Watery kids’ realms for winter, if you are looking to squeeze a bit of summer into your weekend

There is hardly a Hungarian who doesn’t know the fortress of Siklós Castle, in one of the southernmost towns of Hungary, at the foot of the Villányi Hills. It is worth getting “lost” for a few hours in this exceptionally well-preserved building, and to crown the discovery with a gastronomic experience. At the foot of the castle is the Vártalak (lit. ‘I’ve been waiting for you’), a small, vintage-style café, the second unit of the popular Czukor Borsó café in Mariagyűd. Quality is also a priority here: in addition to the coffees, you can taste cakes, biscuits and desserts made with excellent ingredients.

Back to the topic of our article: nearby you will find the Thermal Spa Siklós, which offers a wide range of activities for families even in the colder months. Arriving from rain, snow and frost to the tropical heat, peeling off the layers and taking a dip in the water of the colourful bastions that form the castle walls is a real experience. But it is not worth sitting still for long, as there are new surprises in almost every corner of the bathing hall. One of the biggest attractions of the complex is the slide area, where guests can compare their sliding speed on two giant slides thanks to the measuring clock on the opposite wall. A special attraction is the drifting corridor, and the little ones can splash around in three different children’s pools. Last but not least, the spa in Siklós has several saunas for adults to enjoy. Outside the building, there is a Russian sauna, where you can also take part in themed infusions (current programmes are posted on their social networking sites, so it is worth checking them in advance).

The hills of Zala are not only excellent for Italian Riesling and Grüne Veltliner: there are healing waters beneath our feet. There is a whole range of spas in the region for those who want to relax, but one of the most outstanding, family-friendly spa complexes is the Zalakaros Spa. If you are credulous then go and find it out for yourself: The indoor children’s empire in Zalakaros is like a fairytale! While adults can enjoy special spa treatments, an enticing sauna world and thermal water experiences, the children’s world can easily keep adults occupied for the day. The multi-level adventure pool has slides, waterfalls, a water playground and so many attractions that it’s almost impossible to try them all in one day. As the last molecule of tension is released from the body, children use up almost all their energy reserves – making relaxation as relaxing as possible.  

In Zalakaros, it is worth looking for adventures not only within the walls of the spa, but also outside them. The spa town takes care of its main treasure, the mineral-rich thermal water, by collecting the outgoing thermal water in an artificially created pond. The pond and the surrounding ecological gardens are strikingly beautiful even in winter. It is worth taking a walk around the area, strolling along the water treader and surrendering to the silence of the forest during its winter sleep. In the alder grove behind the pond, you can also find the Égerösvény (‘Alder Trail’), where you can meet the fairy Tőzike, and the nearby Csiga-túra (‘Snail Tour’) Nature Trail, which offers special forest adventures.

Coming to Gyula, the gateway to Transylvania, this wonderful city with a history stretching back hundreds of years, is a special experience in itself. The settlement in Békés County offers a wide range of attractions, from castles and a century-old confectionery to a spa with four-season programmes. It is worth browsing our map, as we may be overwhelmed by the confusion of abundance during our Gyula adventure.

We recommend you start your winter relaxation at the Gyula Castle Baths, but we will show you a few sights if you still have some energy left at the end of the day. One of the most striking attractions of the spa complex are the two huge slides in the castle baths, which adults can get a thrill out of watching. While one of them starts from a height of almost 10 metres and even takes you inside a volcano, the other one lets you ride in a donut on a roller coaster-like downhill track. Younger children can slide down the 4-person slide with their parents, splash in the water from a real pirate ship or take a dip in one of the adventure pools. Of course, adults will also have plenty of excitement outside the Aqua Palace: in the sauna park, you can enjoy themed sessions and night wellness, if the little ones are looked after by others. Don’t forget that Gyula is also worth a visit for its medicinal treatments, as the thermal waters of Gyula belong to the sodium bicarbonate family of thermal waters, which are excellent for relieving various musculoskeletal, neurological and dermatological complaints.

If you have still got the time and inclination, the Black Sheep Café is a true speciality heaven, where the oven baked Neapolitan pizza is a great choice for dinner. Another great place for dinner is the Várkonyi Bistro & Bar, and if you are in the mood for sweets, one of the oldest confectioneries in the country, the Százéves Cukrászda (‘Hundred-Year-Old Confectionery’). Pastries, ice creams, bonbons and chocolates are on offer and a delight to eat in the museum-like interior, preserved in its original state.