The spa tourism is an essential piece of the Bulgarian tourist vitality. The tradition using the curing qualities of water and the natural resources takes its origins from the Thracians whom were known at the time as wise healers. During the Roman Empire these traditions endured and the “saint” sources of the Thracians became famous in every corner of the Great Empire.

The popularity of spa resorts in Europe is being reborn from the fact that, along with the use of other traditional methods, these centres resort more and more to curative therapies from ancient times. Moreover, the interest in lengthening of one’s lifespan increases the interest and role in the spas.

Very few are the countries in Europe who can compete with Bulgaria in terms of the importance, the diversity and the riches of the thermal water (more than 550 deposits identified with more than 1,600 mineral sources and reserves of very important curative mud). The very favourable geographic position of the country creates unique bioclimatic conditions that bring benefit s to the human organism. There are also a large variety of plants used for medical and curative purposes (herbal medicine, aromatherapy…).

The traditions and experience of the Bulgarian balneal centres are transmitted by well-trained professional teams. The investment in the infrastructures and human resources is permanent in order to respond to the new tourist interest in with one principal objective – the quality of service dispensed specific to the persons needing treatment, but equally specific to clienteles simply searching to wind down and relax to get away from the stress of everyday life.

The virtues of the waters are used to heal or relieve diverse afflictions (nervous, arterial, respiratory, digestive, kidney, liver, gynaecological or mobility). Certain stations are more specialised, renowned in certain domains according to the properties of sources and the climatic conditions. The best known thermal towns from which their origins trace to the Thracian and Roman periods are:

Sandanski and Velingrad – Their waters permit the treatment of chronic joint or respiratory conditions (asthma).

Kustendil and Sapareva Bania – Their sources are characterised by a temperature generally superior to 60˚C and can reach as high as 98˚C.

Hissaria – Famous for its extremely pure waters with a high concentration of calcium, sulphate and radon which contributes particularly well to the treatment of kidney and liver illnesses as well as prophylactic care of osteoporosis.

Devin – Offers cures for obesity, cardiovascular and neurological problems. It also specialises in helping people get back into shape and the treatment of rheumatisms.

AND:

The Black Sea stations – Varna, The Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, Riviera, Saint Constantine and Elena as well as Albena, towns associated with balneal and thermal assets.

Finally, to fully profit from your stay as well as your treatment, you can go discover the country (see also the sections Ecotourism, Cultural Tourism, Rural Tourism…).