Why I'm Spending My Summer in Bansko, Bulgaria
I was living in Málaga, Spain, and needed a change. I love Málaga, but it was full of distractions and I wasn't getting enough work done on my projects. I planned to do a short one or two-month trip through the Balkans to find a new, temporary base. I did a lot of research and was considering places like Plovdiv in Bulgaria or Skopje in North Macedonia.
But when I talked to other digital nomads, they all kept saying the same thing: "You should check out Bansko." A big reason was the Bansko Nomad Fest, which claims to be the biggest event for nomads in the world. So, I decided to give it a try. I came for a month, and I've been here all summer.
The Perfect Vibe for Focus
The number one reason I’ve stayed is the focus. Bansko is a small mountain town. There are no big shopping malls, no fast-food chains, and basically no nightlife from Monday to Thursday. At night, it gets very quiet and dark, which is perfect for relaxing and getting good sleep.
It's the complete opposite of a big city. For example, when I visit Sofia, I notice the pollution and how the sidewalks are in bad shape because they are filled with parked cars. In Bansko, you barely see cars in the center. Most people walk, ride a scooter, or use a bike. This creates a calm, quiet environment that’s amazing for deep work. It still feels like a traditional Bulgarian "gem," even with all the foreigners here.
My Daily Life
My lifestyle here feels healthier and simpler. My apartment is a dream come true for me. I have a perfect view of the mountains from my balcony. When I have my morning shake, I can hear the sound of the river and the wind in the trees. The best part is the sound of bells when herds of sheep and cows pass by in the morning. I have some of the best pictures and videos of this on my phone.
Here, I feel like I can be the best version of myself. I do stretches in the morning and eat healthy. Exercise is just part of my daily routine, I don't even have to think about it. The main supermarket, Billa, is a 6km round-trip walk from my place. The gym, Fitbox, is almost the same distance. This built-in activity keeps me in shape. On these long walks, I sometimes think to myself, "I could live here for years."
What To Do: Nature, Food, and Community
The nature here is incredible. The town is right next to the Pirin National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are tons of hiking trails, from easy walks to very difficult climbs. The gondola lift is also really good and takes you high up the mountain for amazing views.
On the social side, even though I arrived a few weeks after the Bansko Nomad Fest, its impact is huge. The festival is why there's such a big coworking scene here, with lots of different offices and plans to choose from, like Altspace Coworking, Sky Bansko, Nestwork or Coworking Bansko. I also got lucky and went to the annual Bansko Jazz Festival, which is where I met my Bulgarian girlfriend. She lives in Sofia, so now every couple of weekends I take the bus to see her, get a bit of a big city vibe, and play some padel.
For food, I love the local Bulgarian taverns, called mehanas. There isn’t a huge variety of international food here, but the mehanas are always a great option. I especially love the grilled meats, called skara—my favorites are Kebapche and Kufte. They usually serve it with french fries and this amazing Sirene, a Bulgarian white cheese that I'm now addicted to. They also add some Lyutenitsa, a traditional Bulgarian relish or vegetable spread, also known as "Bulgarian ketchup
The Practical Stuff You Need to Know
Best Time to Come: For me, it's a summer-only base. The winter is very cold. It’s great for a ski holiday, but in my opinion, not for living long-term unless you love the snow. You can check Bansko’s yearly weather here.
Cost of Living: Because Bansko is a winter ski resort, the summer is the low season. This means many hotels and restaurants are closed, and you'll see construction as they prepare for winter. The big advantage is that it’s very inexpensive and easy to find an apartment to rent. My modern building is huge, but sometimes I feel like I’m living alone because it’s so empty. You can check apartments for rent here.
Money: You can live here using your card at supermarkets and newer restaurants, but you absolutely need cash. Most of the local mehanas and small shops only accept cash. Luckily, there are plenty of ATMs in the city center, plus Western Union and MoneyGram offices.
Getting Around & Travel: The bus to Sofia is easy and reliable. From there, the Sofia Airport is a major hub. I've used it for cheap flights when I needed to travel to Madrid, Málaga, or Düsseldorf for the Caravan Salon.
Safety: The town is incredibly safe. People leave their bikes outside without chains, and some even leave their front doors open. I’ve also seen a lot of motorhomes parked around, so it seems to be a popular spot for van-lifers too.
Language: It can be difficult to communicate with the older generation here. Most of them don’t speak or understand any English. But with young people, you won’t have any problem with English.
Weather: The summer weather is perfect. It's warm and sunny, but not painfully hot like in other parts of Europe. The sun feels very strong here, maybe because of the altitude (we’re at about 1000 meters). You don't need an AC. The nights are beautiful and cool because it's a dry climate. You can check Bansko’s yearly weather here.
My Final Thoughts
Bansko has been the perfect discovery for me. It’s a place where I can be productive, live a healthy life, and still have a community. I’m seriously thinking about becoming a Bulgarian resident. For EU citizens like me, the process is easy, and the 10% flat income tax is very attractive.
Honestly, after all this time here, the only negative thing I can find is that there are no padel courts. Yet!
