The balneological capital of Bulgaria, Velingrad is a cozy town located on the plain between the Rila and Rhodope mountain ranges . Eighty mineral springs with almost all known compounds from low to high sulfate are the main subject of its pride and the reason for a sustainable tourist pilgrimage to seven local balneotherapies . Here, perhaps, any diseases are treated, and even mineral water flows from the cranes in the hotels - there is simply no other in Velingrad . And Velingrad can boast a beautiful nature douche, curative air of coniferous and deciduous forests and mild climate throughout the year . The nature of Velingrad rest is very calm, measured, aimed at recovery . At the same time the prices for accommodation and treatment here are very acceptable .

How to get to Velingrad

Velingrad is located in the south-western part of Bulgaria, 130 km from Sofia and 85 km from Plovdiv. From both cities to Velingrad, it is most convenient to get by bus (however, as in all of Bulgaria). The route from Sofia will take about two hours, the trip will cost about 9 BGN. Buses depart regularly from early morning until evening, the schedule can be specified at the bus station of the Bulgarian capital. From Plovdiv to Velingrad, about an hour and a half by bus and minus 7 BGN from the wallet.

Velingrad can also be reached by rail, although the path from Sofia will take at least three hours, but it will take place in a very picturesque area. Prior to Septemvri there is an ordinary railway line, then - a narrow-gauge railway to Velingrad. Velingrad Railway Station is located in the neighboring village of Lagden

Transport in the city

Velingrad is a small town actually consisting of three villages that pass one another. Its center is easy to survey, moving on its own two. For further trips, there are municipal buses (they can also be driven out of town) or a taxi

Velingrad hotels

Velingrad as a resort was established in 1948 and quickly gained popularity, persisting to this day, so that the hotels here are mostly new or past reconstruction, high category and with the invariably soulful Balkan service. There are more than fifty of them. The most popular are the very high-quality "four" Grand Hotel Velingrad and the expensive, but excellent "five" "Palace", four-star "Olymp Velingrad" and "Spa Hotel Light."

Even in Velingrad you can stay in mini-hotels, private boarding houses or apartments

Treatment in Velingrad

Eighty mineral springs Velingrad produce 170 liters of healing water every second. The mineral waters of Velingrad are divided into nitric, sodium, fluoride and with variable anionic content. Sources are divided into four groups from north to south: in the north the most "cold", with a water temperature of +22 ° C, and weakly sulfate, in the south - the hottest, up to +91 ° C and with a high content of salts and sulphates. There are also waters with high radioactivity - of course, we are talking about useful radiation.

Seven balneological hospitals in Velingrad offer a full range of services for restoring health. Here, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, musculoskeletal system, urological, gynecological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and other diseases are successfully treated. For the best result, you need to come here for at least 21 days, and necessarily with the most detailed anamnesis of the disease. Consultation of the doctor and the appointment of a course of treatment are, of course, obligatory.

Cuisine and restaurants in Velingrad

There are many cafes and restaurants in Velingrad for every taste and purse. Qualitatively prepared in the restaurant "Chinarite", very tasty dishes in the family establishment "Starata kashta". The average bill for two for lunch is about 30 EUR. It is certainly worth trying vegetable dishes, meat stew and famous stuffed peppers. You can drink a meal with mineral water (where, as in Velingrad!), And for those who like something more cheerful - excellent Bulgarian home wine.

Shopping and shops

In Velingrad there is a city market, a supermarket and numerous private shops. As a souvenir from here they bring all-Bulgarian things: textiles and embroidery, rose oil, cheeses and wines, figurines of national dolls, wood products.

Attractions, excursions and attractions in Velingrad

There are very few attractions in Velingrad, but considering the large number tourists, the resort regularly organizes guided tours of popular routes.

Among the local attractions is the remains of the medieval fortress of Zepino, located 6 km from the resort. You can get there by bus or taxi. You can learn more about the long history of these lands in the Historical Museum of Velingrad. Another worth visiting is Hissarya - there you can see the ruins of even more ancient fortress walls.

Nature lovers will appreciate walks along the shores of two beautiful lakes, watered by the largest karst spring of Kleptuz. In winter, you can go skiing and relax at the ski resort of Yundola. There is also a hunting farm, where you can find deer, moufflons, wild boar, chamois, bears, wood grouses

30 km from Velingrad there is a reservoir Belmeken - here you can fish perfectly for mullet, carp or roach, and just relax on picturesque banks and sunbathing on the beach. In the vicinity of Chepino also operates a fishery, where trout is grown. All the natural reservoirs and reservoirs of Batak and Dospat are populated with fish, so fishing here is excellent anywhere.