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Bulgaria is a welcoming corner of Europe that lets you celebrate New Year 2026 in the mountains, surrounded by the atmosphere of a real winter fairy tale. A winter holiday in the Bulgarian mountains this season promises to be unforgettable, as the country combines a rich historical heritage with high-quality tourist services, while the picturesque mountain scenery enhances the New Year mood on the eve of the celebrations. In this article we review the best ski resorts and Bulgaria New Year offers that are already available for booking this season.
Celebrate New Year 2026 in the Bulgarian mountains: a blend of nature, local traditions and modern services — a great choice for both families and groups of friends.
Pamporovo — a friendly resort for beginners, offering around 37 km of ski runs of varying difficulty and its own ski school with professional instructors.
Bansko — part of the Pirin National Park (UNESCO), with more than 70 km of runs, an old historic town and nearby thermal springs for relaxation after skiing.
Selected 3*–4* hotels: spacious apartment-style units, spa centres, indoor pools and convenient locations close to the lifts and resort centres.
Ready-made New Year tours with departure from Chișinău, direct transfers to the hotel, support at every stage and the possibility of early booking for the best deals.
Extra bonus for culture lovers: easy access to Plovdiv, Rozhen Monastery and Bansko’s historic centre — all in addition to the New Year ski programme.
Pamporovo ski resort
Pamporovo is a popular resort located in the Rhodope Mountains at the foot of Mount Snezhanka. Its convenient location and mild climate have turned it into one of the best options for family holidays and celebrating New Year. The resort is just a few hours away from Sofia and has its own ski school staffed by professionals.
Pamporovo offers a variety of ski runs that suit both beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders. There are about 37 km of slopes with different difficulty levels. The runs are covered with soft, high-quality snow, which makes skiing safe and comfortable even for those with little experience.
Close to the resort you will find historical and cultural sites such as Rozhen Monastery and the city of Plovdiv (about 2 hours away by road), which is regarded as the informal cultural capital of Bulgaria. On New Year’s Eve the resort transforms, offering guests a rich programme of festive events.
Hotels in Pamporovo
FOREST NOOK 3* is a hotel with a good price-to-service ratio that will delight you on New Year’s Eve. Guests are offered spacious apartments with a large living room and a small kitchen / dining area. Some rooms have access to a balcony with a fascinating view of the mountains. On the hotel grounds there is a restaurant serving Bulgarian and Italian cuisine. A pleasant extra is the cosy barbecue area and spa lounge.
The main advantage of FOREST NOOK is the short distance to the ski lifts (only about 1 km) and the free transfer to the slopes during the winter season.
ORPHEUS 4* is the choice for travellers who appreciate active holidays in comfortable conditions. The hotel was renovated in 2008, so the level of service is on par with European four-star properties. For guests with children there is a playground. From the room windows you can enjoy beautiful views of the pine forest, which enhances the New Year atmosphere.
The hotel is within a short walking distance of the ski complex (around 200 m) and about 300 m from the heart of the resort, where the main venues for guests are located: restaurants with national cuisine, free spa salons and health centres (steam baths, hammam). On site you will also find a casino and several bars for nightlife lovers.
FINLANDIA 4* is another higher-category hotel with spacious rooms that include a full range of services and amenities. Its convenient location in a pine forest area will appeal to those who enjoy being in close contact with nature.
The complex is situated not far from the town of Pamporovo, and there is a free shuttle service between the hotels and the resort centre. This allows you to combine active ski days with the town’s New Year entertainment. The key ski runs are located about 800 metres from the hotel.
Bansko ski resort
Bansko ski resort is part of Pirin National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located in regions of dense pine forests and numerous mountain lakes. If you have long dreamed of spending New Year in Bulgaria, Bansko will fully meet your expectations.
The ski runs, with a total length of more than 70 km, are located at altitudes between about 1,000 and 2,560 metres at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. Nearby you will find thermal springs where you can relax and recover after an active day. The resort operates a system of fast and safe lifts, and those who wish to improve their skills can make use of professional instructors.
Celebrating New Year in the mountains is an unusual and refreshing decision. The town of Bansko is perfect for this idea, being a historical treasure with unique architecture and monuments dating back to the 10th century. It is truly an open-air museum, where you can stroll through old streets and get acquainted with the features of early Balkan culture.
Hotels in Bansko
SAINT GEORGE PALACE 4* is an apartment hotel with four-star rooms at an affordable accommodation price. Units include a comfortable living room with cosy furniture and a small kitchen equipped with everything you need. The windows overlook the town of Bansko and the Pirin and Rila Mountains.
Hotel services include a transfer to the nearest lift station. The complex is located about 3 km from the town, and regular buses run until late in the evening, which is very convenient during the winter holiday period.
The apartment hotel has a restaurant serving European dishes and local Bulgarian cuisine. Guests can enjoy a special relaxation area with a large pool and a glass roof. The complex also offers hydromassage treatments, steam baths, spa lounges, fitness rooms and other health and relaxation facilities.
CASA KARINA 3* is a budget-friendly three-star option located at the foot of the Rila and Pirin Mountains. This apartment hotel is not far from the gondola lift (about 100 metres), which takes you to a picturesque lake and the resort’s key runs.
The hotel invites guests to relax in the local Turkish and Finnish baths. There is an indoor pool and a spa centre on the complex grounds. Children up to 5 years old can use a playroom free of charge.
The property offers a wide selection of room types, including classic apartments and studio-style units with free internet and a seating area. There is a café-bar on site, as well as a restaurant serving local and European cuisine.
MPM HOTEL GUINNESS 4* is a hotel for lovers of comfortable stays. Its main advantages are the convenient location close to the lifts and the beautiful views of the nature reserve from the room windows.
The hotel offers guests access to an atrium restaurant, a modern spa lounge and a wide range of wellness treatments (massage, baths, indoor pool with heated water). The lobby bar will delight guests with tasty dishes and drinks, while the games room is perfect for spending time playing billiards. Paid private parking is also available.
At the hotel reception you can purchase a ski pass for the local ski resort. During December there is a free transfer to the ski slopes. Guests are also provided with a storage area for equipment and skis.
LION HOTEL BANSKO 4* is a beautiful complex in a scenic location, close to the main ski runs. The hotel’s pleasant atmosphere is complemented by the large number of nearby bars and restaurants serving European cuisine. There are also many steak houses in the area. The property is practically adjacent to the town of Bansko, providing easy access to the main historical and cultural sites, such as the Neofit Rilski Museum. During the festive period the town is especially charming, particularly on snowy winter days.
The complex offers room service, concierge services and free parking for guests with a rental car. Rooms feature a minibar, a spacious seating area and a comfortable bedroom. From the apartment windows you can enjoy wonderful views of the mountains and the untouched nature of Pirin National Park.
How to celebrate New Year in Bulgaria
Admiral.Travel offers New Year tours with departure from Chișinău and direct transfer to your hotel. You can use the advance booking system on the website or contact our consultants by phone. We will create an unforgettable New Year experience for you and support you at every step.
Packages usually include accommodation in selected hotels in Pamporovo or Bansko, festive dinners on the night of 31 December and additional services — from ski equipment rental to spa access. This way you enjoy a fully organised winter holiday without having to worry about logistics.
What to do for New Year in Pamporovo and Bansko
Spend full days on the slopes: Pamporovo is ideal for beginners and families, while Bansko suits those looking for longer and more varied runs.
Treat yourself to spa and thermal springs after skiing: indoor pools, saunas, hammams, massages and relaxation areas in the recommended hotels.
Explore local culture: excursions from Pamporovo to Plovdiv or Rozhen Monastery, strolls through Bansko’s old town and visits to museums.
Live the New Year’s Eve to the fullest: festive dinners at the hotel, live music, fireworks, bars and clubs for those who love nightlife.
Discover Bulgarian cuisine: local specialities in taverns with traditional music, mulled wine and festive desserts.
Sample 1-day ski itinerary in Pamporovo
Morning: breakfast at the hotel, picking up ski equipment and heading out to the gentle slopes — perfect for a warm-up and for first-time skiers.
Midday: lunch at a mountain restaurant or back at the hotel restaurant, enjoying Bulgarian dishes and hot drinks with a view of the pine forest.
Afternoon: a technique improvement lesson with instructors from the resort’s ski school or further runs on slopes of a different difficulty level.
Evening: relaxation in the spa area, indoor pool or sauna, followed by a cosy dinner at the hotel with festive music and a winter ambience.
Suggested 2-day itinerary in Bansko and surroundings
Day 1 — skiing and spa: morning skiing on Bansko’s main runs, chosen according to your level, with lunch at a mountain restaurant; in the evening, relax in the hotel spa area, enjoy the heated pool and saunas.
New Year’s Eve: festive dinner at the hotel or in a traditional tavern, followed by a walk through the historic centre and fireworks over the Pirin Mountains.
Day 2 — culture and gastronomy: a stroll through Bansko’s old streets, visits to museums such as the Neofit Rilski Museum, and lunch in a tavern serving Bulgarian cuisine.
Afternoon: free time for souvenir shopping, another run on your favourite slope or a final spa session at the hotel before departure.
How to get to Pamporovo and Bansko with Admiral.Travel
From Chișinău, Admiral.Travel organises New Year packages that include flights and transfers directly to your chosen hotel. Depending on the package, your flight will typically be to Sofia, followed by an organised transfer to the selected resort — Pamporovo or Bansko.
All details about departure times, travel duration and type of transport are clearly described in each package on the website. In addition, Admiral.Travel consultants can recommend the best option, taking into account your family’s preferences, number of nights and budget.
Upon arrival you will be met by local representatives or partner guides, who will assist with check-in and provide practical information: where to buy ski passes, where the ski school is located, which excursions can be booked on site and how to get quickly to the resort centre.
FAQ: New Year 2026 in Pamporovo and Bansko
1. Who is Pamporovo best suited for at New Year?
Pamporovo is ideal for families with children, first-time skiers and those who value gentle slopes, a professional ski school and a calm mountain atmosphere.
2. Why choose Bansko for New Year 2026?
Bansko combines 70+ km of slopes, an authentic old town, UNESCO-listed nature, traditional taverns and nearby thermal springs — perfect if you want both skiing and culture.
3. Is snow reliable around New Year in these resorts?
Typically, late December and early January bring stable snow in the Bulgarian mountains, and the resorts also use snowmaking systems to keep the runs in good condition.
4. Can I go if I have never skied before?
Yes. Both Pamporovo and Bansko have beginner slopes and ski schools where instructors will help you start safely and progress quickly at your own pace.
5. What type of hotels does Admiral.Travel recommend here?
The article features tried-and-tested 3*–4* hotels: apartment-style properties with kitchens, spa hotels with pools and comfortable locations close to lifts and resort centres.
6. Is transfer to the ski lifts included in the hotel price?
Many of the mentioned hotels (such as FOREST NOOK or MPM HOTEL GUINNESS) provide free transfers to the lifts in winter. Exact conditions are listed in each package or can be checked with a consultant.
7. Do I need to bring my own ski equipment?
Not necessarily. You can bring your own skis or snowboard, or simply rent everything on the spot — there are plenty of rental shops near the lifts in both resorts.
8. Where can I buy ski passes for Pamporovo and Bansko?
Ski passes can be purchased at the ticket offices near the lifts. In some hotels, such as MPM HOTEL GUINNESS, you can even buy them at the reception for extra convenience.
9. What can I do if I don’t ski at all?
You can enjoy spa, pools, forest walks, excursions to Plovdiv or around Bansko’s old town, evenings in taverns and the special New Year programmes in your hotel.
10. Are these resorts suitable for small children?
Yes. Many hotels offer spacious rooms, play areas and pools. ORPHEUS has a playground for kids, while CASA KARINA provides a free playroom for children up to 5 years old.
11. How can I book a New Year tour from Chișinău?
You can book online via the Admiral.Travel booking system or by phone, contacting the consultants who will help you choose the right resort and hotel for your preferences.
12. When is the best time to book for New Year 2026?
To secure the best hotels and prices, it’s recommended to book several months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak New Year dates.
13. What winter temperatures should I expect in Pamporovo and Bansko?
Winters are cold, often with sub-zero temperatures, especially in the mornings and evenings. It’s important to pack thermal layers, a warm jacket, gloves and waterproof footwear.
14. Is there nightlife at the resorts?
Yes, especially in Bansko: you’ll find bars, clubs, steak houses and taverns with live music. On New Year’s Eve many hotels host themed parties and shows.
15. Can I combine Pamporovo and Bansko in one trip?
Yes, you can plan a combined tour with several nights at each resort. An Admiral.Travel consultant can help you design the itinerary based on your holiday duration and budget.
16. What are the advantages of booking through Admiral.Travel?
You benefit from packages tested in practice, vetted hotels, organised transfers, support throughout your trip and personalised advice for a successful New Year holiday in Bulgaria.