Dunajská Streda District: Thermal Baths, Danube Floodplains and Cycle Paths

Dunajská Streda District combines thermal waters, Danube floodplains, cultural monuments and cycle paths in the flat landscape of Žitný ostrov. Dunajská Streda lies in the Podunajská nížina lowland, in the middle of Žitný ostrov. This gives you a range of travel options, from a relaxing day at the baths and visits to museums and historic buildings to longer cycling tours and nature observation.

Thermal waters in Dunajská Streda and Veľký Meder

The Thermalpark Dunajská Streda covers 18 hectares and has four indoor and six outdoor pools. The grounds also include a natural lake, offering opportunities for swimming, relaxation and water sports. The thermal water reaches temperatures of up to 39 °C; it is considered to have beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system. Another prominent thermal destination is THERMAL CORVINUS Veľký Meder. There, the temperature of the geothermal water ranges between 26 and 38 °C. Seven pools operate year-round, supplemented by six outdoor pools. A wave pool, a children's pool and a SprayPark round out the facilities. The complex is located in an 80-hectare forest park, combining the thermal experience with spacious surroundings.

Culture between museums, mills and festival traditions

Dunajská Streda is home to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, an originally Gothic Roman Catholic church from the 14th century. The Yellow Manor dates from the first half of the 18th century and houses the Žitnoostrovné Museum. Its exhibitions range from archaeology and palaeontology to art and ethnography. The Vermesova vila presents works of art, hosts cultural events and is also a branch of the Slovak National Gallery. The Žitnoostrovský jarmok has been held annually in September since the tradition was revived in 1980, with the exception of 2020 and 2021. The festival includes traditional food and drinks, a craftspeople's street and a wine corridor. The market has developed into a cultural and gastronomic festival and also includes performances by folk singing and folk dance groups. The technical and cultural attraction Vodný mlyn Dunajský Klátov is located in Dunajský Klátov on the Klátovské rameno of the Malý Dunaj. The permanent exhibition on water milling displays the original equipment. An observation platform is located on the opposite bank. This allows you to view the mill not only as a historic object, but also in connection with the waterway.

Cycle paths and nature along the Danube

There are various routes to choose from for cycling. The 53.5-kilometre cycle route to the ship mills starts and ends in Dunajská Streda near the bus stop, railway station and car park. It is easy, has only slight changes in elevation and is recommended for families with children. The 73.5-kilometre cycle route through Žitný ostrov runs from Dunajská Streda via the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant towards Komárno. It is almost completely flat, following state roads and the Danube embankment, forms part of the International Danube Cycle Route and provides access to the Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area. The protected landscape area preserves valuable floodplain forests along the Danube over an area of 12,285 hectares; this protection has been in place since 1998. Numerous rare plant and animal species occur in the Dunajská Streda area, especially rare bird species. Another natural area is the Číčovské mŕtve rameno National Nature Reserve. It is one of the most valuable areas in Podunajsko from a scientific and landscape perspective and is the best-preserved oxbow lake of the Danube outside its floodplain. The reserve covers 52.28 hectares in the cadastral area of Kľúčovec and 27.59 hectares in the cadastral area of Číčov. The Náučný chodník Číčovským mŕtvym ramenom educational trail is a self-guided circular hiking route connected to a blue-marked hiking trail and several marked cycle routes. Note the seasonal restriction: the educational trail is accessible only from 15 July until the end of February.

Guided water route and further experiences

The Náučný chodník Od mlyna k mlynu educational trail is distinctly different. It is a summer, one-way, 10-kilometre guided water route on the Malý Dunaj. Motor rafts connect the water mill in Tomášikovo and Alba Regia in Jahodná; the route must be booked in advance. The Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant is one of the area's greatest attractions. The extended guided tour lasts 60 to 80 minutes and is offered in Slovak and Hungarian for pupils, students and adults. Malkia Park is home to more than 75 animal species, subspecies and breeds. There are also experience packages in which you can learn about the work of an animal keeper for a day or visit areas that are usually inaccessible. Malkia Park is located approximately 5 kilometres from Orechová Potôň railway station; there is no taxi service at the station. The x-bionic sphere complex, open year-round and accessible to the public, hosts international and local sporting events, workshops, courses and occasional cultural and social events, depending on the season. For another active diversion, the SLOVAK KARTING CENTER offers go-kart rental and karting events for the general public. For further choices of places within Dunajská Streda District, the following destination pages are available: Vrakúň, Kľúčovec, Kostolné Kračany, Mad, Trnávka, Medveďov, Michal Na Ostrove, Kyselica, Dunajska Streda, Trstená Na Ostrove, Veľký Meder, Kvetoslavov, Lehnice, Horné Mýto, Horný Bar, Orechová Potôň, Povoda, Šamorín, Štvrtok Na Ostrove, Trhová Hradská, Pataš, Veľké Blahovo, Veľké Dvorníky, Kútniky, Oľdza, Okoč, Nový Život, Jurová, Malé Dvorníky, Dolny Stal, Dunajský Klátov, Ohrady, Sap, Rohovce, Hviezdoslavov and Janíky.

For the higher-level travel overview: Trnava.