Bad i Budapest - vackra ungerska termalbad

Have you experienced the baths in Budapest? Located in an area filled with thermally healthy waters, Hungary has a long history of baths and spas. The capital is home to a number of beautiful, historic baths and we've tried one of them, the Gellert Bath.

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Thermal water in Hungary

The hot thermal waters of Hungary, found naturally in underground hot springs, are rich in minerals and are believed to cure and alleviate a whole range of ailments. Bathing in the thermal waters is a tradition that goes back a long way. Hot baths were already enjoyed in the area in Roman times, and even more beautiful bathhouses were built during the Ottoman era.

Many baths in Budapest

Today, there are plenty of baths in Budapest to choose from. Among the most famous are the Gellert Baths and Szécsény Baths, but there is also a wide range of other baths, where you are likely to meet more locals and fewer tourists. Among other things, we got tips on the Turkish baths, which date back to the Ottoman era, such as Rudas spa and Király spa.

Gellertbadet

The Gellert Bath is one of the most famous baths in Budapest and is located at the foot of the Gellert Hill on the Buda side, at Kelenhegyi út 4. Completed in 1918, the beautiful art nouveau-style bath is decorated with mosaics, marble, statues and glass ceilings that let in plenty of light.

Inside the bathing centre there are several different pools - everything from a swimming pool with a slightly cooler water temperature to smaller pools with really hot water and some outdoor pools. There is also a steam sauna and it is possible to book various treatments.

Visiting Gellertbadet

When we walked into Gellertbadet, we were immediately impressed by the beautiful surroundings and the old-fashioned feel. But how would you actually do it? How did it work with those stalls where you had to change? Where were the showers? And how do you collect the towels from the pools - with your clothes on? Here's the guide we wish we'd had before our visit:

Swimwear and equipment: Bring your own swimwear, towel, slippers and possibly a bathing cap, so you don't have to spend money on hire or purchase. Swimwear, towels and bathrobes are also available for hire. Slippers and a bathing cap are available for purchase. Slippers are not necessary, but desirable. Swim caps are required in the large swimming pool, but not in the other pools.

Payment: You can pay by card or cash. The entrance fee is paid at the entrance. Swimwear and towel hire is paid in a room inside the pool area. If you want to walk here before changing, you can put on protective covers over your shoes (available).

Prices: Entry with a bathing cabin costs around 190-215 SEK, depending on whether it is a weekday or a public holiday (2019). Treatments cost between SEK 230 (20 min aroma massage) and SEK 670 (60 min Royal Thermal massage). Towel hire costs around SEK 65 and swimwear hire around SEK 95 (2019).

Replacement: You can change in nice little "cabins", where there is a bed, a cupboard and a curtain to close. I (Helena) and Peter shared a cabin. When you are ready and want to go to the pool area, you can ask the staff to lock the cabinet for you.

Duschar: There are no showers at the changing cabins, but there are showers in several places around the pools.

What did we think of our bath in Budapest?

In the end it was swimming in Budapest! It is of course wonderful to swim in such a beautiful environment. It took some time to understand all the "routines", but when we could crawl into a warm pool, it was of course really nice.

Next time, we might want a little more time to recover properly. We'd also like to try one of the outdoor pools, or perhaps one of the lesser known baths.

Széchenyibadet

The second bath in Budapest that many people talk about is the Szécsény Bath, or "that bath on the S", as many people say because the name is quite tricky for a Swede. The bath dates from 1913 and is known for its impressive architecture, and for the chess-playing old men you can see in the bath here.

One of the largest spas in Europe, this spa offers a wide range of thermal pools, as well as a sauna and various treatments. It also offers both indoor and outdoor bathing. Located in the city park near Heroes' Square, at Állatkerti krt. 11, and has several outdoor pools.

More baths in Budapest

Besides the most famous baths in Budapest, there are many other spas. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned ones:

Lukács spa is a renovated and modern spa at Frankel Leó út 25-29.
Palatinus spa is suitable for families with children and can be found on Maragreta Island (Margitsziget).
Rudas spa built in the 16th century and one of the oldest public spas in Hungary, is located at Döbrentei tér 9.
Király spa was built by the Ottomans in the 17th century and is a small spa, on Fö utca 84
Royal Spa is a modern spa with 19th century luxury, at the Corinthia Hotel on Erzsébet krt. 43 - 49

Thermal baths in other parts of Hungary

Thermal baths are not only found in Budapest, but also in other parts of Hungary. For example, a few years ago we visited Harkány in the south of the country, which is known for its spas and healthy waters.

termalbad — One of the outdoor swimming pools at the Thermal Hotel Hárkany

Have you tried swimming in Budapest - or anywhere else in Hungary?

Have you tried any of the baths in Budapest? Or have you experienced thermal baths elsewhere in Hungary? Please tell us!

At Gellertbadet, photo Annika @travelloverblogi

More to see and do in Budapest

In addition to swimming, there are many other things to do what to do in Budapest. You may wish to try Hungarian food, on any of the great restaurants in Budapest. You can also shopping in Hungary's capital, or why not discover Budapest's caveswhich is a slightly different and exciting activity? Below you will find even more tips, both for Budapest and other parts of Hungary.

10 Comments

Add yours →

Helene Holmberg says:

My favourite is the bath that starts at S ?. We took the metro, metro line 2. Which is Budapest's oldest and one of the oldest in the world.

23 November 2019 - 8:47

Eva /Living like Eva says:

Gellertbadet July 2016, I still have the ugly swimming cap left 🙂 Skipped the outdoor pool because it was full of knuckles and there were cigarette butts in the pool ...

23 November 2019 - 12:10

Ditte says:

Have tried Gellert a couple of times. A real experience. Thought it was so good so we have not tried others. Nice to read your thoughts.

23 November 2019 - 12:25

bmlarstravellingblog says:

I have tried S... twice and then travelled the beautiful old metro there. I also remember that we had some problems before we had to change and get rid of our things. It was not in any way obvious how to do it.
If there is any more Budapest visit, we will probably try Gellert.

23 November 2019 - 14:39

Matts Torebring says:

We went swimming in Lake Balaton ten years ago. The lake is so shallow that you can almost walk across it. We turned "saffron yellow" all over our bodies. A couple of weeks later our shirt collar was still yellow on the inside. But it was nice.

23 November 2019 - 18:21

BP says:

What a magnificent bathhouse! Sturebadet is in the lee, so to speak. If you are in such a place, however, it is good if you do not have to stress, because a spa and more are there to relax completely.
Great fun selfies on you. Peter probably has some experience with selfie sticks by now;-)

23 November 2019 - 18:47

Solan says:

? The wave machine on Gellert was a highlight! Otherwise, Hewis (not sure of the name) was the favourite. From
We fled Lake Balaton because of a swarm of locusts! Hua!

23 November 2019 - 19:59

Lena - good for the soul says:

What buildings! It looks absolutely fantastic! I've never been to anything like that.

Hug Lena

24 November 2019 - 9:02

Elisabeth says:

In Szécsénybadet we splash around. Delicious!

25 November 2019 - 23:08

Lena in Wales says:

Likes Gellertbadet.
Amazing architecture, an experience.

27 November 2019 - 10:31

Bathing in Budapest - beautiful Hungarian thermal baths

Thermal water in Hungary

Many baths in Budapest

Gellertbadet

Visiting Gellertbadet

What did we think of our bath in Budapest?

Széchenyibadet

More baths in Budapest

Thermal baths in other parts of Hungary

Have you tried swimming in Budapest - or anywhere else in Hungary?

More to see and do in Budapest

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10 Comments

Helene Holmberg says:

Eva /Living like Eva says:

Ditte says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Matts Torebring says:

BP says:

Solan says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

Elisabeth says:

Lena in Wales says:

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