Budapest is a buzzing city full of culture, history and beautiful sights, however there is one thing that it is famous for above all else: bathing.
There are few things more pleasurable than ending a long tiring day of walking around exploring the city and its many architectural and culinary delights than with a few hours relaxing and being pampered, and there is certainly no shortage of places to do that in the Hungarian capital.
As well as formal spas, there are also an abundance of impressive, natural thermal springs unique to the city that can be enjoyed free of charge. It is also one of the last remaining cities in which you can take a dip in one of the traditional Turkish baths which date as far back as the 16th and 17th centuries. After the stress of travel, organizing holiday insurance and navigating the city there is nothing more satisfying that relaxing in one of the cities magnificent spas. To get you started and help plan your trip, these are some of the best spas in Budapest.
Gellért Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool
Perhaps one of the most famous of Budapest’s spas, the Gellért Baths are within an Art Nouveau style building that also plays host to a hotel. Though initially built in the early 1900s, estimated between 1912 and 1918, it was tragically damaged during WWII and has since been rebuilt. Nonetheless, the Gellért retains much of its beauty and authenticity and remains impressive as ever both inside and out, with stained glass and mosaics adorning its interior. Its thermal baths, which are filled with water from Gellért hill’s mineral hot springs, saunas and pools are a real delight.
Rudas Baths
This gorgeous Turkish style bath focuses on healing and is used medicinally as well as for leisure, as its waters are thought to hold healing properties. Established in the 16th century under the Ottoman rule, it is a true historic sight and one of the oldest that remains standing in the city. The unique water composition is, according to the Baths, ‘radio-active, rich in calcium, magnesium, fluoride ions, hydrogen-carbonate, sulphate and sodium,’ and subsequently used for therapeutic purposes.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
The largest medicinal bath in all of Europe, the Széchenyi thermal bath is a real must visit and boasts some of the hottest water temperatures around, with its thermal springs which supply the water reaching a massive 74 °C and 77 °C. Like the Rudas, it has a long history of medicinal use and has been known to assist recovery from various illnesses and injuries. The sizable bath is popular during the day and night, and the spa also contains a gymnasium, daytime hospital, massage parlour and buffet. It is also well known for its pool chess, offering visitors a chance to enjoy a game of pool while they bathe.
Lukács Thermal Bath
Particularly favoured amongst locals rather than tourists, Lukács Thermal Bath is a great way to immerse yourself in Hungarian culture and get an authentic taste of local life. It is fairly small compared to some of the other baths in the city, but what it lacks in grandeur it makes up for in charm. The baths were one of the most popular haunts for writers and artists back in the day and still attract artistic types now, so you never know who you could end up bathing alongside.
