February 22, 2022
9:48 pm

Budapest – A City of Spas

No other capital in the world has as many spas as Budapest. The baths built on the thermal baths were used by the Romans and later by the Turks, and today the source for going to the baths is part of the peculiar life in Budapest. The healing waters from many sources are the natural treasures of the city that can be kept healthy: they are suitable for treating several diseases, whether we drink a few glasses in the lobby or bathe in them, and a good sleep is guaranteed after bathing. The historical past is fortunately merging with the modern developments, and today we have modern swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms in the historic spa buildings left to us as a historical heritage.  There are so many favorite baths in Budapest: some like the elegant Gellért, while others swear by Rudas, known for his Turkish pool. The familiar Veli Bej and Dandár are the scene of great conversations, the always bustling Széchenyi and Lukács do not stop during the day, the scene of huge parties dotted with special bright performances and new circuses at night. Old chess players, historical buildings shrouded in steam, Zsolnay tiles, mosaics, many fragments of light and sound - this is the past and present of Budapest's bathing culture. So it is a big mistake for someone who comes to Budapest without a swimsuit. We collected some of the most famous and popular baths to visit in the capital.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool

Széchenyi Bath is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe, with 21 pools. Its adventure pool features a drift corridor, underwater effervescence, a neck shower and a water jet hidden in the benches. In addition to traditional spa services, the ticket price includes wellness services such as saunas and water gymnastics.

 

Gellért Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool

The Gellért Bath has outdoor and indoor pools. It offers medical services, various massages, pedicures and private baths. They can be used free of charge: the steam rooms and the Finnish sauna. Characteristics: Zsolnay pyrogranite elements, wave pool.

 

Rudas Medicinal Bath and Swimming Pool

Rudas Bath was built during the Turkish rule and is almost 500 years old. It is characteristic that the thermal section can traditionally be used separately by men and women on weekdays, but social bathing is available on weekends. The wellness area includes 2 hot and cold pools, 1 plunge pool, 1 rooftop pool, and a sauna world.

 

Dandár Bath

Family bath in a side street in Ferencváros.Inside there is a healing water, a new sauna, an ice machine, a steam room, a plunge pool, massage services, and in the landscaped small yard there are two adventure pools with a whirlpool, a whirlpool, a neck shower and a back and waist. In the latter we also find the chess boards well known from Széchenyi. Friendly prices. The buffet includes Unicum, which is made in the building next door. If you feel like it, you may want to visit the nearby Zwack Museum.

 

Lukács Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool

The spa area features thermal pools, a swimming pool and an adventure pool, a spa area, saunas, and various services. The outdoor pool has a drift corridor, underwater whirlpool, neck shower, water jet massaged in the benches, hot tubs and a hot tub. It is considered to be one of the most effective medicinal waters in Budapest.

 

Palatinus Thermal Bath, Public and Wave Pool

The Palatinus Spa, Beach and Wave Bath was the first bath in Budapest to allow bathing outdoors. The beach currently has ten pools on Margaret Island. The beach features giant slides and a wave pool. In 2017, the spa was expanded with a year-round wellness area.