Hungary is known for many great spa resorts, with a long history of thermal springs and thermal baths from ancient times to the present day. There are more than 1,000 thermal springs in the country, many of which have been converted into world-class spas and wellness centers.

Here’s an overview of the most famous and important thermal baths in Hungary:

Szechenyi Thermal Bath (Budapest)

Location: Budapest City Park

Overview: One of the largest and most famous spas in Europe, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath has an incredible number of 18 indoor and outdoor pools with temperatures ranging from 18 to 40 °C. The healing water is rich in calcium, magnesium and sulfates, making it ideal for treating joint problems and arthritis. The outdoor pools, surrounded by neo-baroque architecture, are particularly popular in winter.

Facilities: Outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, medical treatments and massages.

>>> Tickets for the swimming pool should be purchased online in advance using this link
>>> Our long article about the Szechenyi Bath

Gellert Thermal Baths (Budapest)
Location: Gellert Hotel, Budapest
Overview: Located at the foot of Gellert Hill, this luxurious Art Nouveau spa is one of the most famous spas in Budapest. Gellert Baths offers indoor and outdoor areas and a variety of thermal pools, including beautiful mosaic floors and stained glass windows. The healing waters come from hot springs rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and sulfates, which help relieve ailments such as joint pain and respiratory conditions.
Features: Colorful architecture, wave pool, medical treatments, massages and spa services.

Rudas Thermal Bath (Budapest)
Location: On the Buda side of the Danube in Budapest
Overview: Dating back to Ottoman times, Rudas Bath is a traditional Turkish bath that has been in operation since the 16th century. The octagonal central pool is covered by a large dome supported by columns. In addition to the thermal baths, Rudas also has a rooftop hot tub that offers great views of the Danube and the city.
Special features: Rooftop terrace, Turkish baths, thermal pools, night bathing.

Heviz Thermal Lake (Heviz)
Location: Near Lake Balaton, western Hungary
Overview: Heviz is the largest natural thermal lake in the world and is known for its healing properties. The lake’s water is naturally warm (around 33-36°C in summer and 24-28°C in winter), making it suitable for bathing all year round. The healing mud at the bottom of the lake is used to treat various rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Visitors can float in the warm water surrounded by water lilies.
Features: Outdoor thermal lake, medical treatments, spa services, mud treatments.

Miskolctapolca Cave Bath (Miskolc)
Location: Miskolc, Northern Hungary
Overview: The Miskolctapolca Cave Baths are unique because they are built in a natural cave system. The thermal water here is kept at a constant temperature of around 30°C, and visitors can swim among the natural rock formations and enjoy the various pools and saunas. The air in the basement is also considered a cure for respiratory diseases.
Features: Cave swimming pools, thermal baths, natural saunas and massage services.

Egerszalok Thermal Spa
Location: Near Eger, Northern Hungary
Overview: Egerszalók is famous for its natural limestone terraces formed by thermal water flowing down the hillside. The spa has a number of indoor and outdoor pools with calcium, magnesium and sulphur-rich thermal waters that are said to help with joint problems and skin conditions. The spa also has a wellness centre with a sauna and steam bath.
Special features: unique salt dune terraces, thermal pools, saunas, spa services.

Zalakaros Thermal Bath
Location: Western Hungary, near Lake Balaton
Overview: Zalakaros is one of Hungary’s smallest but most popular thermal baths. The thermal water here is rich in sodium chloride, potassium and bromine, which is said to be particularly helpful for joint problems and skin diseases. The bath has various pools, a water slide for children and a tranquil spa area for relaxation.
Features: Family-friendly pools, water slides, thermal pools, wellness and medical treatments.

Sarvar Thermal Bath
Location: Sarvar, Western Hungary
Overview: Sárvár has two types of thermal water. One has a high salinity and is suitable for inhalation therapies and skin treatments, while the water with a lower salinity is ideal for bathing and relaxing. The spa complex includes several indoor and outdoor pools, a wellness center and medical facilities.
Features: Wellness treatments, saltwater pools, thermal baths, saunas.

The most famous bath is probably the Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, easily accessible by subway. But the thermal lake of Heviz in the northwest of the large Lake Balaton is also famous throughout Europe. In the list of thermal baths in Hungary above you can see that the thermal springs are spread across the country, in the center in Budapest and in all directions. There are many more thermal baths, this is just a small list of the most famous thermal baths.