Budapest is the city of Spas, there is no other capital city in the World where you can find as many thermal springs, like in the Hungarian capital. 70% of Hungary’s territory has thermal water underneath. When you visit Hungary you shouldn’t miss out on a thermal bath experience from your holiday. Budapest has a total of nine medicinal baths today (and 123 hot springs). While the water’s mineral content is similar across the baths, each venue is unique in terms of its architecture, the number of pools and amenities. No matter what is the purpose of your visit, pleasure, relaxation, healing or healthcare, Budapest Baths present all the facilities to meet your every need. Water temperatures usually range from 30 to 40 degrees Celsius (86 to 104 Fahrenheit).
Rudas Thermal Spa
One of the most outstanding Baths in Budapest. The centerpiece of the Spa is a 16th century Turkish bath, which was built during the Turkish occupation. Beside the Turkish octogonal pool, there is a swimming pool operating for therapeutic uses, and many other pools and different types of saunas. There is also a drinking hall where you can drink thermal water, that has many benefits like aiding in stomach issues and even hangovers. As part of the new wellness section there is a unique panorama hot tub on top of the building from where you can enjoy the view of the beautiful city.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., night bathing on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Turkish part on weekdays is only open for men, on Tuesdays only for women, weekends are coeducated.
Wellness and outdoor pool is coueducated all week.
Gellért Thermal Spa
Budapest’s second most popular bath (after Széchenyi) is part of the grand Hotel Gellért, a beautiful art nouveau Hotel from 1918. It is truly picturesque with its floor-to-ceiling turquoise ceramics that receive plenty of sunshine through the sky windows. On early weekday mornings you can still mingle with locals here. Be sure to also check the outdoor thermal pool and sauna, which remain open year-round.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
With 1.7 million annual visitors, 15 indoor pools and almost 3,000 sqm of water surface, the Széchenyi is the most frequently visited thermal bath in the city. Use the main entrance from Kós Károly Walkway to glance at the interior mosaics inside the impressive Baroque Revival building. Soaking in the steaming outdoor pool here during the winter months is an especially memorable experience. The bath is situated in the City Park, therefore you can ideally combine your relaxing program with a nice walk in the park. On saturday nights they organize big electronic music parties lasting til the morning.
Lukács Bath
This bath has a different atmosphere than Széchenyi or the Gellért Thermal baths. It is a place where you have a bigger chance to meet locals, and the prices are more customer friendly. Apart from the dimly lit, labyrinth-like indoor section, there are also outdoor swimming pools. In the summer, you can sunbathe on the rooftop terrace with marvelous views.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Coeducated every day.
Király Bath
A real authentic beauty, left from the period of the Turkish occupation. The place is definitely ready for a refurbishment, but an undeniably unique bath. Part-Ottoman, part-19th century, Király is the smallest but most charming bath on our list.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. Coeducated every day.
Veli Bej Bath
Veli Bej was the largest and most gorgeous bath in the city during the Ottoman times and it hasn’t changed to this day. It is managed by a Roman Catholic convent, which doesn’t exactly run it for profit, furthermore they use one part of their income to cure people with financial problems . It is a perfect choice if you would like to try a quiet, hidden Turkish bath, without meeting hundreds of tourists.
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Coeducated every day.
Source of pictures and illustrations: pixabay, lukacsfurdo.hu, kiralyfurdo.hu, Irgalmasok Veli Beij fürdője-facebook,