The 15 Best Spa Days in Sofia

1.Rila Monastery and Optional Museum, Cave or Spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 270 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $35Our pick

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery with an English-speaking guide, then choose the National History Museum, monastery museum, Saint John’s Cave hike, or mineral spa. Expect a two-hour mountain drive, a 40-minute guided visit if booked, and free time for lunch and exploring.

“Thank you very much Antonio and Maria for making this day trip a wonderful experience !! Rila Monastery, Saint Ivan's cave and the Boyana church are really tremendous but our guides added a great additional value with their professionalism, knowledge, kindness and help!!”

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2.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 79 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Join an English-speaking mountain leader, such as Velko, Daniel, Alex, or Kiril, for a 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above Bulgaria’s Rila Mountains. Ride a chairlift to 2,150 meters, see frozen alpine lakes, then warm up in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“Loved the activity. Sadly weather conditions meant we couldn’t go to the second lake but it was still so fun regardless !”

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3.Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $132

Leave Sofia for Rila National Park, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and hike a three- or five-hour circular route past the Seven Rila Lakes. Guides such as Phil, Velko, Kiril, Daniel, and Swet have helped adjust walks to weather and fitness. Finish with two hours at Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“This tour was great, our guide was great, took us to see 5 of the seven lakes as there was too much snow to see the 6th and 7th. We saw incredible views. Only issue we had is that it was way more expensive than the tour description said. For the chair lifts it was 25lev return and for the spa it was 40lev. The description says that it would be 15lev for the spa this is a drastic difference and we probably would not have gone with this tour if we had known. The tour operators should update the description. We were not pleased by the miscommunication. Some people…”

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4.7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $129

Leave Sofia early for a guided hike among the Seven Rila Lakes, with a short or longer route above the tree line. Guides such as Mariya and Marin help set the pace, then you unwind in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools before returning to Sofia.

“It was an unforgettable experience. One of the most magical moments of my life, near the sky and under the clouds , on the top if the gorgeous mountains.”

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5.Half Day Tour around Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $210Top rated

Start at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with guides such as Dimitry or Rado, then visit Sofia's history museum, Vitosha's Kopitoto viewpoint, Boyana Church, a traditional restaurant, and Korali's outdoor thermal pool. Transport, entry fees, Wi-Fi, and return transfer are included. Lunch costs extra.

“The excellent service provided by the guide Dimitry, his English was excellent, he was knowlrgable, helpful, and extremely pleasant. We enjoyed the whole day out and the attractions visited , although we gave the dip in the thermal pools a miss two of the party in their eighties, one in her seventies and the fourth at the wrong end of her sixties.”

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6.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144

Start with Sofia hotel pickup and a private transfer to the Rila Mountains. With a certified English-speaking mountain leader, snowshoes, and poles, you’ll hike about 2.5 hours above the tree line, then soak in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools.

“O passeio não aconteceu pois o teleferico que nos levaria aos lagos estava fechado em virtude dos fortes ventos. Faltou atitude da empresa/guia, de obter informações sobre o tempo no local . Viajamos por horas, perdemos nosso dia. depois vimos que já estava sendo divulgado localmente que não era recomendado o passeio e não fomos avisados. Na minha opinião todo o valor pago deveria ser devolvido.”

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7.Rila Monastery and Hot Mineral Bath Spa Complex Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $71

Travel from Sofia to the mountain setting of Rila Monastery, then spend about four hours at Sapareva Banya’s hot mineral bath complex. Driver-guide Apostolos has earned praise for safe driving, useful information, and a friendly manner. Spa entry, lunch, robe, and towels cost extra.

“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…”

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8.Seven Rila Lakes Day Trip from Sofia Guided Hike Lunch & Spa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 8 hours · from $116

Join Simeon or Vera from Sofia for a small-group hike among the Seven Rila Lakes, with snow gear when needed, lunch at a mountain hut, and a stop at Sapareva Banya. Choose the spa option for thermal pools and sauna time after the mountain walk.

“L'excursion était super ! Simeon et Vera étaient de très bons guides et l'ambiance était au rendez-vous. Gros avantage : nous avons pu choisir le lieu de prise en charge, juste en face de l'hôtel. Nous avons passé une journée inoubliable, la vue au sommet des montagnes était à couper le souffle. Simeon s'adapte à votre rythme pour la randonnée et fournit des crampons à mettre sur vos chaussures, très pratique pour ne pas glisser. Nous avons mangé dans un chalet dans les montagnes. Le repas était copieux et d'une grande variété. Le spa était aussi une belle découverte. Nous recommandons d'y rester 2h plutôt qu'une pour bien profiter. N'hésitez…”

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9.Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Travel from Sofia to Rila National Park, ride the cable car, and snowshoe toward the Seven Rila Lakes with a guide such as Velko, Marin, Iva, or Veselin. Finish at Goritsa Waterfall and Kotvata’s hot mineral pools. Expect mountain weather, steep sections, and extra fees for the lift and spa.

“had a wonderful day trip. It was a quick hour and half drive from Sofia. Some climbing and great views. Veselin was a knowledgeable and informative guide. I'm glad that I chose this tour.”

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10.The Best of Sofia: Magical Snowshoeing Adventure in Vitosha & SPA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $103

Join Magical Tours Bulgaria for a 4 to 8-hour winter outing from Sofia to Vitosha Natural Park. Your guide, including Dobrin on some departures, provides snowshoes and poles, adjusts the route to your ability, and ends the day at Korali’s hot mineral pools near Pancharevo Lake.

“Had a blast trip. The entire trip was perfect. Dobrin, our guide is very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to ensure everything was perfect. We hiked in the snow for around 3 hours and Dobrin emanated to show us all the good spots.”

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11.Rila Mountain Winter Day Trip – Nature and SPA!

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 8 reviews · 9 hours · from $35

Spend nine hours from Sofia in snowy Borovets, touring Tsarska Bistritsa and relaxing at Sapareva Banya’s five panoramic pools and saunas. An English-speaking host, such as Vasil on some departures, handles the day. Bring cash, swimwear, flip-flops, and headphones.

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12.Resilovo Monastery,Waterfall &Hot Springs DayTrip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $103

Travel from Sofia with a Spanish, English, or Russian-speaking guide such as Mira or Tsetso. Visit Resilovski Monastery, see a 39-meter Rila waterfall, then spend 3.5 hours at Kotvata mineral spa, with outdoor jacuzzis and hot and cold pools.

“Tsetso is the perfect guide- a kind man who is knowledgeable and passionate about Bulgaria’s history and nature. We had a wonderful time on the trip and can’t recommend it more. The highlight were the waterfall views and Forest, and the spa magnesium baths were lovely. Thank you!”

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13.Private Day Trip to Sapareva Banya for SPA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $119

Leave Sofia at 9am for Sapareva Banya, the Balkan Peninsula’s spa capital. Your private driver, including praised driver Krassimir when available, takes you to a year-round spa with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, and a relaxation area. Spa entry costs extra.

“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.”

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14.Half Day Tour – Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 hours · from $196

Start at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, then ride to the National Museum of History, Vitosha Mountain, Kopitoto TV tower, Boyana Church, a Bulgarian restaurant, and Pancharevo’s outdoor mineral pool. English-speaking guide Dimitri has earned praise for flexible timing and helpful photo stops.

“Jeg havde en super oplevelse. Guiden var imødekommende, havde en stor viden og gjorde i det taget alt for det blev en mindeværdig oplevelse. Guiden var også sød at ta billeder af mig sammen med de flotte steder vi var. Tak👍👍👍 5 Stjerner Hilsen Lars”

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15.Exclusive Sofia: Nevsky, Vitosha Hoof, Boyana, Horse Ride & Spa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $281

Spend 8.5 hours with guides such as Radoslav, Rado, or Mitko, moving from Sofia’s grand cathedral to Vitosha’s Kopitoto viewpoint, Boyana Church, a Bulgarian lunch, horse riding on Plana Mountain, and thermal relaxation in Sapareva Banya.

“Rado and Mitko were amazing they made the trip enjoyable and comfortable. Great knowledge and always helpful. The whole day was great me and my partner loved every bit of it especially the horse riding and the spa. Would highly recommend.”

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