Another of Budapest’s signature tourist attractions is their large offering of thermal spas, ranging from outdoor splendours such as the Széchenyi baths to the discrete mermaid-esque tiled Gellért baths. Whilst more frequently playing host to music festivals and outdoor pool parties alike, the baths are still occupied by locals of all ages. I visited in January, indefinitely the peak of the low season, but whilst snow fell on the cake-like buildings of Széchenyi the winter weather made it even more enchanting. Here’s my guide on the best Budapest has to offer:
Széchenyi Baths
Perhaps the most well-known of the baths in Budapest, featuring on postcards and guide books alike, Széchenyi baths is the biggest and most popular of the thermal baths in Budapest. With 15 indoor pools including natural hot spring waters, medicinal pools and saunas as well as 3 outdoor pools the baths have a lot to offer. Not only is the exterior of the baths so beautiful, it’s also found in the largest green park in Budapest. Széchenyi is also host to bath parties in summer so look online for tickets. http://szechenyispabaths.com/
TIPS: If you’re visiting as a couple its best to purchase the ticket which includes a cabin, as this is a room you can use to change before and after entering the baths – useful if it is busy rather than trying to find a free cabin. They charge for towel hire so it may be worth taking your own, although it doesn’t cost too much. The queues can also be quite large on arrival so consider booking online with the Fast Track. Prices are cheaper during weekdays. The following prices are for weekends Full Day bath ticket with cabin usage= 5,400 HUF Full Day bath ticket with locker usage= 4,900 HUF Open hours: Saturday 6am–10pm Sunday 6am–10pm Monday 6am–10pm Tuesday 6am–10pm Wednesday 6am–10pm Thursday 6am–10pm Friday 6am–10pm Metro stop: Deák tér Gellért Baths
Not as notorious as Széchenyi but still a beautiful baths are those found in Gellért. Less of a tourist attraction and more a baths for the locals Gellért offers aerobic classes and lanes solely for swimming. Slight more strict about dress code and swimming caps, if you're planning on doing laps in the main indoor pool come prepared. Inside is a hidden tiled pool heated by natural thermal springs with pools ranging from 36 to 40 degrees. There are also rooms for private massages or physiotherapy and a large outdoor pool which was unfortunately closed during the Winter during my visit – something to note as some baths may close their outdoor pools during this season.
TIPS: Again the cabin service applies here which is recommended, and the prices also differ according to the day of the week. Adult ticket on weekdays, with locker: 5100 HUF Adult ticket on weekends, with locker: 5300 HUF Adult ticket on weekdays, with cabin: 5500 HUF Adult ticket on weekends, with cabin: 5700 HUF Opening times: From 6.00 am until 8.00pm on each day of the week. Tickets are sold until 1 hour before closing, and guests should leave the pool areas 15 minutes before closing. Website: http://www.gellertbath.com/ Lukács Baths
For the more hardcore spa fans this is much less of a tourist attraction and more for those who want the healing effects of the water. Although there are only three pool Lukács Baths also hosts bath pool parties so check their website for dates of events and tickets.
Ticket type and prices in HUF Daily ticket with cabin 3200 Daily ticket with locker 2900 Opening times: The thermal bath and the swimming pool are open from 06:00 AM until 08:00 PM each day of the week. The thermal tub-bath and the weight bath are open from 06:30 AM until 07:00 PM on weekdays, and from 06:30 AM until 01:00 PM on Saturdays. Website: http://www.lukacsbath.com/
Other baths include:
Rudas the first built baths in Budapest https://www.google.co.uk/?ion=1&espv=2#q=rudas%20baths
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