Why a lesser-known European city with cheap booze has been named a trending travel destination for 2025
A LESSER-KNOWN city in Bulgaria has been named a trending destination for 2025 by Lonely Planet.
Earlier this week, travel giant Lonely Planet named the 10 best cities to visit next year as part of its series.
While none in the UK made the cut, there were a number from Europe that did feature, including Bansko in Bulgaria.
Located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria, Bansko is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes.
Ellie Sugareva, who is the Team Manager for Bulgaria at , wasn't surprised to see Bansko as a trending destination.
Talking exclusively to the Sun Newspaper, she said: "Bansko has the beauty of an old traditional Bulgarian town in the foothills of Pirin mountains.
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"It’s a case of new meets old with cobbled lanes and terracotta roofs in the UNESCO-protected centre, which is surrounded by streets lined with bars, clubs and restaurants.
"Even though it’s Bulgaria’s biggest ski area, it has a lot to offer beyond the slopes too including; museums for those who want to tap into the local culture, restaurants offering traditional meals as well as modern cafes and themed restaurants in the new part of town.
"Other activities such as Bankso’s outdoor ice-skating rink (the largest in Bulgaria) are the perfect outing for groups and families.
Bulgarian-born Pav Todorova, 28, originally from Plovdiv, visited on school trips and holidays with her family.
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She added: "As a Bulgarian, Bansko has a true Balkan vibe that holidaymakers won't get from popular ski destinations in western Europe.
"You've got delicious food, music, cheap booze and plenty of spas."
But it's not just Ellie and Pav who are already rating Bansko as a holiday destination, celebs like Gary Dourdan from American TV show CSI have been spotted on holiday in the Bulgarian city.
The cheap prices in Bansko are another draw for visitors, with Ellie adding: "Bansko offers great value for money – expenditure on food and drink will go a lot further here, making it an attractive choice to budget-conscious travellers, including families and beginner skiers."
Food and drink in Bansko is cheap too, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing £8 per person.
Pints of beer are said to cost just over £2, with a bottle of wine coming in at £5.
Home to just 12,000 residents, the city's compact size is another draw.
What are the best places to visit in Bansko?
Ellie Sugareva, who is the Team Manager for Bulgaria at Crystal Ski Holidays, revealed her favourite places to visit in Bansko.
- My favourite ski run is Tomba, this is where all the ski and snowboarding annual competitions are held.
- I also like N1, which is the longest blue in the area, as a last run down the mountain.
- My favourite places to visit are the alpine coaster at Rila Fun Park and the natural hot mineral springs for relaxing in the nearby villages.
- With so many food options to choose from, Ginger Bar and Dinner restaurant is the perfect spot for delicious European cuisine and live music.
- If I’m after something a bit more traditional, Sireleshtova Kashta is my top choice.
- I’ll finish the night at Flash because it hosts some of the best parties in town.
- Not forgetting, The Happy End bar - it’s Bansko's largest après bar located right next to the gondola station. This Austrian-style chalet has a DJ playing all the latest tunes from 3pm daily.
Ellie added: "Bansko is also more compact compared to most big resort names in France, Italy, Austria, and with its well-known hospitality presence, the town’s friendly residents are used to welcoming tourists."
Those holidaymakers who want to go to Bansko for its skiing and snowboarding should visit the city between December and March because it gets reliable snow cover.
The ski resort has a good mix of levels, with eight blue runs, eleven red runs and two black runs.
Other winter activities include ATV safaris through the Pirin Mountains, a snowshoeing trip over the Rhodope range and sledding.
Away from the snowsports, there are plenty of other things to do in Bansko throughout the rest of the year.
The city's old town is a maze of cobbled streets and traditional stone buildings, with the Holy Trinity Church and its towering bell tower being a highlight.
There are a couple of museums like Velyanov House.
Set inside a traditional Bulgarian stone building, the house is decorated with paintings and carved wooden ceilings.
Other buildings in Bansko's old town have been turned into mehanas, old-style taverns that serve traditional Bulgarian food and wine.
Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best Cities 2025
- Toulouse, France
- Pondicherry, India
- Bansko, Bulgaria
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Genoa, Italy
- Pittsburgh, USA
- Osaka, Japan
- Curitiba, Brazil
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Edmonton, Canada
Local folk musicians also perform inside the mehanas.
Order local delicacies like Chomlek (beef stew), Kapama (a sauerkraut dish) bob Chorba (bean soup) and Sirene po Shopski (baked tomatoes, cheese and eggs).
Bansko is a two and a half hour drive from Sofia, the Bulgarian capital - and Brits can fly there with Wizz Air and Ryanair with return fares costing £30.
The local language in Bansko is Bulgarian although people may speak English at the beach resorts.
Bulgaria is currently three hours ahead of the UK and the local currency is the Bulgaria lev with £10 getting around 22 lev.
Brits can stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days without a visa but your passport must have at least three months left after the day you plan to leave.
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Earlier this year, Pav also revealed the little-known beaches holidaymakers should visit instead of heading to Sunny Beach.
One of those places is Veleka Beach in Sinemorets, which is a tiny strip of land between the two bodies of water.
