Best Hotels in Borovets (For Skiing and Hiking 2023)

Borovets (Боровец) is a popular ski resort in Rila Mountains, Bulgaria. It is located at an altitude of 1350m on the northern slopes of Rila, only 72km from the capital Sofia.

The ski resort has a long history. In fact, it is the oldest winter resort in Bulgaria. It was founded in 1896 as a hunting place for the Bulgarian monarchs. You can still see the former royal palace Tsarska Bistritsa (Царска Бистрица). The palace dates from the end of the 19th century. The Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand and his son Boris III used it as a hunting lodge.

Also, Borovets is a great starting point for climbing Musala peak, the highest peak in Bulgaria. Find out more about it in my Musala peak hike guide.

The resort is one of the best places for skiing in Bulgaria. The season begins at the end of December and continues until March. There are 24 ski runs with a total length of 58 km. The longest one is 12 km.

The resort is crowded during the weekends, due to its closeness to Sofia city. If you’re a winter sports lover, there are two places to go near Sofia – Vitosha Mountain and Borovets.

The thing that I love about Borovets resort is that it is high in the mountain. Thus if you’re a beginner, you don’t need to take the gondola lift. You can ski or snowboard right outside your hotel!

Have an overnight stay in Sofia? Then, check out my guide to the best area to stay in Sofia. Also, take a look at my complete travel guide on how to spend one day in Sofia.

Borovets was my favourite ski resort for years. I’ve visited the mountain resort numerous times both in the summer and winter.

My only tip is when choosing a hotel in Borovets, stay close to Sitnyakovo Express lift or lift Yastrebets. This is the most convenient location both for skiing and hiking. Plus, this is the area where most of the restaurants and bars are. You’ll be just a stone’s throw away from everything!

In a hurry? Looking for the best hotel for skiing or hiking?

Then check out Hotel Rila – it’s the most popular hotel, because of its central location at the end of the ski slopes.

Fantastic location, right at the end of the ski slopes, next to 2 chairlifts. You can access everything you need within walking distance. Excellent facilities, a nice restaurant and a huge spa area with a swimming pool. And the best part is that you can buy your lift pass or book ski lessons directly at the hotel!
Why book – next to the ski slopes, 200m from the gondola lift, private parking, spa centre with swimming pool and hot tub

Ice Angels is a 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of the resort. Its location right on the ski slopes makes it a preferred place for all winter sports lovers. It is one of the best hotels in Borovets, Bulgaria for skiing. It features great SPA facilities including a steam bath, jacuzzi and a swimming pool. Stay here if you search for a cosy place right next to the ski tracks.
Why book – ski-to-door access, restaurant and bar available at the property, swimming pool and steam bath, horseback riding

The Lodge is a 4-star spa hotel right next to gondola lift Yastrebets. Due to its location, it is a great base for climbing Musala Peak, the highest peak in Bulgaria. Also, the accommodation is just 200m away from the town centre and the ski slopes. Stay here if you plan to use the gondola lift for skiing (snowboarding) or hiking in Rila Mountain.
Why book – free parking garage, steam bath, jacuzzi and sauna, lovely restaurant and a lounge bar, ski equipment rental

Yanakiev Club is a 4-star spa hotel located right on the ski slopes. The SPA facilities are awesome and include a swimming pool with mountain views, a steam bath, a sauna and an ice corner. Stay here if you’re looking for a nice place for skiing and relaxing right in the town centre.
Why book – ski-to-door access and ski equipment rental, restaurant with mountain views, fast-food restaurant that you can access directly from the ski tracks

Yastrebets Wellness & Spa is a 4-star luxury spa hotel. No matter if you a winter sports lover or just want to spend a few days among nature, you’ll have an unforgettable experience. The accommodation is located in a secluded area in the middle of the woods, less than 3km from the centre of the resort. Stay here if you search for a romantic escape amongst the unique nature of Rila Park.
Why book – great facilities for relaxation and recreation, excellent restaurant at the property, ski-in/ski-out property – the hotel has its own ski slope

Villa Stresov is a 5-star luxury Swiss-style chalet. It is located only 500m away from the ski tracks and the centre of the resort. All the bars and restaurants are within a few minutes walk.
Surrounded by the pine forest, the villa features a unique alpine atmosphere and comfort. Stay here if you want a quiet luxury place that is close to everything.
Why book – hot tub and Finnish sauna, free parking, BBQ facilities

The only way to travel directly from Sofia Airport to Borovets is by booking a door-to-door transfer by shuttle in advance. If you don’t plan to rent a car, I’d totally recommend booking a shuttle transfer.

For your way back to the airport, reserve here your direct shuttle.

You can get to Borovets from Sofia city centre by using public transport. However, keep in mind, that it’s less convenient than a direct shuttle from the airport (and the price is not much cheaper). I’d recommend this only as a last resort.

• First, you need to get to South Bus Station in Sofia (Avtogara Yug – Автогара Юг). In order to reach it use the metro (the nearest metro station is Joliot Curie). 
• Take a shuttle from the South Bus Station in Sofia to Samokov (about 1h30min journey). There are shuttle buses every 30min.
• From there you have to take a shuttle to Borovets (15min journey). The shuttle buses are every 30min again.
• At the ski resort, the shuttle stops in front of Hotel Samokov and it departs back to Samokov in front of Hotel Ela.

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About the author

	Milena Yordanova
	I’m a full-time travel blogger based in Sofia, Bulgaria. I love to travel and to discover new places, cultures and food. I’m an expert in travel planning and I am here to help you plan your dream vacation.

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