If you are looking for a unique place to go, and you love thermal baths, I’ve got an excellent recommendation for you.
Situated in northeastern Hungary, close to the city of Miskolc, this cave has captivated tourists from all over the world. What’s more, it’s just 200 kilometers from the border in Subcarpathia!
The Tavas Cave in Miskolc-Tapolca isn’t merely a cave; it’s a breathtaking union of nature and the healing powers of thermal waters. Its standout feature is a maze of narrow corridors brimming with warm water. The moment I learned about this place, I knew I had to visit!
In the following post, I will tell a bit of the history and provide practical information for travelers eager to explore this extraordinary location.
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Caves of Miskolc: What You Need to Know
Some practical information:
- This place offers both indoor and outdoor pools, some of which are situated in a natural cave.
- The total length of the cave is 150 meters.
- The water, with a temperature of about 30°C, is renowned for its healing properties, particularly in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
- You can buy a 4-hour ticket (4800 HUF), but also for the whole day (6850 HUF) – here the price list from the official site.
- On the floor there are lockable lockers included in the ticket price, you don’t need to buy anything extra (the information in the price list about “Luggage storage” and “Safe deposit box” can be misleading)
- When you buy a ticket, you receive a wristband, which is the “key” to the locker, on the floor you select a free locker (green light) and after approaching the wristband you code the lock
- Many people confuse these caves with the ones in Tapolca, where you can explore by boat. These are two completely different places, several hours apart.
- The nearest paid parking lot that we used is at the Hotel Kitty. There are free spaces there in the morning, payment in advance for the whole day in cash about 7 EUR. At a greater distance from the thermal baths there is a parking lot on the street, also paid, probably cheaper.
Hot Springs in Miskolc-Tapolca
The water in the cave, with a temperature of 30°C, and the climate of the area together exhibit healing properties, especially beneficial for joint disorders. However, its salinity is lower than that found in typical therapeutic waters, allowing you to bathe in it without any time restrictions. It’s worth noting that the water in the caves is chlorinated. The floor is tiled, so there’s no worry about hurting your feet, and the water level in the cave is not high – it never covered me fully; instead, it reached up to my chest (I’m 164 cm tall).
History of the Cave Bath in Miskolc-Tapolca
The cave and its associated thermal springs were known in ancient times, but it was only after the period of Turkish rule that the place began to be developed as a spa. In 1711, the idea of creating a spa was conceived, and construction began in 1723. At that time, cold water springs were also used, resulting in a temperature lower than that found in today’s baths. Three pools, along with a bathhouse and guesthouse, were constructed. However, the cave itself was not used for bathing at that time. Unfortunately, the spa facilities were neglected in the mid-18th century, and it took almost a century to rebuild the facility. The bathing complex in its current form was not opened until the 20th century.
Reviews of the Cave Bath in Miskolc
After I posted reels on Instagram and it reached more than 3 million people I got half a thousand comments. Most people wrote that they liked it and that the atmosphere was superb.
Others commented that it was too hot, while some found it too cold. Some noted that there were many people, and others pointed out that it was not the newest facility. From my perspective – I visited there on a holiday Sunday morning, starting half an hour after opening – there were no massive crowds. However, I would prefer to go there during the week when, according to statistics, there are the fewest people. Regarding the condition of the facility, it’s not the newest, but I didn’t expect anything different, so there was no disappointment. I had a fantastic time, and although 4 hours may seem long (considering the cave is 150 meters long), there are options to go to the sauna or sunbathe outside. There are also outdoor pools, but I didn’t make use of them.
Accommodation in Miskolc
Miskolc offers an extensive range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to cozy guesthouses, historic townhouses to modern apartments, hostels to campsites. If you’re interested in mountain lodgings, however, options are limited. We slept here.
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