Day 174: Miskolctapolca Cave Bath

Because Hungary is abundant with caves and natural springs, it is also full of thermal hot springs! The most famous in the Northeast is the Miskolctapolca Cave Bath which was discovered in ancient times but was not utilized as a thermal bath until the Ottoman Empire!Jumped on a bus with morning commuters and older people visiting the caves early before it gets too crowded.

We 100% underestimated this place. Originally assumed there would be maybe a hot tub and pool with pumped natural water in fake caves, but the Miskolctapolca Bath was a true cave. We got Pamukkale Turkey vibes where calcium carbonate formed mounds and ripples; there were several rooms with varying degrees in temperature. Mary’s favorite rooms included a gloomy blue room that looked like a nuclear reactor and had ambient noises coming from speakers as well as some traditional Soviet decorated mosaic rooms which had the hottest water and most old people. At one point the cave system turned into a lazy river without tubes and we ran around it at least 6 times with parents, kids, and the elderly. This place was a 10/10 experience and highly recommend to anyone visiting Hungary. We stayed at least 3 hours and could have gone longer. Before training back to Budapest, we stopped by the Keszegsütő fish restaurant, famous for its soups and fried filets.

We trained for two hours and purchased a 72 hour travel card to use all transportation forms in Budapest. Our hotel is perfectly situated between a major metro and bus stops :) This hotel was another Eastern European steal for $37 fucking dollars for our own room, bathroom, fridge, free coffee and AIR CONDITIONING. So not ready to leave these hotel prices :(

(reminder that Kieran and I aren’t sponsored at all so when we recommend a spot, it’s for real and we just can’t help celebrating good business)

Hotel: Europa Center Point

Restaurant: Keszegsütő

Food:
Korhely Halászlé Babgulyás Füstölt Harcsa (amazing soup)
Harcsafilé Sültkrumplival Kulimásszal (fried catfish and potatoes)
Haltepertő Csemege Uborkával (fried fish chunks and pickles)

Spots:
Miskolctapolca Cave BathLæs mere