Property in Spa Complexes in Bulgaria. Overview and Prices

Bulgaria is one of the leading spa destinations in Europe. The territory of modern Bulgaria is one of the three regions richest in mineral waters on planet Earth, with around 700 mineral springs, second only to Iceland. Every second, about 5,000 litres of water flow from the depths of our country. Bulgaria is a true natural paradise, because here people, animals and plants can feel the healing power of all the mineral waters known in the world.

Bulgaria's spa complexes and spa centres welcome hundreds of thousands of guests every year, both local citizens and people from abroad. Most spa complexes have pools with mineral water, both outdoor and indoor winter pools, and offer spa procedures and therapeutic programmes: physiotherapy, kinesitherapy and mud therapy. Balneological tourism is developing year by year, and as a result many balneological resorts are becoming known not only to the local population but also to foreigners.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose a Mediterranean climate and mineral springs in the south of the country, or a mountain climate and coniferous vegetation with clear streams, while some are drawn to the Black Sea. All mineral water sources contribute to the effective treatment and prevention of various diseases. A wide range of spa services is offered to guests by spa hotels of various classes, from inexpensive to elite hotels/apartment complexes in different regions of the country.

An important feature of the waters in Bulgaria is that 70% of them are weakly mineralised, i.e. their mineral content is less than 1,000 mg/l. Therefore, the water can be drunk for a long time without risk to health.

Many types of water are known, and it is easy to become confused if you are not aware of the factors that classify this natural wealth.

Most sources in Bulgaria are warm; they prevail in the south of Bulgaria, while the colder ones are in the north.

In small towns and villages where mineral springs are located, prices for apartments in a hotel/apartment complex/residential building are affordable, without a maintenance fee or with a low support fee. It is important to determine the purpose for which you are acquiring the property.

The most famous spa zones and spa resorts in Bulgaria

• Cold mineral springs are located in Narechen (Asenovgrad), Ovcha Kupel (Sofia), Voneshta Voda (Gabrovo) and others.

One of the well-known spa zones in Narechen is the Medical Centre at the "Medica-Narechen" Balneological Complex, which works with leading specialists in the field of physiotherapy and skilfully combines the healing properties of mineral waters and nature with modern advances in medicine. The centre specialises in many conditions: arthritis, neuralgia, sexual disorders, gastrointestinal, biliary and renal urological diseases.

The price for 6 nights at such a centre, including procedures and meals, is around 240–250 euros. Therefore, you can come every year and undergo the procedures prescribed by the doctor without purchasing accommodation, since the infrastructure is weak and the liquidity of purchases in the village is low.

You can buy an apartment in the village of Narechen inexpensively; one with 2 bedrooms and an area of 100 sq.m will cost around 20,000 euros, but apart from coming on occasional trips there is nothing else to do in this village. The cost of Bulgarian-type houses will be around 45,000 euros.

It is more profitable to invest in family hotels, earn money from tourists and take care of your own health.

Residents of Sofia and its visitors can experience the properties of mineral water at the healing beach of Ovcha Kupel. It is open to visitors every year from June until mid-September. Mineral water with a temperature of about 29–31 °C is suitable for treating diseases of the musculoskeletal system, skin, liver and biliary problems, inflammatory and traumatic diseases of the nervous system, and gastrointestinal problems.

In Sofia, you can buy an apartment/flat of any type: a studio, one with 1 bedroom, 2 bedrooms and so on. Buying property in the capital is a sensible investment: price growth here is steady, and once you have bought a home, you can always let it or sell it and not lose your investment. You can come for a while, take care of your health, visit the mineral springs and improve your immune system.

In the Ovcha Kupel area, the average price per sq.m in new-builds is 800–900 euros per sq.m.

• The hottest mineral springs are located in Sapareva Banya. Here is the only geyser fountain in Bulgaria and in Europe.

The best spa complexes/hotels in this region: 103 Degrees Hotel & Spa, SPA Hotel Belchin Garden.

For half a century, the Sapareva Banya sanatorium has successfully treated diseases of the upper motor neurons, the peripheral nervous system, bones, joints and skin.

• The most famous thermal springs in the Balkan Mountains are located in the village of Banya, Pavel Banya, Stara Zagora Bani, Sandanski, Dobrinishte, Devin and Velingrad.

The best hotels in Sandanski: Medite Spa Resort and Villas, Interhotel Sandanski, Apostolite. 

Sandanski is quite a populous town, with a population of 38,153. It attracts foreigners with its mineral waters, mountain/coniferous air and proximity to Greece. In Sandanski, both residential houses and apartments in apartment complexes with gated grounds are on the property market. In older buildings, the price per sq.m on the secondary market starts from 500 euros; in new-builds, from 650 euros and above.

Thanks to its mineral springs, Velingrad was declared a balneological resort of national importance in 1951 and of international importance in 1981. In 2005 the town was proclaimed the "Spa Capital of Bulgaria". Three years later, in 2008, it was proclaimed the "Spa Capital of the Balkans". The population of Velingrad is officially 24,661, but in reality much higher. The balneological resort is developing confidently and today is one of the most visited places in Bulgaria, both by the local population and by foreigners who have moved there for permanent residence or come on occasional visits. The average price in Velingrad is 500 euros and above per square metre.

• Nitrogen springs with thermal water are the most widespread in Bulgaria and are found in Sapareva Banya, Narechen, Momin Prohod and others.

The country also has valuable deposits of liman mud and healing peat. There are mud deposits near Shabla Tuzla, Tuzla, Lake Varna, Pomorie, Lake Atanasovsko and Lake Mandra, as well as peat deposits near the Batak Dam (Rhodopes), Baykalsko (Konyavska Mountain), Straldzhansko (Sredna Gora), Srednogorsko (Sredna Gora Valley), Lake Varna and the village of Sadovo (Upper Thracian Plain).

Some of these valuable natural resources are located at resorts on the Black Sea coast. The abundance of warm mineral springs, healing muds and alkalis, combined with a favourable maritime climate and beautiful natural landscapes, make the Bulgarian Black Sea coast extremely suitable for wellness, restorative and spa holidays throughout the year. For this purpose, many balneological treatment centres and hotels/apartment complexes have been built, offering a full range of spa procedures and treatment methods as well as specialised therapeutic programmes at a high level. In them, highly qualified staff apply all known therapeutic, rehabilitation and relaxation procedures — mud therapy, chromotherapy, thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, massage and much more.

Such spa resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast are Pomorie, Sozopol, Ahtopol, Primorsko, Kiten, Saint Constantine and Helena, Slanchev Den, Albena and Burgas.

By choosing property in an apartment complex/hotel on the Black Sea coast, you will not only be able to undergo spa procedures and take care of your health, but also enjoy a wonderful summer by the sea.

Property on the coast next to spa centres can be bought either very cheaply — studios starting from 15,000 euros, with an area of 28–30 sq.m — or in the premium class, in gated spa hotels/complexes. The cost of premium property on the coast in gated spa hotels/complexes, for example in Pomorie, in a hotel/apartment complex, will range from 800 euros per sq.m up to 2,500 euros.

Many more examples could be listed, both on the primary and on the secondary market. Everyone chooses based on their means and the treatment/indications prescribed.

Important considerations before buying property in a spa hotel/apartment complex:

• read reviews, as ratings play a major role if you later decide to let or sell the property.
• make sure the management company is reliable.
• be cautious about remote reservations when buying property, as there is a huge difference between choosing property online based on photos and coming on an inspection trip.

Bulgaria Avenue will help you choose the region, based on your goals and wishes and your budget, save you time and find the best and most advantageous offer on the spa property market.