Digital Nomad Guide for Bansko, Bulgaria – The Nomad Hotspot of Eastern Europe

Bansko is quickly becoming a major hub for digital nomads in Eastern Europe. With the creation of NomadFest in 2020 Bansko has well and truly been put on the (digital nomad) map.

Normally the main reason to head to Bansko is for the Bansko ski resort open in the winter months, but Bansko in summer is also a great choice. The weather in Bansko means there is something for everyone year round.

But what should you know before going to Bansko? Where to work and where to let your hair down? Keep reading to find out.

Where is Bansko?

Bansko is a small ski town in the south west of Bulgaria. It’s based at the foot of the mountains that make up Pirin national park, a UNESCO world heritage site. 

How to get to Bansko

Most people will pass through Sofia on their way to Bansko. There are various bus companies that run the route leaving from different bus stations in Sofia. The comfiest is leaving from Sofia central station and takes around 3 hours. Be aware that the different bus companies have different levels of comfort, with some buses being small cramped minibuses whilst others are large coaches with a lot more room. The bus timetable is flexible to say the least so check ahead before you travel.

There are also daily buses and trains to Plovdiv and regular connections to Blagoevgrad where you can connect to elsewhere in Bulgaria. It is also possible to head to Bansko from North Macedonia and Kavala in Greece. As a major trans continental city, Istanbul can also be reached fairly easily.

Getting accommodation in Bansko as a digital nomad

You can get a one bedroom apartment for as little as €300 per month but most likely you will pay between €400-500 in the summer or low season and €650+ in the peak winter season. AirBnB’s and hotels can also be found but are likely to be much more expensive. Of course, the longer you stay, the cheaper your accommodation will be. Facebook groups are a good place to start and some co-working spaces may have some rooms available.

Where to work in Bansko as a digital nomad

There are a variety of places to work from in Bansko. 

My personal favourite coworking space and the one that I attended was AltSpace. They have two locations, their main hub on Gotse Delchev Street and a smaller location on Pirin Street. I felt like a member of the family as soon as I walked in with Becky and Mark inviting me to events on the very first day. They have a great layout to work, excellent coffee, second screens available meeting rooms to hire and competitive pricing. Their social events, including a weekly dinner and Friday drinks are a great way to get to know long term stayers as well.

Nestwork is a coworking space located at the lower end of town which is quieter in winter, away from the gondola, but a great location in summer. Nestwork has a more corporate feel and a more mature demographic where working is the main priority but does have a more flexible pricing schedule. There is also a social group and weekly social events.

Alternatively, there are plenty of cafes that provide wifi where you can work for short periods of time if they aren’t busy.

What’s the wifi like in Bansko?

Probably the most important question that will get asked by digital nomads!

Generally the wifi is good. There is 5G/ LTE signal everywhere and Sim cards can be purchased from a few shops in town such as the A1 and Vivacom stores on the main street near the town hall. A1 has good connectivity all over Bulgaria.

In the main squares in Bansko, there is also free public wifi available which stretches into the cafes and restaurants surrounding. Most restaurants have wifi available.

Wifi speeds in hotels and apartments are normally excellent with speeds above 30mbps with speeds in the coworking spaces hitting 100mbps. 

Best places to eat in Bansko for digital nomads

You will never go hungry in Bansko. With the variety of restaurants available, there is food on offer no matter what you feel like eating. 

Billa is the main supermarket for those in self catered accommodation, but don’t forget to check out the local Sunday Market every Sunday morning for cheap fresh produce that you buy straight from the locals.

If eating out is more your thing, the mehana’s (traditional Bulgarian restaurants) line the main streets and offer Bulgarian food served in hearty portions that are affordable. My personal favourite mehana is Mehana Chevermeto (Механа Чевермето) with their excellent BBQ offering and large gin and tonics.

A local friend recommended Kadiata. This smaller Mehana for its intimate atmosphere, exceptional food, reasonable midrange prices and in summer, lovely garden dining. A ‘hidden gem’ among Bansko’s many mehanas; if you’re tired of crowded mehanas and loud Bulgarian music, Kadiata offers the opposite.

Other options include Skabrin Restobar, which is popular with nomads for their international breakfast and brunch, also with upscale dinner dining. The Drunken Egg, is a great breakfast and brunch spot with extensive vegetarian and vegan options.

If you are looking to eat out for a special occasion, head to Bistro 7 for upscale Asian fusion dining that has become extremely popular with digital nomads. Other nicer options include Su Casa for dishes from around Europe and beyond, including Maltese specialties and Farmer’s Market for midrange to upscale dining. This new restaurant offers a farm-to-table concept as well as a small grocery store with organic and farm-fresh products.

What to do in Bansko when you aren’t working?

What to do in Bansko really depends on what time of year you are staying. Those that stay in winter will know that it is a destination known for its skiing and snowboarding with kilometres of ski runs in the Pirin mountains. Ski passes are available at rates slightly cheaper than popular resorts in the alps but the rest of your stay will be markedly more affordable.

For those staying outside of the prime winter season, those same mountains can be enjoyed by hikers and mountain bikers alike. There are a few short hikes to some of the lakes around Bansko as well as more challenging ones to the top of Vihren peak.

There are two gyms in town that are frequented by nomads, the more-basic Fenix gym and the more popular Fitbox gym, a quick 1 minute walk from Nestwork. There are also tennis courts, ATV’s for hire and many of the coworking spaces have social events as well.

At the end of a long week, or any day for that matter, its possible to let your hair down at a few of the clubs in town. Bansko nightlife is better than it first might seem! Tipsy 360 is at the top of the town and Pirin75 is also popular with nomads, as are two craft beer bars, Crash and Pivoteka. The Bottle Shop offers a small, cozy seating area and experts to help you with your wine purchase.

Is Bansko a good place if you’re a digital nomad?

Yes!

Becoming a digital nomad in Bansko is one of the best things you can do. A small town with everything, no matter the time of year, with affordable accommodation options and some great coworking spaces. Whilst of course there are pros and cons of Bansko, for the majority of people, the small mountain town makes a great place to visit as a digital nomad.

It is a great place to visit if it is your first time being a digital nomad and working remotely because of the welcoming community, but even if you are experienced in the world of remote work, Bansko is still a fantastic place to have some roots for a while!

Dan

Dan is an avid traveller from London. His first big adventure was in 2010 living in Malaysia for 3 months. He has been on the road almost constantly since 2015 travelling to destinations that aren’t on the mainstream tourist trail and working full time and travelling since 2021.