Thermal Baths Bükfürdő, Hungary

In the picturesque town of Bük, close to the Austrian border, you will find the Bükfürdő Thermal Spa. This complex of medicinal pools and a water amusement park is visited by thousands of tourists and spa patients every year. The price for accommodation and the use of their services is more than welcoming.

The journey to Bük thermal baths takes no more than five hours. From the capital, Prague, the journey is 473 km long, and from Brno, it’s even half the distance. The easiest route leads through Bratislava or Vienna. The Slovak and Austrian capitals are located roughly 120 km away from the Hungarian town of Bük.

Bükfürdő: A Town with a Unique History

This typical spa town combines modern tourist attractions with a historic centre. Here you can find, for example, the Parish Church of St. Clement or the Kóczán House. The town itself has a rich history – historians date the first mention to 1271, connected with the consecration of the parish church. The town itself is therefore even older.

The Bükfürdő Thermal Spa was established in 1957 – drillings aimed at finding oil instead discovered thermal springs. Five years later, the first pool was put into operation. In 1965, the local water was declared medicinal, and the history of the modern Bük thermal baths began. Rapid development followed, and the spa started year-round operation in 1972. In 1992, a recreational water park was added to the spa complex.

Currently, the Bükfürdő Thermal Spa is the second-largest spa centre in Hungary. Across 14 hectares, you will find nearly three dozen pools and a total water surface area of over 5,000 square metres. The town of Bük itself has only 3,200 inhabitants. During the high season, you are more likely to meet a tourist than a local.

Fun and Medicinal Treatments

The spa complex is divided into three parts. The oldest is the medical and wellness section. Here you will find pools with medicinal water and space for special therapeutic procedures. Beside it is a sauna world with 10 different sauna cabins. Entry to these areas is prohibited for children under 14 years of age.

The third part consists of a recreational and entertainment centre for the whole family. It features a large number of pools with water of varying temperatures. Bükfürdő Thermal Spa also offers many buffets and fast-food options.

What Ailments are Treated in Bükfürdő Spa?

The composition of Bük’s medicinal water is suitable for treating the musculoskeletal system. Since October 2021, the spa has offered a specially focused programme for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. This disease, associated with bone thinning, frequent fractures, and reduced bone mass quality, affects up to 10% of the population.

A visit to the Bük thermal baths is particularly recommended for the following symptoms:

• Lower back pain
• Frequent bone fractures
• Increased spinal curvature
• Reduction in body height
• Diffuse disorders of the musculoskeletal system

In addition to the special Osteoporosis programme, you will find traditional procedures aimed at treating the musculoskeletal system. Unlike other spas, Bük has the advantage of its own DEXA test – this special service alerts you to the risk of osteoporosis and other diseases before they fully manifest. The examination takes place directly on-site, eliminating the need to visit a hospital.

Customer and client experiences attest to the rapid effects of the medicinal water. The combination of mineral substances helps relieve back and disc pain. Furthermore, balneo-physiotherapy procedures relieve stress and reduce tension in clients.

22 Pools for the Whole Family

The Bükfürdő Thermal Spa includes both medicinal pools for therapies and classic recreational and swimming pools. On the 5,000 square metre water surface area, you will find 22 pools for children and adults.

A specialty of the spa is the Four Seasons Pool – a special complex including a set of indoor and outdoor pools that are accessible according to the season. The Acapulco Pool, featuring wave action and a jump-in bay, is also unique.

In addition to the pools, the Bük thermal baths also offer other activities and recreational opportunities:

• Sports areas for beach volleyball, street ball, and football
• Relaxation areas with loungers
• Wild river
• Chill zone with hammocks
• Children’s playgrounds in a naturally shaded park

List of Pools at Bükfürdő Thermal Spa:

Pool Name	Type	Character	Water Temperature
Small Medicinal Pool I.	Medicinal	Indoor	37 – 39 °C
Small Medicinal Pool II.	Medicinal	Indoor	30 – 32 °C
Large Medicinal Pool I.	Medicinal	Indoor	36 – 38 °C
Large Medicinal Pool II.	Medicinal	Indoor	34 – 36 °C
St. Clement’s Pool	Medicinal	Partially Covered	34 – 36 °C
Underwater Exercise Pool	Medicinal	Indoor	33 – 35 °C
Heart Pool	Medicinal	Outdoor	33 – 35 °C
Outdoor Medicinal Pool	Medicinal	Partially Covered	33 – 35 °C
Four Seasons Pool	Adventure	Depending on Season	31 – 35 °C (seasonal)
Basketball Pool	Adventure	Outdoor	26 – 28 °C
Giant Bubble	Adventure	Outdoor	15 – 29 °C
Children’s Paddling Pool	Children’s	Indoor	16 – 29 °C
Shark Cave	Children’s	Indoor	17 – 29 °C
Squirrel Ota Water Playground	Children’s	Outdoor	18 – 29 °C
Bear Cub Paddling Pool	Children’s	Outdoor	19 – 29 °C
Dolphin Pool	Children’s	Outdoor	20 – 29 °C
Large Swim ming Pool	Swimming	Outdoor	21 – 29 °C
Training Pool	Swimming	Outdoor	22 – 29 °C
Aqua Fitness Pool	Outdoor	Partially Covered	23 – 29 °C
Adventure Pool	Relaxation	Indoor	24 – 29 °C
Bubble Pool	Jacuzzi	Indoor	25 – 29 °C
Acapulco Pool	Family	Outdoor	26 – 29 °C

A Spa Complex Full of Treatments

The spa and wellness area includes a wide range of specialised procedures. These combine modern medicine with traditional spa approaches. Most procedures are carried out in combination with medicinal water and creams made from the local water.

Spa procedures include a beer cure, chocolate peeling, or a wrap in the so-called soft-pack (a warm algae wrap). A great attraction is the Kraxenofen cure – a special steam cabin with fragrant Alpine hay that relaxes the body and has a regenerating effect.

For the prevention of osteoporosis, the spa recommends a carbon dioxide bath. This widens surface veins and increases peripheral circulation. Simultaneously, this procedure improves cardiac capacity and heart function.

Medicinal Cures Offered

Bükfürdő Thermal Spa offers two types of procedures and experiences. Programmes last from four to twenty-one days and include a comprehensive medical examination. The intensity and scope vary according to the duration.

The first type of programme focuses more on regeneration and overall revitalisation of the organism. It includes procedures such as Kraxenofen, wellness baths, and thirty-minute massages. They include a bone density test and an initial examination by a specialist doctor.

Feature	My Time Programme	Refreshing Programme	Regenerative Programme	Rebirth Programme
Days	4	7	14	21
Bone Density Test	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Specialist Doctor Examination	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dietetic Counselling		Yes	Yes	Yes
Follow-up Medical Examination	1 ×	2 ×
Soft Pack Cure	1 ×	2 ×	2 ×	3 ×
Alpine Steam Bath	2 ×	2 ×	2 ×	3 ×
30-minute Massage	2 ×	2 ×	2 ×	3 ×
Wellness Bath	3 ×	2 ×	4 ×	3 ×
Traditional Medicinal Cure	3 ×	7 ×	13 ×
Individual Physiotherapy		2 ×	5 ×	7 ×
All-day Spa Ticket	4 ×	7 ×	14 ×	21 ×
Price (EUR)	€247	€305	€536	€722

The second type of programme primarily includes therapeutic procedures of your choice. It always includes an initial medical examination, which allows the doctor to correctly set an individual treatment plan. All programmes also include an all-day ticket to the spa’s recreational area for each day.

Feature	Recreational Cure	Preventive Cure	Traditional Cure	Comprehensive Cure
Days	7	7	14	21
Medical Examination	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Medical Check-up Examination	1 ×	2 ×
Medicinal Cure	6 ×	10 ×	19 ×	29 ×
All-day Spa Tickets	7 ×	7 ×	14 ×	21 ×
Price (EUR)	€152	€206	€383	€552

Admission to Bükfürdő Thermal Spa

Admission to the spa and pools is significantly cheaper than in Czech aquacentres. An all-day ticket for an adult can be purchased for €13. They accept Euros and Hungarian Forints at the cashier. Payment by bank card is also standard.

Basic Admission Price List for Bükfürdő Spa

Item	Price (EUR) (Approx.)
All-day Spa Ticket	€13
Afternoon Spa Ticket	€11
Sauna Ticket (from 5 PM)	€10
All-day Spa and Sauna Ticket	€19
Afternoon Spa and Sauna Ticket (from 3 PM)	€16
Supplementary Sauna Ticket (for all-day spa ticket)	€6
Sauna Session	€1.44

In addition to the basic price list, the Bük thermal baths also offer discounted admission for families with children and students. Their admission costs almost half the price, and they are entitled to it upon presentation of a Hungarian or international student card. Groups of more than twenty people also receive special discounts.

Unlike other spas, you will find additional services subject to a fee in Bük. These include:

• Covered or open spa cabin
• Locker in the spa
• Luggage storage
• Use of a safe
• Metal sun lounger
• Plastic sun lounger

Bükfürdő Thermal Spa Opening Hours

The opening hours are customer and tourist-friendly. The Bükfürdő complex is open according to the schedule:

• Spa: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
• Saunas: Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
• Health Wellness: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

The spa also opens on public holidays. However, they have special opening hours on these days, so if you plan a visit around Christmas or New Year, check the opening times on the special website.

Accommodation at Bükfürdő Spa

Tourists have the option of two types of accommodation directly within the complex. The first is Thermal Camp – classic camping accommodation in a caravan or tent. The camp allows parking for 166 cars and has direct access to the spa and lido area. Its facilities include a kitchen for meal preparation, a washing machine, a dryer, and sanitary facilities.

The second accommodation option is Bükfürdő mobile homes. These small apartments can accommodate up to 5 people and include a kitchen with a refrigerator, air conditioning, sockets, and mosquito nets. Each house also includes a covered terrace with garden furniture and sun loungers.

The town of Bük is full of hotels and other accommodations. These destinations are popular hotels among tourists:

• 1. Danubius Hotel Bük (Check availability)
• 2. Caramell Premium Resort Superior (Check availability)
• 3. Apartman Hotel (Check availability)
• 4. Hunguest Hotel Répce Gold (Check availability)
• 5. Greenfield Hotel Golf & Spa  (Check availability)

Where is Bükfürdő Thermal Baths Located?

How to Get There?

The spa town of Bük is located about 120 kilometres from Vienna and Bratislava, right next to the Austrian border. For most Czechs, the route via Vienna is more convenient, while residents of Moravian cities often use the route via Bratislava.

Unfortunately, you cannot reach the town by train or plane. The only option for travel by train is via Budapest, but this is an unnecessary detour. Owners of electric cars, on the other hand, will be pleased. You will find a charging station for electric vehicles in the town.

Customer Reviews and Experiences

Bükfürdő Thermal Spa boasts a silver medal in popularity among Hungarian baths. Clients praise the excellent comfort and the high effectiveness of the medicinal cure. However, some customer experiences state that the entire complex is geared more towards an older clientele.

Not all reviews are positive, though. Some clients complain about unnecessary and unpredictable fees. Others complain about the closure of some pools. However, this likely changed with the completion of the reconstruction in the autumn of 2021.

Photo gallery Thermal Baths Bükfürdő