Heviz Thermal Baths – the largest thermal lake in Hungary

The countryside town of Hévíz is home to the world’s largest natural thermal springs. The water body of the same name covers an area of 44 thousand square meters and reaches a depth of up to 38 meters. Thanks to its curative effects and tranquil environment, Hévíz Thermal Spa is one of the most famous in Hungary.

Although there are more accessible Hungarian spas for foreigners, the unique lakeside complex is an invitation for a family holiday. Hévíz is the most well-known Hungarian spa town and offers plenty of activities. The traditional wine region, just a few kilometers from Lake Balaton, also allows for other leisure activities besides thermal bathing.

Where is the Hévíz thermal lake located?

How far is it to Hévíz?

Destination	Distance (from Czechia)
Brno	340 km
Prague	539 km
Ostrava	501 km
České Budějovice	399 km
Plzeň	633 km

History of the Hévíz Thermal Spa

The first records of spa activities in Hévíz date back to 1795. At that time, the first spa buildings and a natural swimming pool were established. The modern Hévíz thermal spa was built by the town just before the First World War in 1911. This is when a spa building, similar in design to the current one, was erected.

In 1986, the central part of the spa burned down. However, the damaged section was repaired by the city in 1989. The last major reconstruction of the Hévíz thermal spa took place between 2000 and 2002. Since then, it has maintained its practically unchanged appearance.

Water Composition

The first analysis of the thermal spring composition took place in 1952. Research indicated slightly radioactive water with a quantity of organic bacteria, which scientists believe contribute to the healing processes. The lake is also home to the endemic Micromonospora heviziensis, which is not found anywhere else in the world.

 

The water flows into the lake from an underground cave located at the bottom of the water body. The abundant source, with a volume of 410 liters per second, causes the water in the lake to be completely exchanged within 72 hours. The water also contains a large amount of mineral substances, including:

• Potassium cations
• Sodium cations
• Ammonium cations
• Calcium cations
• Magnesium cations
• Chloride anions
• Bromide anions
• Sulphur anions
• Fluoride anions

What Conditions Are Treated at Hévíz Thermal Spa?

Thanks to its mineral composition and slight radioactivity, clients with musculoskeletal pain, inflammatory diseases of the joints and spine in a quiescent stage, endocrine gland disorders, and fractures, including traumatic injuries, visit the Hévíz thermal spa. The local water is also valued in the treatment of gynecological diseases.

Hévíz Thermal Spa combines therapeutic, wellness, and recreational procedures. If you pay for a procedure at a sanatorium, your stay will begin with an initial examination and the determination of an individual plan. The ideal doses are one to two procedures daily for at least two weeks. The stay for local clients concludes with a final examination and the issuance of a final medical report.

The Hévíz thermal spa does not recommend stays for clients with the following contraindications:

• Malignant tumors in a stage requiring surgical treatment
• Bronchial asthma with attacks
• Cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, and post-infarction states
• Inflammatory diseases
• Weeping eczema
• Pregnancy

Wellness and Spa Programs at Hévíz Thermal Spa

You can enhance your stay at the Hévíz thermal spa with recreational programs. Similar to other Hungarian spas, Hévíz also offers preventive programs to maintain good fitness.

The town has several hotels and facilities focused on wellness, sauna bathing, or beauty therapies. Among the baths, the popular Cleopatra bath ranks at the top, and sauna lovers will appreciate special sauna programs led by sauna masters.

Practically on every corner in Hévíz, you will find beauty salons with options for face and body treatment. Most facilities also utilize the healing water and mud from the lake, which have beneficial effects on various components of the body:

• Silky skin and hair – the water and mud affect the regeneration of the skin and connective tissues.
• Burning desire – the water stimulates hormonal functions and increases sexual desire in both men and women.
• Long and peaceful sleep – the combination of country air and healing water ensures quality sleep therapy.

Pools and Spa Complex

The Hévíz Thermal Spa is located on the shore of the eponymous lake. Across a total of 520 square meters of water surface, you will find four pools with water temperatures ranging from 24 to 38 °C – one of which offers massage features and the other the possibility of weight baths.

During the summer season, a children’s paddling pool is open on the shore of the lake. Its area ranges from 32 to 95 square meters, depending on the amount of water. The depth is from 30 to 120 cm.

Practically every hotel also has its own indoor pools. Accommodation centers use water from a common source and will allow you a relaxing experience even in the privacy of a hotel pool or a private wellness area.

Admission Price List – Hévíz Thermal Spa

As one of the few spas in Hungary, the Hévíz thermal spa offers a price list specifically aimed at short-term stays. Thanks to a three-hour stay at the thermal bath with healing water, you can enjoy the water activities and also manage to visit one of the local sights.

Three-hour Admission Price List:

Category	Price (€)
Adult	€10.00
Senior over 60 years	€8.60
Student older than 14 years	€8.60
Child 6 to 14 years	€5.20

The spa also offers a classic all-day admission. For a favorable price, you gain access to all parts of the spa. There is also a restaurant with regional Hungarian delicacies and wine from local wineries.

All-day Admission Price List:

Category	Price (€)
Adult	€17.00
Senior over 60 years	€15.60
Student older than 14 years	€15.60

Admission Price List – Hévíz Thermal Spa

As one of the few spas in Hungary, the Hévíz thermal spa offers a price list specifically aimed at short-term stays. Thanks to a three-hour stay at the thermal bath with healing water, you can enjoy the water activities and also manage to visit one of the local sights.

Three-hour Admission Price List:

Category	Price (€)
Adult	€10.00
Senior over 60 years	€8.60
Student older than 14 years	€8.60
Child 6 to 14 years	€5.20

The spa also offers a classic all-day admission. For a favorable price, you gain access to all parts of the spa. There is also a restaurant with regional Hungarian delicacies and wine from local wineries.

All-day Admission Price List:

Category	Price (€)
Adult	€17.00
Senior over 60 years	€15.60
Student older than 14 years	€15.60

If you take advantage of the three-hour admission option and change your mind, you can extend your stay in the pool for an extra charge. Surcharges also apply to other options and extensions of admission.

• One extra hour in the pool – €4.00
• Upgrade from three-hour to all-day ticket – €8.00
• Extension to a wellness ticket – €7.20
• Exceeding the limit by every 30 minutes – €4.00

Discounted admission is available to students upon presentation of a student ID and to larger groups or families with children. Always inquire about the current offer at the main ticket office of the thermal bath. Cheaper admission can also be obtained when purchasing two hours before closing time.

Opening Hours – Hévíz Thermal Spa

The Hévíz Thermal Spa opens its doors to clients all year round. However, opening hours change according to the season. They have special hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve – closing at 2:00 PM on these days. Expect a delayed opening time on New Year’s Day, when the gates of the bath open at 11:00 AM

The spa reserves the right to any changes in opening hours caused by adjustments or reconstruction of individual pools.

Opening Hours in Hévíz Thermal Spa

Season	Dates	Opening Hours
Season A	May 30 to September 4, 2022	8:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Season B	March 28 to May 29, 2022 and September 5 to October 9, 2022	9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Season C	January 1, 2022 to March 27, 2022 and October 10, 2022 to March 26, 2022	9:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Best Accommodation in Hévíz Spa

Apartments, hotels, and other types of accommodation can be found practically on every corner in Hévíz. Everything depends on your budget. The most expensive accommodation options include spa hotels with wellness procedures. The best hotels in Hévíz include these places:

• Ensana Thermal Hévíz **** – 600 m from the thermal lake
• Ensana Thermal Aqua **** – 500 m from the thermal lake
• Naturmed hotel Carbona **** – own pools with a water area of 1,000 m²
• Hotel Európa Fit **** – 750 m from the thermal lake
• Hotel Panoráma Superior *** – 400 m from the thermal lake

More favorable accommodation prices can be obtained if you use popular accommodation through AirBnb. Here you can get as low as approx. €24.00 per night , and if you don’t require sleeping directly in Hévíz, the prices are even cheaper.

As in other Hungarian thermal spas, the traditional campsite for caravans and tents is also present here. Hévíz’s Castrum Camping offers sufficient facilities for undemanding tourists. However, compared to other campsites in Hungary, it loses ground considerably.

Hévíz Thermal Spa – Summary of Accommodation and Prices

If you visit the Hévíz thermal spa, expect more of a large swimming complex. Although specialized therapeutic procedures can be found here, comprehensive treatment is offered by other Hungarian thermal spas. Despite this, however, customer reviews and experiences are positive.

Thanks to its low price and options for cheap accommodation, Hévíz is mainly favored by families with children. A wide range of activities opens up for them, from strolls through the towns, water fun, or a visit to nearby Lake Balaton. And all this in the pleasant spa town of Hévíz.

Photo gallery of Thermal Lake Heviz

Photo source: pixabay.com