Bulgaria’s Top Winter Ski Resort

While Mount Vitosha near Sofia offers enjoyable and low-cost skiing for beginners and casual skiers, it doesn’t match the full experience available at Bansko, Bulgaria’s number one winter resort. Located 150 km southeast of Sofia, Bansko is easy to reach and offers a wide range of both on-piste (ski slope) and off-piste (freestyle and backcountry) activities.

Bansko is well developed and welcoming to tourists, with modern ski facilities, cozy hotels, traditional restaurants, and a lively après-ski scene. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skier, the resort has something for everyone—including snowboarding, snowshoeing, spa visits, and cultural tours in the old town Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t miss the “Bansko In Your Pocket” guide. It provides detailed local information, including where to stay, eat, and what to see. To access it, visit www.inyourpocket.com and click on “Bansko.”

Arriving in Sofia First Impressions

Your first few minutes in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, might feel a bit overwhelming—especially if you don’t read Cyrillic (the local alphabet) and if airport staff aren’t too eager to speak English. But don’t worry! A little patience and a good sense of humor will go a long way in helping you settle in smoothly.

Getting to Sofia by Plane

Sofia International Airport is located about 10 km east of the city center. The airport has two terminals:

Terminal 1: Older and used mainly by low-cost carriers.

Terminal 2: Modern and more frequently used by national and international airlines.

Both terminals have cafés, car rental desks, ATMs, and currency exchange booths. However, exchange rates at the airport are usually poor, so only exchange enough money for basic needs like transport.

Getting to the City Center

Avoid taxi scams by skipping the people who approach you inside the airport. Instead, go directly to the official yellow taxi rank outside the terminal. A trip to the city center should cost no more than 10 Bulgarian leva (around €5).

Another option is to take the public bus:

Bus 84 from Terminal 1

Bus 284 from Terminal 2

Both buses go to Orlov Most near the city center and run every 10 to 15 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Tickets cost 0.70 leva if bought from the kiosk by the stop, or 0.80 leva from the driver. If you have large luggage, you must buy an extra ticket per bag, or you may face a fine if checked by inspectors.

Final Tips

Sofia may seem unfamiliar at first, but it’s a welcoming city full of history, culture, and charm. Whether you’re passing through on your way to Bansko or staying for a few days, you’ll find plenty to discover in Bulgaria’s growing travel scene.