The 6 Thermal Baths in Bulgaria Worth the Detour

1.Bansko: Villa Victoria Thermal Pool Escape

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 114 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $22Our pick

Escape Bansko for Villa Victoria’s mineral pools in Banya, a 15-minute drive away. Soak in a 36 to 38 C swimming pool with hydromassage jets, then try the 40 C jacuzzi. Shared transport, entry, changing rooms, and a restaurant are included, but bring a towel and flip-flops.

“Really relaxing way to spend a couple of hours. Transport there was fab, slight delay being picked up but driver explained the problem and it was only 30 mins wait. Pool was nice and the area was nice, music playing. Changing rooms good too. Didn’t use the restaurant but it was there if we wanted it.”

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2.7 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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3.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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4.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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5.Bansko: Easy snowshoeing Pirin National Park & thermal spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 19 reviews · 6 hours · from $100

Leave Bansko, Razlog, or Pirin Golf with an English-speaking guide such as Maria or Mari for an easy to moderate snowshoe walk in Pirin National Park. After mountain views and, sometimes, a hut stop, warm up in Banya’s mineral pools. Snowshoes and poles are included, but spa entry and food cost extra.

“The whole experience was perfect from start to finish. We cannot thank Mari enough for the most amazing day. The hike up the mountain was really good fun. We stopped half way on the mountains for some lunch, which was a perfect location with amazing views. We learned lots of facts about the area and its history from Mari, she is extremely knowledgeable and speaks great English. As a group of 4 friends, this was a great activity, which ended at a thermal spa before being dropped back to our hotel. We highly recommend! MASSIVE THANK YOU TO MARI, YOU REALLY MADE THE EXPERIENCE PERFECT FOR US AND WE ALL…”

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6.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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