Hungary's SPA Heritage
Hungary’s thermal-water reserve is one of the largest in the world, and as a result Budapest is rich in world-class healing baths.
The Hungarian spas are built over the hot springs or the spring water is taken directly to the spa centre from the natural springs.
Hungarian water is not just for splashing – it can be soothing too. The country is blessed with an abundance of natural thermal springs, which are full of salts and minerals. All Hungarian spas have chlorine-free mineral pools of varying temperatures of 28-34 C.
The hot springs gush into the surface directly from the hot core of the earth at very high temperatures and have to be cooled off to different temperatures suitable for bathing. There is such an abundant supply of hot mineral spring water that the water in the bathing pools is constantly changed.
- You can find thermal waters under 80% of the Hungarian territory.
- A unique country blessed with the largest thermal and medicinal water reserves and the largest thermal bathing lake in the world.
- A well-established bathing culture, combined with excellent and modern facilities for complete relaxation, refreshment or recovery
- A spa culture dating back to the Romans times, reflected in grand spas such as Gellért, Lukács, Margaret Island, and Széchenyi
- The atmosphere of history and tradition make Hungary a unique spa destination.
- Budapest is a spa capital, and loyal to its name there are many type of spas from historic Turkish and roman to medical and party spas. More than 12 baths and strands to choose from.
What are Hungarian spa waters good for?
Thermal baths usually have one or two main indoor/ outdoor pools and several smaller pools with different water temperatures. But, thermal baths offer more than just pools; there are saunas, steam baths, aroma cabins, massage parlours as well as on-site health care professionals who offer physiotherapy and aqua-therapy.
As thermal waters are not black or white magic, you may wish to check with your doctor if spa baths are recommended for you or not. Usually they are not suggested for chronic high-blood pressure, anaemia, during pregnancy, right after heart attacks, etc.
Most Hungarian spa resorts use their hot springs complimentary to regular medicinal methods in much type of diseases and conditions like
skin diseases,
locomotion problems,
skeletal problems,
gynaecological complaints,
cardiovascular and digestive disorders,
respiratory problems,
kidney diseases,
Neurological problems,
rehabilitation therapy after fractures,
some bone deformities and disorders of the peripheral circulation,
Women’s health problems,
etc. depending on the composition of their waters.
Budapest is the only capital in the world with healing water flowing beneath its grounds. Six of Budapest’s eleven thermal-heated baths have a history dating back to hundreds of years, keeping spa traditions alive in the city.
The good thing is that spa baths are available to the general public, not only to those in need of aqua-therapy, so locals and tourists can enjoy a great relaxation in the warm thermal waters at affordable prices throughout the year. After a long day of sightseeing, the perfect thing to refresh tired and aching muscles is a soak in the famous thermal waters of Hungarian spas. Even if you are completely healthy, you will feel great after a 2-3 hour spa bath ‘meditation’.
International Medical Travel Journal Medical Travel
Széchenyi Thermal Baths were named Best international medical thermal baths by medical travel publication the IMTJ Medical Travel Awards 2016. 24 May 2016.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths has won a major international medical tourism award for their efforts in attracting international patients to Budapest. The Széchenyi Bath and Spa is one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, since it was opened for the public in 1913. Visitors can enjoy the 76 °C thermal water coming from 1246 metres deep in Renaissance-style surroundings.
International Medical Travel Journal Medical Travel: International medical tourism hotel of the year
Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget, Hungary by medical travel publication the IMTJ Medical Travel Awards 2016. 24 May 2016