Discover the Authentic Turkish Bath Experience in Budapest: A Luxurious Escape

A Turkish bath or a *hamam *is a steam bath or public bathing place that holds significance for both religious and civic reasons. Your visit to the City of Spas is incomplete without visiting these cultural fixtures from the Islamic world through the four Turkish Baths in Budapest, dating as far back as the 16th century.

What is a Turkish Bath?

turkish bath

Although Turkish baths are a central feature of the Islamic world, their layout was largely inspired by the Roman and Greek bathhouses, with a sequence of progressively hotter rooms. Beginning from the changing room, a visitor would pass through the transitional space and then enter the hot bathing room. These bathing rooms featured a marble sweat stone at the center, where visitors were massaged. Additionally, small washbasins of running water were stationed along the walls. These baths were first and foremost centers of ritual cleansing before worship. But they also served as gendered gathering places for the community.

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How are Turkish Baths Different in Budapest?

people bathing in a turkish bath in budapest

Budapest’s Turkish baths are a unique intersection of oriental structures with modern-day amenities. Unlike the steam baths of modern-day Turkey, the medieval Turkish baths of Budapest are historically significant in their construction. Designed with a central pool in the shape of an octagon, which is extended with other baths. Nonetheless, you can head to the Rudas Bath complex to take a traditional Turkish steam bath, or to experience the Turkish sauna (hammam). You’ll also be able to make use of a traditional Turkish warm thermal spring, which is called *ilidza. *This was the site for the heating center that was built by the knights of St John in the 13th century. It was after the Ottoman Turkish armies captured the Hungarian Royal Palace, that the Turks began their construction of a series of Turkish baths along the Danube.

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History of Turkish Baths in Budapest

rudas bath in 1850
  • Turkish baths are historically founded in the Islamic practice of the ritualistic purification of the mind and the body before prayer. Thus, this faith-based cleanliness practice grew into a cultural fixture in Islamic societies. Budapest’s Turkish baths are ilidza *type baths, in contrast with the traditional Turkish *hammams.
  • Out of the 4 Turkish baths in Budapest –  Rudas, Király, Veli Bej, and Rác – the Király Bath is the smallest and the oldest. Construction began in 1565 under Arszlán Pasha of Buda and was later completed by his successor, Szokoli Mustafa Pasha of Buda. Interestingly, Király Bath was built away from the hot springs, and so, has never had a direct source of water. This is because it was built with the sole purpose of providing a bathing complex within the castle walls in case a siege took place. So, the baths are fed by water from Lukács Bath.
About Budapest Baths

Turkish Baths in Budapest

Budapest is home to four Turkish bathhouses, namely Rudas Bath, Király Bath, Veli Bej Bath, and Rác Bath. All of them have similar layouts, with a warm central pool surrounded by hot plunge pools, as well as cold ones, along with a sauna and a steam room. These historic bath complexes represent traditional Oriental architecture through their surviving central domed bathing halls.

rudas bath

Rudas Bath

Rudas Bath dates to the 16th century and offers an array of wellness options with its six thermal baths, a sauna world, a panorama pool on the roof, and a breath-taking historic Turkish pool. Head here at night on Fridays and Saturdays for a uniquely fun evening of bathing and relaxing. During your visit, note that the bathhouse still retains its original construction, with some minor additions.

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turkish dome of király bath from outside

Király Bath

Budapest’s Király Bath has stood for around 450 years. Relax in its 4 rejuvenating pools filled with mineral-rich thermal water, fed by the nearby Lukács Bath. This coed complex was built to serve as a bathing site that would remain safe within the castle walls in the event of a siege where the other bathhouses may not be accessible. Király Bath is currently closed for renovations.

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turkish dome of veli bej bath in budapest

Veli Bej Bath

Commissioned by Szokoli Pasha, Veli Bej is one of the most beautiful baths of its time. It had been closed to the general public for several decades. After recent renovations restored the bath to its former splendor, it was reopened. Apart from the original Turkish pool, it now also houses a Finnish and an infrared sauna, a steam bath, a full body shower, a jacuzzi, and a Kneipp walking pool.

turkish bath

Rác Bath

The Rác Bath was originally built by the Turks with its domed pool in the 16th century. Rác Bath also houses pools from the Imperial Habsburg Era. Rác Bath was rebuilt and expanded in the mid 19th century based on plans drawn up by the renowned Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl.

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Gellert Spa Tickets with Locker or Private Cabin

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Combo (Save 5%): Full-Day Access to Széchenyi Spa + Danube River Sightseeing Cruise

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Combo (Save 5%): Hungarian Parliament Multilingual Audio Guided Tour + Széchenyi Spa Fast Track Tickets with Locker or Cabin

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Full-Day Entry Tickets to Rudas Thermal Spa

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FAQs on Turkish Baths in Budapest

Q. What are Turkish Baths?

A. Turkish baths are culturally significant bath complexes prominently from the Islamic world, which were used as sites of ritualistic cleansing, as well as communal gendered gathering spaces. Budapest’s Turkish baths are famous for their mineral-rich waters which have healing properties.

Q. Are there Turkish baths in Budapest?

A. Yes, you can visit four Turkish baths while you’re in Budapest, namely Rudas Bath, Király Bath, Veli Bej Bath, and Rác Bath.

Q. How many Turkish baths are there in Budapest?

A. There are four Turkish baths in Budapest, the City of Spas.

Q. Do the Turkish Bath waters in Budapest have medicinal properties?

A. Yes, the Turkish Baths in Budapest are bestowed with minerals from natural hot springs, which gives them their unique medicinal properties.

Q. Where can I book my Budapest Baths tickets?

A. You can easily book your Budapest Bath tickets online. Visit ​here to book your tickets.

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