Hungary is one of the greatest spa nations. Thanks to its advantageous location, it has 1500 hot springs under the surface, more than any other country in Europe. The good quality water and its healing properties are the reasons why thermal and medicinal baths attract so many people.
Thermal water have been used for medical benefits over the centuries, since the ancient Roman times. The spa culture was revived during the Turkish Invasion in the 16th century. Several bathhouses were built during the Ottoman era similarly to traditional Turkish baths, reflecting the influence of the invadors' culture. Some of them are still functioning, like the Rudas Baths and Király Baths in Budapest or the Turkish Bath in Eger. In the 19th century the medical science gave an other big push for the Hungarian bathing culture. Grand spas were established like Gellért Baths, Lukács Baths or the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the largest spa complex in Europe. Today there are hundreds of modern spa and thermal baths complexes all over the country.
Budapest is called the City of Spas for a reason. It has more than a hundred thermal springs. Just to mention a few thermal baths, there are Hungary's largest 21-pool spa complex, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths with weekly Saturday night 'Sparty' with electronic dance and fire shows; the luxurious, Art Noveau styled Gellért Spa and Baths with mosaics, stained glass windows, viewing balconies and sculptured pillars; the Turkish style Király Baths or Rudas Thermal Baths where you can enjoy the views of the city from the rooftop pool.
These are 10+1 of the best and most famous in the country:
Lake Hévíz is the largest thermal lake in the world! The lake's water has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2000 years. According to legends, the water has miraculous healing powers. Today Hévíz Spa and St. Andrew's State Hospital for Rheumatology and Rehabilitation stands on the shores of the lake, offering treatment for the visitors. You can swim among giant waterlilies then take a relaxing mud-wrap from the lake's mineral rich floor.
Miskolctapolca Cave Bath is a unique hot spring inside a natural cave, next to Miskolc. It was built on the remains of a Benedictine monastery, and the bathing place became popular after the Ottoman occupation. In 1934 Tapolca was officially recognized as a spa town also became an important drinking water source. The water has moderate salt content meaning there’s no time limit on bathing.
The Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló is an internationally famous health resort in Eastern Hungary. It's the largest spa and bath complex in Europe, containing covered medicinal baths, several open-air swimming pools, gym, massage and therapy rooms, a hotel and an Aqua-park with spectacular water slides.
Gyula Castle Spa is a medicinal spa complex with five main sections: a medical spa, a therapeutic department, an outdoor bath with water slides, a sauna park and a beauty salon. It's located in the pretty park of the Almasy Palace. Gyula is a historical spa town in the southeast corner of Hungary and has a lovely atmosphere. Also famous from its sausage, pálinka products and its castle.
Zalakaros proves that you can find thermal water anywhere in Hungary, if you dig deep enough. Its thermal water comes from 2000 meters underground. The Gránit Thermal Baths offers both indoor and outdoor medical pools, jacuzzi, water attractions and slides. Zalakaros is an idyllic town near to Lake Balaton, surrounded by beautiful forests and meadows, vineyards and fishponds. You can explore it on bike or taste the local wines.
Finding the thermal spring in Bükfürdö was an accident just like the majority of Hungary's thermal baths. Bükfürdö Thermal and Spa is a modern complex in the western corner of the country with medical centre, golf and tennis course, also with a camping site.
Egerszalók is known from its 'salt hills', travertine pools and hills created by the erupted thermal water as it runs down from the limestone - the only salt hills in Europe. (There are only two other sights in the world: in Yellowstone National Park in the US and in Turkey at Parmukkale.) The Saliris Resort Spa & Conference Hotel is a modern facility with 17 indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, saunas, wellness services, fitness room and a conference centre. The town itself is located near Eger in Hungary's northern wine region.
Demjén is located just a few minutes from Egerszalók. The Demjén Cascade is Central Europe's largest cave spa with a thermal spa, wellness department, aquapark and diving pools, offering romantic night bathing under the open sky and Sunset Beach Pool Parties in summer.
The Spa and Wellness Centre in Sárvár is one of the ten 'Royal Spas' in Europe. Be prepared to be treated like a royal! The town is home to two different types of healing water, specialists combine them with the medicinal mud and Sárvár salt for the treatments.
My personal favourite is the Thermal Bath of Makó, the so called Hagymatikum. It's an onion shaped structure, designed by Imre Makovecz. The building is beautiful and very unique, and the spa has 18 pools both indoor and outdoor, 9 saunas, great massage and cheap prices. Check out our post about it here.
If you're in Hungary, make sure you visit at least one of the thermal baths. It's an amazing experience, you won't regret it!
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