Pirin National Park, Bansko, and Sofia, Bulgaria

Hi all! I wanted to highlight a recent itinerary taken to Bulgaria :)

We had such a meaningful trip, making stops in Pirin National Park, Bansko, and Sofia!

One of our favorite places was Pirin National Park, high up in the mountains. Getting there wasn’t easy, we had to take a minibus, but it was worth it. It felt more like climbing than hiking, and I loved that. Fresh air, good company, and a physical challenge. There’s nothing quite like it! When we reached the lake, we walked around it as if it were small enough to circle in minutes, taking in the stillness and the beauty.

Bansko felt magical in every sense, and is a place I will always carry with me. I first discovered it during an Erasmus program, and it seemed to have everything. A thriving digital nomad community, annual gatherings, and a constant flow of people from all over the world. English was widely spoken, which made connection easy. What I loved most was the variety of experiences. On hot days, we would escape into the mountains or head to a forest park, where we’d sit beside a stream and have quiet picnics. Other days, we visited a small local farm where you could ride horses and see other wildlife. There were still places we didn’t get to, like the bear sanctuary, which I hope to visit one day. We also explored nearby towns, though none quite matched Bansko’s charm. It had a unique aesthetic: cobblestone streets, cozy red-and-white buildings, small shops along Pirin Street selling handmade cosmetics, and bakeries filled with fresh bread.

Sofia initially felt like any capital city in terms of its movement and hustle and bustle. But the more time I spent there, the more I began to notice a different rhythm underneath it all, something softer and more grounded. What stood out to me almost immediately was the focus on food and wellbeing. There were so many small shops offering organic, locally sourced products: fresh vegetables, herbal teas, natural remedies, handmade cosmetics. It felt like people genuinely cared about what they were putting into their bodies, which was refreshing. The city itself was a mix of old and new. Some streets felt modern and busy, while others carried a quiet sense of history.

We had such a great trip! My only regret was not taking more pictures. I would be happy to answer any questions, or provide any further recommendations!!