Lake Balaton Attractions
The Gyógytó Thermal lake in Hévíz © mirtilla752000
Hévíz
Hévíz is the site of Europe's largest and the
world's second largest thermal lake, Gyógytó. It is
the most extraordinary sight with its huge milky blue surface
covered in water lilies and steam. The warm water wells up from a
volcanic crater spring about 128 ft (40m) below the surface and
provides year round swimming, although the recommended maximum time
in the water during any one session is one hour. The mud on the
bottom and edges is said to be slightly radioactive, good for
various medical conditions, but in small doses. The complex offers
indoor and outdoor swimming. A pavilion in the centre of the lake
is reached by a covered bridge and indoor swimming takes place in
an area enclosed with Plexiglas. Gaps in the plastic lead to the
outdoor swimming area, the rest of the lake, where swimmers can
float among the water lilies and swim between the 'rest' platforms
bobbing on the surface.
Website: www.heviz.hu;
Admission: Various rates apply for treatments, thermal baths and the medicinal pool, starting at 1,200Ft for three hours bathing
