🚗 New Driving Rules in Bulgaria & Greece

TOGETHER WITH

In this week’s Buzz:

• Where’s the best hospital for someone with a broken foot?

• Changes to road rules in Bulgaria and Greece

• Local school girls used as “drug mules” arrested and dealer’s warehouse raided

• “Little fishermen” take part in an angling competition

• New Bansko Tourism website launches

• Independence Day in Bulgaria tomorrow (Monday 22nd)

Changes in Bulgaria & Greece for Drivers

Greece

If you’re thinking of heading south to Greece for some late summer sun when Bansko heads into autumn temperatures in around a week (lower temperatures, rain & wind, ugh), be sure to read over the new road rules that have come into place recently (thanks to Vlad, who posted about Greece’s changes on the BNB).

Some of these include higher fines and licence suspension for:

• Driving while using a mobile

• Exceeding the speed limit (some change quite quickly with limited notification)

• Obstruction of railway traffic

• Driving in bus lanes

• Parking in a disabled space

A good option for driving to Greece is Waze. It’s usually pretty good at notifying upcoming speed limit changes. Read more.

Bulgaria

Recent changes on Bulgarian roads that you should be aware of, alongside the usual things of always having dipped headlights on and carrying all of your documents with you. These include:

• Higher fines and potential imprisonment for refusal to take an alcohol/drugs test

• Stricter rules for scooters

• Extended allowance for Bulgarian citizens with non-EU driving licenses

• Average speed check areas are now fully active on limited sections of some motorways around Sofia

• Increased fines for speeding

• Inability to have a yearly technical inspection (MOT) if certain fines have not been paid

Read more here and here.

Later this year, I’ll be sharing some resources to help navigate driving in Bulgaria and surrounding countries.

Community & Coworking at Altspace

Our community bridges the gap between the Bansko community and working online at a coworking space, bringing people together by challenging each other on Side Hustle Day, enjoying dinner together in a local restaurant, painting & wine, or chilling and talking about everything and nothing at Friday Beers.

If you want to join a community and coworking space that offers the right work-life balance, then book a trial day with Altspace Coworking. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ll make.

👉️ Book Your Free Trial Day

Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 66 New Posts, 💬 164 Comments, 👍️ 577 Reactions

Can Anyone Recommend the Best Shkembe (шкембе чорба) in Bansko?
Christin wants to find the best Shkembe (Tripe soup) in Bansko and is looking for suggestions. See where people think is good.

Is the Train the Best Way to Get to Bansko from Plovdiv?
Alina wants to travel from Plovdiv to Bansko and wonders if the train (connecting in Septemvri) is reliable.

My Brother Had a Paragliding Accident. Where’s the Best Hospital?
Veronique asked where the best hospital is for her brother to have an operation on his broken foot after a paragliding accident. Lots of people had the same suggestion.

Padel Courts Near Grand Hotel Look Finished But Aren’t Open Yet
Patricio posted a photo of the new padel courts opposite Grand Bansko and was rather excited. He later found out that they’re owned by the Grand Hotel (no surprise there) and they’re not open yet, and no one seems to know any details.

Local/Municipality News

New Bansko Tourism Board Website
It looks like the local tourism center for Bansko has launched a new website. You’ll need to manually sort translations if you don’t read cyrillic though, and just like the main municipality website, they didn’t redirect any of the old pages to the new ones.🙄 It looks like Nestwork has made it (attributed in the footer) and has made themselves the only coworking space in town on the website 🤷 (Menu > Useful). See the new website. [Translation required.]

Multiple Arrests in “Dangerous Drugs Scheme” in Bansko
Two school children, both female, aged 15 and 16, were arrested this week for being in possession of cannabis with the intent to supply. When arrested and questioned by the police, they identified their dealer as a 26-year-old named “Garath F.” from the UK. The police raided his “warehouse” on Molerov Street (a side street off Pirin Street). They found multiple items: cannabis, heroin, amphetamines, as well as bags and weighing scales for the supply of illegal substances. Read more. [Translation required.]

Belitsa Bear Sanctuary Changes Opening Times
The Bear Sanctuary in Belitsa has made some changes to their opening times for September, October and November to 12pm to 6pm. It’s a great place to visit if you’ve never been before. Read more.

Winning Title for Kickboxer from Bansko
A kickboxer from Bansko, Martin Dimitrov, became the European “Kick Light” Champion at the EURO 25 European Championship in Italy. He’s part of the local kickboxing club, Hawk Bansko Taekwondo school. Read more.

Thirty-Eight Take Part in Fishing Competition in Razlog
Something different for the news! Apparently, “…38 little fishermen left their phones to take part in a unique competition.” Gotta love Facebook translate 😂. A recent angler competition took place in Razlog (at a lake near Sarovitsa) yesterday. They earned a point for every fish caught and there were two main winners. Read more.

Claim Your Bansko.me Email

Show your Bansko pride every time you send an email. 

Forget Yahoo and Gmail, with a Bansko.me email address you finally get an address that feels like home. Perfect for locals, expats, and digital nomads who want to stay connected to Bansko, wherever you are.

Accounts start at just €19/year, with only 10 8 lifetime accounts now available. Clean, ad-free, and private. A premium address that says you belong here.

👉️ Claim Yours Now at Bansko.me

Events Next Week

Bansko Runclub(ish)
Bansko Runclub(ish) will meet at 6.30pm at Altspace Coworking on Gotse Delchev Street on Tuesday (23rd). Then it’s to Tipsy 360 for drinks.

The Silence of Colors Painting Exhibition
From Friday (26th) to Tuesday (30th), a painting exhibition by Violeta Laleva called The Silence of Colors will take place at the Tourist Information Center. The timings are unclear, but I’d expect it to be accessible during working hours (10am to 4pm).

Bansko Street Dogs’ Saturday Sale
Support the local Bansko Street Dogs charity by attending their Saturday Sale. What’s on offer? Clothes, homewares, books, furniture, plants, outdoor gear (bikes, tents, etc.) – all pre-loved and in great condition. On Saturday, from 10am to 2pm near Moderator (location).

Individual Pottery Workshop
Interested in taking part in a pottery workshop? Sky Bansko is hosting them for the next few weeks at their coworking space on Pirin Street on Saturdays and Sundays. Price is 330 BGN per person and includes the clay, glazes, kiln, tools, and personal assistance. More info.

Contact Making Seminar
From next Sunday (28th) to the following Friday (3rd), Champions Factory is running a contact making seminar for youth workers, trainers, or educators who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and outdoor sports. Participation fee is €50. More info.

Sunday BBQ & Happy Hour
Join the local community for BBQ Sunday at Tipsy 360 Bar. Happy Hour runs from 4pm to 6pm with special deals on drinks, and a BBQ special of a bottle of Madri & a burger for 15 BGN. There will be fun and games (including beer pong) as well as sports on the TV (location).

Photo of the Week

Hiking in the mountains above Bansko.

Tag @banskobuzz to get your photo in the Buzz.