Things to Do in Bansko, Bulgaria with Kids

By: Nofer Ronen – “Traveler Outside the Box” Blog

We went on a family trip to Bulgaria. The plan was to land in Sofia and stay there for one night, and from there continue for six days in Bansko.

The decision to go to Bansko came after I discovered all the attractions that can be done in the Bansko area with kids. Since Bansko is known as a ski town in winter, hotel prices in summer are much cheaper than in winter.

Quick Details About Our Trip to Bansko

We traveled as two adults with our two daughters: Maya (4.5) and Sofi (almost two). We traveled at the end of August. We booked a car from Sofia Airport through the search engine Pafam Pafam; the rental itself was through the company Goldcar, which belongs to Europcar. The weather was around 26–28°C during the day and 18–20°C in the evening. In Sofia, we stayed the first night at the Eurostars Hotel and the last night at Hotel Zoo.

Some of the activities we did are open only in summer, so if you’re coming in another season, it’s worth checking in advance whether each attraction is open.

How We Got to Bansko

We drove from Sofia to Bansko in a rental car. The drive takes about two hours and a bit, mostly along a straight, easy main road, except for the last 20 minutes, which are more winding and have a single lane in each direction.

We rented the car directly from Sofia Airport and returned it there. In Sofia, we stayed one night after landing and one night before the flight home. I chose hotels with parking to avoid parking issues in the city.

I really like the Pafam Pafam site because it saves time and filters out poorly rated rental companies. I wrote a detailed post about renting cars abroad, and I recommend reading it, especially if it’s your first time renting.

In the search results, I filtered for automatic cars with pickup directly at the terminal, so we wouldn’t have to wait for a shuttle (especially with two small kids). That turned out to be a great decision — within 10 minutes of arrival, we already had the car.

We rented from Goldcar (part of Europcar). We paid an extra €35 for a baby seat — in hindsight, it would have been wise to email them beforehand to reserve one, since the number is limited. We purchased excess insurance through Carinsurent. A credit card (not debit) in the driver’s name is required for the deposit.

Cable Car and Kids’ Attractions in the Mountains

Behind the hotel is a cable car used for skiing in winter, which also runs in summer. It takes about half an hour and brings you to an area with kids’ attractions.

Tickets for all four of us cost 90 leva (€45). The girls loved the ride - the view is beautiful, and it’s a relaxing activity.

At the top, there’s a playground, bouncy castles (10 leva per child for 20 minutes), and a water slide (for kids aged 8+). There’s also dry tubing (for kids over 1.30 m, but Maya, who’s 1.20 m, was allowed) — she loved it and did it five times for 25 leva total. There’s mini golf, and a restaurant where we had coffee, ice cream, and cold soup.

It was a really fun activity with the kids — next time we’ll definitely try the water slide!

Horseback Riding

About 15 minutes from Bansko, there’s a ranch offering horseback riding. We booked in advance through WhatsApp.Maya rode on a pony, accompanied by a guide. The ride lasted about 20 minutes through a scenic meadow, and she really enjoyed it.

Sofi was too small to ride, but she got to pet the horses, which she loved.

Rila Fun Park

About 40 minutes drive from Bansko is Rila Fun Park — a mountain coaster where you sit in a sled that goes down a winding track through the forest. You can control the speed with a lever, so it’s great for kids.

We bought tickets for two rides (one adult + one child each time). The girls loved it so much that Maya said it was her favorite activity of the trip.

Bear Sanctuary (Belitsa)

Nearby, there’s also a bear sanctuary where rescued bears live. We arrived there after the fun park — the drive took about 20 minutes.

You walk along a marked path through the forest, and can see the bears in large enclosures, living freely and being cared for. It’s a beautiful and educational experience for children.

Restaurants and Cafés in Bansko

We ate lunch one day at Victoria Restaurant (Italian cuisine) — the dishes were excellent, and the design was lovely. Prices were reasonable, and the portions were large.

Another day we stopped for coffee and dessert at Station Café, where we had delicious cakes and milkshakes.

Sunday Market

On Sunday morning, there’s a local market in the center of Bansko, where you can buy clothes, toys, souvenirs, fruit, and local products. It’s fun to walk around, see the stands, and buy some local food - we bought peaches and cherries, which were delicious.

Summary

Bansko is an amazing destination for a family trip: beautiful nature, great weather, fun attractions for kids, and excellent food.

It’s a place I’d love to come back to - next time, maybe also in winter.