One of my favourite things to do in Bulgaria is to visit the amazing hot springs near Bansko. In the winter, after a day on the slopes, there is nothing more relaxing than floating around in the hot springs near Bansko and staring up at the stars. It works wonders for those tired muscles too!
And if you’re here in the summer, the hot springs near Bankso make the perfect spot to work on your tan during the day. Nearly all the springs have cold pools to cool off in when it gets too hot.
For me, Bansko, and neighbouring Banya, have some of the best hot springs in Bulgaria. So, here I have rounded up my top 5 hot springs in Bansko for you to check out.
1. Regnum Thermal Hot Springs
Regnum Thermal is one of my favourite hot springs near Bansko.
It’s located in the neighbouring town of Banya Bulgaria, which means bath in English. As the name suggests, Banya is famous for its hot springs, and most of the springs on this list are in Banya.
Regnum is a purpose built hot springs and spa facility. It comprises a main building which houses the spa facilities, changing rooms and bar.
The Facilities at the Regum Thermal
Within the spa, you will find a sauna, steam room and massage treatments available.
Outside are the amazing hot springs. Here you’ll find two large swimming pools. One is heated and is a perfect temperature for relaxing in either summer or winter.
image credit: regnumbanyathermal.com
The second large pool is much cooler. In the summer, it’s perfect for swimming and cooling off. In the winter, it’s a form of cold shock therapy, going from the hot pool to the cold one (and back again pretty quickly!).
There are then two smaller thermal pools, which are both hotter still, with the hottest being heated to around 40 degrees Celsius.
I love Regnum as there are loungers around the pool and the two large pools are large enough to accommodate everyone. It’s pretty popular here, but there is plenty of space.
In addition, the spa and changing facilities are good quality, and it makes for a great day trip.
Equally, you can go in the evening and get discounted entry after 4pm. This is perfect after a day of skiing in Bansko.
There is a bar and small café/restaurant at the Regnum which serves food and drinks during the day. There isn’t a sit down restaurant at this hot spring near Bansko.
Prices at the Regnum Thermal
In terms of pricing, Regnum is excellent value for what you get. Full day use of the mineral water pools outside is 35BGN (£15, €18) for adults and 10BGN (£4.50, €5) for children. In the winter, it’s 40BGN and 16BGN respectively.
There is a discount after 4pm. In the summer, from 4pm to 8pm, it’s 20BGN per adult and 5BGN per child. In the winter, from 4pm to 7pm, it’s the same price for adults and 8BGN for children.
Check the Regnum website here to check the latest prices.
image credit: regnumbanyathermal.com
The use of the indoor spa and massage treatments are additional. You can find out more about these prices on the Spa and Wellness page of the Regnum website.
The town of Banya, and Regnum itself, is around 5 km outside Bansko. I would recommend ordering a taxi for the short trip.
Of the hot springs Bulgaria has to offer, the Regnum is definitely one of my favourites for groups, given its size and the facilities available.
2. Izgreva Thermal Baths
For some of the most authentic feeling hot springs Bansko has to offer, I highly recommend Izgreva Thermal Baths.
Izgreva is also located in Banya and a short distance from Regnum above. So if you want the full experience, why not try both in a day!
To me, this feels much more like a traditional Bulgarian hot spring. The large main pool has a rugged feel to it. It’s heated to a lovely temperature and is perfect for winter or summer.
There is a second pool, to the end of the main pool, which is slightly warmer. Finally, there is a hot tub style pool under a roof, which is hotter still.
There are no spa or massage facilities at Izgreva and the changing facilities are much more basic than the more upmarket hot springs near Bansko.
However, there is a lovely, traditional restaurant inside which has plenty of seating for big groups. It offers good food at very reasonable prices. It’s a great place to eat after a day or an evening in the outside pools.
The prices at Izgreva are very reasonable and as such this is a very popular hot spring with both tourists and locals alike. It’s around 15BGN (£6.50, €7.50) per person.
Again, taxis are available in Bansko to take you to and from Izgreva hot springs if you don’t have a car or if you want to enjoy a drink or two in the restaurant/bar during your trip.
Take a Tour to Izgreva
Alternatively, you can book the Thermal Pool Escape to Izgreva which includes transport and entry at a very reasonable price. You’ll get picked up in Bansko and have 2 hours at Izgreva before returning. This is an excellent option for a trip after a day of Skiing in Bansko.
The 2-hour tour costs around £16.50/€19/37BGN and can be booked at any time to suit. You can book a single ticket or for a group making it an excellent and convenient way to head out to Izgreva in Banya.
3. Villa Victoria Thermal Spa
Villa Victoria is another of my favourite hot springs near Bansko. As you may have guessed by now, this one is also located in nearby Banya!
Villa Victoria hot springs are part of a larger hotel, but you can visit the hot springs as a visitor or guest.
There is a large main outdoor pool which is heated to a very pleasant temperature for both summer and winter. It has an underwater ledge running all the way along one edge. Perfect for sitting in the pool and switching off.
At one end of the main pool is a shallower children’s pool. Then there is a second, smaller pool, which is much hotter. Almost like a jacuzzi, it’s great for relaxing the muscles in hot water before dipping back into the main pool to ‘cool down’.
There are plenty of loungers and umbrellas around the pool. So in the summer, it’s a great place to come and sunbathe during the day. In the evening, the pool and the hotel light up, and it’s an incredible place to watch the stars appear, in summer or winter.
Inside, there is a separate spa center with a sauna, steam room, salt room and massage treatments available. These are available free of charge to guests of the hotel, or for an additional payment for visitors.
There’s also a great restaurant overlooking the pool. They serve excellent, local food at great prices along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. In the winter, there will be a cosy fire and in the summer you get great views out over the pool.
Entry to Villa Victoria is around 20BGN (£8.80, €10) per person, and so it’s another great priced hot springs option near Bansko.
Want to know more about Bansko? Check out my other articles:
Stay at Villa Victoria Hotel and Spa
Equally, if you’re looking for a relaxing hotel stay, then why not consider a stay at Villa Victoria. They have some excellent room rates and full package stay options for an incredibly relaxing stay in the Pirin mountains.
Check out the latest deals here.
4. Hot Springs Medical and Spa
Hot Springs Medical and Spa Hotel is a purpose built hotel and spa complex located in Banya.
It’s a beautiful hotel and has a lovely spa. It’s got some of the best hot springs near Bansko, although they are only available to guests.
So if you are looking for a relaxing place to stay, in summer or winter, then consider booking a stay at Hot Springs Medical and Spa Hotel.
Image credit: Booking.com
As well as the hot springs, there are indoor and outdoor pools with hydromassage jets. The spa facilities include saunas, steam rooms, massage and a Turkish hammam.
The hotel is located within 15 km of the ski slopes in Bansko and the hotel can organise pick up and drop off. Banya is nestled in the mountains and the hotel has incredible views and a really tranquil feel at night.
So, if you’re looking for the ultimate in relaxation during your trip to Bansko, consider a stay at Hot Springs Medical and Spa Hotel.
5. Alpha Thermal Pool and Spa
Alpha Thermal Pool and Spa is the largest hot springs complex near Bansko. This one is located in Dobrinishte, another town just outside Bansko and easily accessible by car or taxi.
There are 3 outdoor swimming pools at Alpha, all of which are fed from thermal mineral springs. One of these is large enough to swim in, if you’re so inclined, which isn’t something you often find at a hot spring.
The Dobrinishte hot pools are kept at around 30-40 degrees Celsius, and there is plenty of space at this very popular hot springs near Bansko.
image credit: alphaspa.bg
There is also a shallower children’s pool for the little ones. In the summer, there are grassy areas surrounding the pools with loungers and parasols for lazy days in the sun.
Inside the complex, you’ll find a full spa facility with a dry sauna, steam bath and thermal jacuzzis. You can also book a massage and even use the on-site gym.
There’s a large restaurant and bar on site which serves a mix of local and international cuisine at very reasonable prices. You’ll sit overlooking the pool and spa area to add to the relaxing feel of this place.
As well as being the largest hot springs near Bansko, it’s probably the cheapest as well. It’s around 10BGN per person (£4.50, €5) per person.
These Dobrinishte hot springs are a great option for families with kids or groups who want a variety of hot springs to try and plenty of space to relax.
6. Hot Springs outside Bansko
As well as the great hot springs near Bansko above, there are also a couple of great options further afield.
I have included these in case you find yourself in either Sofia or Sandanski, both of which are worth a visit in their own right. So why not add in a trip to these hot springs whilst you visit.
Sandanski Thermal Baths
Sandanski is a town around an hour and a half to the south of Bansko, closer to the Greek border.
As a result, especially during the summer, it experiences lovely, long summer days. It’s a cosmopolitan and green town with lots of cool bars, restaurants and activities to do.
I’d definitely recommend it as an overnight trip from Bansko. Once there, you may want to stay for longer! It’s also very reasonable, cheaper than Bansko which is saying something.
So whilst you’re there, why not check out the Sandanski thermal baths. There are over 80 hot springs in the Sandaski region.
My favourite springs here are at the Interhotel Sandanski Hotel and Spa. It’s a luxury spa hotel which makes a great base to explore Sandanski. Or alternatively, take advantage of the hot springs as a guest.
There are two outdoor pools, one for swimming and one thermal pool heated to around 37 degrees Celsius. There is also an indoor swimming pool and spa facilities.
For a touch of luxury on a trip out of Bansko, a night or two at Interhotel Sandanski and some time in these amazing hot springs outside Bansko is perfect.
Pancharevo Hot Springs
Finally, if you’re spending some time in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, then why not check out the Pancharevo hot springs.
Pancharevo is a small village 12 km from Sofia and another village famous for its hot springs.
My favourite place here is the Korali public swimming pools, right on the edge of Lake Pancharevo. It has two pools, including a kid’s pool and a ‘wet bar’. There’s also a play area for the kids and fantastic views over the lake.
It’s a great trip from Sofia or a stop off when heading from Sofia to Bansko.
Relax at the Hot Springs near Bansko!
I hope this blog has helped you pick out some great hot springs near Bansko to explore.
Whether you’re heading to Bansko in the summer or winter, these are a great trip and places to relax. They’re really affordable and relaxed, and they’re excellent for a couple of hours or a full day.
If you’re heading out to Bansko then check out my other blogs to make the most of your time in this amazing Bulgarian town.
If you have any questions, about hot springs or Bankso in general, then leave me a comment or get in touch on social media, and I’d love to help!
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