5 Best Thermal Baths in Budapest | City of Thermal Baths and Spas
Budapest, often known as the "City of Baths," is situated on a fault line, and its thermal baths are fed by 120 natural hot springs. The city has a large number of thermal spas, several of which date back to the 16th century. Tourists from all over the world flock to the Hungarian capital to enjoy these soothing baths. Currently, there are 9 thermal baths in Budapest. Read on to know about the 5 best thermal baths in Budapest.
Why Should You Visit Budapest Baths
- The mere name of Budapest is often synonymous with thermal baths for seasoned travelers.
- These thermal baths in Budapest are known to have healing properties.
- While most baths draw their water from different springs, they always contain minerals including calcium, hydrogen carbonate, magnesium, sodium, sulfate chloride, and metaboric acid.
- A number of studies have indicated that these can help with conditions such as arthritis, slipped discs, circulatory diseases, and many more.
- Budapest Baths are a spa enthusiast's paradise. If the soothing thermal baths weren't enough, the bath complexes in Budapest also offer a variety of spa treatments, massage therapies, and a diverse range of pools to choose from.
Five Best Thermal Baths in Budapest
Széchenyi Baths
Széchenyi Bath is Europe's largest spa complex and one of Budapest's most popular bathhouses. The bath complex boasts of 15 indoor thermal pools and 3 vast outdoor pools. Széchenyi Spa’s water has medicinal and healing properties.
On most Saturday nights, iconic "sparties" with DJs take place here. In the winter, there's nothing like reclining in the warmth of the Széchenyi Baths while snowflakes flutter around you.
Open all year round, Széchenyi Baths is one of the oldest thermal baths in Budapest and provides a plethora of spa and massage services to choose from.
Széchenyi Baths also house one out of Budapest's only two beer spas. Guests get to soak in a dry beer ingredients mix and thermal bathwater and drink unlimited period as they do so for a period of 45 minutes.
What makes it unique? The largest thermal bath complex in Europe is as unique as it gets. With 18 thermal pools to choose from, you're sure to be spoilt for choice. Spa parties, a beer spa, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, heated pools through the winter...need we say more?
Best Time to Visit: Morning hours, before 10 AM
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Gellért Baths
To the Buda side of the city, we find one of the city's largest and most well-known thermal spas. Gellért Bath was constructed between 1912 and 1918 and is a masterwork of Art Nouveau architecture, with stained-glass windows and brilliant porcelain tiles covering the walls. It's one of Budapest's most beautiful spas, and bathing here feels like a regal ritual. There are several small hot baths that may be reserved privately, making them ideal for couples. Until 2013, the bath was separated into detached facilities for men and women.
What makes it unique? The second most popular thermal bath in Budapest is also one of the most aesthetically pleasing baths. Gellért Thermal Baths provide top-notch healing and spa services. Effervescent pools, plunge pools, private pools for couples make this bath stand out among the rest.
Best Time to Visit: In the morning hours, between 9 AM and 11 AM
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Rudas Baths
Rudas has been in service since the Turkish takeover of Hungary in the 16th century, with its magnificent 10-meter diameter cupola supported by eight pillars. Its main attraction is a rooftop hot tub with a beautiful view of the Pest skyline. Rudas hot baths are one of the most popular thermal baths in Budapest because of the panorama they provide of the river and Pest side. You may also get a great view of the parliament from the rooftop. These thermal baths offer a variety of pools, ranging from warm to chilly. Saunas, massages, and swimming pools are among the additional amenities available.
What makes it unique? Rudas Baths exemplify the look and feel of a Turkish Bath. There is also a rooftop thermal pool here that you can enjoy with a picture-perfect view of the Danube river.
Best Time to Visit: In the morning hours, between 6 AM and 9 AM
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Lukács Baths
The marble memorial plaques put in the bath's park, thanking the facility and its medical personnel in numerous languages for healing, demonstrate that Lukács is a true medical mecca. People have traveled from all over the world to be healed in these pools. It is massive, and it includes a drinking hall with the same water as the bath coming from a different well. These are Budapest's oldest baths, which are still in use today. The Romans purchased them in the nineteenth century and named them after Saint Lucas, a healer.
What makes it unique? The many Gratitude Tablets and stone plaques at Lukács Baths expressing a sincere thank you to the thermal baths for their medicinal properties that have healed the visitors. You can also try out the Kneipp-pool here, a form of hydrotherapy that assists in blood circulation.
Best Time to Visit: In the morning hours, between 7 AM and 10 AM
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Király Baths
Built during Ottoman rule, Király Baths are the oldest thermal bath in Budapest. Known for its medieval Turkish design and little to no maintenance in five centuries which only adds to its old-world charm, Király Baths is an instant appeal to history buffs. Király Baths, with its traditional octagonal pool and Turkish dome which lets sunlight seep through, is a sight to behold. There are four pools in the Király Baths.
What makes it unique? Known for its medieval Turkish design and little to no maintenance in five centuries because of which the bath retains several of its old architectural components, Király Baths is an instant appeal to history buffs. The traditional octagonal pool complete with a Turkish dome makes the bath stand out among the rest.
Currently, the baths are closed for renovations.
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All Your Questions About the Best Thermal Baths in Budapest Answered
A. There are nine thermal baths in Budapest. Some of the best thermal baths in Budapest are Széchenyi Baths, Gellért Baths, Lukács Baths, Király Baths and Rudas Baths.
A. Budapest is famous for its relaxing thermal baths and spas. The thermal bath waters in Budapest Baths remain warm constantly, be it summer or winter, leading to their immense popularity.
Yes, Budapest Baths are open. There are many safety protocols in place to ensure maximum safety while you visit Budapest Baths. You are required to present your vaccination certificate or Covid pass.
A. You can easily book your Budapest Bath tickets online. Visit here to book your tickets.
A. Covid-19 vaccination passports are required to enter the Budapest baths. Visitors also need to go through thermal screening and maintain social distancing during their visit to Budapest baths.
A. Although there are shops at Budapest Baths that let you rent/buy swimwear, it is best to carry a pair of flip-flops, swimwear, a towel, and a swim cap while visiting Budapest Baths. Carry bathing essentials like soap and shampoo as well.
A. Budapest Baths tend to get very crowded, even during the weekdays. It is recommended that you come in early in the morning to be able to enjoy the warm waters in lesser crowds.
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Széchenyi Baths
Gellért Baths
