Thermal and medicinal lake of Hévíz

Lake Hévíz, located near Lake Balaton, is one of the two largest thermal lakes in the world*, with a diameter of around 250 m and a surface area of 4.28 ha.

What sets Hévíz apart from other thermal pools is its biologically active natural setting. Its waters are heated by springs rising from the bottom of the basin, keeping the temperature at a minimum of 23°C in winter and up to 38°C in summer. The flow rate of the thermal spring 40 m below the surface renews the lake’s entire volume of water in two days.

Beyond its therapeutic qualities, Lake Hévíz is a fascinating ecosystem. The algae and water lilies floating on the surface create a dreamlike scene. The lake’s shores are lined with lush vegetation, providing shelter for the many bird species that find refuge there.

Lake Hévíz is also set in enchanting surroundings. The surrounding hills offer picturesque hiking trails, inviting visitors to lose themselves in the beauty of the natural landscape.

The landscapes that unfold here have a rare splendor, from mysterious forests to green meadows. Whether you come to enjoy the lake’s medicinal water and its therapeutic properties, or are simply drawn by curiosity and a taste for unusual places, Lake Hévíz will delight you and leave you with a unique memory.

The construction of the Lake Bath in the middle of the lake is a technical feat that alone makes it worth visiting: in the 1950s, brave and experienced divers had to descend more than 40 m in 40°C water to reach the main spring and install equipment there.

Although the lake is relatively shallow across most of its surface, it is worth knowing that at one point you will be swimming with around 30 m of water beneath your feet! If that makes you uneasy, flotation rings are available to rent.

*The other comparable lake is Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand (literally, the “frying pan” lake!), but it is too hot for swimming (>50°C). In fact, it is a pair of connected lakes: Frying Pan (4.31 ha), comparable in size to Lake Hévíz, and the smaller Inferno Crater (0.84 ha), which can reach 80°C.