Bulgaria · THERMAL POOLS & MINERAL SPRINGS
The country sits on more than 500 mineral springs, and half the good ones are an hour from Sofia. These 15 cover the open-air pools, the spa afternoons bolted onto a monastery run, and the geyser at Sapareva Banya.
Soak in Banya’s mineral pools near Bansko with shared transport, two thermal temperatures, and a 2-4 hour break.
“The therme pool is an extraordinary experience, don't miss it!”
Snowshoe frozen Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, then soak in hot thermal pools at Sapareva Banya. Winter views, guided day trip.
“The snow shoeing experience was great. Giorgi, was an excellent host and it was interesting to hear his perspectives on Bulgarian culture and his in depth knowledge of the Riva Mountains and its Lakes. We thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.”
Rila Lakes in the morning, chairlift views over the peaks, then hot springs at Sapareva Banya. Easy to tough options, full day.
“Wonderful hike. We went for the longer trip and it was both gorgeous and tough but worth it.”
Half-day Sofia tour with museum, Vitosha viewpoints and Boyana Church, ending with year-round Korali thermal spa soak.
“We had a great experience, the places we visit were all interesting and we cover the most relevant aspects of sofia Rado is an excelent guide always ready to answer questions, help us with pictures and explaining us detaila of all points we visited”
Snowshoe the Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia, ride up by chairlift, then soak in Sapareva Banya hot springs for a full winter day.
“In advance of the tour, we sent multiple Viator messages, wrote an email, and called the provided number 5+ times. We did not select a pickup point because we were already going to be in Rila and wanted to meet there, so we asked where would be best to meet the local guide. No one responded to any of these inquiries, no one reached out to us via the phone number I provided, and so ultimately my husband and I did not go on this tour. (Despite having paid for it!) We had a great day in Rila by ourselves, but there was absolutely no communication from the vendor which…”
Visit Rila Monastery and soak in Sapareva Banya mineral baths on an 11-hour Sofia day trip with free monastery entry.
“Our driver/tour guide Apostolos was terrific! There were 8 of us on the bus, although we broke into two groups after the monastery. (Most went to the Rila seven lakes, but my daughter and I went to the thermal spa town, Sapareva Banya.) Rila Monastery is lovely, and in an alpine setting. We spent about fifty minutes there. In Sapareva Banya, we had an excellent lunch at Golden Chicken, followed by several hours enjoying the baths at Five Elements Hotel. An all- inclusive day pass (indoor and outdoor pools, several hot pools, cold plunge, saunas, steam rooms, flavored water, robe and towels) is 70 BGN per person. Don't forget swimsuits…”
Snowshoe the Seven Rila Lakes, pause at Bulgaria’s only geyser and a 39 m waterfall, then soak in thermal mineral pools.
“Easily the most incredible hike I’ve been on. I’ve never been snowshoeing before and this was a beautiful experience. Ves, our guide, was a fantastic person and the hike it self was unforgettable.”
Easy snowshoeing in UNESCO Pirin National Park from Bansko, followed by relaxing hot-spring thermal pools in Banya village.
“Amazing experience. Mairy was excellent and the whole group had an amazing time… Totally recommend it…”
Soak in Sapareva Banya 103°C mineral pools with Borovets hotel pickup, admission included, and about 3 hours total.
“Excellent and relaxing. We really enjoyed our experience and our local guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Would highly recommend!”
3 hours in Sapareva Banya hot mineral pools at 103C, mountain views, and easy round trip transport from Hotel Samokov.
“we really enjoyed this excursion, I would highly recommend it. perfect thing to do after skiing. Dobrin our guide was fantastic, full of interesting facts about Borovets.”
Thermal pools in Sapareva Banya from Borovets with a round-trip transfer, choose Kotvata or Rila rock, and relax 2 hours in hot mineral water.
“I do not recommend this tour because it says pick up point from one place but it was another. Second the prices for towels/dressing robes are incorrect. We paid €10 deposit for 2 lockers which we got back, €40 for 2 robes which when you return the robe you only get €20 back. Although the club is nice, has good sauna, small jacuzzi indoors next to the bar and heated changing rooms, the outdoor pool is not that really heated. The pool closes @7pm and the club closed @7:45 so we had to wait outside in the cold until 8:30pm although we were begging the company and driver to pick…”
Private Sapareva Banya SPA day from Sofia with Wi-Fi vehicle, up to 5 hours in mineral pools and saunas, flexible lunch nearby.
“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.”
A 6-hour Sofia loop with cathedral, museum, Vitosha viewpoints, Boyana Church, and an outdoor hot-spring soak at Pancharevo.
“Sehr schöne Kombination verschiedener Sehenswürdigkeiten rund um Sofoa, die ohne Auto nur sehr aufwändig zu erreichen sind”
Half-day Borovets hot springs transfer to Sapareva Banya, with a 103°C geothermal soak, English driver, and round-trip hotel pick up.
“we were NOT picked up so we did not have our trip. nobody was answering the phone either”
Half-day jeep safari from Velingrad to Milevi Skali for 360 views, photo stops, and optional organic Rhodopean lunch in the Rhodopes.
“Wow! What a perfect jeep safari! Velingrad is a lot more than spa. It's nature, great views and wonderful home made food. We totally enjoyed the safari! Recommended it to our friends!”
Pick a monastery, a mountain, a cave or a coastline.
