Spas & Thermal Baths
Thanks to the geological features of the Carpathian Basin, Hungary is extremely rich in thermal springs, and the area of Budapest is no exception: the capital stretches across over 100 springs, many of them accessible to the public in beautiful historical buildings.
LALS Stock/Shutterstock.comSzéchenyi Thermal Bath
The Széchenyi Baths, constructed in 1913 in neo-Baroque style, is one of Europe's finest and most extensive spa complexes, boasting 15 indoor baths, three expansive outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, and a variety of year-round events. As the largest medicinal bath in Europe, the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath draws visitors with its therapeutic waters sourced from two thermal springs, each reaching temperatures of 74°C and 77°C respectively.
momente/Shutterstock.comGellért Thermal Bath
The Gellért Thermal Baths are housed just behind the imposing Art Nouveau Gellért Hotel near the Liberty Bridge in Budapest. There are a range of pools of different temperatures, both inside and out, including the iconic sliding-roofed main pool, the external wave pool, as well as several sauna and steam rooms.
Ungvari Attila/ShutterstockRudas Thermal Bath
Located by the foot of the scenic Gellért Hill, Rudas is another symbolic bath of Budapest. Built in the 16th century under Ottoman occupation, it features a dim central dome and octagonal baths, surrounded by four pools, each with a different temperature.
Pelle Zoltan/Shutterstock.comPalatinus Strand Baths
This open-air bath in the nature conservation area of Margaret Island was opened as a beach in 1919. With the construction of the large pool, it was transformed into an open-air bath in 1921. Owing to its high popularity it had to be expanded, therefore an architectural project tender was launched in 1937, as a result of which the plans composed by István Janáky were accepted. It was modernized in 2002, by adding water filtering and revolving devices. The swimming pool was shaped into three sections: swimming pool, fancy pool and beach pool. Of these, the fancy pool is expecting visitors with neck shower, effervescence generator, and whirling corridor.
Ungvari Attila/ShutterstockVeli Bej Bath
The history of the Veli Bej Bath goes back to Ottoman times, and after a recent restoration, it was reopened for the public. The bath provides five various Turkish pools, saunas, steam-cell, hidroxeur and tangentor bath, Kneipp-basin, pool and wellness facilities.
Ongala/ShutterstockLukács Baths
The Szent Lukács Baths are an imposing building on the riverbank just north of the yellow Margaret Bridge. Once a favored bathing place of Turkish pasha Mustafa, it is still an immensely popular venue offering five pools, several smaller Kneipp pools, plunge pools, saunas, a salt cave, and some of the most famous spa parties (sparties) in town.
Pressmaster/Shutterstock.comDandár Thermal Bath
In Ferencváros, district IX of Budapest, near Müpa and the National Theater, there is a small thermal bath that is lesser known to the general visitor. Dandár bathhouse is housed in a nice art deco building and has five pools as well as a small sauna section.
goodluz/ShutterstockCsillaghegyi Baths
The open-air bath Csillaghegy is the oldest bath in the capital. It was opened as early as the second half of the 19th century and has been operating in its present form since 2000, featuring spa services, pools and saunas. It is open even in winter, under a canvas tent roof.
Kzenon/ShutterstockPaskál Spa & Swimming Pool
Established in 1989, Paskál is currently Budapest's youngest bath facility. After a few renovations in 2016, it now offers a spacious complex featuring outdoor pools catering to both adults and children, along with a geothermal bath, saunas and massage rooms for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Pressmaster/ShutterstockPünkösdfürdői Open-air Baths
The open-air bath was established in 1935 on the bank of the Danube River, by the plans of Alfred Hajós. The three pools situated among rose bowers ensure bathing, tanning and pleasant recreation facilities for all age groups. Its green area covered by spreading trees provides leisure and refreshment for its guests.
Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock