Aquae Balissae Thermal Water Park

Aquae Balissae is the thermal water park of Daruvar, a spa town in the Bjelovar-Bilogora region of northern Croatia, and its name recalls the Roman settlement that once stood here. The Romans called the place Aquae Balissae, the Waters of Balissa, and they valued the hot springs that rise from the ground at the foot of the Papuk and Moslavina hills. Later peoples, including the Ottomans, also used the springs, and in the 18th century Count Antun Janković, a local nobleman, developed the spa in a more organised way, building baths, a park and a palace. Daruvar has been a spa town ever since, and the water park is the modern expression of that long tradition.

The park covers around ten thousand square metres, and it offers a variety of pools and attractions for different ages and tastes. There are indoor and outdoor pools, slides, geysers and waterfalls, and a long, slow lazy river on which you can drift gently. Families with children can use special children's pools and play areas, while adults can retreat to a quieter section, known as the Oasis of Peace, with Finnish and steam saunas. The geothermal water is warm, with pool temperatures around thirty degrees Celsius, and it is valued for its mineral content, which is traditionally used to ease rheumatic complaints and to help recovery after sport. Two catering outlets on site provide snacks and meals, so it is easy to spend a full day.

The park is a part of a wider spa complex. Daruvar's Spa, known as Daruvarske toplice, has medical facilities, and the town has Antunova Kupka, a historic bathing house named after Count Antun, and the Central Mud Bath, where treatments with healing mud are offered. Julijev Park, a pleasant landscaped park named after Count Julije Janković, is a place for gentle walks beneath old trees, and the Janković Castle, an 18th-century Baroque mansion, is the town's main monument. Daruvar is also known for its Czech minority, which settled here in the 19th century, and for beer brewing, and the local cuisine includes Czech influences.

The water park is easy to reach by car, bus or train, and parking is available nearby. Hours and prices change with the season, so check before you travel, and bring swimwear, towels and flip-flops. If you have a medical condition, consult a doctor before using thermal baths.

The park suits families, couples and people seeking a relaxing break. Combine it with a walk through Julijev Park and a visit to the castle for a full day.