Bansko

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Bansko is one of the economical and administrative centres of south-west Bulgaria, and is located approximately 160km (100 miles) from Sofia and the second biggest city Plovdiv, and 100 km from the Mediterranean Sea, being only 50 km. away from the national border with Greece.

Once the new motorway is completed (2004-2006), access to all of the above areas will be about a 2 hour drive.

The Town lies 925m. above sea level on the banks of the Glanze river and nestles between Bulgaria’s three most beautiful mountain ranges Pirin, Rila and Rhodopi.
Bansko, in a recent survey by NASA, was identified as having the cleanest atmosphere/environment in the whole of Europe. Its altitude and environment makes Bansko an ideal place for living and the perfect all-season leisure resort.

Bansko has been voted Europe's most improved ski resort in the first Great Skiing and Snowboarding Guide 2006 awards. The Daily Telegraph reported that the popular Bulgarian resort was listed in the new guide. The guide covers the world's best ski areas. giving up-to-date and detailed information on lifts, passes and facilities as well as critical profiles of resorts, hotels and restaurants.

Identified as a National Resort ,the town and surrounding areas have good infrastructure and connecting routes with other parts of the country.

Two national roads connect with international highways (currently undergoing a reconstruction and upgrading program) to link the town to all necessary servicing transport links, such as air, rail and coach facilities.

The local population of Bansko is about 90,000 people. However, holiday peaks, due to the flow of Bulgarian and foreign tourists mean this number periodically doubles. The Town offers all the necessary public services such as banks, schools, health services, etc.

Many sporting events are held in Bansko during the winter season: Pirin Cup, National Championship of Snowboard, Balkan Open Cup and the National Championship in Ski Alpine discipline. In addition, mountain hiking, horse riding and biking or extreme sports are practiced here during the summer.

Many music festivals with diverse programs take place in Bansko during summer and the autumn season. The most popular among them are Pirin Folk and The International Jazz Festival. Over the last 10 years, Bansko has won recognition as one of the leading Winter and Summer centres in Bulgaria. The town has currently the highest dynamics in the field of private investments in both the tourist and residents sector of Bulgaria if not Europe.