Energy crisis hits Hungary’s baths: later openings and higher prices, but good news from Lake Balaton

Most Hungarian baths will deviate from tradition this year, shunning a 1 May opening in favour of a staggered start, typically over the Whitsun bank holiday weekend. The culprit, according to Zoltán Balogh, secretary-general of the Hungarian Spa Association, is the surge in energy costs – a point he made clear when approached by MTI. Yet Lake Balaton’s shores bring cheer, with beaches opening earlier than usual.

Domestic baths delay their openings

The baths will not operate at full capacity until the summer school holidays in mid-June. In the interim, operators face a raft of maintenance tasks. Spring brings repairs to tiling and grouting, pool cleaning, and overhauls of mechanical systems. Only then do they refill the pools with fresh water, Balogh explained.

He stressed that opening hinges on on-site inspections by the National Public Health and Pharmaceuticals Centre, which rigorously tests water quality in public pools and natural baths according to strict statutory protocols. Pools may open only once fresh water samples pass muster.

Entry fees to rise markedly

On ticket prices, Balogh noted that the association’s member baths have signalled nationwide average increases of 10-15 per cent for the season, though the range across venues spans 5-20 per cent. Labour-intensive operations and soaring energy costs are to blame, driven by the immense power demands of pumps’ electric motors. Water and sewage charges for non-household users have also jumped sharply since 1 January 2024.

Hungary boasts more than 220 tourism-relevant baths; this season sees Siófok’s Galérius bath reopen, while Nyíregyháza’s sauna facilities have been revamped.

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Balaton beaches open ahead of schedule

According to Veol, several northern shore resorts will fling open their beaches on 1 May – a move explained by steadily climbing temperatures and the fact that true heatwaves now arrive well before June. Adult day tickets, the news portal reports, will hover between 1,000 and 1,800 forints, with season passes available from this coming weekend.

Csopak’s beach opens on 23 May, though passes go on sale from 1 May. Révfülöp allows splashing from tomorrow until 27 September. The traditional beach season runs from 20 June to 30 August, when Zánka charges between 8am and 7pm.

Tihany’s Sajkód beach offers day tickets at 800 forints; the Ferry Terminal beach charges 1,250 forints for single adult entry or 1,650 forints for unlimited day access.

Further openings and ticket prices

• Badacsonytomaj and Badacsony: opening over the last May weekend; adult day ticket 1,500 forints, rising to 1,700 at weekends.
• Balatonakali: Mandulavirág beach open from 19 June to 30 August; adult day ticket 1,800 forints.
• Örvényes: free beach open daily 9am-6pm from 1 June to 31 August.
• Balatonszepezd: Central, Szepezdfürdő and Virius beaches charge from 21 June to 24 August; adult day tickets 1,000-1,500 forints.

If you missed our previous articles concerning Lake Balaton:

Will midges swarm Lake Balaton’s shores once more this year, crawling into ears, noses, and mouths?

Renewed bath opened in town near Lake Balaton