The mountainous subsoil of Hungary contains over 1,300 thermal springs. Thanks to this, there is a huge number of thermal baths across the country. But which are the best thermal baths in Hungary? We’ve listed the most beautiful ones for you, along with tips on what to do in their surroundings.
You’ll find a pool or thermal spa with warm water in nearly every larger Hungarian city. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Hungary’s thermal baths. Many come to treat musculoskeletal or respiratory conditions, while others simply relax in the hot mineral water. Thermal spas also often include sauna worlds with special therapies and a wide range of other wellness services.
Planning a trip to Hungary’s thermal baths? We’ve put together a list of the 11 best thermal baths along with tips on places you definitely shouldn’t miss during your holiday.
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1. Mosonmagyaróvár
Well-being at Spa Near the Slovak Border
Southwest Hungary hides the picturesque town of Mosonmagyaróvár, located just 38 kilometers from the well-known city of Győr. The traditional Hungarian thermal baths Flexum are known for treating ailments such as lumbago, spinal deformities, and ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew’s disease). The baths are also popular among athletes who come here to regenerate muscles and bones after orthopedic procedures. Not only foreign tourists enjoy visiting, but locals do as well.
The water in the baths is classified as one of the five most effective healing waters in Europe. Its composition is alkaline bicarbonate and chloride, with a high content of beneficial dissolved salts.
Besides therapeutic patients, recreational visitors will also find plenty to enjoy. Pools with water temperatures ranging from 27 to 38°C will warm your bones. The largest pool is 1.5 meters deep and has a devilish surface area of 666 square meters. In total, there are 11 thermal pools available year-round. There are also two small pools for infants and older children. The total water surface area, including hotel spas, covers 2,400 m². The complex also features an extensive sauna world. Visitors are also pleased with the low entrance fees.
Accomodation:
The Mosonmagyaróvár Flexum Spa offers a hotel connected directly to the thermal baths, along with many other accommodation options in the surrounding area.
- Aqua Hotel Termál – the hotel is part of the spa complex, and as a guest, you have unlimited access to the thermal baths.
- Thermal Hotel Mosonmagyaróvár – located right next to the Flexum Thermal Baths, to which it is directly connected. Accommodation includes unlimited access to the baths, even on the day of departure.
- Aquasol Resort – the hotel has its own warm-water pool and is just a few steps from the Flexum Mosonmagyaróvár spa.
- Hotel Panorama – located close to the thermal baths, but admission to the baths is not included in the accommodation price.
- Simbad Hotel & Bar Superior – another hotel located within 200 meters of the baths. Entrance to the baths is not included in the room rate and must be paid separately.
2. Bükfürdő
Privacy for Patients with Musculoskeletal Disorders
The small town of Bük, located near the Hungarian-Austrian border, hides a gem in the form of the youngest thermal baths in Hungary. These baths specialize in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system and are well-equipped for this purpose. Among the available treatments, you’ll even find a DEXA test – a specially designed diagnostic tool to detect the risk of osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal disorders at an early stage.
The spa offers guests an incredible 34 different pools and over 5,000 square meters of water surface, making it the second largest spa complex in Hungary. Visitors can enjoy therapeutic, beach, and adventure pools, a modern sauna world, a wellness center, a respected medical treatment department, as well as a campsite for RVs and mobile home accommodations. The thermal water at the spa is officially certified as medicinal.
While the spa primarily caters to an older clientele, families with children will also find plenty to enjoy. Bükfürdő Thermal Baths include the Four Seasons Pool and the Acapulco Pool, which features attractions such as wave simulation and a diving bay. The water temperature in Bükfürdő’s thermal pools can reach up to 39°C.
Accomodation:
Bükfürdő Spa offers a hotel connected directly to the thermal baths, along with many other accommodation options in the surrounding area.
- Hunguest Bük – formerly Répce and Répce Gold – a hotel connected to the spa via a closed corridor. You can walk straight from your room to the baths in your bathrobe.
- Danubius Hotel Bük – the most popular hotel in the town of Bük, though not directly connected to the thermal baths (which are about 800 meters away). It has its own wellness center.
- Apartman Hotel Bükfürdő *** – a hotel located 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from the thermal baths. A major advantage is that daily admission to the baths is included in the price of your stay.
3. Győr
Warm up in a luxurious sauna world
Hungary’s sixth-largest city is located 60 kilometers from Bratislava, and from the Czech Republic, you can reach it by car in approximately six hours. The city’s history runs deep and is linked to several nations that have left their marks here. The city is dominated by a beautifully restored Baroque center, perfect for romantic strolls.
Győr is a full-fledged tourist destination. In addition to a wide range of hotels, it also boasts one of Hungary’s largest thermal baths. The healing water in Győr is used for treating bones and joints. The spa complex underwent a complete renovation in 2018, with its highlight being a two-story sauna world—one entire floor of which is an outdoor garden featuring Finnish and aroma saunas.
The complex includes a total of 9 modern indoor and outdoor thermal pools. Three medicinal pools are open all year round. The adventure pools are also suitable for children, as they include features such as an artificial waterfall, waterslides, massage jets, and even a pool specifically designed for children under 6 years old. One of the pools even has a swim-up bar, where you can enjoy refreshments.
Accomodation:
- RQ Boutique & Unique Hotel – a modern and highly rated hotel located right next to the thermal baths, or more precisely, just across the street from them.
- Hotel Klastrom – a hotel 500 meters from the baths, situated directly in the historic city center, with parking available.
- Danubius Hotel Rába – the most popular hotel in Győr, located about a 10-minute walk from the thermal baths.
4. Sárvár
Excellent Hungarian thermal baths with activities for both children and adults
Sárvár Thermal Baths are considered the best thermal spa in Hungary for families with children. It’s a traditional spa town located just a few kilometers from neighboring Bük. While strolling through the historic center, you’ll discover a rope park, a botanical garden with an arboretum, and plenty of traditional Hungarian taverns known as csárdas.
The recreational part of the Sárvár thermal baths is separated from the therapeutic section. The Sárvár thermal salt in the local water helps treat skin conditions and musculoskeletal disorders. The beneficial effects of the healing water in treating chronic gynecological inflammations have been known for decades. Interestingly, the water is drawn from two thermal springs.
Children can enjoy a 106-meter-long waterslide and several pools with artificial waves. Mothers will appreciate private nursing rooms and numerous children’s play areas.
In the healing and relaxation area, you’ll find five thermal pools with water temperatures ranging from 32–38°C. A new 5,000 m² family spa center, connected to the relaxation area via a corridor, offers at least four more pools and a variety of attractions (slides, waterslides, kids’ zones, etc.). The final section is the outdoor summer area, which includes additional classic and thermal adventure pools (e.g., a summer beach pool, diving bay, wave pool, 7 waterslides, a retro therapeutic pool, and more). The sauna world features several types of saunas.
Accomodation:
Sárvár Spa offers two hotels connected directly to the thermal baths, a campsite with mobile homes, and many other accommodation options in the surrounding area.
- Park Inn by Radisson Sárvár Resort & Spa – the most popular hotel directly connected to the thermal baths via a covered corridor. You can walk from your room to the baths in your bathrobe. The stay includes unlimited access to the thermal baths and All-Inclusive dining.
- Vitalmed Hotel Sárvár – this hotel is part of the spa complex. Unlimited access to the thermal baths is included in the price of accommodation.
- Sárvár Fürdő Mobile Homes – you can also stay in one of the mobile homes located within the campsite that is part of the spa complex. Unlimited access to the thermal baths is included in the accommodation price.
- Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa – a luxury hotel. Your stay includes access to the hotel’s own luxurious Spa & Wellness Oasia, covering 10,000 m² for two guests. It features 22 indoor and outdoor pools (both thermal and regular) and 9 different saunas. The Sárvár Thermal Baths are located about 1 km away. Accommodation also includes half board. Check out their discounted package deals as well.
- Thermal Hotel Mesteri – a hotel directly connected to its own Mesteri thermal baths, which include indoor and outdoor thermal pools.
5. Hévíz
Thermal Baths in the Heart of a Wine Region
Not far from Hungary’s “sea,” Lake Balaton, lies the picturesque town of Hévíz. The local thermal baths are truly unique—naturally emerging springs have created Lake Hévíz (Hévízí-tó). This thermal lake is located right in the heart of the town, and in summer, the water reaches a temperature of 36 to 37°C.
Right by the lake, you’ll find a complex with saunas and wellness services. A total of 4,650 square meters of water surface invites you to enjoy aquatic relaxation. But you can swim in the open-air lake even in winter—in January, the water temperature stays at a pleasant 25 to 26°C. Interestingly, with a water flow of 410 liters per second, the lake’s water is completely refreshed every three days.
A 34-hectare forest surrounding the lake protects it from the wind, and the constant evaporation of the thermal water purifies the air—creating a dust- and allergen-free environment ideal for relaxation. You can also take advantage of spa services, a salt cave, mud pool, steam baths, and jacuzzi.
On the lakeshore, you’ll also find more traditional spa facilities. Covering 520 square meters of water surface, there are four thermal pools with water temperatures ranging from 24 to 38°C, along with a children’s wading pool.
Hévíz is also at the heart of a wine region. During an evening stroll through town, you’ll come across many cozy wine bars offering local wine varieties. A perfect destination for a romantic getaway for two.
Accomodation:
Virtualy every hotel in the Hévíz area has its own thermal pools using water from a shared source. And these are the highest-rated and most popular hotels:
- Ensana Thermal Hévíz **** – 600 meters from the thermal lake, featuring its own spacious wellness center with thermal pools, a sauna world, and 40 treatment cabins.
- Ensana Thermal Aqua **** – 500 meters from the thermal lake, offering a charming water world with thermal pools, the option of all-inclusive dining, a children’s aquapark, and a sauna world.
- NaturMed Hotel Carbona Superior **** – a more luxurious hotel with its own wellness center and thermal pools covering a water surface area of 1,000 m². A 15-minute walk to the thermal lake. Stays include half board or full board.
- Lotus Therme Hotel & Spa – a beautiful modern hotel with a 3,000 m² wellness area. It features indoor, outdoor, and thermal relaxation pools, a sauna world, half board dining, and is located 1.4 km from the thermal lake.
6. Széchenyi – Budapest
Spas on the Edge of a Modern Metropolis
Many consider the Széchenyi Thermal Baths to be the best thermal spa in Hungary. These historic artesian baths draw from hot springs located directly beneath the capital city of Budapest. The Neo-Gothic spa complex attracts tens of thousands of lovers of hot water, saunas, and wellness treatments every year. Operating since 1913, it has become the largest thermal bath complex in Europe.
The facility offers 21 indoor and outdoor thermal pools, a sauna world with 10 different saunas, and water is drawn from two deep wells. Every Saturday, a traditional night party called SPARTY takes place, where you can enjoy bathing in thermal waters late into the evening or early morning hours.
Apart from spas, Budapest hides a lot of other surprises. If you’re planning a visit, set aside at least two days to explore the capital. You can reach the city center by public transport in about 30 minutes, and your itinerary should definitely include Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament building (Országház), and don’t forget the traditional Hungarian markets located in the heart of the city.
Budapest is a fully modern metropolis. Alongside its stunning historical buildings, you’ll find striking examples of contemporary architecture. A must-see is the modern cable bridge offering an unforgettable view of Hungary’s Liberty Statue, which connects the two historic halves of the city. Plus, a direct train from Prague takes you right into the center of Budapest.
7. Zalakaros
Spas with a View of Lake Balaton
Just south of Lake Balaton, you’ll find the charming thermal spa town of Zalakaros. People come here to bathe in the mildly radioactive waters from a 96°C spring, seeking relief from muscle disorders and osteoporosis. But families with children will also find plenty to enjoy.
Based on its composition, the water is alkaline, chloride, and bicarbonate-rich healing water. The unique combination of iodine, bromine, sulfur, and fluoride results in a rare mineral profile found in only a few places across Europe.
The indoor baths are open year-round, featuring three pools, two therapeutic seated baths, and one thermal pool. The on-site sauna section operates as a separate unit with its own relaxation zone, offering two saunas, a steam room, and a cold plunge pool – a true oasis of calm. You can even swim directly from the indoor pool to the outdoor area. In total, the complex features around ten pools and water attractions.
The vibrant colors of the spa’s facilities are a big hit with children – there’s a dedicated kids’ and waterslide area. The slide with mysterious name Black Hole is packed with sound and light effects, and one ride is never enough. Zalakaros Thermal Baths are ideal for anyone seeking privacy and a peaceful multi-day stay in one place, as the town itself doesn’t offer much in terms of other entertainment or attractions.
Accomodation:
Zalakaros Spa offers a hotel connected directly to the thermal baths, along with many accommodation options in the surrounding area.
- Park Inn By Radisson Zalakaros Hotel & Spa – a hotel connected directly to the Zalakaros Thermal Baths. You can walk to the pools from your room in a bathrobe. The accommodation includes all-inclusive dining. Check out discounted stays at this hotel.
- Hotel Karos Spa **** – a hotel with its own 4,000 m² wellness center, featuring thermal pools and a sauna world. The Zalakaros Thermal Baths are located approximately 1 km from the hotel.
- Napfény Hotel *** – just 250 meters from the Zalakaros Thermal Baths. It has its own wellness center with a thermal water pool heated to 31–33°C. Half board is included.
8. Pápa Thermal Spa, Várkertfürdő
Historic Center on the Edge of Deep Forests
A popular tourist destination in western Hungary lies on the edge of the Bakony Forest. This karst mountain range, with its easily accessible peak at 709 meters above sea level, is perfect for health-oriented walks. In the center of town, you’ll find a Baroque old town with well-preserved architectural landmarks.
But the list of attractions doesn’t end there. The town boasts an indigo-dyeing museum, and tourists also visit the Esterházy Palace, which was renovated by the town in 2012. Another favorite historic site is the oldest house in the town – the so-called Corvin´s House, dating back to the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries.
The thermal baths in the town of Pápa cover an area of 3,500 square meters. There are 16 pools with water temperatures reaching up to 38°C. The local thermal water has been classified as the eighth most healing in the world. It is effective for degenerative spinal pain, arthritis, and rehabilitation after injuries and surgeries.
Accomodation:
Pápa Spa, Várkertfürdő offers a hotel connected directly to the spa:
- miniHotel Pápa – a 3-star, well-rated hotel with renovated rooms. Admission to the spa and saunas is included in the accommodation price.
9. Miskolc-Tapolca
A beautiful spa in the middle of rocky cliffs
Hungary’s fourth-largest city, Miskolc, hides a world rarity – cave thermal baths with breathtaking scenery. Visitors can enjoy aquatic fun right among stalactites and rocky gorges. The hidden, dark corridors also offer plenty of opportunities for intimate moments with a bottle of sparkling wine.
Inside the cave passages, you’ll find 7 indoor thermal pools with water temperatures ranging from 30–35°C. There’s also an outdoor bathing area covering approximately 3.6 hectares, offering 6 outdoor pools. Additionally, there are 3 pools designed specifically for children. Notable features include a domed pool, a unique “lake bath” built on stilts, and a swimming pool. Naturally, there is also a sauna world, including a unique “lava” Finnish sauna that can accommodate up to 30 people.
When you’ve had your fill of the cave baths, explore more of Miskolc. Visit the wooden church built in 1938, a stunning Gothic-style structure built by the townspeople just before World War II, complete with an ornate bell tower. The theater building and the old town hall, both located in the historic center, are also worth seeing.
Although Miskolc is a large city, its location makes it perfect for nature excursions. One of the top attractions is the forest railway between Miskolc and the nearby town of Lillafüred. Originally used for transporting timber, today it carries visitors through the beautiful surroundings of this city of 150,000 people.
Accomodation:
The thermal baths themselves do not have their own hotel, but there are many well-rated accommodations nearby, such as:
- Hotel Aurora **** – a highly rated 4-star hotel, located 800 meters from the Miskolc baths.
- Fortuna Hotel *** – approximately 400 meters from the cave baths.
- ALFA Hotel & Wellness Miskolctapolca *** – just a few minutes’ walk from the baths, with its own small wellness center.
- Kikelet Club Hotel – about a 10-minute walk from the thermal baths.
10. Egerszalók
A Unique View of Natural Beauty
Let’s stay with natural wonders a bit longer. The small town of Egerszalók hides a rare sight you won’t come across often. A spring located 400 meters underground has formed small terraced pools filled with hot water. Over time, as the water surfaced, it created a vast salt-covered slope, which can be admired from the nearby thermal spa resort.
In 1992, the spring at the Egerszalók spa was officially recognized as medicinal. Even by Hungarian standards—where thermal springs are incredibly abundant—this one has a unique composition.
Thanks to its high salt content, the thermal waters are primarily used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and other forms of eczema. The water area spans an impressive 2,000 square meters, and the complex also includes a beer garden and more than 20 different pools. The cascading design of the hotel offers unforgettable views of the sun setting over the vast surrounding forests.
Accomodation:
The spa has its own hotel connected directly to the thermal baths—in fact, the baths are more like part of the hotel’s amenities.
- Hunguest Saliris – the spa is integrated into this cascading hotel. Half board and unlimited access to the thermal baths are included in the stay.
11. Lenti
Recharge Your Energy at the Thermal Baths in Southern Hungary
A unique thermal spa you’ll find in the town of Lenti, near Hungary’s border with Slovenia. The spa complex combines the healing effects of thermal waters from local springs with earth energy. The St. George’s Energy Line runs through the town, which is why the St. George Energy Park was created here. Experts in natural medicine consider it a perfect place to recharge and harmonize your inner strength.
The healing water, containing sodium bicarbonate, is estimated to be 40,000 years old. Known throughout Europe, it is used to treat musculoskeletal issues, joints, the spine, and back problems.
The Lenti spa complex is anything but small—it spans approximately 10 hectares. The indoor area covers 3,500 m² and operates year-round, offering five different pools. The outdoor section features five more pools, including a therapeutic thermal pool. There’s also a sauna world and a European rarity – the Energy Park.
Besides walking around the park—even in your bathrobe and slippers— in the spa Lenti you can enjoy five pools with water temperatures up to 38°C. Thanks to the unique combination of healing water and the earth’s energy, you’ll leave the spa feeling completely rejuvenated. And just 80 kilometers away is Lake Balaton, offering even more opportunities for exploration and relaxation.
Accomodation:
The spa has its own hotel connected to the thermal baths, and there are many other accommodation options in the wider area:
- Thermal Hotel Balance Lenti – a hotel directly connected to the spa, with access to the pool area straight from the hotel. Half board is included.
- Lenti Thermal Panzió – a more affordable accommodation option, located close to the spa.
Other Popular Thermal Baths in Hungary
- Vulkán Celldömölk Medicinal and Adventure Spa
- Castle Medicinal Spa Gyula
- Cave Baths and Aquapark Demjén
- Harkány Medicinal Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool
- Kehida Termal – Medicinal and Adventure Thermal Baths
- Rudas Baths, Budapest, Hungary | Turkish Baths
- Aquasziget Thermal and Adventure Baths, Esztergom