Băile 1 Mai
About Băile 1 Mai
Băile 1 Mai is a small spa resort at the foot of Șomleu hill, 8 km south of Oradea and about 2 km from Băile Felix, between the villages of Haieu, Rontău and Cordău, in the commune of Sânmartin. The thermal springs here are mentioned as early as 1221, and for a long time the place belonged to the Roman Catholic bishopric of Oradea: that is why it was called Püspökfürdő, "the Bishop's Baths". It received its present name after the nationalisation of the late 1940s.
The waters are thermal, bicarbonated, sulphated, calcic and oligomineral, with temperatures of up to 42 °C. They are used at the treatment centre in the middle of the resort and are recommended above all for inflammatory and degenerative rheumatism and for post-traumatic, neurological and gynaecological conditions.
What you can see
The centre of the resort is a park with paths, in a deciduous forest, and the old buildings stand around it; the best known is the Casino, a building with small turrets and a green porch, a listed monument. At the edge of the forest is the Wave Pool, open since 1896: an engine of Austrian make starts the waves, to the sound of a bell, in a pool of thermal water at 26 °C. At the entrance to the resort, coming from Băile Felix, is the Venus Waterland complex, with pools of geothermal water, sunloungers, bars and a children's playground.
Good to know
The Pârâul Peța reserve, set up in the 1930s to protect the thermal water lily, a relict plant that grew wild in the lake called Ochiul Mare, is dry today: the thermal spring that fed the lake and the stream has dried up after heavy exploitation of the geothermal deposit, and the water lily has been moved to Băile Felix, into the Lake of Water Lilies.
- The Wave Pool, with thermal water at 26 °C and waves started at the sound of a bell by an engine of Austrian make.
- The Casino, the resort's old building, with small turrets and a green porch.
- The Venus Waterland complex, with pools of geothermal water, relaxation areas and a playground.
- The park paths in the centre of the resort, among deciduous trees and old buildings.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Băile 1 Mai is ~8 km (~10 minutes) from the centre of Oradea, on the DN 76 (E79) towards Beiuș and then on the local road DC 59 to the resort; Băile Felix is ~4 km away by road. From Cluj-Napoca it is ~150 km (~2h50), from Arad ~120 km (~2h), from Timișoara ~175 km (~2h50), from Bucharest ~580 km (~8h40).
Public transport: OTL bus lines 512 (Oradea – Băile 1 Mai) and 514 (Oradea – Betfia, stopping in the resort) leave from Nufărul bus station and stop at Parc Sânmartin and at the 1 Mai baths; timetables are on the OTL website.
- Where to park
Parking in the resort is paid, daily 7:00–22:00: 0.50 euro + VAT an hour or 2 euro + VAT a day, charged in lei at the rate on the day of payment. You pay by text message to 7420 (the text 262 followed by the car's number for one hour, 268 for a day) or in the TPARK app; the confirmation message is your proof of payment. Paid public car parks are not guarded.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the resort and a walk in the park are free; you pay at the baths and for treatments. At Venus Waterland, run by Turism Felix, a day costs 70 lei for adults from Monday to Friday and 80 lei on Saturday and Sunday, and 45 lei for children up to 14; after 15:00 the ticket drops to 60 lei (Monday–Friday) or 70 lei (weekend) for adults and to 35 lei for children, and children under 4 go in free. The rates are those of 2026. Spa treatments are paid for separately, at the treatment centre.
- Rules
Each bathing complex has its rules posted at the entrance; the one for Venus Waterland is also published on the complex's website. Spa treatments require a consultation with the doctor at the treatment centre, as some procedures have contraindications.
- Facilities
At Venus Waterland: free sunloungers, dining areas, bars, shops, children's playground, first-aid point · spa treatment centre in the middle of the resort · restaurants and terraces · OTL bus stops in the resort
Frequently asked questions about Băile 1 Mai
How much is a ticket to Băile 1 Mai?
Admission to Băile 1 Mai is free. More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Băile 1 Mai?
Opening hours at Băile 1 Mai: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Băile 1 Mai take?
A visit to Băile 1 Mai takes about 3½ – 4 hours (a day at the baths).
Can you visit Băile 1 Mai with kids?
Yes, Băile 1 Mai is suitable for children (pools and playground).
Where can I park at Băile 1 Mai?
There is paid parking at Băile 1 Mai (0.50 euro/hour). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Băile 1 Mai?
Băile 1 Mai is located at Cartier Băile 1 Mai, in the centre of the resort, Băile 1 Mai, Bihor County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Băile 1 Mai?
The best season for Băile 1 Mai: June – September (the baths run in summer).
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