Where'd The Money Go?

In this week’s Buzz:

• How much is a VIP queue pass for the gondola?

• Increase in food safety inspections after changes in the law

• Monthly Bansko Book Club meetup this week

• Money vanishes from a businessman’s apartment in Bansko

• First proper snowfall of 2026 in Bansko town

• Regular weekly events in Bansko updated

• Many different local businesses still returning change in Leva (unlawfully)

€130,000 Vanishes From a Businessman’s Apartment in Bansko

Imagine that you have some money stashed in your apartment, but when you go to get it (or check on it), it’s not there. Poof, it’s gone.

That’s what happened to a businessman this week who reported the theft of over 130,000 Euros from his apartment in Bansko.

The man — said to be “…an individual who is engaged in commercial activity on the territory of Bansko”, which could actually be anything, really, couldn’t it? — reported the theft to the police, who launched an investigation.

It's potentially going to be hard to investigate, though, considering there are no signs of forced entry: no locks or windows/doors broken, and no sign of a break-in. There was no actual robbery either (which would involve violence), despite earlier reports suggesting one.

This raises the question of whether this was an inside job, which seems most likely. Was the cash undeclared? Possibly, but if you read the article from Struma (shared to the notice board), it would seem the cash was from the recent sale of a property. All little snippets of information that if not in the actual story you read can lead to an abundance of incorrect conclusions.

Read more about the story here [translation required].

Five Course Michelin-Style Dinner
at The Chef’s House

We are proud to present the return of multi-award-winning chef Steve Vella to The Chef’s House for an unforgettable culinary experience. This time, we’re elevating the experience with Aleks Popov and his mesmerising saxophone performance.

Experience the perfect combination of flavours with this 5-course dinner:
1. “Fake” Caprese Salad (burrata, tomato, edible soil)
2. Steamed Bun (with truffle braised beef cheeks)
3. Cacio e Pepe Risotto (with snails & crispy kale)
4. Chef’s Beef Fillet (with serrano ham, chicken mousse, garden herbs & crushed potatoes)
5. Home-made Pumpkin Cheesecake

The perfect harmony of fine dining and live music: only €75 per person (includes a bottle of Logodaj wine per 2 persons).

👉️ BOOK YOUR TABLE TODAY

Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 184 New Posts, 💬 1,002 Comments, 👍️ 6,072 Reactions

Disappointed With Smoking Inside Amigo Pub
Ian shared that he’d been to Amigos and they were smoking inside, and that because of this, he didn’t want to return. People discussed the topic. [Smoking inside Amigos after midnight has been happening for the past 5+ years (every year).]

I Just Bought Myself An E-Scooter. Anyone Know The Legalities?
Simon shared that he’s just bought an e-scooter, but is now unsure about the legalities of riding and registering it. See what advice people had.

Does Anyone Recognise This Restaurant Off The Ski Road?
Chris has been to a restaurant just off the ski road, but can’t remember the name and asked the community to help (with just a photo). See where people thought it was.

How Much is a VIP Gondola Pass?
John is coming to ski in Bansko during the busy period and wants to know where to buy it and how much the fast pass for the gondola costs.

As a Non-Skier, Can I Take The Charlift To The Goat
Vincent wonders whether someone can visit The Goat without skiing or boarding (i.e., using one of the lifts to get there and back). See what people had to say.

Bansko & Beyond

Local Municipality Reminds People What To Do After Recent Snowfall
The local municipality reminds residents and businesses in the area of their responsibilities after the recent snowfall in town. (It’s worth reading the comments in the post.) Read more.

Local Municipal Taxes Information
Bansko Municipality posted the payment schedule for local taxes, along with the deadlines. Read more.

Welcome, Madam President
Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court appoints Vice President Iliana Iotova as the new President of Bulgaria following President Rumen Radev’s resignation. Read more.

Bulgarian Constitutional Court Denies Referendum on Joining Eurozone
The Constitutional Court of Bulgaria has ruled that a submission by 51 Bulgarian MPs is inadmissible because Bulgaria could not decide such a referendum on its own (it would need the agreement of the European Union). Read more.

Increased Food Safety Inspections
There will be an increase in food safety inspections in Bansko over the coming weeks, following changes to regulations on the supply and expiry of food at hotels and other businesses that came into effect. Read more [Translation required].

New to Bansko? Skip the tourist traps and join Nick for Bansko Like a Local tour. An insider’s guide to the best bars, restaurants/mehanas and hidden gems. Learn more.

Shop on Amazon & get packages delivered to Bansko with GGBG. Regular transport from the UK, Germany and the USA to Bulgaria. See website for info.

Travelling out of your home country this year? Get travel insurance designed by travellers. True Traveller: one policy to cover all of your activities. Learn more.

Join over 60 million people using Revolut. Hold Euros in your account and pay local businesses in Bansko easily. Sign up for an account now.

Enjoy reading the Bansko Buzz every Sunday? Caffeine fuels Nick’s Sundays as he researches and writes the newsletter. Buy Nick a coffee.

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Events Next Week

Bansko Street Dogs Pub Quiz
This will take place tomorrow (Monday 26th) at Banski Aiduti. The quiz starts at 7.30pm and the entry fee is 5€. More info.

Bansko Book Club Monthly Meetup
Bansko Book Club will meet on Tuesday (27th) at 6.30pm (venue TBC) to discuss what everyone is currently reading, what a must-read is, and to eat some delicious desserts. More info.

Supper Club at Alpen Italian Restaurant
On Wednesday (28th) from 7pm, Carole is hosting this week’s supper club, where people come together for dinner and conversations (donation of 5€ to support the local Bansko Street Dogs charity). [The title of the event incorrectly states “7am” meetup time]. More info.

Drum Circle
On Wednesday (28th) at 8pm at Lotus Life (34 Nayden Grov Street), there will be a Drum Circle workshop, where you can feel the pulse of music, and “…share emotion, energy and freedom through percussion instruments!” Price 35€. More info.

Telescopes Under The Stars (Planetarium)
These take place on Fridays and Saturdays 7pm to 8pm (price 7€) and lectures on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30pm to 4.30pm (price 5€). The lectures will be in English or Russian. More info.

Painting & Wine
On Saturday (31st), starting at 6pm, Anita’s Art Studio is having a painting and wine workshop at this location on Nayden Gerov Street. Price is 25€. More info. [Translation required]

Deep Sound Meditation
On Saturday (31st), at 6pm in Razlog, go on a sound journey with Rumen “…through the vibrations of gongs, Tibetan bowls and ritual musical instruments, we will allow the mind to calm down and the body to remember its natural rhythm.” Price 15€. More info. [Translation required]

Mountain Beef Festival
Published as taking place on Saturday (31st) and Sunday (1st) in Kraishte Village (the other side of Banya towards Yakoruda), there will be a Mountain Beef Festival. This is a celebration of farm produce, live music, and mountain traditions. More info.

Regular Weekly Events

Here is a list of the regular events that will be happening every week throughout the winter season:

- Pub Quiz: Monday from 7pm at different venues (Bansko Street Dogs).
- Bansko Run Club(ish): Tuesday at 6.30pm meet at Altspace Coworking (Central).
- Latin Dance Night: Tuesday from 7pm at Four Leaf Clover.
- Pool Tournament: Thursday from 6.30pm at Smokey Mountain.
- Bingo: Thursday from 7pm at The Hub.
- Friday Beers: Friday 6pm to 8pm at Altspace Coworking (Central) [BYOB].
- Latin Dance Night: Friday from 7pm at DiVino.
- Karaoke: Friday from 8pm at Tipsy 360.
- BSD Saturday Sale: Saturday 10am to 2pm at Bansko Street Dogs shelter.
- Sip & Paint: Saturday 2pm to 4pm at Lucky Bansko Aparthotel.
- Sunday Walk: Sunday from 11am, meeting at the gondola.

Photo of the Week

First proper snow fall in town for 2026 (Pirin Street).

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