Outer basin of the Széchenyi bath in Budapest

Thermal baths and wellness in Eastern Europe

Q: Can you go to Lake Hévíz in winter?

Yes. From 2 November 2026 to 14 February 2027 inclusive you will enter via the Festetics bathhouse because the main building is closed (heviz.hu). A 3-hour ticket costs 4,500 Ft, a day ticket 7,500 Ft (spaheviz.hu).

Eleven thermal baths and spa towns, from Budapest to Pärnu: official prices, what children are allowed to do, and spa hotels nearby.

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After a long day in the snow or just on a grey day of travel: nothing beats sinking into the warm water with the whole family. We have put together eleven spas and spa resorts in Eastern Europe, with the prices as they were on the official websites on 23 October 2026, what children are allowed and how far the journey from Utrecht is. We recommend three spa hotels per place. Links to Booking.com, Tiqets, GetYourGuide and Viator are advertising links and clearly marked.

Eleven spas and spa resorts in eight countries. The closest to Utrecht are the Czech spa towns Mariánské Lázně (± 747 km) and Karlovy Vary (± 763 km). With young children, you are in good hands in Čatež, Olimia, Bešeňová, Pärnu and Druskininkai. Since 1 August 2025, the Széchenyi bath in Budapest has only allowed guests aged 14 and over.

Compiled and checked by Arjan (Zuidlaren) · Prices retrieved on 23 October 2026 · Sources available at each spa · Updated on 23 October 2026 · About this page

Sort out quickly before departure

The things you usually clarify first, at a glance.

Hotel by the thermal bathsPrices and availability🏨 Search at Booking.comWerbelink
Tickets Széchenyi-BadFrom 14 years old🎟️ Tickets via TiqetsWerbelink
Thermal baths comparedPrice, children and distanceTable
Costs OverviewAdults and childrenAbout costs
VerkehrsregelnSpeed limits, compulsory equipment, winter tyresView rules

Overview

In short,

Colonnade in Mariánské Lázně — Photo: Lubor Ferenc · CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped) · all photo credits

Practical for your trip

Thermal baths and spa towns	11 in 8 countries
Closest from Utrecht	Mariánské Lázně, ± 747 km (OSRM)
Farthest	Pärnu, ± 2,013 km (OSRM)
Only from 14 years old	Széchenyi-Bad, Budapest (szechenyibath.hu)
Hévíz in winter	Entrance via Festetics Bathhouse, 2 November 2026 to 14 February 2027 (heviz.hu)
Prices retrieved	23 October 2026, official websites

Thermal baths compared

Thermal baths	Location	Species	Adults price	With children	From Utrecht
Széchenyi-Bad	Budapest, Hungary	Thermal bath in the city	from 13,200 Ft (Source)	Only from 14 years old	± 1,371 km
Lake Hévíz	Hévíz, Hungary	Thermalsee	3 hours 4,500 Ft (Source)	6–14 years: 2,400 Ft (3 hours) / 3,600 Ft (day); less than 6 free	± 1,291 km
Terme Čatež	Čatež ob Savi, Slovenia	Thermal baths and water park	Day pass €19 (Source)	5–13 years: €15 (day) / €11 (from 3 pm)	± 1,308 km
Terme Olimia (Termalija)	Podčetrtek, Slovenia	Familientherme	Day ticket €13.50 (Source)	5–13 years: €9.50 / €13; with Family Fun Family Card 2+2 €65 / €87	± 1,235 km
Alžbětiny lázně	Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic	Spa with swimming pool	90 minutes. 210 Kč (Source)	Children up to 150 cm: 145 / 160 / 240 Kč; under 4 years free; with children's pools	± 763 km
Mariánské Lázně	Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic	Spa town	See official website (Source)	Walking at the colonnade and in the park; you can swim at the spa hotels	± 747 km
Aquapark Bešeňová	Bešeňová, Slovakia	Thermalwasserpark	Day pass €40 (Source)	Free under 6 years	± 1,343 km
Chochołowskie Termy	Chochołów, Poland	Thermal baths	See official website (Source)	See price list on the official website	± 1,290 km
Tervise Paradiis	Pärnu, Estonia	Wasserpark	3 hours €22 (Source)	4–6 years: €5 / €6 (3 hours); Family card 3 hours €60 / €70	± 2,013 km
Līvu Akvaparks	Jūrmala, Latvia	Wasserpark	See official website (Source)	See price list on the official website	± 1,852 km
Aquapark Druskininkai	Druskininkai, Lithuania	Water park in a spa town	2 hours €13 (Source)	3–6 years: €7 (2 hours) / €11 (day, working day); 7–17 years: €17 (day, working day)	± 1,532 km

Prices as on 23 October 2026 on the official websites; distances by car from Utrecht according to OSRM (23 October 2026). Shortly before departure, look again at the website of the spa.

Per country

Thermal baths per country

The thermal lake at Hévíz — Photo: Heather Cowper · CC BY 2.0 (cropped) · all photo credits

For each spa: what it costs according to the official website, what children can do and how far the drive from Utrecht is. You’ll find the sources under Learn more.

Hungary

The yellow bathing building and the outside pool of the Széchenyi bath — Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0 (cropped) · all photo credits

♨️ Széchenyi-Bad

Location: Budapest, Hungary Species: Thermal bath in the city

Costs: 13,200 Ft (Mon–Thu), 14,800 Ft (Fri–Sun), 15,800 Ft on public holidays (source): szechenyibath.hu)

With children: Only from 14 years old

From Utrecht: ± 1,371 km (OSRM)

Floating in the warm spring water under the open sky, between yellow palace walls. The largest bath in Budapest has outdoor pools, which are also warm in winter. Attention: children under 14 years of age are no longer allowed in, so this is an excursion for parents or teenagers.

Find out more

ℹ️ According to the bath’s FAQ, children under 14 have no longer been allowed in since 1 August 2025.

Thermal baths	Adults	Children	Source
Széchenyi-Bad	13,200 Ft (Mon–Thu), 14,800 Ft (Fri–Sun), 15,800 Ft on public holidays	Only from 14 years old	szechenyibath.hu: Prices
Lake Hévíz	3 hours 4,500 Ft, full day 7,500 Ft	6–14 years: 2,400 Ft (3 hours) / 3,600 Ft (day); less than 6 free	spaheviz.hu: opening hours and tickets
Terme Čatež	Winter Thermal Riviera: day ticket €19, from 15:00 €16	5–13 years: €15 (day) / €11 (from 3 pm)	terme-catez.si: price list Zimska Termalna Riviera
Terme Olimia (Termalija)	Termalija Relax: Day ticket €13.50 (Mon–Thu), €17 (Fri–Sun, public holidays and school holidays)	5–13 years: €9.50 / €13; with Family Fun Family Card 2+2 €65 / €87	olimia-group.com: Price list Termalija 2026 (PDF)
Alžbětiny lázně	90 minutes. 210 Kč, 120 min. 250 Kč, 180 min. 305 Kč	Children up to 150 cm: 145 / 160 / 240 Kč; under 4 years free; with children's pools	spa5.cz: Alžbětiny lázně price list
Mariánské Lázně	See official website	Walking at the colonnade and in the park; you can swim at the spa hotels	marianskelazne.cz
Aquapark Bešeňová	Day pass €40 (online €36), 3 hours €34 (online €32)	Free under 6 years	besenova.com: entrance fees
Chochołowskie Termy	See official website	See price list on the official website	chocholowskietermy.pl: Price list
Tervise Paradiis	Water park 3 hours €22 (Mon–Thu) / €25 (Fri–Sun); full day €30 / €34	4–6 years: €5 / €6 (3 hours); Family card 3 hours €60 / €70	veekeskus.eu: prices
Līvu Akvaparks	See official website	See price list on the official website	akvaparks.lv: tickets
Aquapark Druskininkai	Slides and pools (zone C): weekday 2 hours €13, full day €22; weekend full day €32	3–6 years: €7 (2 hours) / €11 (day, working day); 7–17 years: €17 (day, working day)	akvapark.lt: Prices and discounts

Thermal baths and wellness in Eastern Europe

Sort out quickly before departure

In short,

Thermal baths compared

Thermal baths per country

Hungary

♨️ Széchenyi-Bad

♨️ Lake Hévíz

Slovenia

♨️ Terme Čatež

♨️ Terme Olimia (Termalija)

Czech Republic

♨️ Alžbětiny lázně

♨️ Mariánské Lázně

Slovakia

♨️ Aquapark Bešeňová

Poland

♨️ Chochołowskie Termy

Estonia

♨️ Tervise Paradiis

Latvia

♨️ Līvu Akvaparks

Lithuania

♨️ Aquapark Druskininkai

Spa hotels: 3 favourites per place

Costs Overview

Frequently asked questions

Where does this information come from?