Băile Felix, in Bihor County, is the largest balneoclimatic (spa and climate) resort in the country and is visited all year round, whatever the season. The resort’s main attraction? Thermal waters with important healing benefits, and also a perfect choice for relaxation and recreation.
The resort is only 8 km from the town of Oradea, so you can also visit one of the most beautiful historic towns in the country, which in recent years has seen impressive tourism development.
In the resort you will have countless ways to relax and unwind, as well as medical facilities equipped to treat various conditions (bath-tub baths, warm mud and paraffin wraps, thermal mineral water pools). The main treatments available are electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, aerohelio-therapy, aerosols, warm baths with mineral waters and medical gymnastics.
The resort’s mineral waters are the main attraction, with temperatures ranging between 20 and 49°C. The high level of mineral salts is extremely beneficial for certain medical conditions (rheumatic, post-traumatic, central or peripheral neurological, gynaecological, or nutritional and metabolic diseases).
In the centre of the resort are the best-known and most appreciated hotels with their own treatment facilities, right next to the Apollo thermal pool, which is open all year round.
The centrally located Water Lily Lake is the best choice if you are thinking of taking a walk in the open air, enjoying yourselves and admiring the scenery.
The lake is a declared nature reserve and is unique in Europe. Its vegetation is impressive, dominated by water lilies and pink lotuses brought from India, Africa and Pakistan. Although they are rare species, they have adapted to the conditions in the resort, in water with an average temperature of about 20 degrees almost all year round. With your camera you can also capture the exotic fish and the terrapins, already stars of the resort.
How about a few moments of relaxation and pampering? The resort has several spa centres, the best known being Aqua Park President, which even has thermal water pools. Among the other amenities you can enjoy are a Turkish sauna, massage, hammam, a whirlpool, a hot tub, and water fitness such as Aqua Zumba.
An unusual sight is the Bears’ Cave (Peștera Urșilor), 70 km from the resort. The cave was discovered in 1975 and is divided into 3 galleries and 4 halls. The Bears’ Gallery is where bear skeletons more than 15,000 years old were found.
Other interesting tourist attractions include the “Peta Stream” Nature Reserve (Rezervația Naturală “Pârâul Peța”), in Băile 1 Mai, where you can admire 3 protected natural species: Nymphaea Lotus Thermas, the fish “Rosioara lui Racovita” and the snail Melopsis Parreyssi; and the karst phenomenon on Șomleu Hill, the Betfia Pothole, which is 86 metres deep.
