The most spectacular Hungarian thermal baths outside of the capital – PHOTOS
With over 1,000 therapeutic hot springs running beneath the surface, no wonder Hungary has been named the country of baths. The spa culture all began with the Romans, and every civilization since then has given its own touch to perfect the art. We have gathered the best medical spas in Budapest in our previous article. But that is just a drop in the bucket as Hungary boasts over a hundred baths for spa lovers who seek peace and relaxation or perhaps therapeutic treatments for their ailments. Take a look at the most spectacular Hungarian thermal baths to get some inspiration on where to book your next winter getaway.
Bükfürdő Thermal Bath
Tucked in a small rural town close to the Austrian border, Bükfürdő is a real paradise for spa enthusiasts. The healing properties of the area were discovered in 1957 when a construction team was looking for the presence of oil in the region, but instead, they found a hot water spring.
Today, Bükfürdő has the reputation of being the second-largest and most popular thermal bath in the country as well as a major spa and wellness spot in Central Europe. When the weather is frosty outside, explore the several indoor healing and family pools or check out the adventure area. Pamper yourself by booking a unique spa experience such as the skin-nourishing goat milk mud bath with arnica, the stress-relieving herbal baths or the beer bath which speaks for itself. Guests are also welcome to the spa’s ‘sauna world’ which consists of a classic Roman tepidarium, steam baths, infra and aroma cabins, an outdoor devil’s sauna, and Finnish wood and rock saunas.
You can also enjoy outdoor-beach-style bathing in the summer months as the thermal spa has various open-air pools, children’s entertainment facilities, slides and sports grounds.
Granite Spa Zalakaros
Situated in an idyllic part of the country surrounded by vineyards and orchards, the southwestern town of Zalakaros is a perfect place to unwind and forget all your worries. Leave the hustle and bustle of the capital city behind and explore the wild beauty of rural Hungary. Lake Balaton is also just a short drive away, hence if you schedule your visit for the summer period, you can explore both two locations. In Zalakaros, the medicinal 53 °C (127.4 °F) water comes from two wells from 2000 metres underground.
The spa’s therapeutic water has been proven to improve numerous health conditions such as arthrosis, osteoporosis, rheumatism, chronic gynecological and urological inflammations, gastritis, ulcer or indigestion. Hungarian doctors often recommend their patients spend a week or two in one of the Hungarian thermal baths for faster recovery after orthopedic surgeries. You can soothe your aches away in the numerous indoor and outdoor thermal pools or indulge in a warm bubbly jacuzzi in the more than 10-hectare large stunning parkland.
You can also plan a day filled with fun and adventure as the spa boasts 10 water attractions, most of which are located indoors. Thrill-seekers should not miss the Black Hole and Kamikaze slides if they want an adrenaline boost.
Makó Hagymatikum
The impressive bathing complex in Makó draws thousands of visitors every year to the southeastern city. The hot spring that provides the therapeutic waters to the spa was first discovered in 1956. At the beginning, the bath only served one purpose: to get clean. It gradually transformed into a thermal facility during the ‘90s. In 2012, the building received a complete revamp by Imre Makovecz, the most renowned Hungarian contemporary architect. The distinctive organic-style design aims to imitate the well-known local Hungaricum, the red onion.
The 41 °C (105.8 °F) water found in the area is rich in alkali-hydrogen-carbonate and comes from 993 metres deep. The Hagymatikum’s mushroom-shaped hall hides a mind-boggling wonderland of hot-water fun. You can choose from various indoor and outdoor pools that will entertain visitors of all generations.
If you are visiting with youngsters, they will be thrilled to take a splash in the Robin Hood-themed children pool. Our tips to adults? Relax under the massaging water rays or check out the dazzling cave pool which offers a one of a kind experience with its tropical storm effect, intriguing light layout, and perfect acoustics.
Read more: Astonishing thermal bath to open in the Danube Bend – PHOTOS
Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló
The Hajdúszoboszló spa complex is one of the most noteworthy Hungarian thermal baths, and undoubtedly the biggest one in the Great Hungarian Plain. The health resort has gained international fame among wellness tourists over the years. Once you enter the fascinating complex, you will find a maze of hot indoor pools, outdoor swimming pools, saunas, and heated activity pools with jacuzzi bubbles.
The spa attracts visitors all year round for its curative properties and recreational programs. If you are new to thermal baths, you can get accustomed to the heat gradually as the hot pools have different water temperatures ( 32°C, 36°C, 38°C – 89.6°F, 96.8°F, 100.4°F). Thanks to nature’s liquid miracle, the spa offers countless medicinal benefits such as prevention and treatment of joint disease and post-injury therapies. Between the bathing sessions, you can also visit the massage rooms or the spacious gym for physiotherapy.
Families who look for a fun weekend will be amazed by the Aquapark and its slide paradise. You can take your pick from 9 different tracks with tell-tale fantasy names such as “mad river” or “kamikaze”. In the baby pool water castle entertains the little ones.
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