Thermalpark Šírava in Kaluža, Zemplínska Šírava

Thermalpark Šírava (Thermalpark ŠÍRAVA) stands in the village of Kaluža on the northern shore of the Zemplínska Šírava — a large reservoir in eastern Slovakia. The volcanic Vihorlat Mountains rise above it, and the architects deliberately designed the complex so as not to dominate the hilly landscape: its most striking building is the glazed polygonal pool hall.

The heart of the park is the GTH-1 geothermal borehole, 940 m deep. The first physico-chemical analyses of its water were made in 2005. According to the operator, the water comes from water-bearing limestones and dolomitic breccias, is 6,000–10,000 years old and reaches the surface at about 40 °C. It is a very highly mineralised (over 12 g/l) sodium-chloride sulphur water containing fluoride, iodine, lithium and boron; its composition is almost identical to that of the former Sobrance spa nearby. Warm baths in it relax the muscles, which is why they are recommended above all for musculoskeletal conditions.

What to see and do

• Indoor water world: a relaxation pool (28–33 °C), a massage pool (36 °C), a wave pool (28–32 °C) with a gently sloping entry, and a children’s pool 15–30 cm deep (32 °C).
• Outdoor pools: two thermal pools at 36 °C, a massage pool and a relaxation pool; bathing in warm water in the open air is pleasant even in the cold season.
• Attractions: a “wild river”, a “swing bay”, a big and a small slide, loungers with water and air jets and a heated bench.
• Wellness 18+: a swimwear-free zone with Finnish, herbal, infrared, steam and DOMO ceremonial saunas, a whirlpool, a Kneipp path and a relaxation room.
• Relax zone and Thermal SPA: a dry Finnish sauna, a whirlpool, mineral-water baths and massages.

Practical information

Getting there. It is about 10 km by car from Michalovce, about 36 km from Humenné and about 70 km from Košice. The complex stands by the road along the northern shore of the reservoir, next to the Thermal ŠÍRAVA hotel.

Hours (as of October 2026). The water world and Thermal SPA treatments are open daily from 10:00 to 21:00, including public holidays. The Wellness 18+ saunas are open Monday to Thursday 13:00–20:30 and Friday to Sunday, school and public holidays 11:00–20:30. From Monday to Thursday the Relax zone works only by advance booking.

Tickets (prices from 15 June 2026, at the desk). Adults: 2 hours (if bought before 14:00) — €16, 4 hours — €26, a full day — €33, an evening ticket after 18:00 — €18. Juniors aged 12–18, students and seniors over 62 pay €13, €19, €26 and €15 respectively, children aged 3–11 pay €8, €12, €17 and €9. Children under 3 go free, and a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) gives a 15% discount. A 4-hour ticket with the 18+ saunas costs €36, a full-day Resort Ticket €47. Buying online (at least a day before your visit) is cheaper: 4 hours — €23, a day — €30.

Nearby

Closest of all is the Zemplínska Šírava itself, with beaches and lakeside walks. In the Vihorlat Mountains you can visit the mountain lake Morské oko, and further north lies the Starina reservoir in the Poloniny.

Official website: thermalsirava.sk

Photos: thermalsirava.sk.