There are more than 60 thousand mineral springs and 1,150 hot springs in Hungary. It would be foolish not to use these riches, which is why the Hungarians have built 55 hydropathic establishments and 67 thermal hotels here. They also develop medical and health tourism.
The country’s capital, Budapest, is a leader in this field. This is one of the most beautiful European cities and the world’s first spa capital (there are around 130 hot springs here). Budapest can offer around 70 public bathhouses and thermal baths: old Turkish and modern, moderate and luxurious, democratic and aristocratic. The first hot springs were built here by the Greeks and the bath industry reached its prosperity in Turkish times. There are several Turkish baths in Budapest, including Kiraly, Rudas, and Szechenyi; the latter is the largest bath in Europe, with 12 different pools. As for the citizens of Budapest, they like to visit the Lukacs bath, with water that comes from the springs of Rozsa Hill. Many hotels also have their thermal pools, the Gellert hotel among them. In the 1930s, the hotel was very popular for its mosaic floors and glass ceilings.
Those who come to Hungary for medical treatment prefer to stay in hotels with thermal pools and wellness centers. Two of them are on a quiet and green island of Margit, in the middle of the Danube. Here you will find the Danubius hotel complex – Danubius Grand Margitsziget and Thermal Margitsziget, connected by an underground tunnel. Guests are offered medical treatments that can be ordered directly at the hotel or included in the room rates (but note that prices are higher in the former case). Some tourists also prefer to stay at the Danubius Health Spa Resort Helia, located opposite Margit, or at the modern 4-star Aquincum hotel.
Tourists are often offered combo tours that include a tour of the Hungarian capital and spa treatments at local resorts. Some of these resorts are located by Lake Hévíz, 200 km from Budapest. Heviz is one of the largest and most famous Hungarian resorts, it is located next to the largest natural thermal lake in the world, which has a unique microclimate. Its temperature is 28-38 degrees Celsius during the day, so you can bathe here all year round. Heviz offers numerous hotels, pensions and guest houses, but only the big hotels have their medical bases. Among them are: Karbona, Lotus Therme, Aqua, Heviz, Rogner Hotel & Spa Lotus Therme and Panorama.
Another thermal spa, Hajdusoboslo (also called “Mecca for rheumatics”) is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. It is located 202 km east of Budapest, or a 2.5 bus ride from the city. The complex is known for its large outdoor bath complex, which includes a lake and 13 medical, children’s and sports pools. In 2000 the first Hungarian water park was opened on its territory. Initially, the park occupied a territory of 6,200 square meters, but two years later it doubled in size. The bathhouse offers 40 different medical treatments. So if you want to be healthier, Hungary is your destination.
