The summer season is fast approaching, and water parks are in high demand. Those who want to combine traveling abroad with fun, within a decent budget, can opt for a veritable “bunch” of recreation areas, not far from the country’s borders.
Summer is fast approaching. In a maximum of two months, Romanians migrate to areas with summer fun. Among the most sought-after destinations, especially by families with children, are water parks. On the one hand, it offers as much fun as possible, diverse and with a lot of splashing, and on the other hand, there is a much higher degree of safety, especially for children, compared to the stormy waves of the sea or the surprising waters of lakes, ponds and rivers.
For those who also want trips abroad, but also water fun, and are afraid that they won’t have enough money, there are solutions. And this in the conditions in which Romania is surrounded by countries with numerous water recreation areas, at decent prices. Some of these are famous at the European level and very close to the borders of our country. Obviously, the destinations must be chosen according to the area of origin, to become advantageous in terms of distance and costs. For example, the people of Bucharest, in order to do well, will be able to opt for Bulgaria, while the Moldovans and Transylvanians for Hungary. Here are some of the most accessible tourist destinations with water parks near Romania’s borders, which you can also reach in a day trip.
Aqua parks, culture, monuments a few hours from the house
Let’s start with Transylvania and the Moldova area. Or, better said, the northern half of the country, from Alba, Mureș, Harghita, Bacău counties upwards. For Romanians living in these areas, the most convenient trips abroad, with water adventures, are in Hungary. There are some exceptional tourist facilities not far from Hungary’s border with Romania, a few hours’ drive away. The closest is Debrețin. For example, someone who lives in Oradea can reach Debrețin in just one hour, and those from Satu Mare in about an hour and a half. It is also accessible for those from Alba, for example.
They reach the Hungarian city by car in four and a half hours. Debrecen is also accessible to those who live beyond the Carpathians, in Moldova. For example, from the northernmost county, Botoșaniul, Debrețin can be reached in approximately eight hours. This means that a tourist who leaves at 6:00 in the morning from Botoșani arrives in Debrețin at 2:00 p.m. If we add the necessary stops for rest, food and meals, we will delay by two to three hours. Even so, fast enough to check in and take an evening stroll around town. It doesn’t cost much in fuel either.
For a car with an average consumption of 7.5 liters per hundred kilometers, a round trip to Debrețin, from Botoșani, costs approximately 700 lei. For those from Transylvania, especially from the northwest, the costs are much lower. But what does Debreținul have to offer, after all? First of all, it is a historical city, the second largest urban settlement in Hungary, known especially for its spa and cultural offer. That is, it satisfies all tastes. But let’s strictly refer to the aquatic part. Debrecen is home to one of the most interesting water parks in Hungary. It is called Aquaticum and is located in the area of Nagyerdei (Great Forest). This complex includes thermal baths, an indoor water park (Mediterranean Experience Bath) and outdoor beaches, ideal for relaxation and treatment.
“With 15 swimming pools, a 12-meter-high panoramic terrace with jacuzzi, winding slides, adventure pool, lazy river, wave pool, obstacle courses, outdoor thermal pool, countless entertainment programs, nightly baths with live DJs, foam parties, amusement park and jumping platforms – we will make sure that the summer will be full of unforgettable experiences”say those from Aquaticum on the official website.
The entire complex is set up in the middle of the forest, on an area of 5700 m², including a large beach area. A ticket costs from 4500 forints, which is approximately 60 lei per person. Obviously the official website should be consulted to see all the detailed rates for adults, children and groups. At the same time, the area also offers accommodation. For those who want to venture even further, the capital of Hungary, the fabulous city of Budapest, is only two hours from Debrecen. In other words, if you stay in Debrecen, you can also make forays into neighboring areas, such as Budapest, Győr or Lake Balaton (four hours from Debrecen). In Budapest, you can relax at Aquaworld, one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe. It is located in the green area, north of Budapest, on the Pest side of the Megyeri Bridge, near the M0 ring road.
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Access is through the area hotel and it offers 11 water slides, a wave pool and many other attractions. Children benefit from free access to the Bongo Kids Club, animation programs and mini-disco, and teenagers have a Gaming Bar. Parents can relax in the sauna or wellness area. There are also accommodation possibilities in the area, from economic ones to luxury apartments. Not to mention restaurants and other public eating places. Between two rounds of swimming, both in Debrecen and in Budapest, you must visit museums, monuments, historical urban spaces, but also specific pubs and restaurants.
Water fun south of the Danube
For those from the south of the country, especially those from Muntenia and Oltenia, the most accessible are the water parks in the Balkans. And here we are talking especially about those in Bulgaria. The closest to the border with Romania is the Aquamania Albena water park, one of the main attractions of the Bulgarian resort of Albena. By car, from Bucharest, a tourist takes about three hours to reach Albena. From Ploiesti it takes about four hours to the Bulgarian resort, and from Craiova almost six hours. From Buzău and Focșani it is even faster, in about five hours. But back to the resort and its water park. Aquapark Aquamania in Albena covers an area of 40,000 square meters and has a capacity of 1000 visitors at a time. This park opened in 2014 and is ranked eighth in Europe according to TripAdvisor.
It offers entertainment for all ages, with specific areas for children and parents, with a lazy river, pools and themed areas, accessible slides, but also areas for those who want adrenaline, with slides of the Tornado, Mammoth, SpaceRacer and FreeFall types. Anyone who wants to get to the Aquamania Aquapark cannot miss it, because it is right at the entrance to the resort. You can quickly find accommodation, but also countless restaurants, fast food, pubs and much more. The cost of admission for a day varies: for children, between 10 and 13 euros, and for adults, between 18 and 25 euros. Another water park that must be visited in Bulgaria, accessible especially to Romanians from the south, is Action Aquapark in the Sunny Beach resort.
It is located in the west of the resort, and from Bucharest, by car, it takes around five hours. Action Aquapark has a lot of attractions, including an open water coaster, with a height of 20 meters, but also a slide with free fall, where you can catch up to 60 km per hour. Action Aquapark is a real tropical oasis, with exotic plants, bridges and installations reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean, but also numerous themed pools. In addition to a lot of extreme slides, there are also many facilities for families with children. It is an area with many restaurants and self-services. The prices are acceptable, especially since here you can find unique entertainments in Europe.
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Banat plunges into Serbia
For Romanians living in the southwestern part of the country, the most profitable location abroad, in terms of water fun, is undoubtedly “Petroland”, an aquapark in Bački Petrovac, Serbia. Actually, it is a town near Novi Sad. From Timișoara, “Petroland” can be reached by car in only two hours. It takes three hours from Arad. Even from Hunedoara it can be reached quickly, around four and a quarter hours. The Aquapark covers an area of eight hectares and has numerous objectives, being the largest aquatic complex ever built in Serbia, considered the most modern in the entire Balkan area.
It was opened in 2012 and cost more than eight million euros. Petroland has six pools, including a wave pool and an artificial river, four beaches, numerous slides, three themed areas for children, five playgrounds, spa and wellness areas, sports fields and more. Entry on weekends costs around 13 euros, and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is a discount, entry costs around 9 euros.
