Ready for the ultimate unwind? At the Jászszentandrás (Jászszentandrás) thermal bath, you can sink into mineral-rich waters, sweat out your worries in a hot sauna, then bubble away in a jacuzzi before exploring the region’s culinary and wine delights. Every summer escape checklist is complete here—and they’ve thought of everything for a laid-back holiday.
Open-Air Soaking and Saunas, All Summer Long
From late April until late October, the gates of this spa resort open wide every morning and only close as the sun goes down. Timetables adapt to the seasons: from April 18 to May 31, it’s 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (ticket office closes at 5:00 PM); during peak season, June 1 to August 31, you can relax an extra two hours until 8:00 PM (tickets until 7:00 PM), then from September onward, it returns to the earlier closing time. If you visit during the special sauna week between June 30 and July 6, you’ll get to sip, steam, and relax with friends or family. Sauna entry is not included in the main ticket but is available: a single session costs $2.75 per person, and for all-day access, it’s $8.25. For travelers who want to stay longer (and who wouldn’t?), apartments and guesthouses are available within easy reach of the pool.
Something for Every Water Fanatic
The thermal complex here isn’t just about soaking. Whatever your style, you’ll find your ideal splash zone: a thermal bath that’s a popular remedy for joint problems, a swimming pool to get your laps in, and a kids’ pool for little ones squealing with delight. The spa sits in the center of the village, spread across an impressive five-acre (over 215,000 square feet) wooded park, with camping facilities ranging from tents and caravans to cozy timber cabins for four.
Best of all, the spa and campground keep their doors open all year round. Whether you dream of steaming pools under summer sun or bracing dips on frosty mornings, you can pitch a tent, roll in with your camper, or enjoy a rustic cabin retreat.
Sleep, Eat, and Repeat
No holiday feels complete without good food. Right across from the spa, a five-room guesthouse for up to 11 guests awaits groups and families who want to wake up just steps from the hot springs. If you get hungry after all that soaking, take a short drive to the Gold Eagle Restaurant (Aranysas Étterem) on the peaceful outskirts of Jászberény (Jászberény). This two-level, air-conditioned restaurant can handle crowds—it seats up to 140, with room for 100 upstairs and 40 downstairs, plus a sunny terrace for 30. The kitchen specializes in hearty Hungarian classics, perfect for refueling after a day in the pools. It’s the go-to gathering spot for family parties, friendly meet-ups, or even work celebrations.
Wine Wonderland: Take a (Virtual) Vineyard Tour
Even if you didn’t come just for a bath, the region’s wine scene gives you plenty of reasons to linger. Decorative bottles of wine can be ordered as gifts (with home delivery!), including Olaszrizling from Abasár (abasári olaszrizling), Muscat from Domoszló (domoszlói muskotály), and Spicy Tramini from Gyöngyös (gyöngyösi fűszeres tramini). What makes these wines sparkle? The volcanic soil of the Mátra (Mátra) region lends fire and zest to every grape, so what fills your glass is always fragrant, fresh, and full of character.
Winemaking here is a family affair. On the Stonecutter’s Cellar Row (Kővágói pincesor) in Abasár (Abasár), you’ll find vineyards stretching over nearly 75 acres along the slopes of Yellow Hill (Sár-hegy). Drop by for a tasting, complete with artisanal cheese, homemade savory scones (pogácsa), and, on request, hearty one-pot meals. The family doesn’t just make wine—they grow and sell grapevines too, along with grape juice, jams, and must honey.
Tradition and Modern Flavors in Every Bottle
Many vineyards around the southern slopes of the Mátra (Mátra) Hills are run as multi-generational family ventures with centuries-old traditions. The Mátravin Wine House (Mátravin Borház), right at the foothills, produces both classic varieties—Olaszrizling, Maiden (Leányka), Muscat Ottonel—and modern stars like Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. Whether bottled or sold by the jug, these region-typical wines have a well-balanced flavor that pairs perfectly with local food.
The Petrény (Petrény) family’s wine story stretches back to the 1600s in Verpelét (Verpelét). Through centuries of grape-growing and winemaking, respect for the craft has been handed down from father to son. And over at Purgely’s (Purgely) vineyard near Markaz (Markaz), at the foot of the Mátra (Mátra), you can sample both table and wine grapes—proof that this region’s connection to wine is deep-rooted.
Sip, Soak, Stay a While
Some family wineries offer much more than just a glass—they host tastings for groups, sell both bottled and bulk wines, and even offer cozy village apartments for overnight guests. In the end, whether you come for the springs, the wine, or both, Jászszentandrás (Jászszentandrás) serves up the perfect antidote to the daily grind: salty skin, a full belly, and your glass always half full.
