Bešeňová Thermal Park

Bešeňová draws geothermal water from a deep borehole, and the mineral content is high enough that where the outflow runs over the ground it has built travertine terraces, stepped basins stained orange and red by iron, similar in kind to the better known ones in Turkey though much smaller. A large thermal park of pools, slides and saunas has been built beside them, and the Low Tatras and Chocské vrchy rise on either side.

What to look for

• The travertine terraces - stepped basins built by the mineral outflow, stained red.
• The thermal pools - outdoor and indoor pools fed from the borehole.
• The mountain setting - the Low Tatras and Chocske vrchy on either side.
• The mineral content - water high enough in minerals to build rock as it flows.

When to go

Year round; outdoor pools in winter with snow around are the best of it. Summer weekends and school holidays are extremely crowded. Weekdays are calmer.

Good to know

It is a commercial water park first and a natural site second; the terraces are fenced and viewed rather than bathed in. Weekend crowding is heavy. Prices are high by Slovak standards.

Nearby

Liptovska Mara is east, and Ruzomberok is west.