Early beach season starts today in Hungary: Here are the places you can visit on 1 May!
Thanks to the favourable weather conditions, numerous beaches are kicking off their season earlier this year compared to previous ones. With a significant number of beaches set to welcome visitors as early as 1 May, enthusiasts will have even more options to indulge in some waterfront fun over the weekend.
Some beaches open earlier
In the past, tradition dictated that almost all beaches would open on 1 May, regardless of weather conditions. However, in today’s context, operators prioritise anticipated visitor numbers over tradition, meaning beach openings now hinge largely on weather forecasts. Fortunately, this year appears promising in that regard, as turizmus.com indicates that numerous spas are set to open their beaches and seasonal pools on 1 May and throughout the weekend.
The Spas
In various Hungarian towns, the opening of outdoor recreational areas like beaches and pools will occur gradually throughout May and into the summer. Hajdúszoboszló’s beach opens with a large-scale event on 1 May, while the Aquapark and Premium Zone follow later.
Zalakaros will allow swimming in pools from 3 May, with additional attractions like slides opening during the Pentecost weekend. Mórahalom’s outdoor facilities began opening on 1 April, with full beach access to come later. Kiskunmaja’s outdoor slide and wave pool have been open since April. Cserkeszőlő’s beach opens on 1 May, initially with limited pool access. Szeged will see three beach openings in early May, including the Aquapolis beach opening on 1 May.
In several larger Hungarian cities, including Szolnok, Békéscsaba, and Debrecen, beach openings are underway, although, in the city centres, only smaller beaches like Kerekestelepi and Aquaticum will open in about a month.
In Budapest, Aquaworld’s outdoor pools are set to open on 1 May. Additionally, there are year-round outdoor pools, primarily thermal or spa pools, such as Széchenyi Spa in Budapest, famous for its year-round outdoor pool access. Nyíregyháza’s Aquarius Spa is renowned for its outdoor spa pool with adventure elements, while in Egerszalók, only the children’s pool is seasonal, with other outdoor pools open year-round.
In recent years, notable dates like Pentecost have become pivotal for spa openings, resembling the significance once held by May Day. This year, Pentecost falls earlier, on 19-20 May, disrupting this trend. Nonetheless, some spas, including Gyula Castle Spa, Harkány Spa, and Palatinus Spa in Budapest, plan to open their beaches or parts thereof this weekend. Conversely, others, like Egri Thermal Baths, have chosen Children’s Day, the last weekend of May, for their openings.
Later in the season, openings coincide with the beginning of summer holidays, observed by major aquaparks like Annagora in Balatonfüred, Aquacity in Zalaegerszeg, and Aquaréna in Mogyoród. However, precise opening dates tend to be uncertain, often marked by approximations like “end of May” or “mid-June,” with weather conditions frequently influencing these plans.
Read also: