Thermals in Hungary: Swim All Year Round

If you can’t head to warm countries, a trip to Hungarian thermals is always an option. The water is always warm, and in winter it’s especially nice to swim in steaming pools. It’s also much cheaper than flying somewhere exotic—our neighbor is rich in hot springs.

If you don’t like sitting under a blanket, head to Hungary and one of its thermal spa centers!

Where are the best thermal baths in Hungary?

Honestly, there are many and they’re found all over the country. First decide if you want to combine thermal pools with a cultural program in a big city, just have peace and quiet at a resort, or plan to relax with children or for health reasons. The options are rich—let’s sort out what’s where.

Hévíz Resort & Lake

Official website: Hévíz

How to get there

The town of Hévíz is in western Hungary, near Lake Balaton (west side of the lake).

From Budapest by car/bus or train to Hévíz.
By train or bus to Budapest, then train or bus to Keszthely or directly to Hévíz (then taxi or transfer from the train station).
See train schedules on MÁV (Hungarian Railways) and for buses including FlixBus.

Tip: Distances and connections can add up, so plan for one or two nights on the road or a stopover in Budapest.

What Hévíz thermal resort offers

In Hévíz you don’t find the typical waterpark with slides. It’s a natural hot lake with thermal water, functioning as a wellness complex.
The lake water temp is constant year-round: water from an underground spring, and experts say even in winter it can be ~25-26 °C. In winter it’s special to bathe in the warm lake.
Extras: full spa treatments—saunas, jacuzzis, therapeutic treatments (mud, inhalation, etc.)—offered by hotels and wellness centers nearby.
For kids: There are safe zones, but this is more spa-oriented vs. water fun parks with slides (so if slides are your priority, look elsewhere).
The resort’s highlight: combines therapeutic (mineral water) benefits with nature and a gentle wellness vacation, not just water entertainment.

Where to stay at Hévíz resort

Accommodations: many hotels in Hévíz specialize in spa tourism, with their own thermal pools or access to the lake.

Hotel Europa Fit Hévíz — wide selection of pools, saunas, good location, not far from the lake.
Hunguest Hotel Panoráma Hévíz — clean rooms, close to the lake, good breakfast.
Bonvital Hotel Hévíz Superior Adults Only — adults-only hotel, spa-focused, great service.

Hungarospa Bath Complex, Hajdúszoboszló

Official website: Hungarospa Bath Complex

Hungarospa Bath Complex (Hungarian: Hungarospa Hajdúszoboszló) is one of Central Europe’s largest resort and wellness complexes, located in Hajdúszoboszló in eastern Hungary. The complex is famous for its thermal waters, aquapark, and developed resort infrastructure. The thermal spring was discovered in 1925 while drilling for oil. Instead of oil, hot mineral water rich in iodine and bromide rose from more than 1,000 m underground. Naturally, a popular spa resort was soon built here, which grew into today’s Hungarospa water park.

Location, how to get there

The city of Hajdúszoboszló is near Debrecen. Train from Budapest by rail to Hajdúszoboszló. Travel time is 1.5–2 hours.

What the complex offers:

Hungarospa consists of several parts: the traditional healing baths with mineral pools; an open-air beach with dozens of pools and wave attractions; the indoor Aqua-Palace Hajdúszoboszló water park with themed areas; plus a wellness center and campground. All areas are interconnected, making the complex open year-round.

Pools: Large open-air section with 13 pools on a 30 ha area.
Spa/saunas: Includes saunas, therapeutic pools, and a “Premium Zone.”
Árpád Pool: Indoor pool is “next to” the thermal campground and operates all day.
Aquapark: outdoor slide park with slides, water rides (“slide park” with 15 slides) for kids and adults. At opening, this was Hungary’s first aquapark located inside the outdoor pool area, and it operates May through late autumn.
Aqua Palace: this indoor water park “Aqua Palace” opened to the public in March 2010. Open all year, offering a range of bathing experiences, events, and wellness treatments.

What’s interesting indoors / outdoors:

Outdoors: big open-air pools in green surroundings, water slides, kids’ zones.
Indoors: a mix of thermal water and modern aquapark features, indoor saunas.

Opening hours

The thermal complex is open year-round.
Slide park with outdoor slides—seasonal: open May through late fall.

Where to stay

Hunguest Hotel Aqua Sol – Super location, very convenient, weather doesn’t affect a spa stay, room price includes entry to the thermal park and spa center. Good food, kids’ and diet menus. A nice “coffee-time” at 4pm as an alternative to full board.
Hotel Atlantis Wellness & Conference – Great hotel near the thermal complex. Comfortable and clean. Pools are mineralized and clean. Staff are polite. Excellent spa, thermal pool, tasty food in the restaurant.
Hotel Silver – Very nice hotel, large rooms, delicious food (breakfast and dinner), varied. Main building has two thermal pools—hot and cool, very comfortable. New building has open thermal pool—also wonderful to sit in hot water.

Cave Bath, Miskolc-Tapolca

Official website – Note! The thermal complex is temporarily closed for refurbishment; reopening will be announced on the website.

One of the most unique thermal baths in Hungary is the cave baths in Miskolc in the north of the country. The cave corridors, carved over millennia, are filled with healing thermal water. You can not only relax in the hot water, but also get a genuine thrill from a lesser-known spa complex.

Miskolc-Tapolca baths are open to adults and kids, as the water in the caves and tunnels is warm and only waist-deep for adults. Kids will especially love swimming through the cave system and finding the pools inside other caves.

Location and how to get there

The baths are in Miskolc-Tapolca. Easiest to reach by train from Budapest. Or by rental car.

What the thermal park offers

Indoor pools (year-round): 2 thermal pools (33–35°C), “Roman Hall” ~32°C, “Star Hall” ~32°C, “Old Cave Basin” ~30°C, “Bath Hall” ~29–30°C.
Outdoor pools (seasonal): 6 pools—3 for children, Lake Bath experience pool, Shell pool, swimming pool.
Saunas and spa: “Sauna Park” has Finnish saunas for 10 people, steam cabin for 14, three infrared saunas, plunge pool 16–18°C.
For kids: outdoor kids’ pools—overall the complex is family-friendly.
Unique: natural karst caves formed by water, with pools inside caves, tunnels, and natural rock shapes. Swimming in underground hot caves—rare in Europe.
Outdoor: big green park surrounds the complex, with outdoor pools in nature.

Hours of operation:

Year-round for indoor pools. Outdoor pools operate seasonally—June to end of the warm season.

Monday–Sunday: 9am–6pm (tickets till 5pm, pools till 5:30pm)
AquaTherapy: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm; Sat/Sun/holidays: 9am–5pm

Where to stay

Park Central Tapolca – excellent apartments, especially penthouse with private jacuzzi on a balcony.
Lignum Hotel – a modern hotel in Miskolc offering comfort, functionality, and affordability. It’s good for both business and tourists, conveniently located near main roads.