The 5 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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