International
Balkan Thermal Spas: Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Albania
Last updated October 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Popular searches:Terme Tuhelj · Istarske Toplice · Bankya Sofia · Sijarinska Banja · Bulgarian Hot Springs · Llixhat E Elbasanit
The Balkans are rich in mineral and thermal springs, and many towns have bathed in them since Roman and Ottoman times. Most springs feed public pools, spa hotels or treatment centres.
Croatia
Istarske Toplice, in inland Istria, is a spa below a tall rock cliff, known for sulphur-rich thermal water. Terme Tuhelj, in the Zagorje hills north of Zagreb, is a thermal water park with indoor and outdoor pools.
Serbia
Serbia has dozens of spa towns, each called a banja. Sijarinska Banja, in the south, is known for its natural geyser and very hot mineral water.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is one of Europe’s richest countries in mineral springs. Bankya, just west of Sofia, is a quiet spa town with parks and mineral water fountains. Velingrad, Sapareva Banya and Hisarya are other well-known spa towns.
Albania
Llixhat e Elbasanit, the spa near Elbasan in central Albania, has been used since Roman times for its hot sulphur water. In the south, the open-air Bënjë thermal pools near Përmet sit beside a river and an Ottoman bridge.
Tips
Facilities range from older treatment centres to modern wellness hotels, so check photos and day-pass rules. See the maps for Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Albania.
Listed Croatia hot springs
See all 3 Croatia springs on a map.
| Hot spring | Water temp | Type | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jokobanja | 126°F | Natural | Lonjica (6 mi) |
| Stari bazen | 77°F | Developed | Jastrebarsko (5 mi) |
Frequently asked questions
What is a banja?
Banja (or banya) means spa or bath in Serbian, Bulgarian and related languages. Many Balkan towns grew around thermal springs and carry the word in their names.
Where are the hot springs near Sofia?
Bankya, a spa town just west of Sofia, is known for its mineral springs. Bulgaria has hundreds of mineral springs, many in spa towns.
Are Balkan spas expensive?
Generally no. Day entry to public thermal pools is often cheaper than in Western Europe, though new wellness hotels charge more.