriety, breaking with tradition and carving out a healthier approach to drinking.

In fact, according to research from alcohol education charity Drinkaware in 2021, young adults were the most likely cohort not to drink (28%), while the figure for older adults was just 15%.

For sober tourists of all ages, though, Italy was named the second-best country in the world to visit, in a new study by Lantana Recovery which assessed the availability of booze-free activities.

With 144.72 cases per 100,000 residents, the study noted that Italy has an ‘exceptionally low prevalence of alcohol dependence,’ and that it provides a ‘balanced environment’ for sober travellers.

It’s true: there’s so much to explore in Italy that doesn’t involve drinking, from frequenting the popular picturesque sites of the Amalfi Coast to the culture-rich cities of Florence and Milan. You don’t need a glass of wine in hand to explore a museum, do you?

Likewise, there’s also a restrained culture surrounding both food and wine in Italy. Seen as an important part of cultural heritage, there are products across the regions of Italy that have a so-called ‘protected status’ (including wine – just look for the DOCG label).

In line with that mentality, Italians view their food and drink as a part of life that should be both respected and, crucially, enjoyed in moderation, so it’s no surprise there’s plenty to enjoy here that doesn’t come from a bottle.

Perhaps less surprisingly, Iceland came in first place.

Though many Icelandic people do drink, the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) suggests that people drink less frequently here than they do in other Nordic countries, with just over 20% of the population drinking at least once a week.

There’s similar representation from other Nordic countries on the list, too, as Norway and Denmark are in third and fourth place respectively.

Norway, specifically, has strict drinking laws in place, with the state-owned monopoly, Vinmonopolet, playing an important role in regulating the availability of alcohol.

And like in Iceland, you won’t be able to find alcohol in the supermarket aside from drinks with minimal alcohol content such as low-ABV beer and cider. If you’re in search of something sturdier, you’ll need to visit a dedicated alcohol outlet – similar to an American liquor store.

These stores sell alcohol, including hard spirits, for select hours of the day: on Saturday in Norway, the cut-off for a carry-out is 3pm. And on Sunday? Forget it – everything is closed.

In Denmark, the rules are more relaxed as you can buy alcohol in convenience stores and supermarkets across the country, but a similar ethic remains when it comes to drinking – which is that moderation is key.

Your Daily Horoscope

Daily horoscope today: June 14, 2024 astrological predictions for your star sign

Happy sober travels!

The top 10 countries for sober travellers, according to Lantana Recovery

• Switzerland
• New Zealand
• Netherlands

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing [email protected] .

MORE : McDonald’s just dropped a new vegan dessert that’s like ‘summer in a scoop’

MORE : Where to watch the 2024 Euros live in London – from sports bars to big screens

MORE : Dentist warns eating this fruit is better than chewing gum for fresh breath

Get need-to-know travel news, inspiration and advice from Metro every week.

Sign up here....

Privacy Policy

To the Asian or Asian mix girl in dark clothing and Puffer-style vest,…

To the girl with dark hair and a fringe in boots carrying flowers at…

Enter your birthday for your free daily horoscope sent straight to your inbox!

Get us in your feed