baths

Some 50 Hungarian baths open until late night this Saturday!

Some 50 lidos and baths throughout Hungary will welcome visitors with extended opening hours on July 29 marking the 11th night of baths, the event’s organiser Hungarian Baths Association said on Tuesday.

Several of the participating baths and lidos will also offer special programmes including film screenings, fire acrobat shows, foam parties, diving shows, concerts and DJs playing music. Visitors can engage in special sporting activities during the day and also at night, with some of the venues staying open until 3am. For a list of venues and other details, please visit www.furdoszovetseg.hu and the association’s event page on Facebook dubbed Csobbanj velunk.

July 25, 2023

Mournful: World-famous former Hungarian spa left to rot – VIDEO

The former Hungarian Herkulesfürdő (now Băile Herculane, meaning Hercules Baths) is in a terrible state, its buildings are literally falling apart. The place once belonged to Hungary, now it is in Romania. For several years, the Romanian authorities have been trying to find out who was responsible for the collapse of the spa.

The former Hungarian spa, Herkulesfürdő, in shambles

Herkulesfürdő, known as Băile Herculane in Romanian, is a significant architectural legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, Index reports, based on Átlátszó.hu. The complex is located in the Cerna Valley, 400 km from Bucharest, the Romanian capital. It has a long history, dating back to the time of the Emperor Trajan. The ruler probably had it built as the baths of the temple and altar to Hercules.

Átlátszó.hu found the last Hungarian report about Herkulesfürdő from 1940. “To give a quantitative sense of the devastation taking place in Herkulesfürdő, it must be said that half of the 50 buildings on the Ministry of Culture’s list of monuments are in a state of extreme dilapidation,” Átlátszó writes. They add that the buildings are not just in a bad state, but are literally falling apart.

Largely the result of privatisation

The overall decline of the resort is largely the result of privatisation under the government of Adrian Năstase (PSD) in 2001. The article explains that after the Romanian state took over the spa after WWI, the government led by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) decided in 2001 to sell the facility to companies that had nothing to do with spa tourism but excellent political connections.

“PSD officials have made no effort at all to renovate a whole series of historical monuments that have fallen into their hands, but have allowed them to fall into ruin,” the article revealed. It also pointed out that from 2008, when their company was already completely in debt, they have been disposing of a series of properties, which have fallen into the hands of all kinds of private and legal entities.

The place still attracts investors

Mass disposals of hotels, spas and even some outbuildings have been investigated in recent years by the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT). The case has 35 defendants in total. A kind of ‘micro-society’ populated by businessmen, their relatives, payroll employees, lawyers, property valuers and bailiffs, each with their own contribution, in varying degrees, to the dissipation and monetisation of this wealth, Átlátszó adds.

Strange as it may sound, the spa is attracting investors. Not for historical or preservationist reasons, but because the natural environment and thermal waters of the place continue to attract tourists, the news portal claims.

July 22, 2023

Mid-season promotions in Hungarian spas: don’t miss this!

From today, 19 July, the spa of Csongrád (Csongrádi Gyógyfürdő) will offer special ticket prices. The “Retro Weeks” also started on Monday at the Kerekdomb Thermal Baths (Kerekdombi Termálfürdő).

Kerekdombi Termálfürdő

In the Kerekdomb Thermal Baths in Tiszakécske, each bath ticket costs HUF 2000 (EUR 5.34) for two weeks within the “Retro Weeks” discount, Thermal Online reports. The promotion started on 17 July and is valid this week and next week. The normal ticket price is HUF 3500 (EUR 9.34) for adults and HUF 3100 (EUR 8.27) for students and pensioners.

Csongrádi Gyógyfürdő

In the Csongrád Spa, the adult ticket now costs HUF 1800 (EUR 4.80) instead of HUF 2200 (EUR 5.87), and the discounted ticket costs HUF 1300 (EUR 3.47) instead of HUF 1800 (EUR 4.80), the news portal writes. What is more, the opening hours have also been extended. The Csongrád Gyógyfürdő is open until 9 PM every day. The extended opening hours and the discounted ticket price are valid until cancelled.

July 19, 2023

Price hike in Budapest’s historic baths today after years

Széchenyi baths in Budapest hungarian tourism

With the Zsigmondy Club Card, you can get a significant discount at the Széchenyi, Gellért and Rudas spas. This year, even with the card, you will have to pay more if you want to visit these historic baths.

This year, for the first time in years, bathing with the Zsigmondy Club Card will become significantly more expensive.

With the Zsigmondy Club Card, you could get a significant discount in the Széchenyi, Gellért and Rudas spas, napi.hu writes.

Price increase even with Zsigmondy Club Card

Bathers could only protect themselves against spiralling utility bills and high inflation with the club card. So far, the Zsigmondy Club Card for Budapest’s historic baths has been available for HUF 3,500 (EUR 9.34) a session in places that otherwise cost around HUF 10,000 (EUR 26.68), according to spabook.net.

The change does not affect the prices of season tickets or tickets available at the box office, napi.hu warns.

Zsigmondy Club members can now enjoy the bathing services provided by the spas for up to 4 hours once a day, from 4 July 2023 for HUF 4,000 (EUR 10.67) on weekdays and HUF 4,500 (EUR 12) on weekends – Budapest Gyógyfürdői és Hévizei Zrt. (BGYH) announced on its website.

Brutal increase in the price of weekend tickets

Weekday tickets will be 14.3 percent more expensive, while tickets for weekends will be 28.6 percent more expensive from 4 July. For regular visitors and those who come several times a week, or even daily, the BGYH season ticket system offers much cheaper (up to HUF 1300-1500 [EUR 3.47-4]) tickets.

It’s not only baths and spas but also aquaparks that need to increase their prices due to the current economic situation. We wrote about the price hikes even in the cheapest water parks in THIS article. You might find your favourite one there…

July 4, 2023

Brutal price rises even in the cheapest aquaparks in Hungary: here are the numbers

Sometimes, instead of an open beach, we would rather visit an amusement park created specifically for having the time of our life in the summer heat. Yes, this is about water parks or aquaparks. In Hungary, 25 aquaparks are operating at full capacity, with one easily accessible from almost anywhere in the country. However, inflation has – obviously – reached these water parks as well. This means massive price increases even in the cheapest aquaparks.

Many people are looking for some relief on beaches and waterfronts. However, if you’re looking for a little something extra, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets this year. Pénzcentrum has rounded up some of the cheapest establishments in the country and looked at how much prices have risen in a year.

In Hungary, there are currently 25 bathing areas that can be classified as aquaparks, based on their pools and slides offering exciting water experiences. Aquarena Mogyoród, which reopened last year, is the leader in terms of the number of slides with 26, followed by the Zalakaros and Sárvár water parks with 23-23.

Pénzcentrum looked at how much the price of entry to the aquaparks has risen compared to July last year. Unfortunately, it’s no surprise that prices increased a lot. The 2021 and 2022 prices are available, so it is possible to compare them.

As can be seen from the table, most of the cheapest water parks have seen an increase in price. The average increase is 40 percent, but some have gone up by as much as 55 percent.

At the same time, local residents always enjoy some kind of discount at most spas. It’s also important to know that you can also buy aquapark tickets with a SZÉP card, currently from any sub-account. First, you can see the prices in HUF, then the prices in EUR in brackets.

	2021	2022	2023	Increase
Tófürdő Szombathely	2200 (5.90)	2200 (5.90)	3100 (8.31)	40 percent
Harkányi Gyógy- és Strandfürdő	2900 (7.77)	2900 (7.77)	4100 (10.99)	41 percent
Virágfürdő Kaposvár	3300 (8.85)	3300 (8.85)	4850 (13)	46 percent
Aqua Land Ráckeve	3490 (9.36)	3480 (9.33)	4880 (13.08)	40 percent
Oázis Wellness Park Szigetszentmiklós	3500 (9.38)	3500 (9.38)	3500 (9.38)	0 percent
Várkertfürdő Pápai Gyógy- és Termálfürdő	3500 (9.38)	3900 (10.46)	4300 (11.53)	10 percent
Kecskeméti Élményfürdő és Csúszdapark	3600 (9.65)	3600 (9.65)	5600 (15.01)	55 percent
AquaCity Zalaegerszeg	3600 (9.65)	3600 (9.65)	3200 (8.58)	-11 percent
Tatabányai Gyémánt Fürdő	3800 (10.19)	3800 (10.19)	4900 (13.14)	28 percent

July 3, 2023

Budget-friendly spas near Budapest

As prices soar for beach resorts, spas and thermal baths, finding affordable options can be a challenge.

However, within the Budapest area, there are several low-cost spas that offer a rejuvenating experience without breaking the bank. With the assistance of termalonline.hu, we can find a list of these budget-friendly spas worth considering, writes 24.hu.

Albertirsa Beach

Running from 9 June to 3 September in the 2023 season, Albertirsa Beach (Albertirsai Strandfürdő) is closed on Mondays but compensates with evening swimming on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) and morning swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7-9 am). With five pools, this spa offers reasonably priced admission tickets: HUF 2,450 (EUR 6,64) for adults, HUF 1,800 (EUR 4,88) for students and pensioners, and a children’s ticket priced at HUF 1,300 (EUR 3,52).

Göd Thermal Baths

Göd Thermal Baths (Gödi Termálfürdő) welcomes visitors year-round. The spa boasts three swimming pools, including thermal waters, catering to sports enthusiasts and providing a space for children to enjoy. Admission prices are HUF 2,400 (EUR 6,50) for adults and HUF 1,700 (EUR 4,61) for discounted tickets.

Nagykáta Spa and Beach Baths

Situated in the southeastern part of Pest County, Nagykáta Spa and Beach Baths (Nagykátai Gyógy- és Strandfürdő) offers both indoor spa facilities and a beach area. With seven pools, two of which are indoor, visitors can relax in steam baths, Finnish saunas and infrared saunas. Adult beach tickets are available for HUF 2,500 (EUR 6,78), while students can access the beach for HUF 2,000 (EUR 5,42). Family tickets are also an option.

Tápiószentmárton Beach and Thermal Baths

During the summer season, Tápiószentmárton Beach and Thermal Baths (Tápiószentmártoni Strandfürdő) present four pools of varying sizes and temperatures. Open from late May to mid-September, the spa provides a swimming pool, therapeutic seating pool, beach pool and a children’s pool. Additional amenities include a sports field, playground and snack bar. Entrance fees are HUF 2,000 (EUR 5,42) for adults and HUF 1,400 (EUR 3,79) for children and pensioners.

Tóalmás Szent András Thermal Bath Beach

After a year-long hiatus, Tóalmási Szent András Thermal Bath Beach (Tóalmási Szent András Gyógyvizes Strand) has reopened its doors. Despite renovations, the facility has maintained its affordable prices, making it a worthwhile visit. While adult daily tickets cost HUF 2,000 (EUR 5,42), children and seniors can enjoy the bath for HUF 1,000 (EUR 2,71).

July 2, 2023

Less known beaches to visit in Hungary

Summer has very well started, summer holiday started in schools. The scorching heat is also here. By the start of the holidays, beaches are gradually opening across Hungary. The summer campaign of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (Magyar Turisztikai Ügynökség, MTÜ) contributes to the successful high season in the towns offering water experiences.

Beaches across the country to attract many visitors

With the start of the school holidays, water attractions across the country are expected to attract more and more visitors, and will continue to be a magnet for tourists in the summer, according to turizmus.com. In recent years, Hungary’s beaches have been significantly improved, with family-friendly and accessible services, and a variety of sports and leisure facilities.

The renewal of 140 open-air bathing sites in a total of 73 settlements across the country has been made possible by the government with domestic funding, the Hungarian Tourism Agency said in a statement.

At Lake Balaton alone, there are more than 100 beaches to choose from, almost two thirds of which are completely free of charge, measured by length of beach.

The importance of spas for tourism is illustrated by the fact that almost one third of Hungary’s rural accommodation turnover is generated in the major spa towns. In terms of the number of nights spent, 8 of the 10 most popular rural settlements are spa towns. The remaining two are on the shores of Lake Balaton. Balatonlelle, Zamárdi and Zánka join the spa towns with the highest number of overnight stays in the beach season from May to September.

Apart from Lake Balaton, there are many places worth visiting

“At home and in the most promising sending countries, we encourage tourists to recharge their batteries on the waterfront in the summer, drawing attention to the regions of Bük-Sárvár, Debrecen and its surroundings, Tokaj and Nyíregyháza, Győr-Pannonhalma, Gyula and its surroundings, Mátra-Bükk, in addition to Balaton,” Szabolcs Juhász, Director of Tourism at the MTÜ, said.

According to accommodation data from the National Tourism Data Centre (NTAK), 70 percent of demand in terms of guest nights last year was linked to settlements outside the capital that have a popular spa. The spa experience is not only a major driver of domestic tourism. NTAK data also show that 8 out of 10 foreign visitors also visit a rural municipality with a spa.

Night beach holiday approaching!

As we reported on 19 June, the Night of the Beaches will be held again this year on 29 July. On this day, Hungarian baths are expected to be full of people wanting nothing but a good cold bath. 2023 marks the 11th edition of the Night of the Beaches. Read details HERE.

June 25, 2023

Massive night beach holiday coming up in Hungary!

If you love a good beach time in this summer heat, you’ve come to the right place. At the initiative of the Hungarian Bathing Association (Magyar Fürdőszövetség), the Night of the Beaches will be held again this year on 29 July. On this day, Hungarian baths are expected to be full of people wanting nothing but a good cold bath. 2023 marks the 11th edition of the Night of the Beaches.

The 11th Night of the Beaches – 29 July, Saturday

Zoltán Balogh, the secretary general of the Hungarian Bathing Association told MTI, the Hungarian News Agency, that they are waiting for applications until mid-July from bathing establishments that can accommodate bathers until late at night. So far, a dozen spas have joined the programme.

Every year on the last Saturday of July, dozens of beaches, spas, thermal baths and aqua parks across the country offer extended opening hours and special programmes, he added.

Special beach programmes and discounts

Last year, tens of thousands of guests visited the more than 40 bathing establishments participating in the programme on the Night of the Beaches. Spas are free to organise local activities and offer discounts to guests. Each spa can adapt its own opening hours to its own timetable, and there is no charge for members of the association to join the programme, they said.

Excluding natural water beaches, there are about 200 thermal and leisure baths in Hungary, Pénzcentrum writes. You can find out about the participating spas and detailed programmes on the association’s website and on its official community page, the Csobbanj velünk Facebook page.

Water quality is excellent in Hungarian beaches

As we reported earlier this month, the water quality of most of the Hungarian beaches are of excellent quality. However, there are three that received the “objectionable” rating of the National Centre for Public Health (NNK) this year. These three are the Maros Adventure Beach (Maros Kalandpart) in Makó; the Vadkert Lake Baths (Vadkerti tófürdő) in Soltvadkert and the Tisza Beach (Tisza-parti strand) in Tiszakécske. However, fear not: most of the natural bathing areas near lakes of major tourist interest like Lake Balaton, Lake Tisza, Lake Velence, are still classified as excellent.

June 19, 2023

Hungarian baths see huge ticket price increase

This summer, price of baths have increased by around 40 percent compared to last season. Zoltán Kántás, the president of the Hungarian Bathing Association (Magyar Fürdőszövetség) explained what to expect this summer.

He reminded that the rise in gas and electricity prices, has created challenges for spas and the tourism sector. To address this, he emphasised the importance of transitioning to alternative, renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on the market, writes Index.

Renewable systems

According to Kántás, energy efficiency improvements are necessary for long-term sustainability. To demonstrate, he highlighted examples where domestic spas have implemented renewable solutions. These include utilising methane-containing thermal water for energy or utilising waste heat and investing in energy efficiency measures. However, a long-term solution is needed to enhance spa sustainability.

The expert stressed that maintaining spas has become significantly more expensive, with costs for gas and electricity rising by tenfold in many places. This has prompted operators to implement changes, including adjusting opening hours, imposing restrictions and reviewing energy systems. Spas have embarked on major energy modernisation investments with the support of subsidies and their own resources.

Lack of guests

Notably, despite the challenging economic climate, no spa has had to close, although some may do so temporarily for renovation and modernisation work. Rising energy prices, labor costs and the cost of water treatment materials have contributed to increased expenses.

Regarding the number of guests, Kántás mentioned that the past years have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there are currently no restrictions, the number of guests remains below 2019 figures. The absence of foreign visitors, primarily due to the war in the neighbouring region, particularly affects spas in Budapest, where over 60 percent of visitors frequent at least one spa. The absence of Russian and Ukrainian tourists is also felt in Eastern Hungary and in Hévíz.

Rising prices of baths

Despite the increase in ticket prices, domestic baths are still competitive in terms of value for money in comparison with those found in neighbouring countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Kántás noted that around 90 percent of domestic spas are owned by municipalities and were subject to a price increase ban until June 2022. Therefore, they couldn’t offset rising operating costs through ticket price adjustments.

The first price increase occurred in June-July 2022, but it only partially covered the increased costs. As a result, this summer, bath prices are approximately 40 percent higher than last year’s pre-season prices. However, it’s worth mentioning that small rural baths still offer adult admission around HUF 2,000, providing options for various budgets.

June 18, 2023

Hungarian beaches are of excellent quality, except for these three

The National Centre for Public Health (NNK) reported that 94 percent of open-air bathing sites in Hungary have a good or excellent rating based on the European Union’s assessment system. This means that you are perfectly safe when enjoying most of Hungary’s fun and often spectacular spas and baths. However, there are three beaches that fell into the poor cathegory regarding their water quality.

Most beaches are of good quality, only three are poor

According to the NNK’s assessment, the number of beaches with poor water quality is steadily decreasing. Only 3 natural bathing waters fell into the poor category in the past year. The rating is based on four years of complete data, in line with EU requirements, turizmus.com reports.

Based on the NNK’s 2022 aggregate, the national picture is largely positive. Of the 279 bathing waters registered nationwide, 176 were rated excellent, 58 good and 11 tolerable.

Only 3 beaches got into the category of “objectionable”: Maros Adventure Beach (Maros Kalandpart) in Makó; Vadkert Lake Baths (Vadkerti tófürdő) in Soltvadkert and Tisza Beach (Tisza-parti strand) in Tiszakécske.

Most of the natural bathing areas near lakes of major tourist interest like Lake Balaton, Lake Tisza, Lake Velence are still classified as excellent, turizmus.com adds.

Ridiculously low prices in a country thermal bath

Just 24 kilometres south of Hajdúszoboszló is the village of Földes. In the settlement, a small but charming thermal beach with three beaches has been in operation since the 1960s. The baths are almost ridiculously cheap compared to today’s prices, termalonline.hu writes.

As we reported, beaches this year have implemented significant price increases this year. HERE you can find the list of paid beachest at Lake Balaton and how much they have increased their ticket prices.

As a counterexample, the Földes Thermal Bath (Földesti Termálfürdő) offers affordable prices to all visitors this year. In addition to the two thermal pools, the bath in Földes also has waveless pool. The spa is currently open from 2 PM to 7 PM on weekdays and from 9 AM to 7 PM on weekends. However, once the summer holidays start, it is expected to be open all day on weekdays.

Ticket prices are as follows:

day tickets are free for children under three, HUF 850 (EUR 2.31) for students and pensioners and HUF 1430 (EUR 3.89) for adults.
Family tickets are also available for two adults and one child for HUF 3080 (EUR 8.38) and for one adult and two children for HUF 2560 (EUR 6.96).
If you want to go swimming after 4 PM, you can buy a discounted ticket for HUF 800 (EUR 2.18) for adults and HUF 600 (EUR 1.63) for students and pensioners.

June 12, 2023

Visit this thermal bath near Budapest for free this Saturday!

After a year’s break, the Szent András Thermal Bath in Tóalmás, with its certified thermal water, will reopen on Saturday 10 June. Admission will be free on the opening day!

On Saturday 10 June, after a year’s break, the Szent András Thermal Bath in Tóalmás will reopen. The bath has certified thermal water and is quite close to Budapest. Tomorrow, on the opening day, visitors can bathe for free, Termal Online reports.

Szent András Gyógyvizes Strand in Tóalmás. Source: toalmas.hu

The charming thermal beach has been operating since 1971. It is located just 55 kilometres east of Budapest. The spa was last open in the summer of 2021. Last year, the facility was renovated and expanded, with modern bathrooms and new changing rooms, Travelo reports. They are also aiming to obtain medical spa certification, so medical treatments will soon be available.

The renovated spa is now planned to be open all year round, not just during the summer beach season. What’s more, it will be free on the opening day on 10 June. After that, tickets will still be available at reasonable prices: HUF 2,000 (EUR 5.42) for adults, HUF 1,000 (EUR 2.71) for pensioners and under-14s, and discounted tickets will be available from 4 PM. The spa accommodation is expected to open in August, but the campsite will be closed this year.

The water of the Szent András Thermal Bath in Tóalmás was certified as a medicinal water in 2004. The soft thermal water with a medium mineral content, sodium hydrogen carbonate, is effective in the treatment of knee and hip joint problems, Travelo explains.

June 9, 2023

3 best holiday spots around Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is by far the most popular domestic holiday destination for Hungarians. Dubbed the “Hungarian Sea”, it has much to offer not only to newcomers, but also to frequent visitors. From swimming in the cool waters and hiking in the nearby hills, to enjoying the unique culinary experience that the local gastronomy and the surrounding sweeping vineyards have to offer, Lake Balaton is a one-stop-shop for all your possible holiday needs.

However, it is important to keep in mind that Balaton is a relatively large body of water which differs in many places. While one cannot doubt that everyone has their own favourite spots for a variety of reason, there are arguably some cities and regions which have more to offer to the average tourist than others. Here at Daily News Hungary, we have collected the top 3 most well-known destinations you should check out before visiting the lake.

Siófok

Siófok is a vibrant and popular tourist destination situated on the southern shore of Balaton. Known as the “capital” of the lake, it offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors.

One such attraction is, naturally, the beach. Siófok Beach stretches for several kilometers and offers facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports rentals and beachside bars. It’s a perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming and enjoying the cooling waters.

Those who love outings at night shouldn’t worry either. Siófok is famous for its vibrant nightlife, attracting both locals and tourists. The Petőfi Promenade, also known as “Party Street,” is the hub of nightlife in Siófok, with numerous bars and clubs lined up along the waterfront.

For those who enjoy bathing, but are not a big fan of the waters of Balaton, we recommend to visit Galerius Wellness and Spa. Located located only a short hop from Siófok, it is a popular attraction for relaxation and rejuvenation. The complex offers thermal baths, indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms and a wide range of wellness treatments.

Last but not least, the city has some fascinating cultural and historical sites worth exploring as well. The Water Tower, built in the early 20th century, offers panoramic views of the town and the lake. The city’s centre features several charming churches, including the Holy Trinity Church and the Protestant Church.

Tihany

Located on the northern shore of the lake, Tihany offers a unique window into the hidden opportunities and gems of Balaton.

Situated on a peninsula, it provides tourists with stunning panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding landscapes. The peninsula is a designated nature reserve, featuring picturesque hills, meadows and forests, perfect for nature lovers and hikers.

The Benedictine Abbey is one of Tihany’s main landmarks and a significant historical site. Founded in 1055, it is a beautifully preserved architectural gem, known for its distinctive, red-tiled roof, including Romanesque and Gothic elements. Visitors can explore the abbey’s interior, admire the tranquil courtyards and enjoy the serene beauty of the region.

Tihany is famous for its lavender cultivation, and the sight of vibrant purple fields is a treat for the eyes. During the blooming season, typically in June and July, visitors can stroll through the fragrant lavender fields, learn about lavender production and purchase lavender products and gifts.

Keszthely

Keszthely is a picturesque town located on the western shore of Lake Balaton. Known for its rich history and cultural heritage, Keszthely offers a range of attractions and activities for visitors.

The main highlight of Keszthely is by far the Festetics Palace, one of Hungary’s largest Baroque-style castles. This impressive mansion was the residence of the Festetics noble family. It features stunning architecture, lavish interiors and beautifully landscaped gardens. Today, the palace serves as a museum where visitors can explore its various rooms, including the library, chapel and exhibition halls, showcasing art, historical artifacts and antic furniture.

Furthermore, Keszthely boasts several beaches along the shores of Lake Balaton, offering excellent opportunities for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Some popular beaches in Keszthely include the Libás Beach and the Balaton Museum Beach.

Last but not least, Keszthely is home to the Marzipan Museum and Confectionery, a unique attraction that showcases intricate marzipan sculptures made by local artists. Visitors can admire the impressive artworks, learn about the history and techniques of marzipan-making and indulge in delicious marzipan treats.

Keszthely marcipán marzipan museum — Photo: Wiki Commons by HerrAdams

May 24, 2023

The season has kicked off: more stunning spas open in Hungary

More spas have opened in Hungary last weekend. Check out the new updates of these must-visit wellness centres so you won’t miss out on the big promotions.

Newly opened baths

There are plenty of things to look forward to if you are a fan of Hungarian spas. On 13 May, the Tófürdő in Nyíregyháza-Sóstógyógyfürdő opened its doors. In addition, the Park Baths will also await visitors from 9 June.

The oval spa pool of the Berekfürdő Spa has been closed to guests for a long time, but this popular outdoor pool is accessible again for tourists and relaxation-seekers from 13 May. Berekfürdő also has a wide range of recreational and swimming pools, which are back in operation, napi.hu reports.

Another great news is that tickets will turn out to be cheaper this year. Until the end of May, pre-season ticket prices are valid. Adult day tickets cost HUF 2,800 (EUR 7,56), while student and pensioner tickets are available for HUF 2,300 (EUR 6,21). You can take advantage of the discounted tickets until 1 June, after which there will be a wee price increase, but the pool offer will be extended.

Nyíregyháza also awaits spa-goers

The Tófürdő in Nyíregyháza-Sóstógyógyfürdő will also open this weekend. The season doesn’t seem to kick off with an ideal beach weather, so the 34-36°C thermal pool is likely to be more popular among visitors.

“The green areas have been renewed, in addition to the numerous perennial plants, we have planted 300 dozen annual flowers. We have tidied up the walkways and the pools, and the slides are in working condition. Thus, guests will be welcomed by the familiar, pleasant atmosphere of the Lake Baths, which will have a thermal pool and a warm water children’s pool in addition to the water surface of the lake,” the spa said in a statement.

The Park Baths in Nyíregyháza-Sóstógyógyfürdő will open on 9 June. Unfortunately, the Júliua Spa in Nyíregyháza will remain closed this year. However, the Rózsa Spa in Tótkomlós opened on 13 May after a month-long maintenance break.

The indoor section of the spa and the saunas can still be enjoyed only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, says termalonline.hu.

May 17, 2023

Cheap thermal bath near Budapest? Bathe for less than EUR 6 here! – PHOTOS

The thermal waters of the Szent András Spa Beach (Szent András Gyógyvizes Strand) have been certified since 2004. Their ticket prices are absolutely affordable compared to the domestic spa offer. And it is located only 55 kilometres from Budapest!

Cheap spa with thermal waters near Budapest

It is no wonder that the calming thermal waters of the Szent András Spa Beach attracts visitors from all over the coutry. Tóalmás is located 55 kilometres from Budapest, in Pest county. The spa in Tóalmás opened in the 1970s, but was closed last year for the beach season, napi.hu reports.

Behind closed doors, the operators, who had previously won a HUF 260 million (EUR 704,270) grant, have begun renovation work, Termal Online writes. During the renovation, modern bathrooms with new changing rooms were built, the old pools were renewed, and a brand new paddling pool was added.

Most importantly, after the opening on 17 May, spa treatments will also be available at the complex.

At the Szent András Spa Beach, a soft thermal water with a medium mineral content and sodium bicarbonate, will be open for bathing from 1 June. The spa will be open all year round instead of seasonally.

Reasonable prices

Ticket prices are also favourable this year:

the adult daily entrance fee is HUF 2000 (EUR 5.42);
for under 14s and pensioners, it is HUF 1000 (EUR 2.71);
family admission will be HUF 4000 (EUR 10.84), valid for 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children.

The admission fee for each additional child will be HUF 500 (EUR 1.35). After 4 PM, everyone can buy tickets at an even lower price: HUF 1500 (EUR 4.06) for adults and HUF 700 (EUR 1.90) for children and pensioners.

May 16, 2023

Going to the beach this summer in Hungary will be brutally expensive

Summer is almost here and the beaches will open soon in Hungary. However, those who are preparing for the beach season must expect serious expenses.

In May, the cheaper beach tickets are still in effect

The Palatinus spa in Budapest has already partially opened its beach pools for guests. For now, however, neither the wave bath nor the slide can be used, writes budapestkornyeke.hu. At Palatinus beach, winter prices are currently valid until the end of the month. The family ticket for 3 people is HUF 6,800 (EUR 18,27) on weekends, if at least one person is under 14 years old. The ticket for 4 people with two children under the age of 14 is HUF 9,100 (EUR 24,46).

In addition, children under the age of 3 can enter for free, while students aged 3-14 and pensioners can exchange tickets for HUF 2,300 (EUR 6,18) on weekends. For adults, the all-day ticket costs HUF 3,400 (EUR 9,14), and the two-hour ticket costs HUF 2,300 (EUR 6,18). On weekdays, you can get to the beach for a HUF few hundred cheaper.

A serious price increase should be expected from June

Soon, the brutal summer prices arrive at the beaches. In the case of the Palatinus bath, the adult entrance fee will be HUF 4,300 (EUR 11,56) on weekdays and HUF 4,800 (EUR 12,9) on weekends from June. Students of up to 14 years of age and pensioners can go to the beach for HUF 3,500 (EUR 9,41) and 3,900 (EUR 10,48) on weekdays and weekends, respectively. The family ticket for 3 people will cost HUF 8,600 (EUR 23,11) and HUF 9,600 (EUR 25,8). Moreover, tickets for four will cost HUF 12,100 (EUR 32,52) and HUF 13,500 (EUR 36,28), respectively.

These are the prices at the beaches in the countryside

In Eger, a family ticket for 3 people costs HUF 8,200 (HUF 22,04), and a family ticket for 4 people costs HUF 10,200 (EUR 27,41). In Nyíregyháza, adults can go to the beach for HUF 4,500 (EUR 12,09) on weekdays and HUF 9,600 (EUR 25,8) on weekends, and children for HUF 3,000 (EUR 8,06) and HUF 4,500 (EUR 12,09) respectively. Meanwhile, students and pensioners are charged HUF 3,500 (EUR 9,41) and HUF 5,500 (EUR 14,78). In Debrecen, you have to pay HUF 3,500-4,500 (EUR 9,41-EUR 12,09) on weekdays and HUF 4,400-5,400 (EUR 11,82-14,51) on weekends.

In addition, an adult ticket for the Gyulai Castle Spa costs HUF 4,600 (EUR 12,36), and a student and pensioner ticket costs HUF 3,200 (EUR 8,6). The AquaPalota additional ticket costs HUF 2,300 (EUR 6,18) for adults, HUF 1,800 (EUR 4,84) for students and pensioners. In Szeged, adults have to pay HUF 7,600 (EUR 20,42), and students, children, and pensioners HUF 4,200. In Zalaegerszeg, the entrance fee to the thermal bath is HUF 4,200 (EUR 11,29) for adults and HUF 2,700 (EUR 7,26) for pensioners and children. In several places, however, local residents can exchange tickets for a discounted price.

May 12, 2023

PHOTOS: How does AI picture famous Hungarian landmarks?

What if we let artificial intelligence design pictures depicting famous Hungarian landmarks? What would the parliament building or the view from Buda Castle look like according to AI images? Let us show you!

Recently, German artist Boris Eldagsen won the prestigious Sony world photography award, but he refused to accept the prize. His entry was revealed to be a stunt, as he admitted that his image was created by artificial intelligence. His entry was a way to spark debate about AI images and art and let’s be honest, it was a pretty successful idea.

As we have previously asked ChatGPT what an open AI “thinks” of Hungary, in our latest AI experiment, we have tried to see what kind of images an AI text-to-image tool like Gencraft can make about famous Hungarian landmarks and well-known products.

It is worth mentioning that we did not ask the AI to make the images in a particular style, whereas in reality the “artists” can improve their prompts with specific design suggestions, such as creating the images in anime, realistic, watercolour or steampunk style.

Scenery from Gellért Hill

AI generated photos of Hungary — Text-to-image AI photos Photo: Gencraft

As the renovation of the Citadella and the Gellért Hill hasn’t been finished yet, we’ve asked the AI tool to make an image like it was taken from the top of Gellért Hill. The AI recognises the river Danube and sort of did alright with creating the Hungarian parliament, but likely confused it with Buda Castle. Still, one might be able to recognise Budapest from this picture.

In reality:

Lake Balaton and Tihany Abbey

Next, we asked the tool to create an image of Lake Balaton and the Tihany Abbey. While it did create a very good Balaton scenery, it places the abbey from the top of the peninsula to the lakeside with a very different style, which makes us wonder whether it draws some inspiration from the scenery that can be seen around Lake Como and Garda in Italy.

In reality:

Tihany Peninsula — Photo: www.facebook.com/BalatonHungaryBlog/

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

In our opinion, the AI did the best job with this prompt, which probably is due to the limited scope of the photos taken inside the bath. The central pool is clearly recognisable, bar the steps, but the colour scheme is also matching what visitors can expect in the summer. It looks like the AI is sticking to geometric shapes, and couldn’t quite grasp the asymmetric structure of the building.

In reality:

széchenyi bath — Photo: www.szechenyifurdo.hu

Hungarian Great Plain

Our prompt was to create a picture of the Hungarian Alföld (Great Plain) landscape with a Puli dog, a shepherd and cattle, like how it would look in Hortobágy. Instead of plain, we see a prospering wheat field and a shepherd that does not wear Hungarian clothing. The dog looks like a cross between a Puli and a Bernese Mountain Dog, and the cattle resemble some similarities with Scottish Highland Cattle. Not the most accurate work of the tool.

In reality:

Hortobágy Grey Cattle Szürkemarha Great Plain — Great Plain with Grey Cattle Photo: Pixabay

Liberty Bridge with Gellért Hill in the background

Well, this was a hard one. Originally, we wanted to create an image about the Széchenyi Chain Bridge but the tool refused to make images to this prompt. We had to change to the Liberty Bridge, and the tool suffered to make anything that resembles Budapest. The word ‘liberty’ must have confused the tool which could have drawn much more information about New York than Budapest, therefore the bridge resembles the Brooklyn Bridge. The parrot on the fence is questionable as well but could be a fun little addition to the Budapest wildlife.

In reality:

Liberty Bridge Budapest — Liberty Bridge
Source: Wikimedia Commons / KovácsD

Overall, as these images show photographers shouldn’t worry that AI text-to-image tools will make their job obsolete. However, they are not just fun, in some cases they make surprisingly good renditions of reality based on the information available to them.

April 29, 2023

Popular thermal spa in western Hungary will not open this year

The thermal bath of Csorna has one of the strongest thermal waters in Hungary. Due to its high salt, sodium and potassium content, the bath is recommended for musculoskeletal, gynaecological and respiratory patients. It is also suitable for the treatment of psoriasis. However, this year, the thermal bath will not open due to renovation works.

The bath is being renovated, opening is expected for 2024

This year, on the 50th anniversary of its opening, one of the most popular thermal baths will not open in Csorna, termalonline.hu reports. They write that the spa is being renovated and will not be completed until the end of the summer. The opening is expected in 2024. The spa, 32 kilometres from Győr, is one of the most mineral-rich thermal spas in the country, and it has a medicinal water certification.

Its medicinal water is used to treat many conditions

Thanks to its unique composition and high salt, sodium and potassium content, the medicinal water of Csorna can be used to treat various locomotor, gynaecological and respiratory diseases, as well as stomach ulcers, gall bladder problems, intestinal disorders and psoriasis, napi.hu writes.

Back in 1970, the well was drilled by the local farmers’ cooperative. The spa was then opened in 1973.

Read also: Ukraine says Hungary is contributing to Russian war crimes with energy deals

Short history of the Csorna thermal bath

Not many improvements have been made to the baths in the past decades. For a long time, the renovation was hampered by the fact that the thermal well supplying the baths was privately owned. Due to various disputes, the spa was closed between 2009 and 2012.

In 2017, the municipality bought the thermal well. With the help of a non-refundable state grant, the development of the beach could start. It included the renovation of the thermal well, the renewal of the mechanical equipment, the pools and the buffets.

The works started last year. The spa was still open in the summer of 2022, but only two of the five pools were operational. The spa management and the municipality decided to skip this season and reopen in 2024.

VIDEOS, PHOTOS: Astonishing aquapark opened near the Hungarian border

Aquapark opened near the Hungarian border in Temesvár

The greatest aquapark in the Banat region opened on 31 March and it is only a couple of hours’ drive from Budapest. Located in Timisoara (Temesvár), just a couple of kilometres from the Hungarian-Romanian border, it offers a variety of programs and leisure activities and you can reach it on the motorway from Hungary.

New aquapark opened close to the border

Turizmus.com wrote that the Amazonia Aquapark in Temesvár opened on 31 March and can become a competitor of the Hagymatikum in Makó or the Várkertfürdő in Gyula. Interestingly, the thermal water base is the same beneath Makó, Gyula and Temesvár, but Romania has not utilised that source of energy and tourist attraction yet.

The current investment cost EUR 20 million of which the European Union paid more than 5 million to create Amazonia. The complex expands 4.3 hectares and consists of three parts: an aquapark, a thermal bath and a spa. Of course, you may buy a ticket to each separately, if you want. Furthermore, there is a health centre with massage and therapeutic services.

Here is another video:

Prices will not be too high compared to the services

The aquapark has four pools, multiple slides and exotic plants to create a feeling as if you were in the jungle. Five pools, including two jacuzzis are in the thermal bath, together with an outer and an inside pool and a cold water pool. In the wellness section, there are saunas, a steam bath, a salt sauna, thematic showers, a relaxation room and seven massage rooms. The health centre will also open soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5AqDI1Cdfc

From 1 June, the outer 50m pool will open with the kids’ pool, slides and playgrounds for children. Furthermore, the new hotel built for the bath will also be opened soon. The owner is a local businessman.

Tickets will not be expensive but will be higher than in Gyula. A combined ticket for adults will cost HUF 8000 (EUR 21.42) on weekdays and HUF 9000 (EUR 24) at the weekends. For kids, it will cost less than EUR 10 and 11. The day ticket for the aquapark will be EUR 17 for adults and EUR 9 for kids on weekdays. However, locals might choose Temesvár instead of Makó or Gyula because of the travel and parking costs.