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Spa & Balneology retreats
What is a "spa retreat"?
Bulgaria is blessed with hundreds of natural springs. In fact only one other country on earth is reported to have more and that’s Japan. This makes Bulgaria a logical choice for “Spa Tourists” from much of the rest of the world.
Many people think of a spa resort as a huge hotel which offers many different kinds of treatments. To many, you can quite literally build a spa hotel anywhere but what sets Bulgaria apart is the use of natural springs containing mineral waters which have proven benefits for pretty much every type of complaint and disorder you can imagine.
The large hotels have, of course, sprung up around these springs and take advantage of the natural mineral waters which means Bulgaria is the place with the largest choice of “true spa hotels” in Europe. Alongside the benefits of the waters there are the “treatments” which range from traditional massages to (literally) bathing in chocolate!
The spa resorts in Bulgaria are not only some of the oldest (Roman Emperors often came through Bulgaria to take a dip!) but also some of the best value.
Below we have selected the very best locations and spa resorts around those locations for you to enjoy.
(N.B. – It is not recommended to eat the chocolate in a chocolate bath... you don’t know who was in it before!)
Map of the Best Spa Resorts in Bulgaria
Sandanski
Sandanski is a town and a wonderful recreation centre in south-western Bulgaria and tops our list for Spa Tourism destinations. Located in a valley at the foot of Pirin Mountain, on both banks of the Sandanska Bistritsa River. The area is known for it's pure air and healing waters. Apart from being our number one spa tourism destination the region also offers visitors opportunities for wine tourism, eco tourism and many other activities just a short drive away.
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Velingrad
Velingrad (procalimed "Spa Capital of the Balkans") is situated 86 km southwest of Plovdiv and 133 km from the capital Sofia. At 750-850 m above sea level. Summers are warm and winters are mild. The average annual temperature is 10°C, while the average July temperature is 19°C. The annual duration of sunshine is about 2,000 hours.
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Hissar
Hisarya (also known as Hisar, Hissar or Hissarya) is a small resort town in Bulgaria, close to the second city of Plovdiv. Located in the outskirts of the Sredna Gora mountain range, it boasts of a very mild climate and over two dozen different mineral springs, which make it a favourite spa location for many Bulgarian and foreign tourists. It is also steeped in History and opportunities for eco, horse and off road tourism are evident.
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Saperava Banya
Sapareva Banya is a picturesque little town at the base of the Rila Mountains. The waters are not for drinking as they come out of the ground at over a hundred degrees but offer many benefits to those wanting to simply sit in them. The towns gyser is a "must see" and is located in the park in the centre. The town is a great location for many other types of other activities, especially Eco Tourism.
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Razlog Region (Bansko, Banya, Dobrinishte)
The Razlog Valley is set at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and is home to Bulgaria’s most popular ski resort; Bansko. As it is a major haven for tourists in the winter months, a lot of the hotel and tourist services in the region offer great value opportunties for the summer months. The mineral waters can be found in Dobrinishte and Banya and everything else in Bansko.
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