Water lily, pond lily, candock, lotus - there are so many names for this flower but there is no doubt that the pink and purple flowers swaying on the water fascinate everyone in Hévíz.

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The protective forest and the bald cypresses

The protective forest

The 4.44-hectare Lake Hévíz is surrounded by approximately 50 hectares of forest in the north, west and south. Some of the tree species in the forest are not native. When the Festetics family decided to turn their estate into a bathing resort in the 18th century, they started to drain the swamp to a certain extent, build roads, divert the overflowing water into streams, and plant trees. The 1920s and 1930s were the most important period in this afforestation process when bald cypresses and other tree species were planted in the forest. Characteristic species that have grown into giant trees include planes, ashes, beeches, oaks and dawn redwood trees, which are special. Of course, there are also species typical of the landscape, such as hornbeam, privet, dogwood and hazel trees.
The forest has several functions: it protects the lake from wind and thus from rapid cooling. The trees of the forest also protect the lake from airborne pollutants, offer shade, filter urban noise and, last but not least, produce oxygen. They also provide habitat and shelter for many small forest animals. In the protective forest around the lake, the Tavirózsa (Water Lily) nature trail has a board system to help you find your way around and learn about the flora and fauna of the area.

The symbolic tree of the forest is the bald cypress

The characteristic trees of the Festetics alley leading to Hévíz are the bald cypresses (Taxodium diistichum). These spectacular trees with lush green, light foliage in the summer, are actually ornamental trees of North American origin. There are many bald cypresses in Hévíz as a lot have been planted in the protective forest surrounding the lake, presumably because the soil and climate conditions are ideal for the species. They are characterised by the fact that, unlike other cypresses, their leaves turn glowing reddish-brown in autumn and then fall off in winter. Their appearance is magnificent both in green and in reddish colour.

Canopy walkway

Would you like to see the canopy of trees at a height of 6-8 metres? And listen to the chirping of birds and rustling of trees? The Canopy Walkway in the northern forest of Hévíz offers all of these and even more. If you walk all the way to the end, to the highest point, you can even catch a glimpse of Lake Hévíz. In the lower forest, on the other hand, there are pleasant running trails and a boardwalk through the marshland.

Special fauna

"What is needed for animals and plants that prefer tropical conditions to be present in Hungary under completely natural conditions? The answer is simple: Lake Hévíz.

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Special animals, some of which can only be found in Lake Hévíz

In addition to the flora, the fauna of the lake is also very diverse. There are small unicellular animals and also vertebrates. They don't bother bathers, as only those who look hard enough for them will be aware of their existence. Planktonic crustaceans, water snails, fish, dragonflies, leaf and flower beetles and even many species of butterflies live in the lake and its surroundings. In addition to the smaller animals or perhaps because of the large number of small animals and the ideal summer-winter natural conditions, Lake Hévíz and its surroundings are also home to several larger species. These include waterfowl, some of which breed or spend the winter here, but there are also birds that permanently reside here and birds that visit from the area of Kis (Small) Balaton.

A keen birdwatcher may encounter wild ducks, little grebes, coots, barn swallows and house martins, grey herons, egrets, little cormorants, occasionally swans, kingfishers and many smaller songbirds. The thermal water is not only home to small animals, but also to fish, crabs, grass snakes, frogs, which are very well adapted to the temperature and water composition of the thermal water. These animals include smaller crucian carp, tench, mosquitofish, rainbow cichlid, common bream, and ide. Some of these species are native to the lake, and others have been brought in from other waters or introduced. The most unique species is the Hungarian wild carp, which only lives here. In addition to fish, the water is also home to the dice snake, which is completely harmless. And the outfalls are home to smaller crabs, which are good indicators of water clarity.

The typical plants of the thermal spring are blue algae, some species of which have a special protein composition that makes them suitable for living at high temperatures. Sulphur bacteria are also typical inhabitants of the lake, they can store sulphur secreted from the water in their cells. The different strains of bacteria that live in the lake make the water disinfectant. A special species of micromonospore also lives in the lake, which has been named "Hévíz micromonospore" after its habitat. The species of actinobacteria discovered in Hévíz is also unique: it is the only place in Central Europe where it can be found.

A national treasure is the Hévíz mosquitofish, which was introduced into the lake by a Hévíz vet to control malaria mosquitoes.

In addition to the green frog, the lake is also home to the marsh frog and the European fire-bellied toad, while the European pond turtle and the smooth newt can be seen in the reeds. In the winter, it's a refuge for mute swans, black-headed gulls and Eurasian coot.

Hévíz Lake Baths opening hours and rates

From 30 March 2026, the main entrance of Lake Hévíz from Schulhof Promenade is reopened.

Bathing is possible only outdoors.

The central bath building (“A” building and “B” terrace) remains closed.

Accessible areas

• Main entrance (including building “E” and terrace “F”)
• Summer building (Beach area)
• Festetics Day Spa and Therapy section, Kinesio‑Lab
• Wellness area
• Vital Bar
• Covered rest areas in the section between Festetics Bathhouse and Vital Bar (building “C” and “D” )
• Outdoor shoreline section between the main entrance and the Festetics Day Spa

Seasonal facilities (e.g. Deák Square entrance, children’s pool, Relax Zone) will open during the summer high season, as in previous years.

Autumn–Winter Season Opening Hours

The opening hours of the Lake Bath will change starting October 5, 2026, implemented in several phases as follows:

October 5 – October 24, 2026: Open 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM; the main entrance to the Lake Bath remains open.
October 25 – November 1, 2026: Open 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; the main entrance to the Lake Bath remains open.
November 2, 2026 – February 14, 2027: Open 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; the main entrance to the Lake Bath is closed; entry is via the Festetics Bathhouse.
February 15 – March 21, 2027: Open 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM; entry via the Festetics Bathhouse.

The areas of the facility that are currently closed or open remain unchanged; operations continue as before.

Yearly opening hours
	Opening	End of bathing and wellness time	Closing
2026.02.09. - 2026.03.29.	9:00	17:00	17:30
2026.03.30. - 2026.05.31.	9:00	18:00	18:30
2026.06.01. - 2026.08.30.	8:30	18:30	19:00
2026.08.31. - 2026.10.04.	9:00	18:00	18:30
2026.10.05. - 2027.03.28.	9:00	17:00	17:30

Closing time on 24.12.2026 is at 14:00; on 31.12.2026 at 16:00. Opening time is at 11:00 on 01.01.2027.

Hévíz Lake Bath and Festetics Bathhouse price list

Valid from 02.11.2026 to 21.03.2027

2-HOUR ADMISSION Valid only on the day of purchase – entitles to a one-time entry. An additional charge will be levied if the allotted time limit is exceeded. Additional time extension cannot be purchased after the time limit has expired. Admission for children under the age of 6 is free of charge.
2-hour admission		3 000 HUF
2-hour admission seniors	Available for individuals over the age of 60. Can be purchased upon prior presentation of a valid photo ID.	2 500 HUF
2-hour admission students	Available for individuals over the age of 14. Can be purchased upon prior presentation of a valid student card.	2 500 HUF
2-hour admission children	Available for children aged 6 to 14.	1 500 HUF
2-hour admission groups	Discounted 2-hour admission - available for groups of 20 people or more, if payed in one sum.	2 500 HUF/pers.
ONE-DAY ADMISSION - currently unavailable
One-day admission		HUF
One-day admission seniors	Available for individuals over the age of 60. Can be purchased upon prior presentation of a valid photo ID.	HUF
One-day admission students	Available for individuals over the age of 14. Can be purchased upon prior presentation of a valid student card	HUF
One-day admission children	Available for children aged 6 to 14.	HUF
COMBINED ONE-DAY ADMISSION currently unavailable
Combined one-day admission		HUF
Combined one-day admission seniors	Available for individuals over the age of 60. Can be purchased upon prior presentation of a valid photo ID.	HUF
Combined one-day admission students	Available for individuals over the age of 14. Can be purchased upon prior presentation of a valid student card.	HUF
Combined one-day admission children	Available for children aged 6 to 14.	HUF
MEMBERSHIPS
10-hour membership	Valid for 20 days (can be used on the day of purchase + 19 calendar days) - the pass grants entry twice per day. The deposit is refundable within 5 calendar days after the expiration date.	13 000 HUF + 2 000 HUF Deposit
20-hour membership	Valid for 30 days (can be used on the day of purchase + 29 calendar days) - the pass grants entry twice per day. The deposit is refundable within 5 calendar days after the expiration date.	23 000 HUF + 2 000 HUF Deposit
EXTENSIONS
+ 1 hour extension	Usable for extending the 2-hour admission.	1 500 HUF
+ Wellness admission	Can be purchased as an extension to your admission or membership – valid only on the day of purchase.	2 200 HUF
FURTHER TICKETS
Additional charge	For exceeding the allotted time limit, payable for every 30 minutes.	1 000 HUF
ADD-ONS
Cloakroom	Operates seasonally - the fee applies per coat/package	300 HUF
Safety deposit box	Usage is free of charge	2000 HUF Deposit
Swimring rental	Daily fee.	700 HUF + 2 000 HUF Deposit
Changing cabin rental	Operates seasonally in the Summer Buildings.	1 800 HUF
Sauna towel		500 HUF

Valid from: 02.11.2026 until revoked.

Package Offers

Lake Bath Entrance Tickets with Wellness Access

Package	Price
10-hour pass + Wellness access	20 500 HUF + 2 000 HUF deposit
10-hour pass + wellness mud treatment pass (5 × 20 minutes)	48 000 HUF + 2 000 HUF deposit

2-hour admission ticket + wellness access	5 000 HUF

General Information

The packages can be purchased at any cashier desk of the Hévíz Lake Bath or at the therapy reception of the Festetics Bath House.

Treatments can be used on the day of purchase or within the following two days.
Treatments are available by prior appointment only. Appointments can be booked at the Festetics Bath House therapy reception.
If the treatment takes place during bathing time, the duration of the treatment will be credited to the valid Lake Bath entrance ticket at the therapy reception.
The 3-hour and full-day tickets are valid only on the day of purchase. After that, they expire.
The 10-hour pass is valid on the day of purchase + 19 calendar days and allows two entries per day.
We reserve the right to change prices and opening hours.
No refunds can be provided for purchased packages.
Accepted payment methods: cash, bank card, SZÉP Card.
Prices include VAT.

Valid from: 02. november 2026.

General information

The depth of the lake is 2 to 38 m.
• We reserve the right to change prices and opening hours.
• The price of purchased tickets can not be refunded.
• Accepted means of payment: cash (HUF), bank card or SZÉP card.
• By purchasing admission to the lake area, visitors implicitly agree to adhere to the house rules.
• Admission for children under the age of 6 is free.
• Swimring rental is possible only with the purchase of a rental ticket and the payment of a deposit. The Bath refunds the deposit only, if the rented equipment is returned until the end of bathing time, on the day of rental. Payment is possible only in cash (in Hungarian Forint).
• The admission tickets include the use of the wellness area. Wellness and sauna services are available to individuals over 12 years of age only. For reasons of hygiene, one sauna towel is provided for each wellness admission.
• For more information, please contact the information counter at the Festetics Day Spa

Special habitat

WATER LILIES IN THE LAKE

The protective forest

The symbolic tree of the forest is the bald cypress

Canopy walkway