Bansko is surrounded by the beautiful Pirin, Rila and Rhodope Mountains. The medieval town is beautifully preserved with cobbled streets and merchant’s dwellings nestled in the shelter of high stone walls. The town is Bulgaria’s most rapidly developing ski resort. It offers the combination of a modern ski resort, whilst still retaining all of its traditional charm. A wide variety of entertainment will appeal to all visitors, from quaint restaurants, (locally called Mexhanas), coffee shops, to clubs and discos. There are even Internet Cafes starting to open. Surrounding Bansko are several national parks. Rare flowers and birds (vultures, eagles and falcons) along with endangered animal species such as the red deer, wolves and bears can all be found here. The National Pirin Park lies south of Bansko and is included in the UNESCO list for cultural and natural sightseeing. The park spans over 27,400ha and is rich in lakes, waterfalls, caves, century-old trees and historic sites. Many rare plants species are protected within the park, including the near extinct Edelweiss. Summertime is very pleasant and there are plenty of activities to suit everyone. Walking, hiking, cycling, white water rafting, rock climbing, horse riding, off road safari and fishing can all be organised from the town.