Top 8 Bulgaria Spa Experiences

1.From Sofia: Rila Monastery UNESCO Site & Outdoor Mineral Spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 400 reviews · 9 hours · from $42Our pick

Travel from Sofia in a small group to Rila Monastery, explore its frescoes with an audio guide, then relax at Sapareva Banya’s indoor and outdoor mineral pools. Guides such as Mikhail, Philippe, Ivan, and Georgi are praised for clear English and helpful service. Spa entry, food, towels, and deposits cost extra.

“good experience and nice guide Yogdi with a very good english and good company”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Optional Museum, Cave or Spa

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

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery with an English-speaking guide, then choose the National History Museum, monastery museum, Saint John’s Cave, or mineral hot springs. The monastery and cave offer the strongest cultural and outdoor moments. Expect a long day, limited food choices, and a moderate cave walk.

“Lovely trip and the guide was very good, however the itinerary was confusing and not the same as the description”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Bansko: Villa Victoria Thermal Pool Escape

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 114 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $22Best value

From Bansko, ride about 15 minutes to Villa Victoria in Banya for two to four hours in natural mineral water. You can swim in a 36 to 38 C thermal pool with hydromassage jets, then try the 40 C jacuzzi. Shared transport, admission, changing rooms, and a restaurant are included, but bring your own towel and flip-flops.

“Friendly and informative driver. The facilities were good and excellent thermal pool.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sofia: Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Walk & Thermal Spring Pools

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

Leave Sofia for a guided 2.5-hour snowshoe walk above the Seven Rila Lakes, using a chairlift to reach 2,150 meters. Guides such as Velko, Alex, Daniel, and Kiril adjust the route for weather and ability. Afterward, relax in Sapareva Banya’s hot mineral pools.

“Velko was our guide on this wonderful trip. He knew everything about Bulgaria. Kind, patient, and he always had a solution for anything that came up due to the weather. Congratulations.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.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 Rila National Park, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and choose a three or five-hour circular hike around the Seven Rila Lakes. Guides such as Phil, Swet, Daniel, Velko, and Kiril have been praised for adapting to conditions. Finish with two hours at Sapareva Banya’s thermal baths.

“This was an amazing trip from Sofia to the Rila lakes. Our guide Genko was a very sweet person and really helpful! I was not aware it would snow terribly on the top and had missed to carry my winter boots, but Genko ensured to find a way to help get me to buy new boots on the way, to ensure I wasn't cold when we reached the top! Unfortunately due to weather conditions we couldn't hike fully...but it was still worth it :) We later visited a wonderful thermal spring bath, which made our day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.From Sofia: 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 an English-speaking guide such as Mariya or Marin, walk an easy or demanding route above the tree line, and finish in Sapareva Banya’s thermal pools. The long hike reaches Lakes Peak at 2,550 meters. Chairlift tickets, lunch, and spa entry cost extra.

“Hiking the Rila Mountains is a highlight of my life. I've never done anything quite like this before and it was VERY challenging but well worth it! Bring or rent hiking poles - trust me!! Marin is a great guide, we really enjoyed spending the day with him and the other hikers in our small group. The hike took a lot longer than expected (it really was very challenging!). We stopped at a waterfall on the way which was not in the description. It was nice to see, but took time away from the planned activities. Two participants had a flight to catch, so we unfortunately only got an hour…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Leave Sofia early with a certified mountain leader, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the frozen Kidney Lake in Rila National Park. After about 2.5 hours on snow, descend by lift and relax in Sapareva Banya’s hot mineral pools. Equipment, hotel pickup, and private transport are included.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

8.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 a guided interior visit, then visit Sofia’s National Museum of History, Vitosha Mountain, Kopitoto, and Boyana Church. After a traditional Bulgarian lunch at Stara Krusha, relax in Korali’s outdoor mineral pool beside Pancharevo Lake. English-speaking guides include Dimitry and Rado.

“We had a great experience, the places we visit were all interesting and we cover the most relevant aspects of sofia Rado is an excelent guide always ready to answer questions, help us with pictures and explaining us detaila of all points we visited”

Check availability →Read our full review