Spa Culture in Hungary
A country packed with hot springs and thermal baths
If you have already heard a few things about this fascinating country, you know that the above statement is by no means an exaggeration, as Hungary is a land of more than 1,000 hot springs. Apart from the huge number of spas and baths located all around the country, in the capital city of Budapest you can find the finest examples of Turkish Baths as well. This atmosphere of history and tradition makes Hungary an exclusive spa destination.
Budapest Baths
Gellert Spa and Bath is one of the most popular spa baths among tourists visiting Budapest with its medicinal spring dating back to the 13th century. The Spa is actually part of the prominent Hotel Gellert in Buda and is decorated throughout with original Art Nouveau style. You can have a truly unique holiday experience staying in one of the best spa hotels in Budapest or simply enjoy the bath facilities as a visitor, offering luxury spa treatments, pampering massage therapies, sauna facilities, a sun-bathing terrace overlooking the scenic Gellert Hill and unwind in the various geothermal and swimming pools with a glass of wine or champagne in your hand. Fun tip – don’t miss the open-air wave pool which is a big hit in the summer months.
Szechenyi Spa and Bath, a Neo-Baroque palace situated in the heart of the City Park, is one of the largest bathing complexes and the largest medicinal bath in Europe. The thermal springs here were discovered in 1879, which are the deepest and hottest ones (74-75 degrees Celsius) in the capital. The baths were built in 1913. In addition to the 15 indoor baths and 3 outdoor pools (which are equally popular in winter with their pleasantly warm water), there are 10 saunas/steam cabins, several massage therapies, facial treatments and much more on offer here.
Provincial Baths
Heviz, a charming spa town in Zala County, about 8 km North-West of Lake Balaton, is home to Lake Heviz, the second largest thermal lake in the world and the largest in Europe. Its water is bursting out from a spring cave at 40 degrees Celsius, which, even on the coldest winter days, doesn’t drop below 24 degrees Celsius, thus, making bathing possible all year round. This truly unique lake, the healing properties of which have been known for centuries, offers an unforgettable experience with its pleasant water temperature, picturesque scenery and beautiful water lilies dressing up the lake. There is also Heviz Spa located along the shores of the lake, specialised in a unique kind of medical care.
Zalakaros is a holiday resort town in Zala County, West-Hungary where you can find Hungary’s second largest bathing complex. It is a truly family-oriented complex, aiming to satisfy the needs of all age groups with its numerous outdoor and indoor pools – including a wave pool, several thermal pools enriched with elements such as whirlpools, water jet massages, drift streams, bubble beds etc, water aerobics, a slide park, kids world in and outside the pools with children shows running all summer, a salt meditation room for adults, medical baths and a considerable number of different treatments, just to name a few. Also, there is a great selection of excellent hotels to choose from for your stay.
Hajduszoboszlo’s Hungarospa is the ultimate spa experience as being not just Hungary’s but Europe’s largest spa complex, situated in East-Hungary. The zillion kinds of pools, baths and facilities the spa has to offer are impossible to be listed such as – an aqua palace, aqua park, open-air baths, medical baths and treatments, adventure baths, cave baths, children’s world, sauna world, a sport centre and great gastronomy. It is also possible to stay in a camping here, if that’s your thing, or you can choose from a huge selection of private apartment houses owned by friendly locals or excellent hotels. Be aware when visiting that one day may not be enough to explore the whole complex and try all the pools, baths and activities on offer here.
Miskolctapolca Cave Bath, situated in a suburb of the town of Miskolc in North-East Hungary, is one of the most beautifully landscaped baths in Hungary, with its main charm being the basins located in the passages of a hundreds of thousands year old natural cave. In addition to the cave basins, there are several different kinds of pools outside the cave, hydrotherapy and massage treatments, float spa, saunas, and a huge park complete with a boating lake, playground, summer bobsleigh track and adventure park.
Gyula Castle Bath, situated on the south-eastern part of the Great Plain region of Hungary, is located in the 8.5 hectare natural reserve area of the former Almasy Castle. This 200-year-old natural park boasts awe-inspiring botanical wonders where visitors can enjoy an unforgettable bathing experience in this unique atmosphere complete with an aqua palace, pool bar, playgrounds, slides, saunas, an Olympic size swimming pool and medical & thermal baths offering various treatments.
As you can see, this wonderful country is a true haven for those loving water and swimming or in need of some medical treatment in one of the healing baths. Whether you are looking for tranquil relaxation in one of the unique, luxury spas or in search for some adventure and water fun with your friends and family – either in a pool spa or natural waters – you will find everything you need in one country – Hungary. And mind you, the above list was only my small selection of the considerable number of thermal baths located throughout the country and I haven’t even started on Lake Balaton, yet.
Spa Culture in Hungary was originally published on Freeminimaps - discover authentic experiences!
