A unique gift of nature: the thermal waters of Kosyno and Berehove

For centuries Transcarpathia has been renowned throughout all of Ukraine for its unique healing thermal oases. Local residents have learned to put such a precious gift of nature to good use - today many health and wellness centres for recreation and relaxation with thermal pools, both indoor and outdoor, operate in the region. Transcarpathia counts more than half a hundred mineral springs with different dominant macro- and micro-elements. And the most popular among them are the famous Transcarpathian thermal waters of Kosyno and Berehove.

The uniqueness of the thermal waters in the Berehove district

The Berehove district stands out for having the greatest concentration of thermal baths in the whole country. Scientists explain this by the seismic factor, as well as by the geographical proximity of the area to Hungary, whose thermal resorts are known throughout the world. The thermal springs of Berehove - hot, highly mineralised, with an elevated iron content. In their composition, the waters of the village of Koson - are chloride-sodium, of medium mineralisation and very similar to the waters of the famous Hajdúszoboszló sanatorium in Hungary. In the town of Berehove the springs are saturated with silica-nitrogen-carbonic-chloride-sodium compounds of high mineralisation, whose analogues are found perhaps only in Iceland, New Zealand and the Kuril Islands. You can bathe in such water all year round, which makes it a universal, immune-stimulating and very pleasant spa treatment.

The modern Berehove baths are situated at the foot of the picturesque Carpathian mountains. The pools here are filled with water from a borehole more than 1,000 m deep, which contains chlorides, sulphates, hydrocarbonates, fluorine, magnesium, calcium, iodine, sodium-potassium, ammonium, silicon oxide and hydrogen sulphide.

The water is quite highly mineralised - 24%. Such a chemical composition kills many harmful bacteria and has an excellent effect on the human body as a whole. People usually come here to treat diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine and musculoskeletal systems, simply to relax, to stabilise the nerves and hormonal balance, to get rid of insomnia, headaches and skin conditions, to recover after surgery, to improve immunity, to reduce obesity and lower weight - and this is still not the end of the list of “ailments” that the thermal waters of Berehoveare able to remedy.

On the grounds of the Berehove thermal resorts there are both indoor and outdoor pools (children’s, adult and fresh-water), as well as jacuzzis. The water temperature in them ranges from 30 to 45° C above zero, both in winter and in summer. Bathing here is absolutely comfortable and pleasant. Geysers, hydromassage, gazebos, a mini-zoo, open-air beaches, bathhouses, salt rooms, beauty salons, massage rooms, playgrounds, tasting halls, hotels and restaurants also operate here.

The most “Hungarian” town - Berehove

The thermal pools are not the only pride of Berehove. The town itself is the most “Hungarian” in Ukraine, and its ancient architecture is among the most interesting in the country. In addition, Berehove is also the all-Ukrainian capital of winemaking, renowned for its unrivalled, fragrant and heady wine. That is precisely why some of the finest and most colourful tastings of this sunny beverage in Transcarpathia are held in Beregsász (as Berehove is also called) and its surroundings. And only in Berehove can you savour bograch, goulash or paprikás to your heart’s content, for the local Hungarian cuisine - is incredibly tasty and hearty.

You can visit the thermal waters and sample Hungarian cuisine and wine on our SPA excursion to Berehove

The uniqueness of the thermal waters in Kosyno

A unique recreational and wellness complex is set in the village of Koson in the Berehove district, amid a 200-year-old oak grove. This is - the Thermal Waters of Kosyno . Scientists have discovered that the resort’s distinctive feature lies, first and foremost, in its location. For it is set on a thermal plume that runs through the Balkans, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, France and Spain. The springs contain such chemical elements as iron, sodium, potassium, zinc and fluorine, and are of medium mineralisation. The Koson water treats diseases of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and nervous systems well, is indispensable for joint pains, circulatory disorders, sciatica, varicose veins and limb injuries, is effective for gall bladder conditions and restores the body after surgery.

The thermal waters reach the pools from a depth of 1,190 m. Already underground, from a depth of almost 100 metres, the mineralised water has a temperature of around +50° C, and rises into the pool already at a reading a little above 40° C. Today Kosyno has 7 pools, four of which are thermal. These are the so-called “Twin Pools”, opened back in 1988, the “Emerald Pool”, which leads into the Royal Hall with its saunas, the Mexican fresh-water pool “H2O” with an aqua-bar and the “Big Mushroom” fountain, a five-lane swimming pool and a children’s pool with fun water slides. In addition, on the resort grounds you can bathe in the contrasting Kneipp baths, which stimulate circulation and strengthen the immune system.

The highlights of Kosyno

The gem of Kosyno is the world’s tallest illusion fountain and the fountain-pool “Golden Tap of Health”. Similar ones can be seen only in the USA and in Europe, though in height and area they still fall just a little short of the Transcarpathian one - its height is 16 metres. Beside this giant stand four 5-metre jacuzzi fountains, into which water pours from a mug of beer, a cup of coffee, a flask of pálinka (fruit brandy) and a bottle of wine. What is more, right by the water - there is the colour and aroma of these drinks!

No less renowned are the Thermal Waters of Kosyno for their 7 unrivalled, unique saunas. These are the eucalyptus, Hungarian and herbal saunas, the salt fox den, the hammam, the Roman bath, and also a bath called “A Panacea for All Woes and Illnesses”. And to cool down after the hot relaxation you can step into an ice cave: here you will find yourself in real winter!

You will be able to enjoy relaxation in the thermal pools on our SPA excursion to Kosyno

Thermal tourism here runs all year round - which is why Berehove and Kosyno are increasingly seen not only as a holiday destination but also as investment property near the thermal resorts of Transcarpathia.