The 12 Bulgaria Hot Springs Tours That Earn the Trip

1.Bansko: Villa Victoria Thermal Pool Escape

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

Leave Bansko for the village of Banya, about 10 to 15 minutes away, and spend up to four hours at Villa Victoria’s mineral pools. You get shared transport, admission, changing rooms, a restaurant, and two pools: a 36 to 38 C swimming pool with hydromassage jets and a 40 C jacuzzi. Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops.

“Was very peaceful and relaxing, will definitely recommend the early tour as even by 12:30pm it starts to get busy”

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2.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

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

Leave Sofia early with an English-speaking mountain leader such as Velko, Daniel, Alex, or Kiril. Ride a chairlift above the pine forest, snowshoe for about 2.5 hours toward the Kidney Lake, then warm up in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools. Weather can change the route, so bring proper winter gear.

“Amazing views and a must have trip. I never saw anything like that. Just pure nature and absolute silence. The ride to the mountain was beautiful and I enjoyed being inside the massive forest while taking the lift to the starting point. The best part about the trip was our amazing guide, Marin. He was nice and interesting. Made share we were all comfortable and was thoughtful when my girlfriend got tired from the hike. He knows many things about the place and Bulgaria in general. Most of all, he is kind and really made our trip memorable.”

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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 early for a guided hike among the Seven Rila Lakes, reached by chairlift above the Rila tree line. Choose a 3-hour or 5-hour route, then relax at Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools. Guides such as Daniel, Kiril, Velko, and Swet have helped adapt walks to snow, fog, fitness levels, and changing mountain weather.

“Really nice experience hiking in this impressive area. Our guide did a great job of adjusting to everyone's different needs and fitness levels. He had a great attitude and disposition the entire time and was super helpful. If you can make it all the way to the top point...the view is stunning! Highly recommend!”

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4.7 Rila Lakes Hiking & Thermal Spa Day Tour

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

Travel from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes with a mountain guide such as Mariya or Marin, ride or walk to the high trail, and choose a three to five-hour route. Finish with thermal pools in Sapareva Banya, allowing extra money for the lift, spa, and lunch.

“Wonderful hike. We went for the longer trip and it was both gorgeous and tough but worth it.”

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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, then visit Sofia’s National Museum of History, Vitosha Mountain, Kopitoto, Boyana Church, a traditional restaurant, and Korali’s outdoor thermal pool. Air-conditioned transport, Wi-Fi, admissions, and a guide are included. Lunch costs extra, and private pickup is available for an added fee.

“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

Leave Sofia by private vehicle for the Rila Mountains, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the Kidney Lake with a certified English-speaking mountain leader. Snowshoes, poles, hotel pickup, and guidance are included. After about 2.5 hours on the trail, relax in Sapareva Banya’s mineral-water pools.

“Our tour guide was amazing! The view was absolutely beautiful. Definitely want to come back during the summer to do the hike again!”

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7.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, Mari, or Mairy for an easy to moderate snowshoe walk in Pirin National Park. Snowshoes and poles are supplied. After mountain views and, if conditions allow, a hut stop, relax for about 90 minutes in Banya’s thermal pools. Spa entry and food cost extra.

“Great walk, amazing view. Guide was very nice. It isn't very clear but the spa is not included in the price -though not very expensive to go into the hot springs and feels amazing after the long walk.”

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8.Bansko: Villa Victoria Thermal pool escape

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews · from $56

Trade Bansko’s ski boots for warm mineral water at Villa Victoria in Banya. After a short transfer from the Traventuria meeting point, you get time in a 36 to 38 C main pool and a hotter 40 C jacuzzi. Bring flip-flops, a towel, and a robe, since only transport, entry fees, and taxes are included.

“Great value for money. Pick up was in a great location, very central to town. Villa Victoria was lovely, pool perfect temperature to soothe tired muscles”

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

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

Travel from Sofia with a small group of up to six people to Resilovski Monastery, a 39-meter Rila waterfall, and Aqua Club Kotvata. Guides such as Mira and Tsetso offer Spanish, English, or Russian commentary. Allow extra money for the 30 BGN spa entry, deposit, towel, and robe.

“We had a great day with our guide in Sofia and highly recommend him. He took us to the monastery, the baths, and a local restaurant, and everything was well planned and relaxed. He is very knowledgeable, explains things clearly, and knows the area extremely well. Beyond his professionalism, he was warm, patient, and easy to be around, creating a positive and friendly atmosphere throughout the day. Thanks to him, the tour felt authentic and enjoyable from start to finish. Highly recommended!!!”

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10.Private Day Trip to Sapareva Banya for SPA

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

Leave Sofia at 9am in a private, air-conditioned vehicle for Sapareva Banya, the Balkan Peninsula’s spa capital. 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 been praised for his punctual, helpful service. Spa entry and lunch cost 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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11.Half Day Tour – Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa

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

Join guide Dimitri for a six-hour outing from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral into Sofia’s mountains. Visit the National Museum of History, Boyana Church, and Kopitoto viewpoint, stop for Bulgarian food, then spend up to two hours at an outdoor mineral pool beside Pancharevo Lake. Lunch, swimwear, towel, and flip-flops are separate considerations.

“Sehr schöne Kombination verschiedener Sehenswürdigkeiten rund um Sofoa, die ohne Auto nur sehr aufwändig zu erreichen sind”

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12.Boyana Church and Thermal SPA near Pancharevo Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $205

Spend about seven hours near Sofia with hotel pickup, a private air-conditioned car, and an English-speaking driver-host. See Boyana Church’s 1259 frescoes, then relax for about 3.5 hours at Pancharevo Lake’s mineral-water spa, with pools, sauna, steam bath, and jacuzzi. Lunch is not included.

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