Lake Hévíz

Located on the northwestern side of Lake Balaton, we can find the most emblematic bath of Hungary, Lake Hévíz, which is considered unique all around the world.

This is a wonderful natural formation, the largest medicinal lake of Europe.

Owing to its warm thermal water, people can visit the bath each day of the year, as the temperature of the water never falls below 24 degrees Celsius, even during the frosty peroids of winter. On summer days the water is 33-35 degrees Celsius on avarage.
The magical atmosphere of the healing lake cames from the water lily flowers swimming on the water, the protecting forest surrounding the lake, and the rising steam covering the surface of the water. In the cold months, it is an amazing experience to dip into the warm and steaming water.
A so-called bath house, built in the middle of the lake also contibutes to the fabulous atmosphere of this place, which ensures our calming relaxation indoors as well.

The Lake Bath is famous far and wide, not only among hungarians but also among people arriving from other countries. Thanks to their recovery, satisfaction and return, Hévíz can be classified as one of the main tourist destinations of Hungary.
The thermal water – lying on an area of four hectares and nourished by natural resources – has been already known in the ancien roman ages. The proof of this is the thousands of years old coins, discovered at the bottom of the lake.
However the local bathing culture strated to flourish much later, in the 1700s, and it is connected to the name of George Festetics.
The reputation of the bath had been spreading rapidly, due to the collective work of the medicinal water and the doctors, for today people know the name of Hévíz all over the world.
St. Andrew’s Rheumatism Hospital can be also found here, which traced back to the name of the Festetics family, too. Currently this is the largest intitution in Hungary for treatment of musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases.

In addition to the natural beauty and the uniqueness of the lake, it is also a place of healing.
Primarily it is suggested in the cases of musculoskeletal diseases, but it has beneficial effects in many other illnesses, too.
The medicinal water is recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, osteoporosis, gout, psoriasis, inflammatory joint and gynecological diseases, abrasive joint and spinal diseases, orthopedic surgeries and post-treatment of accidents.
Besides it also can be used bravely as drinking cure for indigestion or gastritis, or simply as health preservation.
The most effective way for it is consuming the water locally. The urban drinking fountain gives the opportunity for everyone to taste the famous medicinal water.

It is important to emphasize that bathing is extremely hygienic, as the sources supply the lake with thousands of liters of fresh water each day, and thanks to this, the water is completely changed and cleaned about twice a week.

The healing effect of the lake is successful not only because of the content of the water, but also the precious mud, the peat layer covering the bottom of the lake. Therefore, the mud treatment or the mud bath – which are performed with the peat mud of Hévíz – is outstanding among the medical treatments.

In fact, all of the medical and wellness treatments are available there, however we must inevitably mention the weight bath, the method of which was developed by dr. Károly Moll in Hévíz, and the locals are really proud of it.