Contributed by Georgi Hristov There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools and also bath houses in Sofia and the countryside. There are no private gay saunas or spas, but the outdoor pools and bath houses are secret meeting places for gay boys and men. The buildings of the bath houses in the area around Sofia (e.g. Pancharevo and Bankya) are in a bad condition, but the staff keeps the old buildings clean. The toilet facilities are a disaster but it worth it every second if you want an adventure. Don`t expect the usual bathhouse conditions like in other countries. This experience is more to see something very Bulgarian and we advise you to visit it without any expectations. You can take a taxi from the center to the Pancharevo bathhouse (mineralna banya v Pancharevo) is appr. 15 BGN. Do not miss pleasures of hot mineral water at the bath houses with naked roma boys hanging around, looking for a quick touch in the pool. There is no possibility of real gay sex but you can find an interesting game of looks, pleasure of touches. There is no better view than the naked male body moving slowly his hands around him in steam and tear drops of the voyeur. The mineral bath is good to relax and make you feel like a feather. You will feel very good and this is how you will find what you are hunting for.
In the center of Sofia near the mosque you can see the fabulous building of the general mineral bath house. With its magnificent architecture the complex has became one of the symbols of the city of Sofia. Now it is under reconstruction and its not known when it will open again. But when it opens, the hydrotherapy center in Sofia will cater for up to 1000 people a day and will offer a variety of treatments.
Pancharevo Bath House and Swimmmimg Pool Complex
Outside Sofia X
Phone: X
(Take minibus 37 from Orlov Bridge on Tsarigradsko Boulevard and ge off at the Bath House in Pancharevo. Or take our Pancharevo Water Tour!)
Swimmmimg Pools and Bath House
Located about 15 km south of Sofia the village Pancharevo and the Pancharevo Lake are a perfect place for outgoings. The lake is 5 km long and it is suitable for different water sports: rowing, surfing and water skiing. Paddle boats can be hired. Around the lake there are hiking trails, several grassy park areas with coffee shops and restaurants, and some hot mineral springs. The temperature of the water is 47 degrees Celsius. The incredible nature of this place will capture you and will make your recreation unforgettable.
Next to the Pancharevo lake you can visit the outdoor swimming complex Pancharevo beach and the hot mineral water bath house. The swimming complex has water bars, waters games, three outdoor pools, loud music at a green area with the view to the lake.
Nearby is the Pancharevo mineral bath house. Men and women are separated. The guy at the door will give you a key for your own shelf. To feel comfortable in the bath you should take with you your own slippers, towel, soap, sponge, shampoo and what ever else you need for your bath. Everybody is taking his clothes off and gets into the real bath areas in slippers. You will see a lot of taps and large tubs. You can choose one of the seats near the tubs and to fill it with hot water. You can take a mug usually left near the tub and water your body. You can go straight to the showers with hot and cold water. There are two pools in the bath. One is 37, the second one is 42 degrees Celsius. Wash your body before you enter the pools. If you see an interest from somebody you can invite him discreetly to the pool to stay close to each other and touch your bodies. Later you can relax in the pool and after 20 minutes you will feel like new.
Swimming Pool Complex daily from 9 am until 9 pm (entrance closes at 8 pm)
Bath House daily from 7:30 am until 7 pm (entrance closes at 6 pm)
Entrance fee at the swimming complex Pancharevo is 5 BGN (for all day); at the Pancharevo mineral bath house 2 BGN (for 1 hour).
1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd, Bankya (World Water Complex)
?, Bankya (Mineral Bath house)
Phone: 9977390 (World Water Complex)
(Take bus 42 from the metro stop Slivnitsa and get off the center of the village Bankya and ask for the World Water Complex)
Swimmimg Pools and Bath House
In Town of Bankya you will find the Balneo Spa Resort of international importance. It consists of a modern swimming complex called World Water Complex and an amazing Mineral Bath house in the center. The swimming complex has three outdoor swimming pools, a waterslide and a Kamikaze water swing. The four outdoor bars offer beverages, snacks and food from 9 am to 12 noon. One of the most impressive buildings in the resort is The Mineral Bath. This is due to its unique architecture and partly to amaizing round pool and a lot of showers with hot water. Some of the showers are hidden and you can have an adventure. The town itself is interesting too: During the archeological excavations in the region many years ago some churches, ceramics and coins from the Roman times remain.
Daily from ?
Entrance fee for World Water Complex 8 BGN, for the Mineral Bath house 2 BGN.
Comment by Nick who visited in August 2006: I visited the place on a sunny day expecting to both swim in the pools and also relax in the Mineral Bath House. To my great disappointment the pools were empty and apparently there was some evidence of construction works. The Bath House and the rundown information kiosk at the front were also closed and nobody could speak anything but Bulgarian to tell me what was going on. The main door of the Bath House was half open and there was a red and white tape to prevent people from going in. I went trough and found a fat lady wearing a white blouse and tried to extract some information. All I got from her was a series of niet in a rude manner.
I decided not to let this spoil my day so I returned to Sofia and went to the Maria Luisa swimming pool inside Borissova Gardens. The Pool was also closed there was something written in Bulgarian at the front entrance, God knows what. I went to the side and called the guard who by the way was swimming at the beautiful pool to tell me what was going on. He just told me that the pool was closed. My day was spoiled, I decided that I had enough, so I cut short my vacation and returned home.
Sofia, Dianabad District, Nikola Gabrovski Boulevard 1
Phone: 962 01 01
Email: Send Email
(Take bus 94 on Arsenalski Boulevard. The bus stop is near Hemus Hotel. Get off at Dinabad Swimming Pool)
Outdoor Swimming Pools
Offers three outdoor swimming pools (one of them with a tower for water jumps) and an indoor fitness hall. The complex has a playground for beach volleyball plus cocktail bar, a beer bar and barbecue. There is a V.I.P. zone (you will have a welcome cocktail, access to a chair-lounge, your own umbrella, a table and a pillow).
Daily from 8 am until 8 pm (entrance until 7 pm)
Entrance fee 4 BGN (for all day); VIP Zone additional 7 BGN.
Sofia, Borisova Gradina (Boris Gardens)
Phone: 963 00 54, 963 00 56
Email: Send Email
(Take trolley 5 or 11 from the Orlov Bridge bus stop on the Tsarigradsko Boulevard for one stop or get into the park and ask for the pool.)
Swimming Pools
The Maria Luisa Swimming and Recreational Centre has three large pools (one is Olympic size), including one with a waterslide. Loud music. Near the entrance of the pool starts one of the cruising areas of Sofia. The one that leads to Yavorova Alley in the park near the TV tower.
During summer daily from 9 am until 9 pm
Entrance fee 4 BGN
Sofia, Castle Hotel Hrankov, 53 Krusheva Gradina, Dragalevtsi
Phone: 91909
(by taxi! from the center it will cost appr 5 BGN)
Swimming Pools, Gym, Sauna, Sports
At the foot of Vitosha Mountain. It has both indoor and outdoor pools that are open to non-residents. There is also a well equipped sport centre with a gym, sauna, squash and tennis courts.
Daily from ?
Entrance fee 12 BGN
Sofia, Simeonovsko Shosse Boulevard,
Phone: 962 05 80, 962 05 81, 962 22 96
(by taxi! from the center it will cost appr ? BGN)
Outdoor Pools, Fitnes, Sauna, Sports
Six pools, three outdoor bars, fitness, sauna, 10 tennis courts, restaurants, 12:00 pm - 24:00 am 15??. The price includes chair-lounge, cradle and a tent. Several outdoor pools, which are all rather too small to really swim in. This is more of a place for lying on the chaise longue and people-watching. There is a paddling pool included. Also Maxi Center has a great sauna in the modern Spa complex.
Daily from 9 am until 7 pm
Entrance fee 6 BGN
Sofia, Lyulin District, Djavaharlal Neru Boulevard 5
Phone: 925 06 74
jvdreams@mail.bg
(Take minibus 14 from a trolley station where Patriiarh Evtimi Boulevard crosses Vitosha Boulevard at end of the NDK park.)
Swimming Pools
The complex offers 4 pools. One of them with waves and all the modern comfort plus 3 outdoor bars. Chair-lounge are umbrella are included in entrance fee.
Daily from 9 am until 7 pm
Entrance fee 5 BGN
Accommodation
Baths & Beaches & Saunas
Outside Sofia X
1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd, Bankya (World Water Complex)
Sofia, Dianabad District, Nikola Gabrovski Boulevard 1
Sofia, Borisova Gradina (Boris Gardens)
Sofia, Castle Hotel Hrankov, 53 Krusheva Gradina, Dragalevtsi
Sofia, Simeonovsko Shosse Boulevard, 
Sofia, Lyulin District, Djavaharlal Neru Boulevard 5
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