Király Baths | A Guide to the Oldest Turkish Thermal Bath in Budapest
Update: Király Baths is currently under renovation and will remain closed until the reconstruction work is completed.
Király Baths is the oldest thermal bath in Budapest, built during Ottoman rule. 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. It is impossible not to get transported back in time as one enjoys a traditional Turkish bath in its rustic environment.
While Király Baths get renovated, Budapest has a lot more thermal baths to offer to its guests. Plan your visit to Budapest Baths and experience a rejuvenating bath like no other in the healing thermal waters of the city.
Király Baths: An Overview
Number of Pools: 4 pools out of which one is a traditional octagonal Turkish pool
Architectural Style: Turkish
Water Temperature Range: 78.8°F - 104°F
Medicinal Components of Water: Sodium, calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, and sulfate-chloride
About Budapest BathsWhat are Király Baths Famous for?
Király Baths are essentially Turkish in design and architecture. The bath was erected in 1570 during the Turkish occupation of Budapest. Király Baths is a historical icon in Budapest. Renovated last in the 1800s, Király Baths have stood the test of time and its old-world charm will make anyone feel like they have traveled back in time. There are four pools in the Király Baths. The main pool resides beneath a quintessential Turkish dome. The bath area is lit only by natural sunlight that seeps in through the holes of the Turkish dome which creates a beautiful effect. The thermal baths at Király maintain temperatures between 78.8°F and 104°F and the medicinal waters that come from deep hot springs of the neighboring Lukács Baths contain minerals such as sodium and calcium.
Visit Budapest BathsMedicinal Waters of Király Baths
Thermal baths are known for their medicinal properties. In Király Baths, geothermal spring water is used. The water, however, does not come from a water base in the pool. The warm water in Király Baths is sourced from Lukács Bath, which has natural geothermal springs deep underground. The contents of thermal water have elements such as sodium, calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, and sulfate-chloride. There are also traces of fluoride ions in the thermal water. Temperatures in the four pools vary. The recorded normal temperatures are between 78.8°F and 104°F. Thermal baths are known to help improve blood circulation, digestion and detoxify skin.
Buy Budapest Baths TicketsIs Király Bath a Turkish Bath?
Király Baths are known for their iconic Turkish dome and the traditional octagonal pool. The pool area is only lit with natural sunlight that seeps in through the many holes carved out in the dome. Király Baths are authentic Turkish thermal baths from medieval times. Turkish thermal baths, however, are not the same as the Turkish steam bath, also known as Hammam. At Budapest thermal baths, warm water with medicinal properties is used, while Turkish Hammam uses steam and hot water. Turkish thermal baths such as Király Baths are known as Ilidzas.
Turkish BathsKirály Baths Architecture
Király Baths retain the architectural elements of medieval Turkish baths. It was built in the 16th century. The building still holds a medieval charm with bricks and a dim-lit interior. The main attraction of the Baths is the octagonal pool under the central dome. Domes were an integral part of Ottoman architecture. The central dome over the main pool in Király Baths has holes to let natural sunlight into the bath. Around the pool are colorless arches, complimenting the Ottoman-style architecture. The floors are marbled, and baths tiled. There are benches around the main pool for visitors to rest. The overall design of the building is typical of the baroque style Ottoman architecture that prevailed in the period, and the same can be found in the design of the courtyard, small pools, and hallways.
Pools at Király Baths
Király Baths have a special place among other spas in Budapest. It's the oldest in the city and still retains the characteristics of an authentic Turkish bath. A modest bath complex, Király Bath houses four thermal pools. Except for the main pool with a central dome, all other baths are relatively small. There's also a jacuzzi pool that can accommodate five people at a time.
Currently, Király Baths are going under renovation.
Király Baths Highlights
Turkish Bath
At Király Baths, you can experience a traditional Turkish bath in all its historic glory. What sets it apart from the other thermal baths is the beautiful, octagonal pool under the central dome of the bath complex. This rejuvenating experience of soaking in warm, thermal water is only enriched by the fact that the thermal water is also medicinal in nature.
Steam Bath
Since the medieval periods, steam baths have been a part of many societies. At Király Baths, tourists can enjoy a steam bath in enclosed spaces where thermal water is filled to make steam. Steam, as much as geothermal water, is known for its medicinal properties.
Sauna
The sauna at Király Baths allows tourists to relax in the steam room. The steam used here is from the geothermal water springs. Saunas have always been a part of Hungarian culture and are now an extension of the famous baths in Budapest.
History of Király Baths
Király Baths were constructed by the Turkish occupying forces in Budapest in the 16th century. In 1565, Arslan, Pasha of Buda, began the construction of the thermal baths. Construction of Király Baths was completed in 1570 when Sokoli Mustafa, the successor of Arslan, was in power. Ottomans built four octagonal pools inside the Király Baths complex in Turkish style.
The most important feature of the main pool at Király Baths was its dome. The dome with holes allows sunlight to seep into the baths, creating a dim light effect. When the Ottomans left Budapest and Hungarians took over, the powerful Király family renovated the baths to their present form. Currently, the baths are under renovation.
About Budapest BathsBuy Budapest Baths Tickets
Full-Day Access to Széchenyi Spa + Danube River Sightseeing Cruise
Frequently Asked Questions About Király Baths
A. Király Baths in Budapest is a traditional Turkish thermal bath. It's the oldest geothermal bath in Hungary, erected in the 16th century.
A. Yes, Király Bath sources water from the natural geothermal springs of Lukács Baths. The water contains minerals like sodium, calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, and sulfate chloride.
A. A Turkish bath, also known as a Hammam, is a steam bath popular in Turkey and various parts of the world, since medieval times. Traditional Turkish baths comprise an octagonal pool with thermal waters.
A. Király Baths were constructed by the Ottomans, and feature traditional Turkish bath features like octagonal pool and a Turkish dome. It is different from the modern Turkish bath.
A. A range of ticket combinations for Budapest Baths is available online here.
