Best cheap spas in Europe

Cheap spas in Europe: Bulgaria.

In Europe there may be very luxurious or famous spas, like those in Hungary, Germany, Iceland, Andorra, etc., but if what you are looking for are natural hot springs and quality spas in cheap spas, then the ideal destination of your trip is Bulgaria.

Spa in Zlatograd (Bulgaria).

Where exactly are the best cheap spas in Europe?

This Eastern European country has an ancient tradition in the use of thermal waters from its subsoil for therapeutic and relaxation purposes., in fact the Romans already founded several spa towns in Bulgaria where some of their emperors used to relax, generals and other influential characters, some of these spa towns continue to function today as spa tourist destinations. More information on Health and Wellness Tourism in Bulgaria here.

What makes Bulgaria offer the best cheap spas in Europe is:

1. Tradition, thermal waters have been used for this purpose for centuries.
2. Air quality. Bulgaria has a very large wooded area and its small population makes it one of the countries in Europe with exceptional air quality in the mountain areas where most of the spas are located.. What good is it to us to relax in a spa if when we leave we have to breathe the polluted air of the big cities of Central Europe? There is no such problem here.
3. Know to do, spas in Bulgaria are not a recent fad, and that is why there are professionals who have been dedicated to this type of Spa tourism for many years., the properties of water are very well studied and proven in thousands of people who have proven its benefits for health and well-being over the years.
4. Low costs, thermal water in Bulgaria emerges from the ground in multiple locations, you don't have to do big surveys to find it (even in the capital, Sofia there are free-use hot springs right in the center). In addition, the salaries and operating costs of the spas are low compared to the rest of Europe, main reasons for offering cheap spas.
5. Related to the above, our trip through Bulgaria as a whole can be very cheap because food and accommodation are much cheaper than in other spa towns in Europe.
6. Not crowded. Thanks to Bulgaria being little publicized as a tourist destination, in the spas of Bulgaria we are not going to find crowded pools, nor will we have to queue for Spa services. We will only meet some English tourists, Russians and of course Bulgarians at your facilities.
7. Weather, Bulgaria is located just above Greece and offers a mild continental climate that allows for well-differentiated seasons, therefore rainy in winter and spring that helps to have lush forests and sunny in summer that allows you to do outdoor activities as well as relax in the spa.

Here are the most famous spa towns in Bulgaria where you will find cheap but excellent quality spas:

Spa hotel with outdoor thermal pool in Chiflik

Chiflik.

Chiflik is a small town with just a row of houses on each side of the river that crosses its valley, is located about 190 km from the capital, Sofia, in the heart of the Central Balkan Mountains, surrounded by mountains of lush and lush forests. It is considered the place with the purest air in all of Bulgaria. After the village of Chiflik, following the road that winds over the river in the valley, you reach the hotel complex where several spas offer indoor and outdoor pools with natural thermal water. (not chlorinated) at a constant temperature of 34º C and open all year round, even in winter you can bathe outdoors surrounded by a snowy landscape… further, apart from Spa tourism, Here you can make a fantastic excursion to see the nearby Orthodox Monastery of Troyan.

Spa Hotel in Devin – Rhodope mountains

Devin

This city, together with the spa town of Sandanski, are the ones that offer the highest number of sunny days per year in Bulgaria, which is not an obstacle to being surrounded by green mountains. In Devin's area there are 15 different springs of water. Devin's waters are suitable for liver treatments, urologist, endocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, infectious, etc… In addition Devin is in the region of the Rhodope mountains, which are the cradle of old Bulgarian folk traditions and rich gastronomy. Learn more about Devin here.

Thermal spring fountain in a public park in Hisaria

Hisaria

It is next to the city of Velingrad, the most famous spa town in Bulgaria. In Hisaria there are 22 springs with different properties and temperatures between 41 a 51 ºC. Its extensive parks with huge trees and several fountains from which the hot spring water flows throughout the year are noteworthy., as well as a long Roman wall that surrounds these parks. Hisaria waters have proven their effectiveness for urinary system treatments, renal, gastric, pancreas and bile. It is a small city focused on spa tourism, ideal to relax because it is quiet, it has many parks to walk and good restaurants.

Spartacus statue in Sandanski (Bulgaria)

Sandanski

It is located next to the high mountains the National Park of Pirin . Has more than 80 mineral water springs. Sandanski waters are ideal for outdoor pools throughout the year and for its strong healing effect especially for gastrointestinal and kidney disorders.. The temperature of Sandanski mineral water is between 42 y 81ºC (logically the hottest are mixed with cold water to be used in pools and treatments). The city enjoys low humidity and high average air temperatures and fantastic views with the high peaks of the Pirin Mountains in the background. Also as a curious detail, say it is the area where the famous Thracian gladiator lived Spartacus.

Velingrad

It is known as the Spa capital of Bulgaria, owns more than 90 mineral water springs. Of all the previous ones it is the largest city, where apart from a multitude of spa hotels there is intense commercial activity and social life in the streets. The spa hotels are located in the heart of the city so you can take advantage of it to shop, take a walk, go to cafes and restaurants. It also has an Ethnographic Museum with a curious exhibition of painted Easter eggs.. In Velingrad together with Hisaria, are the cities where the largest spa hotels are located, To find some difference, it can be said that Hisaria is quieter and stands out for its hotels with large outdoor thermal water pools, while Velingrad is more lively and hotels with large indoor thermal pools predominate..

SPA in Velingrad (Bulgaria) overlooking the green mountains

Museum of Painted Easter Eggs in Velingrad

Pomorie

It is located on the Black Sea coast, far from the capital, Sofia. Apart from its luxury hotels with Spa for international tourism, it has very good beaches and stands out for the lakes that surround the city where one can take mud baths with curative effects due to its richness in hydrogen., magnesium, football, sodium and sulfates. Therefore Pomorie offers a complete beach package, Spa, mud and guaranteed fun for the whole family.

Mud baths in Pomorie.

Sapareva Banya

It is only 70 km from Sofia, near the path leading to the famous Rila Monastery. It is also a must if you want to visit the also famous Seven Rila Lakes. The city is small, with low houses, rather big town style, and it is full of guest houses where to stay at very low prices and then be able to enjoy the mineral water pools of the city by paying a small entrance fee. It offers the peculiarity of having in a square in the center of the town the only geyser in continental Europe whose water column rises in gusts to a height of 18 meters, a natural spectacle to behold (and smell, for its sulfur content…).

Natural thermal water geyser in Sapareva Banya (Bulgaria)

Other cheap spas in Bulgaria

There are many other cities with cheap spas in Bulgaria, but in order not to extend further, we only cite them here below.

If you want more information or visit any of them, please get in touch with us, we know the best corners and hotels that do not appear in the official guides of the country…

– Banya (next to the city of Bansko)
– Burgas
– Haskovski
– Kostenets
– Mineral Baths
– Momin Prohod
– Pavel Banya
– Ognyanovo
– Sliven
– Stara Zagora Baths
– Kyustendil
– Shipkovo
– Varshetz