Bulgaria is second in Europe, after Iceland, in natural mineral water and natural-source spring water resources according to the European Federation of Bottled Waters and the Soft Drinks Association. Its chemical composition, temperature, and properties are known to have healing powers and the first to discover this, were the ancient Thracians, and they built their settlements around such springs. After the conquest of Romans, many Roman therms and baths were built for the treatment of a variety of diseases and for fitness. Nowadays, you can enjoy the healing power and restorative properties of mineral water in modern SPA resorts and sanatoriums where a variety of procedures are included. That’s how Bulgaria became one of the leading SPA destinations in Europe.
Velingrad is the SPA capital of the Balkans, which is located in the Rhodope Mountains. This place can be described as a tourist sanctuary with beautiful parks, mineral baths, swimming pools, beaches, health resorts, spa hotels, and springs. The temperature of the mineral water is between 28°C and 91°C. The hottest water is in the section of Kamentsa – with a temperature of up to 91° С.
Beneficial impact: The mineral water and the procedures which are offered in Velingrad improves the condition of patients with musculoskeletal system diseases, neurological diseases, hypertension, gynecological diseases, kidney and urological diseases, respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
Devin is another town that is located in the Rhodope Mountains and is famous for its mineral springs, with water temperature varying from 16 º to 76 º C. In Devin, you can enjoy peace and quiet, and the mountain air contributes to the rapid recovery and improvement of physical tone.
Beneficial impact: Its mineral waters are suitable for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. The external application of water is used for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, reproductive system, and skin diseases. Drinking of Devin water is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal, liver gallbladder, kidney, urologic, and metabolic-endocrine diseases, and respiratory system diseases
The sea resort of Albena is also a popular SPA destination. This is due to the availability of mineral waters with healing properties and firth mud.
Another resort with mineral springs is Golden Sands. The combination of specific climate and mineral waters is used successfully in the treatment of arthritis, stress, neuroses, chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis, asthma.
Pomorie is the most popular SPA resort on the seaside, situated on a narrow rocky peninsula in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. This resort is famous for the medicinal qualities of mud, which is extracted during the production of salt in Pomorie Lake. Furthermore, the mineral water of Pomorie has undeniable healing properties. It is rich in hydrogen, magnesium, chlorine, calcium, sodium, and sulfates.
Beneficial impact: Visiting Pomorie will improve the condition for following diseases of the locomotory system, gynecological, surgical and traumatic, skin, peripheral nerves, heart, liver and other diseases.
Bankya is an ecological reserve, located only 17 kilometers from Sofia. The tranquility of the mountain, the fresh air, and the healing water are the reasons for Bankya to acquire the statue of a resort, preferred for relaxation and balneological treatment. The hydrothermal waters contain low levels of mineralization, are colorless and warm, and hypothermal, with temperature ranges between 36.5 – 37C. The mineral spring is also connected to the name of the town, Bankya, which means “small bath”.
Beneficial impact: It is used successfully for cardiovascular disease treatment and treatment of injuries of the nervous system and metabolic disorders.
Sandanski is located in the southwestern region of the country. The town is another popular balneological and SPA resort, that has over 80 mineral springs with temperatures between 42 to 81°С. Due to the high temperature of mineral water, you can enjoy swimming outdoors all year around. The mineral water has low salinity and rich chemical composition. Combining with the warmest climate in Bulgaria, which is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean, makes it best suited for lung disease treatment.
Beneficial impact: Sandanki specializes in treating conditions related to the upper respiratory tract and lung diseases such as asthma, chronic non-specific lung diseases, bronchopneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and bronchiectasis disease, just to mention a few.
Varshets located at the foot of the Western Balkan Mountain, 90 kilometers from Sofia, the town was founded around a mineral spring dated back to the VI century. It makes Varshets, the oldest spa resort in Bulgaria. The mineral water doesn’t contain limestone, which makes it one of the mildest waters in Bulgaria. The temperature of the water is around 37°С. In the 1920s and 1930s, Varshets was a very popular destination for Bulgarians and foreigners. The town is excellent for a rejuvenating holiday, and the beautiful park and clean nature provide additional opportunities for tourists.
Beneficial impact: The mineral water is used for the treatment of diseases such as the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. The clean air and healing water also have a positive effect on diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, eye problems, and skin diseases, etc
Sapareva Banya is located in western Bulgaria, 70 kilometers south of Sofia. The town is primarily popular for its mineral waters – the hottest mineral water in all of Europe with a temperature of 103 °C springs in the town. The only geyser on the Balkan Peninsula is located here. And this geyser is the symbol of Sapareva Banya, located in the center of the town. Its water column pressure periodically pushes hot water over the surface at a height of 18 meters.
Beneficial impact: The water in Sapareva Banya helps with loco-motor apparatus/the musculoskeletal system, peripheral nervous system, gynecological illnesses, acute and chronic poisoning with salts of heavy metals, dermic diseases, illnesses of the upper respiratory tract, etc.
Hisarya is a more-than-two-thousand-year-old town in central Bulgaria and the town is full of landmarks that mainly come in the form of ancient strongholds and fortification walls. From here, Hisarya gets its name from, But, also Hisarya is one of the oldest and most popular SPA centers in Bulgaria. There are 22 mineral springs with temperatures between 37° C and 51° C. The resort has small hotels, as well as large 4-star hotels with spa centers.
Beneficial impact: The mineral water of Hisarya benefits patients with kidney and urologic diseases, gallbladder diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, as well as of musculoskeletal diseases. Their healing effects can be achieved by drinking the water as well as through external application for the prevention and rehabilitation of diseases, in combination with physiotherapy and diets.
Sources:
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Bulgarian Properties Ltd. (n.d.). Bankya spa resort near Sofia, Bulgaria - Tourist Information. BulgarianProperties. https://www.bulgarianproperties.com/Bulgaria/bankya.html#:%7E:text=Mineral%20waters%2Dslightly%20mineralized%2C%20hypothermal,qualified%20as%20soothing%20to%20invigorating.
My Guide Bulgaria. (2016, May 11). Mineral Waters of Bulgaria. https://www.myguidebulgaria.com/regionalinfo/mineral-waters-of-bulgaria
Pomorie – The Tourist Portal of Bulgaria. (n.d.). Bulgaria Travel. https://bulgariatravel.org/en/pomorie/
Sapareva Banya – The Tourist Portal of Bulgaria. (n.d.). Bulgaria Travel. https://bulgariatravel.org/en/sapareva-banya/#:%7E:text=The%20mineral%20waters%20of%20Sapareva,the%20upper%20respiratory%20tract%2C%20etc.
User, S. (n.d.). Mineral springs Sandanski. Sandanski. http://sandanski.foi9.eu/index.php/en/mineral-waters-and-springs/mineral-springs-sandanski
Varshets – The Tourist Portal of Bulgaria. (n.d.). Bulgaira Travel. https://bulgariatravel.org/en/varshets/
Минeрaлнaтa вoдa в Бългaрия – къдe кoя кaквo лeкувa. (n.d.). Napolovina. https://napolovina.com/zabava/all-hIPw.html