Europe’s largest natural thermal lake loses iconic building – what’s next for Hévíz?

Since March 2025, the central building of the Hévíz Thermal Lake Spa has been closed, and according to the latest official statements, due to the structural condition of the building, it will no longer reopen to the public. On March 18, the management of the Hévíz Saint Andrew Rheumatology Hospital and Thermal Spa decided that the building’s structural deterioration poses a safety risk, making further use impossible.

According to local Mayor Péter Naszádos, a floating island will be built in place of the main building, designed to offer similar capacity as the former facility. The project is expected to cost around one billion forints and could be completed by spring 2026, writes Termál Online.

The floating island concept represents an innovative approach to the future of the Hévíz Thermal Lake Spa, leveraging the lake’s natural features to create a modern, floating spa complex. Visitors will still be able to enjoy the healing waters, and the development could bring new tourism appeal to the town, which has seen little investment in the spa over the past decades.

Complicating matters further is the changing ownership structure. While the city once held a stake in the company operating the spa, the entire facility is now under the authority of the state-owned Hévíz Saint Andrew Rheumatology Hospital and Thermal Spa. This has introduced uncertainty for local officials about the spa’s future, with the mayor unable to offer clear answers during a recent town hall meeting.

No significant development has occurred at the lake spa over the past 20 years, and although a comprehensive renovation was promised two years ago, it has yet to begin. The current situation poses challenges especially for small-scale accommodation providers, who are unsure what to expect and therefore cannot offer reliable information to their guests. Larger hotels, however, have so far shown little concern over the closure.

A statement from the Hévíz Saint Andrew Rheumatology Hospital and Thermal Spa emphasized that the building was closed to ensure visitor safety. The ultimate goal of the upcoming developments is to modernize and renew the spa’s services in a sustainable way.

The permanent closure of the Hévíz Thermal Lake Spa’s main building marks a significant shift for the town and its tourism sector, but the proposed floating island offers a fresh opportunity to shape the future of the spa and wellness tourism in Hévíz. Once completed, the new facility is expected to be a modern and attractive complex once again welcoming visitors.

As we wrote earlier, Hévíz Thermal Lake’s iconic bathhouse closed indefinitely, but a new 5-star hotel just opened, read details HERE.

Read here for more news about baths in Hungary

read also: Budapest’s best budget beaches: where to cool off without breaking the bank

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