5 Magical Reasons to have a festive Christmas or New Years holiday in Bansko

Bansko is a ski resort that has been emerging as one of the top winter destinations in Eastern Europe, especially for tourists from the UK. Popularly known as “Bulgaria’s ski capital”, Bansko offers a boatload of attractions apart from its modern ski facilities. A short walk into its historical centre will transport you to a different time of rich traditions and slow-cooked, mouth-watering food, especially during the festive holiday period. Moreover, the area is dotted with hot mineral springs that help you reach a state of deep relaxation. What’s even better about Bansko’s riches is that they come at a fraction of the price of what resorts in Western Europe have to offer. Let’s have a closer look at them now. 

#5 Christmas & New years skiing in Bansko: Slide into the holiday season

winter boots in fron of cabin inside ski chalet

First off, Bansko’s pedigree is its modern ski pistes and lift system. All ski lovers, regardless of their skill level will find something suitable in Bansko. The abundance of English-speaking ski instructors makes learning to ski as easy as it gets, while veterans have a few FIS black runs to challenge themselves and an impressive 70 km of pistes to explore. 

 

Skiing in Bansko during the holiday season is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit. The mountain town is festively decorated while being surrounded by snow-covered mountains on all sides,  a real winter wonderland. Moreover, the rich Bulgarian folklore has much to offer in terms of traditions, rituals, and customs that can’t be seen anywhere else. More on that later.

#4 Bansko’s Prices: A Festive Treat That Won’t Break The Bank

When you take the price factor into consideration, Bansko really starts to punch above its weight. From ski passes and equipment to dining in restaurants and traditional local “Mehanas” Taverns. Post-ski, healing mineral water springs, even your accommodation, everything comes at a reasonable cost whilst maintaining exceptional standards. 


All of Bansko’s amenities are just a fraction of the cost of similar ski resorts in the Alps. Overall, it’s a no-brainer destination for a budget ski holiday for your friends and family. Naturally, the earlier you book, the better deals you can expect, especially Black Friday Ski Chalet Discounts.

#3 Mineral Thermal Pools in Bansko: An Everyday Luxury

Bansko’s mountainous region is full of natural hot mineral springs. And there’s nothing quite as relaxing as soaking your cold and tired body in a thermal pool after a day’s skiing. It’s a stark contrast to the brisk mountain air and a haven of rejuvenation. Many Bulgarians visit Bansko more for its waters than for its ski slopes. 

Bansko’s mineral waters are rich in nutrients such as sulphur, sodium, and silica, which are known for their healing properties. They can soothe muscular aches and stiffness, as well as help the mind and body to relax. The warm temperatures improve the circulation of blood, which is especially beneficial in cold weather. 

Many of Bansko’s springs are open-air and come with stunning views of the serene natural surroundings, which just complete the picture of tranquillity, away from the everyday hustle and bustle. Many hotels provide indoor mineral water spas, but one of our top recommendations is the thermal springs in the nearby village of Banya (Literally translates to Bath).

#2 Bulgarian Festive Flavours: A mouth-watering experience

Bulgaria’s festive menus are a celebration of culinary diversity, perfectly tailored to delight both vegetarians and meat enthusiasts. Traditionally on Christmas Eve, the table is filled only with vegetarian dishes, in accordance with Orthodox canon. Moreover, the number of dishes on the table must be odd, often seven, nine, or eleven, usually including dishes like bean soup and stuffed vine leaves, each rich in flavour and tradition.

However, come midnight, the table transforms into a meat-lovers paradise with Mussaka, Kapama (Stew), cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat, roasted pork knuckles and legs of lamb, along with all sorts of grilled delicacies from the BBQ. Especially, if you go out into one of Bansko’s traditional Mehanas you can even treat yourself and your loved ones to a whole roasted pig or lamb. 

Particularly on New Year’s Eve, it’s custom to eat Banitsa with fortunes written inside. On its own, Banitsa is a delicious savoury pastry layered with cheese and eggs but on New Year’s Eve Bulgarians put fortunes, sometimes in the form of small dogwood twigs in every piece. Once you find yours, you need to check with the host about it, as he has a drawing and a legend of what each twig symbolises. Fortunes include a new house, a child, a family, love, travel, money, a new job, and generally nice things. 

Overall, the Bulgarian festive menu is a blend of vegetarian and meat-based dishes that ensures every palate is catered to, making Bulgarian holiday feasts a true gastronomic mosaic.

#1 Bulgarian Traditions: A once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience

Kukeri in Bansko, Bulgaria

Bulgarian traditions are a captivating blend of Christian beliefs and ancient pagan customs that go back as far as Thracian times. Together they are a tapestry woven through centuries of history and cultural evolution. Particularly in the Christmas season, there are three big traditional heroes that you will see in Bansko: Koledari, Survakari, and Kukeri. 

Koledari: The Christmas Carol Singers

On Christmas Eve, the ‘Koledari’, or carol singers, traverse the neighbourhood and bestow good wishes and blessings on each household. When they enter each house they sing songs that echo through the crisp night air and praise the lord and the birth of Jesus. Traditionally, the hosts give them wheat, eggs, or other gifts. Sometimes the Koledari bestow symbolic gifts of their own. They may give a heavy stone to the owner of the household and bless him that his purse is as heavy as the stone. 

Survakari: The New Year Well-Wishers

The second important tradition is that of Survaki and the Survakari are the people who participate in it. It involves children wearing decorated dogwood branches called “Survachki” and tapping or gently hitting people on the back while wishing them good health and fortune for the entire New Year. 

“May the children in your house be as many as the sand grains in the river” or “Golden wheats in your fields, and white lambs in your barns” and so on. The decorated branches are also a sight to behold, as they are often larger than the children carrying them and they are ornamented with coloured wool, popcorn, dried fruits, and more. 

If you spot a band of Survakari, it’s good luck to let them hit you on the back a few times and wish you well. In times of old, people would give them food as gifts, but in modern times a few coins will also suffice. 

Kukeri: The people who scare away death and disease

Undoubtedly the scariest of the bunch, Kukeri are men dressed in elaborate, fearsome costumes and masks. They make a ruckus and perform ritual dances that ward off evil spirits and welcome the New Year with hope and strength. They clang bells, carry out vibrant parades, and then enact ritualistic scenes. Overall, they are a vivid part of Bulgaria’s cultural legacy. If you’re scared of them, that means they’ve done a good job. 

Christmas & New years week in Bansko in a nutshell:

Christmas in Bansko

Bansko is an excellent place to spend the Christmas holidays and submerge yourself in Bulgarian traditions. Not only are they a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but they come accompanied by delicious food, mineral water springs, and well-groomed ski slopes, all without breaking the bank. If you’re interested in checking out accommodation options in Bansko, you can see our ski chalet offers. You won’t regret it!

In this article:

  • MAGAZINE

Check our guides and stories