Lake Hévíz is located alongside the Northern slope of Mount Keszthely, in the centre of the town of Hévíz. Did you know that it is the largest biologically active natural thermal lake in the world? If this does not make Lake Hévíz special enough in your eyes, here are a few more facts. Thanks to constant movement, the temperature of the water is pleasant throughout the year, allowing you to bathe in any season. The water temperature is 23-25°C in the winter, and can climb as high as 36-38°C in the summer. The way the water flows from left to right as well as from the bottom upwards provides a massage of sorts for those sitting in it. In winter, the condensed steam forms a cap over the lake surface, creating a natural inhalatorium. This ‘cap’ prevents water from cooling down, rejuvenating exhausted vocal cords when inhaled. The lake developed in the same period as Lake Balaton, with its current source welling up 20-22,000 years ago. (In the geological past, Ancient Hévíz welled higher than its current location.) The lake was already used by the Ancient Romans. Several water-lily types inhabit the lake: the European white water lily is indigenous to the area, while the purple lily was brought from India 100 years ago. Thanks to an abundant water supply, the water of the 4.4 ha lake – with a depth of 38 m – is fully replaced every three days. Water quality is continuously controlled through measurements and specially trained divers.
If you want, you can also take a virtual tour and see for yourself: the lake is captivating, even when viewed online. If you would rather see beautiful photographs, let yourself be enchanted on the Hévíz Instagram page.