Hungary is a special country. On its relatively small territory there are about 60 thousand springs with healing mineral water. There is no such concentration of thermal waters anywhere else in the world. Budapest alone has more than 130 thermal springs and baths. But since Hungary does not end with Budapest, we invite you on a trip to the most important water resorts in this country. You can swim here all year round, both in indoor aqua complexes and in the open air: in bathhouses, pools and even lakes. Such bathing is not only pleasant, but also useful. And most importantly, it can be combined with a varied cultural program. By the way, spring is the best time to visit Hungary. It’s sunny here, there are flowering fruit trees everywhere, and this is the most comfortable season for swimming in the outdoor hot pools.
Heviz
Photo: @marischulik/Instagram.com
This cozy town is located on the shores of the world’s largest thermal reservoir – Lake Heviz. The lake has the shape of a funnel 38 meters deep. At the very bottom there is an underwater cave from which three thermal springs flow. In summer, the water in the lake warms up to 32 degrees, and in winter it never drops below 24 degrees. Thanks to its funnel-shaped shape, the water is constantly mixed, and therefore its temperature is the same at any point in the lake. The surface of the reservoir is decorated with pink water lilies imported from India. They are even depicted on the city’s coat of arms.
Hajduszoboszlo
Photo: @marcinkonieczny1994/@s.kaarla/Instagram.com
Hajdúszoboszló is home to the largest spa complex in Europe. Accordingly, services and entertainment here are for every taste and budget. In addition, the city has a huge number of various baths and pools with thermal water. The main highlight is the so-called Mediterranean beach with a palm alley. Also in Hajdúszoboszló there is the largest aqua park in Hungary. The total length of the slides in it is more than a kilometer. Children are delighted with super-realistic animal sculptures standing right in the pools.
The beach and water park are open from May until late autumn. Aqua Palace (8 pools with different water temperatures, giant slides and other amusements) – all year round.
Eger
Photo: Thermal resort in Egerszalok/salirisresort.hu
The city of Eger is famous primarily for its medieval fortress, but there are also plenty of opportunities for swimming in thermal springs. In addition to the usual pools and spa complexes for Hungary, in Eger you can visit traditional Turkish baths, preserved from the time of the Ottoman invasion.
In the suburbs of Eger, in the town of Egerszalok, which is 10 minutes away by local transport, there is another thermal park with many water activities and limestone artificial slides, reminiscent of the Turkish Pamukkale.
Eger is also famous for its wines. The famous Eger wine “Bull’s Blood” (Egri bikavér),
is especially appreciated by connoisseurs.
which is sold here by the glass in any catering establishment. If you want to get closer to the secrets of Eger winemaking, visit the Valley of Beauties, it is located just a 20-minute walk from the historical city center.
Debrecen
Photo: @damaianty/@gyogyvizek.hu/Instagram.com
Thanks to the local climate and the resort atmosphere that reigns in the city, the city of Debrecen is often called the “Hungarian Mediterranean”. To confirm this, in 2003, the Mediterranean entertainment bath “Aquaticum” opened here: surrounded by a wide variety of tropical plants, there are all kinds of slides, hydromassage pools, geysers, rivers, waterfalls and bathing caves.
In the north the city is adjacent to the forest park area “Nadjerdo” (Big Forest),
walking along which you can come across an amusement park, zoo or botanical garden.
It is especially interesting to visit Debrecen during the Flower Carnival in August and the Balloon Festival, which is held in October.
Miskolc-Tapolca
Photo: @barlangfurdo.hu
The city of Miskolc-Tapolca became famous for its unique bathhouse, located in a natural karst cave. Moreover, this is not just one cave, but a whole cave complex with many illuminated halls, grottoes and a labyrinth of passages that unexpectedly lead swimmers to open-air pools.
There is an open thermal lake surrounded by a picturesque beech forest, and the ancient Town Hall Square, and Diosgyor Castle, the residence of King Lajos the Great, and not far from Miskolc, in the beautiful valley of the mountain river Sinva, there is the climatic resort of Lillafüred with its the famous castle, whose towers are reflected in the emerald waters of Lake Hamori.
Sharvar
Photo: spirithotel.hu
In the 60s of the last century, they were looking for oil here, and discovered one of the deepest deposits of thermal waters in the country. Hot water enters the pools and baths of Sharvar from a record depth of two kilometers. Its temperature is plus 83 degrees, so it even has to be cooled before use. From this water they extract medicinal salt, the famous Sharvar crystal.
In the city it is interesting to see the Renaissance Nadasi Castle and the arboretum.
You can make a hotel reservation on OneTwoTrip.
Text author: Dmitry Rzhannikov
Preview photo: @haleyephelps
