Bulgaria's Property Hotspots

Bansko

Demand for ski properties in Bulgaria is currently extremely high. Bansko ski resort is situated in South-Western Bulgaria in the foothills of one of the most beautiful of all the Bulgarian mountain ranges, the Pirin.

Transfer times to Bansko make it a very accessible resort as Sofia airport is just 160 kilometres away - a journey of approximately 2 hours by car.

Bansko has the best snow record and the longest ski season of all Bulgarian ski resorts, running from December 15th to May 15th. The youngest and the best-developed ski resort in Bulgaria, Bansko’s skiing conditions are excellent. The slopes offer runs and tracks for all types of skiers, from starters to experts, and the ski runs are maintained to an extremely high standard.

The town of Bansko itself is located 925 metres above sea level. Its ski area is 2600 metres above sea level. The Pirin mountain range is reminiscent of the Alps with its highest peak, Vihren, standing at 2914 metres. The total length of the marked pistes is 65 kilometres, with further planned increases in the coming years

Bansko boasts a very comprehensive infrastructure. There is an 8-seat Gondola, five 4-seat lifts and one 3-seat lift. In addition, there are 7 drag lifts and 10 baby drags. The total length of the wire equipment in the resort is 26 kilometres. A proposed second Gondola is also planned for Bansko, a development which will increase yet further the popularity of the resort. Home International’s recommended development in this area is the Majestic Pirin apartments which are situated only 300 metres from the gondola. These superb Bulgarian ski apartments offer a superb investment opportunity – for those seeking a base for skiing holidays or planning to buy-to-let in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria has bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics and, irrespective of the success of the bid, millions of pounds have already been invested into the ski facilities at Bansko. This has led to an almost unbelievable 300% increase in prices to date. The potential for investing in Bulgarian ski properties here is great.

Bansko is also a great place to visit during the warmer months from May to October – it has a lot to offer the non-skier as well. The Pirin National Park combines breath-taking views with excellent opportunities for hiking and sightseeing, including a plethora of lakes, waterfalls, caves and historical sights.

The town of Bansko attracts many visitors with its 120 cultural monuments. It is famous for its fortified and artistically decorated houses and museums.

Bansko has attracted exceptional tourist and investor interest in the last three years. Among the most notable developments are the expansion and modernising of the ski runs and equipment, as well as the construction of new hotels and residential developments. Bansko is generally fully booked during the winter months with Bulgarian, Macedonian, Greek and British tourists making up the bulk of the visitors. Buying a ski apartment in Bansko offers the opportunity for significant returns on your investment, as well as the more immediate benefits of owning a superb holiday apartment and the potential of the tourism rental market.

With its ‘all year round’ season, rich history and traditions, and mineral water springs, Bansko represents not only an attractive tourist destination, but also an ideal investment opportunity.

Pamporovo

Pamporovo is the most southerly ski resort in Europe, which also makes it the sunniest with around 200 days of sunshine a year! As a result it has the capacity for two mid-high seasons. According to a recent article in the London Times, this has resulted in property owners achieving average rental yields of 12% per annum.

The five month winter skiing season commands rental rates comparable with coastal summer resorts on the Black Sea. The four month summer season is currently cheaper than the winter one, but this will change with the Perelik Project, which will see Pamporovo develop as an integrated Ski/Golf/Lake destination with year round pull. The result will be a nine month mid-high season with three months of rentable shoulder season.

With prices still way below realisable market values, ski resort properties in Bulgaria are currently extremely attractive. Pamporovo is of particular interest because along with Bansko and Borovets, it is among the best ski locations in Bulgaria.

Property in Pamporova is still available at lower prices and is just about to come into its own with the Perelik Project This gives investors a much greater potential for high and rapid capital appreciation, even before the effect of Bulgaria’s EU membership is factored in. This confidence in the area’s potential is ably demonstrated by HomeInternational’s featured development of the luxury ski apartments of Zarena Ski. If you are looking for ski apartments in Bulgaria, Pamporova is a property market about to take off.

Surrounded by beautiful mountainous scenery and acres of natural pine forest, Pamporovo is the perfect spot for lovers of both recreation and relaxation. The Rhodope Mountains are renowned for their natural spas and the therapeutic quality of their lakes, rivers and even the very air itself.

Pamporovo is popular with experienced skiers and beginners alike, with slopes of all difficulty levels plus a first class ski-lift system. There are also three trails for cross-country skiing and a racing ski run for giant slalom competitions.

The après ski facilities are second to none, with plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs catering for all tastes and age groups.

The grand Perelik Project will turn the Rhodope Mountains into a major tourism centre, linking the Perelik Peak in Pamporovo with the nearby town of Smoylan and Smoylan Lakes. Over €650 million is being invested in the development of the Perelik Peak region into Bulgaria’s largest ski centre, covering an area greater than the Connemara National Park.

The Perelik golf course, designed by Ian Woosnam and developed by IMG, is destined to become the best in Bulgaria for quality and facilities, while Smoylan lakes will be developed as a major leisure and watersports centre.

The result will be a diverse year-round tourist amenity offering outstanding natural beauty, some of the best skiing in Europe, great watersports and top-class golf.

Believe it or not, the Greek border is just 30 kilometres from Pamporovo. The new major motorway project currently underway from Smolyan to the Greek Aegean (due for completion by the end of 2007) will bring the beaches of this famous coastline within 45 minutes drive of Pamporovo.

Not only will this add a few days at the beach to the schedule of Northern European tourists visiting Pamporovo in the summertime, it will also bring an influx of Greek tourists to the region. The potential for those looking to invest in Bulgarian property in Pamporova is immense.

Sunny Beach

Property in Sunny Beach is another ideal investment opportunity. Sunny Beach is a town on the Black sea coast of Bulgaria, located approximately 35 kilometres north of Bourgas.

It is Bulgaria´s biggest and most popular holiday resort. The local authorities intend this to be the case for some time and have invested millions of euros into the area.

Property prices in the area (although they have risen substantially in recent months) are still proportionately low with other areas in Europe. In addition, the prominence of the local tourist market makes this an ideal place to buy a Bulgarian investment property or a holiday home.

The main strip of hotels backing onto the beach is several kilometres long and extends along a wide bay between Sveti Vlas and Nessebar.

The climate of the area is Mediterranean, largely explaining Sunny Beach's popularity with tourists.

Traditionally, the resort's popularity has been with German, Bulgarian and Russian visitors. More recently, Sunny Beach has begun to attract the attention of British and Scandinavian tourists, for whom it is a more affordable alternative to the established Mediterranean resorts.

Attractions for tourists include the beach itself, watersports, nightlife, and the proximity to historical sites such as Nessebar. Sunny Beach is popular with families and young people alike.

Nessebar

The town of Nessebar (with around 10,000 inhabitants) is situated on a small peninsula 37 kilometres northeast of Bourgas. Its beach is considered the best alongthe Black Sea coast. Originally a Greek fishing village, it is one of the most picturesque areas on this stunning coastline.

The dune-filled sandy strip of land between the town and the village of Ravda is covered with extremely fine and clean golden sand. The green copses by the sandy strips provide a cool breath of air during the hot days.

Nessebar is an eclectic mix of Bulgaria’s ancient historical past and, thanks to its re-invention as a resort location, a modern town.

It is one of the oldest towns in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architecture and facades of its buildings reflect the diversity of its history. The town is a real living museum showing Bulgarian tradition, with over twenty places of interest. Valuable monuments from all the ages of its thousand year- old existence have been preserved.

Nowadays Nessebar, with its unique ancient atmosphere, provides an unmissable opportunity for sight-seeing and recreation in the area. The potential for investment here is great – with an established holiday market.

All in all, Bulgarian property is a rapidly growing market – whether you are looking at ski apartments, golf apartments or beach apartments. Bulgaria offers an ideal investment opportunity with significant capital appreciation and excellent potential income from the buy-to-let market.