Bansko
Bansko is small picturesque town in the foot of Pirin Mountain. It’s situated 56 km from Blagoevgrad, 145 km from Plovdiv and 150 km from the capital Sofia. Bansko is known as a cultural heritage with more than 120 historical and cultural monuments and as Bulgaria’s best ski resort. Pirin Mountain is very popular place for a rest and an extreme vacation because of its beautiful peaks, the highest one is Vihren, many lakes, caves and waterfalls, gorgeous pine forests. The ski resort became popular in the last 10 years or so when many foreign investors decided to develop the “gate to Pirin” into a skiing resort because of the long snow season there – from December to May. Thus the resort now has many hotels – from luxurious ones, even one five-star hotel, to small family hotels and apartments for sale or rent.
Ski tracks
There are two main ski centers – Chalin Valog and Shiligarnika that are easily accessed by the Gondola lift that starts from Bansko. The wind and temperature on different runs can be checked on huge monitors in the town at the first station of the Gondola lift. The runs and tracks of Bansko resort vary from very easy for people who had never tried skiing to extremely difficult for the experienced skiers, including Slalom and Giant Slalom runs, biathlon tracks, a cross-country track and the pride of Bansko – the first Fun Park in Bulgaria. The Fun Park offers its client the ability to build a track of their own with artificial bumps and jumps; and every evening the snowboarders and skiers have the opportunity to show off their skills in front of an audience. A mountain rescue service is available 24/7.
What’s worth seeing?
The skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the beauty of the Pirin Mountain or explore the town of Bansko. Many of the houses are from the Revival Period of the country and are turned into museum houses, and other structures are worth seeing just for their architecture. In the Staroto Gradishte site there are remains of an ancient fortress and Thracian mound hills. Many shops in the town offer superb hand-made souvenirs from wood and metal. Another historical monument is Rila monastery, founded in X century, part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the lovers of the hot springs there are 27 thermal mineral springs in Banya, only 5 km away from Bansko.
Nightlife
The Bansko resort offers many restaurants and typical taverns called “mehana”. Most of the taverns have an orchestra that plays national songs or perform a program with folklore motives. The menu includes many Bulgarian wines and typical for the region dishes such as banska kapama, banski starets, chobanski shish, karvavitza, sudzuk, sheep yogurt with honey and blueberries. In almost every hotel there’s a disco that works from the early evening to the early morning.
Events
Being top winter resort, Bansko has many festivals and events to host.
In January there’s a Snowboard Competition for the Cup of Bansko in Big Air discipline. The competition is valid for all ages.
In February there’s a National Competition for ice sculptures “Fire from ice”; a Halfpipe discipline Snowboard Republic Competition; a Balkan Open Cup in alpine skiing discipline.
In March there’s a 2SBX Snowboard Republic Competition; a ski-run for the cup of Pirin.
In April there’s a Snowboard Republic Competition, an Alpine Skiing Republic Competition, a Biathlon Republic Competition, National Cup “Pirin” – alpine skiing disciplines, and events dedicated to the Week of the forest – 18-24 April.
In May there’s Bansko Open 2005 – a European Arm Wrestling Tournament, a Folklore Festival “Between Three Mountains” and in 18-24 May there are festivals of the Bansko Traditions.
From 8 to 13 of August is one of the biggest events - Bansko International Jazz Festival with 13 years of history. It has no entrance fee and at the festival played some of the biggest names of the Bulgarian and world scene such as Scott Hamilton, Teodosii Spasov, Sharl Papazov, Antoni Dochev, ecc. In August 2009 started the first Bansko Opera Fest which is planned to become annual and as popular as Bansko Jazz Fest.
In September there’s Pirin Folk Bulgaria, an International festival of the Bulgarian song. The participants are usually from the Balkans and have to write and perform a typical for the Bulgarian folklore song.
On October the 5th is the day of Bansko. The program is rich and various for every year.
Location: Bansko
Address: Pirin str and Nayden Gerov str, behind Pirin Hotel
Mobile.: +359 887 205 813
Telephone.: +359 52 601 353
e-mail: office@toprentacar.bg
Car hiring in Bansko
Bansko is the biggest of all Bulgarian ski resorts. During the winter, tourists of UK, Russia, Israel, Germany and Bulgaria are coming to ski, party or just take a walk in this sunny and snow-filled resort.
Book your cheap car hire in Bansko from Top Rent A Car. The resort is built in the 10th century over an ancient Thracian settlement. Bansko became wealthy by the 18th century, because of its position on the caravan route between the Aegean coast and Danubian Europe. You can reserve a car hire in Bansko from Top Rent A Car. It was a centre of the eminent traders and craftsmen. In Bansko you can see several museums and more than 150 cultural monuments, but the main purpose for visiting the resort is the ski. It is a great place for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Car Hire in Bansko.
If you rent ski gear you can get a discount for the lift ticket. If you rent an apartment from Top Rent A Car, you will get discount when book a car in Bansko. There are a lot of ski rental shops around the first station. The weather in Bansko is cold, so warm clothes and a full face hood is mandatory. There are multiday tickets as well as half day ticket for the period after 12:30 or 13:00. Most of the hotels offer a bus service to the ski lift station. You have to get to the lift station not later than 9:00 if you want to avoid the queues.
If you are going to visit Bansko and you haven’t book your car rental, you can do this using our car rental booking engine on the left side of the web site. We have office close to Sofia International Airport on “Brussels” 3 blvd or we can deliver your car to Bansko. Top Rent-A-Car offers also holiday apartments.
Top Rent-A-Car’s Car Renting Tips
Choosing a Vehicle To Hire
After choosing your pick up place, date and time, you will be taken to our result page with all available cars for the requested period. You have to think very carefully about what kind of vehicle you'll need to rent. If you're traveling with children or with a lot of luggage, you will probably need some large sedan, minivan or SUV. Or if you're looking for the best car rental deal, you'll need to reserve the smallest available model or some of the latest car rental discounts, which you can see at Top Rent-A-Car Hot Deals Section.
Top Rent-A-Car offers also, many optional extras like ski rack, roof racks, snow chains, baby seat or GPS system. You can choose any of the extras on the third step of the car rental reservation process.
Booking Your Car Rental
Top Rent-A-Car offers the best local rates, especially for long rental periods. Also, we provide 24 hour road accident assistance in case you break down, unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver and theft protection, all these for free!
If you haven't already, consider joining our car rental company's loyalty program. If you are Top Rent-A-Car Club Member, you will receive constant privileges when picking up your vehicle, we will have your affiliates saved, allowing you to simply get into the car you have booked and go forward to your journey, rather than filling out paperwork every time you pick up your car. You will also be eligible for specials and free upgrades. For more affiliates, about Top Rent-A-Car Club Card membership, contact us or ask the local representative.
Read Our Car Rental Terms And Conditions
Read Top Rent-A-Car General Terms And Conditions carefully before confirming your reservation. If you are not sure about any of the conditions of you reservation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Total Cost Of Our Car Rentals
All rates of the car rentals on “Step 2” are with no local taxes included ( the local tax is 20% and you will have it calculated in the final third step of the car rental reservation process). In the total price you will get included:
√ Unlimited mileage
√ Third Party Liability
√ Road taxes
√ 24 hours road assistance
√ Airport surcharge
√ CDW – reduces the renter’s liability in case of damage of the vehicle up to the amount of the deposit (excess). CDW is valid only valid if a protocol from the Police Authorities is presented. Does not cover damage to the vehicle due to driving under the influence of alcohol, other intoxicating substances or due to violation of the Bulgarian Traffic Laws.
√ TP – reduces the renter’s liability in case of theft of the vehicle up to the amount of the deposit (excess). TP is valid only if a protocol from the Police Authorities is presented and the car keys and documents are returned.There are No Car Rental Hidden Costs!
At Pickup Time
When you are picking up your car rental, you will be assisted by our car rental agent to inspect the car for any body damages, scratches etc. All details will be checked in your car rental contract. Be sure the lights and turn signals are working properly, and check the mileage odometer. If there are any defects, please report them to our local car rental agent.
It is important to make yourself familiar with the workings of the car before you start the engine and leave the parking lot. Check which side your gas tank is on, and learn how to use the headlights, windshield wipers and turn signal. It may seem obvious, but you'll also want to memorize the make, model and color of your car -- that way you won't lose it the first time you park in a busy lot!
Consult your map. Our car rental agency will give you a map of the area if you need one, so take it out and consult this map, and formulate your route. Next, hand the map to a copilot if you have one, who can conceive any enhancements to the plan.
Don’t forget to:
- Fix your mirrors
- Figure out how the radio is working
- Find the window controls
- Find the turn signals
- Find the windshield wipers
- Locate the lights
- Figure out the high beams
- Check the emergency brake
Returning Your Car
Always fill up the tank before returning the vehicle. Try avoiding the gas stations right near the airports, because the prices can be higher there.
Before leaving the vehicle, please check for any personal belongings and don't forget to check the trunk! In case of forgetting some personal stuff, you will receive an e-mail.
You can be sure that our car rental agent will inspects the car's body in your presence.
Start your perfect trip in Burgas using Top Rent-A-Car services!
Top Rent-A-Car’s Tips for driving in Bulgaria:
Drive on the right side of the road in Bulgaria
There is a legal minimum age for driving, which is 18 years.
To drive on Bulgarian roads you must have a valid driving licence. All citizens of EU countries and Switzerland are allowed to drive with their valid national driving licences because Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. If you are a citizen of non-EU country, you may drive in Bulgaria with your national driving licence for one year only.
It is mandatory to wear a seat belt including in the back seats, the belts on the back seats must be fitted.
Children under the age of 12 may not travel in the front seat.
If you are motorbike driver, you must wear safety helmet.
Headlights must be on at all times from 1 November until 1 March. Top Rent-A-Car advice all
customers to drive with turned on daylights during the day, all year round.
Do not use mobile telephones without a "handsfree" system.
General speed limits in Bulgaria:
130 km/h on highways
90 km/h on roads outside built-up areas
50 km/h in built-up areas
Top Rent-A-Car’s Tips for parking in Bulgaria:
You can park only in the restricted parking areas in the big cities. In Sofia there are also parking zones marked as either Blue or Green where you can park and pay with text message (SMS) to 1302or directly on the parking warden. The payment is by the hour. After sending the text message, you gets a confirmation that the payment is successful. Before the pre-paid hour elapses, you will receive a notification for renewing your payment. There are a lot of paid parking lots, too. The average fee is about 1 euro per hour. If you travel by plane, you will probably be interested in Top Rent-A-Car’s Airport Parking Service. It is a convenient way to guarantee your safe parking space and to receive meet and greet service on your way back.
In case of any emergency you can call the national emergency phone number: 112
Car Hire in Sofia from Top Rent A Car
+44 792 459 0474
+359 887 205 813 
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