Pálvölgyi cave of Budapest

Budapest, the capital of Hungary is famous for its hot springs all over the world. Many people visit Hungary’s famous thermal baths, but only a few are Budapest, the capital of Hungary is famous for its hot springs all over the world. Many people visit Hungary’s famous thermal baths, but only a few are aware of the fact that hot water rushing up from deep underground has created something else too. The capital is built on a limestone basis, in which the heated water formed a huge cave system, thought to be more than 120 km long. The spas and caves of Budapest are planned to be a declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage.re of the fact that hot water rushing up from deep underground has created something else too. The capital is built on a limestone basis, in which the heated water formed a huge cave system, thought to be more than 120 km long. The spas and caves of Budapest are planned to be a declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

The 30.1 km long Pál-völgyi cave system – the longest in Hungary - located in the Duna-Ipoly National Park. The cave is a real multi-level labyrinth system with most of its chambers under the residental districts of Budapest. This cave system offers two types of tours.

It was discovered in 1904, during stone extraction. The speleologists found 1200 metrs long passages and beautiful stalagmit formations. It was soon opened to the public, equipped with electric lighting in 1927. Since 1944 it is a nature protected area. There has been continous search for new passeges and by 1980 the lenght exceeded 13 kilometrs. In 2001 the connection with the neighboroughing Mátyáshegyi cave was discovered and as a result of this today this cave-system is the second longest in Hungary with its 18km length. For visitors guided tours are organised in every hour. The temperature is around 8 Celsius, warm clothing is recommended.