Bulgaria · BULGARIAN SPA AND MINERAL BATHS
Good bulgarian spa and mineral baths tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 3 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Travel from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes with a mountain guide, ride or walk to the high trail, and choose a three or five-hour hike. Finish at Sapareva Banya, where thermal pools range from 15 to 45°C. Guides including Mariya and Marin are praised for patient, personal help.
“Wonderful hike. We went for the longer trip and it was both gorgeous and tough but worth it.”
Join an English-speaking driver such as Apostolos for an 11-hour trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Sapareva Banya. Explore Bulgaria’s mountain monastery, enjoy lunch on your own, then spend about four hours at a mineral bath complex. Spa admission is extra and prices can vary.
“Apostolos, our driver, was very nice. Everything was punctual and the day developed as described. The monastery is beautiful and the spa very complete and relaxing. Thank you for a wonderful day! My 3 stars are due to the price of the spa. Be aware that the price of the spa on the weekends is not the one announced in the description. To enter the inner and outer pools with bathrobe rental costs 51 euros per person. The cheapest entrance was 30 euros just for the outer pools and no bathrobe. You need to leave 20 euros deposit in cash at the entrance for locker key and bracelet. This should…”
Leave Sofia at 9am in a private Wi-Fi-equipped vehicle and reach Sapareva Banya in about 90 minutes. You get up to five hours at a local spa with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, a steam bath, and a relax zone. Driver Krassimir has earned praise for being punctual and helpful.
“It was a nice trip . It is not a big place with a few pools with different temperatures of mineral water.We were able to relax and get ready for more activities . It was also easy and picturesque ride from Sofia. Our driver , Krassimir, was in time and very helpful.”
Pick a monastery, a ridge, a cellar or a beach.
