5 fairy-tale Lidos in Baranya, for those who wish to avoid crowds

If you wish for a relaxing, secluded splash in the refreshing atmosphere of the forest, then the Forest Bath was made for you! This charming little bath is located in Magyaregregy at the foot of the Eastern Mecsek. The recently renovated bath is great in its simplicity. It has one pool in which crystal clear forest stream water refreshes body and soul. It is surrounded by huge shady trees that protect you from the heat, making the bath a perfect refuge from the summer heat. We can drop in at the bath every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but if we get tired of paddling, the Cigány Hill lookout and the Máré Castle rise with a majestic panorama a few minutes’ walk away. There is also an inn at the bath in case your stomach rumbles in the evening.

Every year, the Beremend bath awaits those in search of relaxation with solid prices and beautiful, refreshing karst water. There are three swimming pools, a sports pool, a school pool and a children's pool. As the water of the bath in Beremend is karst, it is more refreshing than that of the larger complexes, it is the perfect temperature! The area of the bath has a well-kept green lawn for sunbathing and there is a volleyball court for active relaxation next to the pools. The bath is open until 7 p.m., which is worth taking full advantage of — you may not be able to drag yourself away earlier anyway.

Orfű’s Lake Pécs and its surrounding form an extremely popular resort. One of the friendliest festivals in the country, Fishing on Orfű, is also located here. The festival at the beginning of the summer should be in our calendar for several reasons: we can enjoy fantastic concerts while adoring the unique panorama of Orfű, and we can also take part in a myriad of other leisure programs. There is a sandy beach (with an entrance fee) on the shores of Orfű ‘Kistó’ (Small Lake), but the free beach under the ‘Árnyas Part’ Bar (Shady Shore) of Lake Pécs is perhaps the most popular. Here, dogs can also take a dip in the water. If you linger with your four-legged favourite, you should choose this place, but if you don’t have a dog, the cosy, shady stretch of beach is still a great choice. If you’re hungry, you don’t have to go far, the hamburgers at the buffet are a hit. By the way, we can swim anywhere in Lake Pécs, but most of the piers are privately owned, so it’s best to look for a place where we can safely get in and out of the water.   

The Szászvár Bath awaits its guests on its secret little bath in a fabulous environment at the edge of the forest. Here you will find two swimming pools, a 33-metre long swimming pool and a children’s pool, so this small facility is a perfect choice for families. The bath has no thermal water, so we can paddle in cooler water - a really refreshing experience in the heat! Considering the little ones, however, solar panels are used to temper the water in the children’s pool, which is a great compromise. Bath days with water aerobics, a bouncy castle and craft classes are also special experiences for bathers.

A fabulous pond lies in a small valley, only two kilometres from Pécsvárad on the side of Zengő, countermarked by the name of the archaeologist János Dombay. Lake Dombay is man-made, created by the county just 60 years ago at the suggestion of researchers, alongside the construction of a dam. Since then, it has been a favourite of the people of Pécs and Pécsvárad, as not only the lake but also its surroundings are amazing. The green area surrounded by trees really exudes serenity. The water of Lake Dombay is obtained from the Kisnádasi spring, and a few years ago it underwent extensive renovation, during which the riverbed and the shore were strengthened, and a staircase and sidewalk were built around it. A pleasant resort has been established nearby, which shows some consideration for the bath’s intimate atmosphere.