Hisarya

Hisarya is a Roman spa town that still uses its water in plain sight. Emperor Diocletian walled it in the late 3rd century, and you can walk along about 2.3 km of fortification and through the tall southern gate locals call the Camels. Twenty-two springs, natural and drilled, run from about 24 C up to around 51 C at Toplitsa, the hottest.

The water is low in minerals and alkaline, and much of the town's ritual is drinking it: queues form at public fountains such as Momina Salza, with people filling bottles to take home. For soaking, go to the hotel pools. Terme di Hissar, about 700 m from the centre, has outdoor pools at 28 to 30 C, warmer children's pools and a 36 C indoor relaxation pool, with 2024 tickets of about 25 BGN for adults.

Plovdiv is 40 minutes away by car. The honest downside: several of the historic bathhouses, including Toplitsa's, are no longer operating, so the heritage is mostly something you look at while you swim in modern pools.