When to go · Bansko
Bansko in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking). Across Bulgaria: Christmas markets in Sofia and Plovdiv; ski season opens mid-month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Medium
- Bulgaria overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Bulgaria overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking). Across Bulgaria: Christmas markets in Sofia and Plovdiv; ski season opens mid-month.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- JanuaryGreatInside Bansko's best window: Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking.
- FebruaryGreatInside Bansko's best window: Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking.
- MarchGreatInside Bansko's best window: Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking.
- JuneGreatInside Bansko's best window: Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking.
Weather in December
- BanskoHighs around 5 °C (41 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 41 °F (5 °C), lows around 27 °F (-3 °C), rain on about 9 days
- Sofia and the upland basins, Bulgaria · Sofia, Bansko, Samokovcool
At 550 m Sofia is cooler than the plains; snowy winters and warm summers; Vitosha skiing and hiking on the doorstep.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec · Bulgaria
Family holiday; shops and restaurants close on the 25th.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Bulgaria overall
- Medium
- Prices · Bulgaria overall
- Medium
Bulgaria overall: Christmas markets in Sofia and Plovdiv; ski season opens mid-month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Bansko, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Jan: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Night low
Dec: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 9
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
Dec: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jan: 0
December: Outside the best window (Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking). Across Bulgaria: Christmas markets in Sofia and Plovdiv; ski season opens mid-month.
January: Inside Bansko's best window: Jul–Sep for ski, Jan–Mar for early season, Jun–Aug for hiking.
Bansko: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket