We need to confute two things. Misconception no. 1: you can't bathe by Lake Balaton in the winter, only in overly expensive wellness hotels. Misconception no. 2: your only option is Hévíz. We went out there and looked at the alternatives to the world-famous, Russian-friendly Hévíz Spa. Giant slides, sunlit indoor and outdoor thermal pools, award-winning sauna sessions, and water composition of outstanding healing effect appear on the prescription of the spas around Balaton.
Kehida Termal Health Resort and Family Spa, Kehidakustány
The kid-friendly giant
Kehida Termal Health Resort and Family Spa boasts of special, Calcium-Magnesium hydrogen carbonated, sulphurous, drinkable thermal water, which is outstanding in domestic comparison. As opposed to the thermal waters of nearby Hévíz, Kehida's waters are Radon-free, which means that kids can also safely immerse themselves into the hot (34-36°C) pools. It is especially recommended for preventing and treating neurological, gynaecological, dermatological and locomotor pathologies and for rehabilitation after accidents.
There are several ticket variations depending on the season, the length of the visit and the included services: for example, you can only enter the Sauna World that has Finnish saunas, music and aromatherapy cabins after purchasing the Red Zone ticket, which is the most expensive one. In exchange for the higher price, you'll also get unlimited consumption of various bio-teas. As customary, there are 8-15-minute vaporisations with honey, salt or ice. You can check the schedule on the spa website, but we recommend you to reserve a spot 10 minutes in advance in busier periods.
To enjoy the 13 spacious pools Kehida Termál offers, its is practical to book your accommodation at Kehida Termál Hotel. The hotel's chefs have been successful in various cooking contests as well as with us.
Adult tickets: 1400–4500 HUF
Galerius Adventure Spa and Wellness Centre, Siófok
The sauna expert
The thermal waters of Galerius Adventure Spa and Wellness Centre arrive from Nagyberény, 15-km away from Siófok. Due to the water's sodium chloride content, it belongs to the chloride waters; while its iodide content qualifies it as iodine-bromine; and its sulphide lists it as sulphurous. Its healing effects are best experienced through multiple, shorter dippings. It is great for treating locomotor issues, gynaecological and urological ailments, and dermatological problems, as well as for the after-care of accidental injuries and orthopaedic surgeries. It is also important that Galerius is relatively close to Budapest and M7, plus it is open until 9 PM.
Galerius also has various types of tickets: for entering the sauna world, you'll need the pricier one. It's worth it, though, since there are two sections to choose from: there is the newer, underground sauna oasis and the first floor sauna world. You'll find dedicated sauna masters here, not to mention that the place recently hosted a round of the sauna master nationals. The special services include a 65 °C bio-sauna, a salt room and a sea air room. If you prefer to chat and buzz, instead of relaxing, just take a seat in the 21-seater jacuzzi that comes with a light show.
Galerius counts 6 pools altogether, plus a several-storey giant slide. The snack- and cocktail bar could be life-saving, and there is also a guest house. Although the latter is 9-km away, it comes with a 15% discount from the spa ticket prices.
Adult tickets: 1300–3600 HUF
Zalakaros Spa, Zalakaros
The healer
The thermal water of Zalakaros was discovered in the frame of an oil drilling. it contains sodium-chloride and hydrogen carbonate, and is listed among iodine-bromine thermal waters and sulphurous waters. Its metaboric acid content is especially high. It is beneficial in case of joint ailments, gynaecological and urological problems, as well as neurological, respiratory, enteric and cardiovascular diseases, plus certain cases of dermatological diseases and is also good for enhancing the immune system. The huge underground water resource is tapped through three fountainheads.
Similarly to the majority of water parks and spas, the Zalakaros Spa also offers a variety of tickets from the basic ticket (indoor and outdoor pools) to the complex one (incl. the use of the saunas and entry to the section with slides, jacuzzi and salt room). The range of therapeutic treatments is also wide, ranging from mud packs, through the weight bath, to underwater remedial gymnastics. There is also a steam room, a Finnish sauna and 45°C family sauna world, which is also open in front of children, if you can lure them out from the salt room, from beside their salt castles.
In addition to is numerous pools of varied temperature, the slides and the therapies, Zalakaros Spa also has a guest house. The stay here includes breakfast, a complex day tickets and discount on the wellness treatments.
Adult tickets: 2000–3950 HUF
Igal Spa, Igal
The best price-value ratio
Just 35-kms from the M7, the pools at Igali Spa are filled with alkali-chloride, iodide thermal water. The focus here is on the medical side of the spa, helping with a number of ailments from rheumatic locomotor diseases through vascular problems to insomnia.
Neither the spa, nor the tickets are overcomplicated here, still in addition to the thermal pools, you'll also find an adventure pool and wellness services here, as well as sauna seances. There is a Finnish sauna and the an infrasauna, which are perfectly enough to complement the all-day soaking. The Parajd salt tub is a real curiosity, and it has a cell-protective effect. You can also enjoy the services of a chiropractor.
The 13-pool spa has extended opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, which days also offer sauna seances with vaporisation, refreshments and fresh fruits for an extra 400 HUF. For the sporty visitors, the 33-metre pool is a great plus. There is no affiliated accommodation, but there are plenty of buffets around.
Adult tickets: 2000 HUF
