About the bath
In 1913, when the magnificent Central Mineral Bath opened in Sofia, the no less impressive building of “Chifte Banya” in Kyustendil was also completed. The architect was Hristo Kovachevski, a graduate of Vienna. The building stands on the foundations of the “Chifte Hammam”, itself built over part of the Asclepeion of Pautalia (an imposing Roman-era complex with mineral water). An interweaving of eras, people and fates… and the healing mineral water.
“Chifte Banya” is a large, solid building on two levels. The first level has an entrance foyer with a ticket office, two sections with bathing halls for men and women, and private cubicles with individual or family bathtubs. The second level has rooms for various services such as kinesitherapy and massage.
The water-cooling installations are interesting – a unique system preserved only at “Chifte Banya”, since the water from the spring is very hot, about 74 °C. Behind the bath is a water tank where the water cools and then, by gravity, supplies the bath with fresh water.
The changing rooms are spacious and bright, and you can rent private cubicles, which are preserved almost in their original form. You enter the bathing halls through a shallow pool meant to hold a disinfecting solution against infections. Next come several large rooms with showers, stone basins (kurni) and several plunge pools at different temperatures. The plunge pools are drained every evening, cleaned and left to fill with fresh water overnight.
The bath is not in good condition and needs renovation and restoration.
“Chifte Banya” is run by the municipal company “Higia” of Kyustendil Municipality, and the staff take great care to keep it clean.
The grounds are laid out as a lovely garden with flower beds and paths – a real landmark of the town.
Opening hours
Men and women on different days. The bath works to a schedule — some days or hours are for men only, others for women only. See the schedule below and call before you go.
| Monday | 06:30–12:00women |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | closed |
| Wed, Fri, Sun | 06:30–19:00men |
| Thu, Sat | 06:30–19:00women |
Tickets sold until 18:00
ⓘ The table was made automatically from the text of the Bulgarian Association for Thermal Heritage and may contain mistakes; opening hours and prices may also have changed. Call 078550721 before you go.
Photos 30
Photos: Bulgarian Association for Thermal Heritage. All rights belong to their authors.
Reviews 1
Reviews are written by visitors — most of them in Bulgarian.
Пабло ★★★★★ · 24 Oct 2026 · 5 days ago
За съжаление след напъна на местната власт да превърне половината от банята в луксозен СПА център, дните за посещение са силно ограничени - трябва да следвате графика. Иначе естествено както винаги има какво да се желае от хигиената. Похвално е, че поне помениха старите дървени шкафчета с железни такива. Като цяло никога не съм имал проблеми нито с клиентела, нито с персонала в смисъл нещо да ми е изчезвало от шкафчето. Естествено винаги взимам всичко ценно със себе си вътре. Клиентелата е смесена, като по-тъмната такава макар и креслива и вреслива е сравнително дружелюбна. Много е готино, че можеш да си вземеш нещо за пиене и да се киснеш със студена бира в топлата вода. Адмирация към местната власт за бизнес нюха който имат. За съжаление обаче цената вече става прекалено висока за слабата хигиена вътре. Не е лошо като се искат повече пари да се бачка малко по-усилено.
More information
- Sections
- Separate men's and women's sections
- Built
- 1913
- Architect
- Hristo Kovachevski, architect
- Ownership
- Kyustendil Municipality
- Operated by
- Municipal company “Higia” EOOD
- Thermal Heritage register no.
- 17
- Information updated
- 02.2026
The bath's page at the Bulgarian Association for Thermal Heritage ↗