Hévíz.
Flight from TLV
3h 23m
Best season
מאי–ספט
Avg temp
16°
Currency
Ft HUF · 1=₪0.010
Time zone
שעה פחות מת״א בחורף; לרוב שעה פחות גם בקיץ
Language
הונגרית
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום בתקופה של 180 יום
Safety
יעד שקט ובטוח בדרך כלל; מומלץ לשמור על חפצים אישיים ולבדוק הנחיות בריאות לפני רחצה תרמית ממושכת
Overview
🇭🇺Hévíz
🇭🇺Hungary
Hévíz is a tranquil spa town in western Hungary, centered on Lake Hévíz, Europe’s largest natural thermal lake suitable for bathing. Israeli visitors come mainly for a restorative wellness break, floating among water lilies and booking mud treatments and massages at Hévíz Thermal Lake and the surrounding spa hotels. Between treatments, stroll along Rákóczi Street, taste local wines in the Egregy vineyards, and visit the grand Festetics Palace in nearby Keszthely. This is not a nightlife or major shopping destination, but an excellent choice for couples and mature travelers seeking nature, spa time, and easy access to Lake Balaton.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Hévíz
Each area and who it suits best.
Central Hévíz and Lake Hévíz
The most sought-after zone surrounds pedestrian Rákóczi utca, Deák tér and the entrance to thermal Lake Hévíz, with cafés, restaurants and spas within walking distance. Hotel Spa Hévíz sits beside the lake, while Hotel Európa Fit is only a few minutes away. It is the most convenient base, but rooms cost more and the center gets busy with tour groups and spa guests during the day.
Szent András Street and the Western Quarter
Along Szent András utca and around Ensana Thermal Aqua, spa hotels, apartments and supermarkets are generally better value than properties immediately beside the lake. Families appreciate the pools and half-board options, and the center is roughly a 10 to 20-minute walk away. The setting is less picturesque, and parts of the walk follow traffic streets rather than a pedestrian promenade.
Egregy and the Wine Hill
Egregy is Hévíz at its most rural and peaceful, with vineyards, wine cellars along Egregyi szőlőhegy and the Romanesque Árpád-era church. Bonvital Wellness & Gastro Hotel is in the center rather than here, so visitors choose this district mainly for small guesthouses, scenery and quiet. Evening options are limited, and the lake is a 25 to 35-minute downhill walk, followed by an uphill return.
Kleipark and the Lotus Therme Area
At Hévíz’s green southern edge, Lotus Therme Hotel & Spa is a five-star resort with pools, treatments, parkland and leisure facilities. It is an excellent choice for a spa break where the hotel itself is central to the trip, away from the bustle of Rákóczi utca. Rates are high, and dinner or an evening stroll downtown requires about a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Keszthely and the Balaton Waterfront
Keszthely lies about 7 km from Hévíz and adds Festetics Palace, the Balaton-part promenade and Helikon and Városi beaches, plus more bars and restaurants around Fő tér. Hotel Helikon is a well-known waterfront choice, and summer feels younger and more family-oriented than sleepy Hévíz. The trade-off is a roughly 15-minute trip to the thermal lake, while beaches and parking get crowded in July and August.
Alsópáhok
This village south of Hévíz offers inexpensive apartments, guesthouses, fields and a quiet atmosphere, and is home to the family-focused Kolping Hotel Spa & Family Resort. Its children’s facilities and pools can fill an entire day, while central Hévíz is about a 10-minute drive away. Flexibility is poor without a car, and there is no real promenade, shopping district or nightlife.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Hévíz
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
6°
0°
Cool
פבר
9°
1°
Cool
מרץ
14°
4°
Cool
אפר
17°
7°
Recommended
מאי
20°
11°
Recommended
יונ
26°
16°
Excellent
יול
28°
18°
Excellent
אוג
28°
17°
Excellent
ספט
23°
14°
Excellent
אוק
17°
9°
Recommended
נוב
9°
3°
Cool
דצמ
6°
0°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג · ספט
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): מאי · יונ · יול · אוג · ספט. Demand peaks in July and August, when warm weather makes it easy to combine the spa with Lake Balaton. For Israelis seeking a quieter break, May, June, and September offer pleasant conditions, fewer crowds, and often better hotel rates.
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Hévíz · Open-Meteo
This week in Hévíz
Measured in Hévíz
17°
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Next 7 days
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Things to do
Things to do in Hévíz
On the map
Hévíz on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Hévíz itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Getting to Know Hévíz
After check-in, take an easy walk along Rákóczi utca, through Deák tér and toward the striking entrance to Lake Hévíz. Continue along the Dr. Schulhof Vilmos promenade and through the wooded park around the water to learn the layout and check tomorrow’s opening times. For dinner, choose a central restaurant with vegetarian or fish options according to your own kosher requirements, or cook in your apartment. Finish with ice cream or coffee on the pedestrian street, as nightlife here is quiet and winds down early.
- 2
Day 2
Thermal Lake and Spa
Reach Hévízi-tó at opening, before 09:00, when the water and historic bath buildings are calmer and queues are shorter. Allow 2 to 3 hours for floating with a pool noodle, using the indoor pools and resting, while following posted medical time limits, especially for children, pregnancy or heart conditions. Return downtown for a light lunch, then book a massage or treatment at Hotel Spa Hévíz, Ensana Thermal Hévíz or Bonvital. In the evening, stroll through the park again or use your hotel’s pool and sauna rather than searching for clubs that do not really match the town’s character.
- 3
Day 3
Festetics Palace and Keszthely Beaches
Drive about 15 minutes to Keszthely and enter Festetics Palace near opening time, before day groups fill its rooms. See the Helikon Library, gardens and whichever exhibitions interest you, then walk through Fő tér and the old center toward Lake Balaton. In summer, spend the afternoon at Városi Strand or Helikon Strand; in cooler seasons, replace swimming with the Balaton-part promenade and Balaton Museum. Around sunset, sit by the marina, eat food you have prepared or choose somewhere matching your kosher standards, and return to Hévíz after traffic eases.
- 4
Day 4
Tapolca Cave and Badacsony
Reserve a timed visit to Tapolcai-tavasbarlang, Tapolca’s lake cave, and choose a morning slot to enjoy the short boat section before visitor numbers rise. Afterwards, walk around picturesque Malom-tó and have a light lunch from your supplies or at a central café. Continue to Badacsony, climbing to the Kisfaludy lookout or taking a shorter route among basalt formations and vineyards, depending on the weather. The designated driver should skip wine tasting; catch sunset from the Badacsony waterfront facing Balaton before returning to Hévíz.
- 5
Day 5
Tihany and the Northern Shore
Leave by 08:00 for Tihany to arrive before coaches and traffic, beginning at Tihany Benedictine Abbey and its Lake Balaton viewpoint. Descend through Ófalu’s historic houses, lavender shops and promenade, then choose a short walk around Belső-tó or a drive along the northern shore. In summer, stop for a swim in Balatonfüred or at an official beach en route; outside summer, spend more time on Balatonfüred’s Tagore Promenade. Return to Hévíz toward evening, or stay for sunset if you have a car and a driver who has not been drinking.
- 6
Day 6
Egregy and a Relaxed Finale
Begin with another short thermal-lake session or a prebooked spa treatment, an excellent choice before the journey home. Then walk or drive to Egregy to visit the Árpád-era church and Roman villa ruins before following the paths through the Egregyi szőlőhegy vineyards. Non-drivers can sample local wine in a cellar, while kosher-observant travelers may prefer a picnic of sealed products with the view. Return downtown for small purchases and checkout, allowing at least three hours of driving and contingency time before a Budapest flight.
Quick game
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Budget
How much does Hévíz cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Tel Aviv return flight
₪650-1,500 (to Budapest)
4-5 night package
₪2,200-4,200 per person
Mid-range hotel night
₪350-650 (per room)
5★ hotel night
₪750-1,350 (per room)
Restaurant meal
₪55-110
Local beer
₪10-18
Coffee
₪7-14
Short taxi ride
₪25-55
Rental car per day
₪140-280 (before fuel)
Thermal lake admission
₪65-100 (by duration)
Daily budget per person
₪280-550 (excluding hotel)
Family, 5 nights
₪9,500-16,500 (total)
Good to know
Good to know before Hévíz
Getting around
From the airport
Most Israeli travelers land in Budapest: a rental car from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport reaches Hévíz in about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, costing roughly ₪140-280 per day plus fuel and the motorway vignette. A prebooked private transfer takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes and costs around ₪650-950 per vehicle, while a shared shuttle, when available, costs approximately ₪180-300 per person and takes 3 to 4 hours. By public transport, take bus 100E into Budapest and then an intercity bus from Népliget to Hévíz, or a train to Keszthely followed by a local bus; allow 4 to 5.5 hours and about ₪70-130 per person. Bolt works well in Budapest and at the airport, but a ride all the way to Hévíz is expensive and drivers may decline it, so a prebooked transfer is preferable.
Need a car?
A short break focused on the thermal lake and central Hévíz does not require a car, as everything is walkable and Keszthely is a short bus ride away. For families, Israeli groups and travelers planning Tapolca, Badacsony, Tihany or several Balaton beaches, a car saves hours and makes the trip considerably easier. Couples arriving by transfer and staying near Rákóczi utca can skip it; in Egregy, Alsópáhok or a rural hotel, it is close to essential.
Tips
Central Hévíz relies mainly on taxi ranks and hotel-arranged cars, so do not expect a local Bolt service like Budapest’s; agree on the fare beforehand, especially for Keszthely. Street parking downtown and near the lake is paid and fills early in summer, so use an official lot and keep coins or a bank card ready for the meter. Walk to the thermal lake; buses between Hévíz and Keszthely are relatively frequent, but check schedules in advance for evenings and weekends.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
There is no permanent Chabad house or regularly active synagogue in Hévíz, and nearby Keszthely has no year-round address offering dependable minyanim and Shabbat meals. The nearest reliable traveler services are in Budapest, particularly Chabad’s Keren Or center at Károly körút 20 and synagogues in the Jewish Quarter, where prayers and Shabbat meals can be arranged in advance. Shabbat-observant visitors should order food in Budapest before traveling west rather than assuming they can complete kosher shopping in Hévíz.
Kosher food
Hévíz has no supervised kosher restaurant, so vegetarian or fish menus should not be treated as kosher. SPAR, Tesco and Lidl branches in Hévíz and Keszthely may carry a few basics with European kosher symbols, but availability is limited and inconsistent; observant Israeli visitors bring products from home or shop beforehand in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter. The practical solution is an apartment with a kitchenette, or a prearranged sealed delivery from a kosher Budapest restaurant stored in the hotel refrigerator.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Hévíz 🇭🇺
A hospital day in Hévíz can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Gadgets & pre-existing conditions
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
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You get
0.97
1 HUF
₪0.01
100 HUF
₪0.97
1,000 HUF
₪9.69
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Hévíz 🇭🇺
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה קצרה של עד 90 יום בתקופה של 180 יום
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Hévíz
- 💳Hévíz uses Hungarian forints, and most hotels and restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, but an ATM operated by a bank such as OTP is always preferable to Euronet terminals or being charged in shekels.
- 🚗The drive from Budapest Airport to Hévíz usually takes about two and a quarter to two and a half hours, and for an Israeli family of three or four, a rental car is generally easier and better value than combining trains and buses.
- 🚌Without a car, check MÁV or BudapestGO for a direct bus from Budapest Népliget to Hévíz, or take a train to Keszthely and continue by local bus, rather than relying on a spontaneous late-night taxi.
- 🏨For a first stay, choose a hotel around Rákóczi utca or Széchenyi utca so you can walk to the lake, while Lotus Therme Hotel & Spa better suits couples seeking a quieter, more self-contained spa resort.
- 🎟️Check the official Hévízi Tófürdő website for the operating entrance and bathing hours on your chosen day, and reserve massages or treatments at Festetics Day Spa in advance for weekends and the summer season.
- 🛟Even strong swimmers rent a flotation ring at Lake Hévíz because the water is deep and there is no conventional shallow beach; bring flip-flops and a robe or large towel for the cool walk between the changing area and the water.
- 🌡️In winter the steam above the lake is magical but getting out of the water feels very cold, while in summer it is best to arrive near opening time before the crowds and pack a light layer for humid evenings near Lake Balaton.
- ✡️Hévíz has no permanent kosher restaurant or Chabad house, so kosher-observant travelers should stock up in Budapest through Chabad Keren Or or the city’s kosher shops and choose an apartment with a kitchenette; the local SPAR is useful for fruit, vegetables and sealed products bearing a recognized certification.
- 🌙Hévíz becomes very quiet after dinner and has no meaningful casino or club scene, so for a livelier evening head to Keszthely or the seasonal bars around Lake Balaton, and do not book it expecting Budapest-style nightlife.
- 📱A European eSIM works well in town and in Keszthely, but download offline maps of Hévíz and the Balaton Uplands because reception can weaken on rural roads and among the Egregy vineyards.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"Hévíz is not just another spa town, but a place where you can genuinely feel your body slow down. In the morning I enter the thermal Lake Hévíz while mist still floats above the water lilies, and in the afternoon I wander among the villas and cafés along Rákóczi Street. Israelis fall for this mix of serious treatments, comfortable hotels and sensible prices, with Lake Balaton and Festetics Palace only a short drive away. It is the kind of holiday that leaves you truly rested, not merely with pretty photos."
Loves
My local secret is to head up to the Egregy district around 5 p.m., pass the Roman soldier’s tomb and Roman villa ruins, then walk through the vineyards toward the Árpád-era Church of St Mary Magdalene. The hills look wonderfully soft in the golden hour, and most day-trippers have already left town.
Skip
The most common mistake is buying a full-day lake ticket and then remaining in the thermal water for hours simply because you paid for it. The water is hot and mineral-rich, so use it in short sessions and follow staff guidance, especially if you have heart or blood-pressure conditions.
Boutique pick
I begin at 8:30 a.m. with a peaceful entry into Lake Hévíz, floating among the water lilies with a swim ring, followed by coffee on Rákóczi Street. At 12:30 p.m. we drive to Keszthely, tour Festetics Palace and its English gardens, then continue down to the Lake Balaton promenade. Around 5:30 p.m. we return via Egregy Hill for sunset among the vineyards, finishing with a pre-booked massage and a quiet evening at the hotel.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Hévíz
"We began the morning floating among the water lilies of Lake Hévíz, and it felt far more special than any regular spa we had visited. At sunset we headed up to the Egregy wine hill, where the peaceful evening made Hévíz exactly the couples’ break we wanted."
Noa and Ido, Tel Aviv
Couple · 3 nights · September
"We took the children to Festetics Palace in Keszthely, and its carriages and gardens kept everyone interested. The next day we relaxed at Keszthely Municipal Beach on Lake Balaton, giving us both peaceful Hévíz and a proper family summer day."
Michal and Uri, Modi'in
Family with children · 4 nights · July
"We bought foam floats and entered Lake Hévíz together, and drifting through the warm water quickly became the running joke of our trip. That evening we explored the Hévíz Farmers’ Market and sampled local produce, though anyone seeking real parties should continue to Budapest."
Roy, Daniel and Shahar, Rishon LeZion
Friends · 2 nights · August
"We booked a mud treatment at the Ensana Thermal Hévíz spa and felt we had reached a place that genuinely understands wellness holidays. Afterwards we strolled along Rákóczi pedestrian street, stopped for coffee and simply enjoyed the town’s unhurried pace."
Rachel and Yossi, Haifa
Older couple · 5 nights · October
FAQ
Common questions about Hévíz
Do Israelis need a visa to visit Hévíz?
Israelis do not need a visa for tourist visits to Hévíz and Hungary of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but a valid passport is required. Before flying, check whether ETIAS has entered into operation and complete the online registration if necessary.
Are there direct flights from Israel to Hévíz, and how long is the journey?
There are no direct flights from Tel Aviv to Hévíz, so most Israelis fly to Budapest in about 3 hours and 20 minutes, followed by a drive or transfer of roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes. Vienna is another option, although the drive to Hévíz usually takes around three hours.
When is the best time to visit Hévíz, and when is peak season?
The most pleasant times in Hévíz are May to June and September to October, when the weather is comfortable and the town is less crowded; demand peaks in July and August and around major holidays. The thermal lake operates year-round, and winter bathing in warm water surrounded by cold air is particularly memorable.
How many days are enough for Hévíz, and what should it be combined with?
Two to three nights in Hévíz are enough for the lake, a spa treatment and a visit to Keszthely, while a slower wellness break suits four or five nights. The most natural combination is Lake Balaton and Festetics Palace, or two to three nights in Budapest before returning to Israel.
How do you get around Hévíz, and is a rental car necessary?
Central Hévíz is compact, with most hotels, Lake Hévíz, Rákóczi pedestrian street and the market within walking distance; a local taxi is convenient for the Egregy wine district. A rental car is worthwhile for Keszthely, Lake Balaton beaches and nearby villages, but within town it will mostly remain parked.
How much does a holiday in Hévíz cost?
A three-night holiday in Hévíz typically costs around ₪2,500–4,500 per person sharing a double room, including flights to Budapest, a good hotel, transfers and lake admission; an upscale spa hotel and treatments can raise the budget above ₪5,500. A standard meal generally costs ₪45–90 per person, while admission to Lake Hévíz is roughly ₪45–80 depending on duration and season.
Is Hévíz safe for Israeli travelers?
Hévíz is considered a very quiet and safe spa town, and evening walks between the lake and Rákóczi pedestrian street generally feel relaxed. Keep an eye on wallets and phones in busy areas, and follow lake safety instructions because the water is deep and some sections are unsuitable for weak swimmers.
What are the must-do attractions in Hévíz?
The essential Hévíz experience is bathing in the thermal Hévízi-tó among the water lilies, ideally with a local foam float, followed by a walk along Rákóczi pedestrian street and through the farmers’ market. Add the Egregy wine hill and the impressive Festetics Palace in Keszthely, about a 15-minute drive away.
Does Hévíz have nightlife, clubs or a casino?
Hévíz is not a clubbing destination and has no casino; evenings revolve around quiet bars, hotel live music and drinks in the Egregy wine district. Travelers seeking parties or a proper casino should combine Hévíz with Budapest, home to Las Vegas Casino venues and clubs operating until morning.
Are there kosher food or Chabad services in Hévíz, who is the destination best for, and what should you pack?
Hévíz has no permanent kosher restaurant or Chabad house, so kosher-observant visitors usually bring supplies from Budapest or book an apartment with a kitchen; Budapest has the nearest substantial kosher selection and Chabad services. Hévíz is best suited to couples and mature travelers, while families combine it with Lake Balaton beaches and Festetics Palace; pack swimwear, flip-flops, a light robe and flotation aids, and seek advice before allowing young children prolonged exposure to the thermal water.