Velingrad Spa – The Review of Hotel Royal Spa Velingrad

1. Why is Velingrad Spa Resorts Famous in the Balkan Peninsula

Velingrad is affluent in thermal springs. There are 80 mineral springs with a capacity of 170 liters per second. The temperature of which varies between 28°С and 91°С. 

Velingrad is a town in Southern Bulgaria, which is located 130 km from Sofia, and 80 km from Plovdiv. Velingrad is in the western part of the Rhodope mountain with the altitude between 750–850 m above sea level. According to the Bulgaria official tourism site, the mineral water in Velingrad spa resorts has a favorable influence on healing and treating some illnesses/health problems. Those health problems are neurological disorders, hypertonia, gynecological problems, renal and urological, respiratory and stomach, and intestinal diseases.

You probably ever heard about Velingrad as the spa capital of Balkans. I could confirm that the city has well-developed spa resorts. There are enough choices to enjoy truly wellness and spa experiences. The Velingrad hotels such as Grand Hotel Velingrad, Maxi Park hotel & spa, hotel Arte spa & park, hotel Rich Spa hotel, hotel Vella hills offer a Spa complex with mineral water pools.

2. Hotel RoyalSpa Velingrad

We have visited Velingrad four times in a year. Our primary purpose for all visits was to enjoy Velingrad Spa facilities. We only stayed in the hotel Royal Spa Velingrad and enjoyed all the spa facilities of victoria spa. 

Because we were very pleased with the Spa facilities of the hotel Royal spa, I didn’t have a reason to check other spa resorts. When I was writing this article, I was triggered to visit other spa hotels in Velingrad with different ratings and stars because I want to provide complete information of Velingrad spa resorts.

Royal Spa Velingrad is a 4-star hotel in Velingrad. The area around the hotel is characterized by fresh and crisp, mountainous air. According to the hotel website, their Spa center is the largest in Bulgaria, with an area of 4000 sq. m. 

The luxury hotel royal spa features:

• 7 Outdoor mineral water pools, such as two thermal pools, two cold pools, one big outdoor pool, and two Jacuzzi. 
• 6 Indoor mineral water pools such as a Roman bath, two children’s swimming pools, cold swimming pools, a big swimming pool, and one Jacuzzi.
• All kinds of sauna: Finnish sauna, Himalayan sauna, infrared sauna, panoramic sauna, aroma steam bath, panoramic steam bath, hammam, and Russian bath
• Relaxation rooms where you can relax or read books: Laconium, relax area, and thermal relax space and massage studios.

Above those facilities, you also get clean towels and free unlimited drink water. There is free wifi throughout the spa complex, making it easy for guests who want to stay connected in their social media account. 

All the facilities were working correctly, and the staffs were courteous and friendly. They were also present to help you at any time during your visit. 

Tip: If you want to get some treatments such as massages, manicures, hammam, etc., ask prices for the combined treatments. They often have a promotion with a good discount. For a romantic wellness getaway, there is a Romantic Ritual for Couples available.

We think the hotel Royal Spa Velingrad suits both groups and couples. Also, it’s child-friendly (They have 2 children’s swimming pools and even a fully equipped playground with toys and animators dedicated to children). We also think the royal spa hotel accessible for disabled persons. There are lifts to the two floors of spa centers. Moreover, we believe the royal spa hotel is also suitable for medical tourism Bulgaria.

Whenever we stay at RoyalSpa hotel, I would enter the victoria spa center two times a day (before breakfast & before dinner). I couldn’t say about the healing power of the water, as I had never come to treat a specific disease. However, I could feel that my skin became softer & had a natural glow after a few hours in the thermal pools.

Velingrad is the only place from 7 Bulgaria Spa resorts that I have visited more than once in a year. I usually do not revisit places because there are so many beautiful and amazing places on earth to be discovered. The location is ideal, and the luxury facilities at a quite affordable price and cheap yet delicious food make it my favorite spa destination. I am already planning to revisit it this year. Can you still wait and not expect to visit this gem?

It’s possible to indulge and pamper your body and soul in these luxurious spa facilities without a break your bank. As an outside guest, you could enter and enjoy spa facilities by paying 25 BGN (12.8 EUR) as an entrance fee (excluded massages and other treatments). You might need to call the spa reception (+359 895 792 839) in advance to check the availability. They hardly accept outside guests on the weekends and when the rooms are fully booked.

3. How To Go To Velingrad

By Bus: Velingrad is easy to reach by bus from Sofia. Busses depart from the bus terminal “YUG” (Автогара “Юг”). This terminal serves buses with a south-east destination such as Elin Pelin, Panagyurishte, Velingrad.  The price for one way ticket to Velingrad is 12BGN (or around 6,2€) per person. The journey with the bus is approximately 2 hours.

Bus Station “YUG” (Автогара “Юг”).
Address: Sofia, 23 “Dr. Tzankov” Blvd.
Tel.: 02 8722345

Check the online timetable here. Note that the language is only in Bulgaria. 

By Train: I have never taken a train to Velingrad from Sofia, but it’s possible. The journey will take around 3hours and 30 minutes to 5 hours. There is no direct train connection from Sofia to Velingrad. You have to take a train Sofia to Septemvri, then Septemvri – Velingrad. It costs almost the same as a direct bus. 

I don’t really recommend traveling by train from Sofia to Velingrad spa resorts. But there is one particular reason for taking the train from Septemvri to Velingrad. If you want to experience the exotic Narrow Gauge Railway – the last of its kind in Bulgaria and maybe one of a few who still works, you can consider traveling by train. You can enjoy the beautiful mountain views during this slow journey. The average speed of the narrow-gauge train is 40 km/ h. This is a great experience to do, especially during the winter season, when you are not in a hurry. Here is the timetable of the narrow-gauge train between Dobrinishte and Septemvri (Velingrad train station is between those two stations).

By Car: You can rent a car from the airport or use a taxi.

I have put all the exact address below in on the google map. In this way, you can easily find the hotel location. 

Hotel royal spa Velingrad 
Address: ul. “Tsar Samuil” 3, 4600 кв. Лъджене (Ludene Square), Velingrad
Tel.: 359 878 423 517

Working hours:
Sunday to Thursday from 08:00 to 20:00
Friday and Saturday from 08:00 to 21:00
The entrance fee: 25 BGN (12.8 EUR)