Budapest: the city of thermal baths

The best thing on a cold winter night is hanging over the hot bath under the thick steam cushion. Out of all the capitals, Budapest has the most thermal and medical water source in the world. These thermal water was utilized first by the ancient Romans in the territory of the present Buda side, called Aquincum which ruins are still there. The bath culture was on its heyday during the subjection of the Turkish Empire in the XVIth century. Luckily its popularity’s undiminished thus we recommend you the best ones in town.

Gellért Thermal Bath and Swimming Pool

The bath was built in secessionist style with stunning and artistic mosaics in 1918. Whit its colourful windows and chiselled statues it is really unique. It has 2 swimming pool sections, 2 outdoor pools, a wave pool and 8 thermal bath departments. In addition to this Gellért Thermal Bath offers medical treatments and relaxation services as well.

Address: 1118 Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4.

By public transportation: underground 4, tramways 19, 41, 47, 49 and 56, buses 7, 107, 109, 133 and 233

Opening hours: Every day from 6:00 to 20:00

Website and prices: http://www.gellertbath.hu/

Picture: www.gellertfurdo.hu

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

The Széchenyi Thermal Bath was the first thermal bath of Pest and it’s one of the largest spa complexes in Europe. It was built in 1913 and expanded in 1927 with a public bathing department for ladies and gentlemen and a beach side. In the middle of the 1960s, further transformations took place, including the creation of a group thermal section in bathing suits as well as a daytime outpatient hospital (complex physiotherapy department). The so-called fancy bath includes a whirling corridor, underwater effervescence production, neck shower, water beam back massage installed in the sitting banks and many other services. The bath is waiting the guests with 11 thermal water pools, a cooling and an immersion pool, 5 swimming pool and 3 day care hospital pools.

Address: 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti körút 9-11.

Opening hours: Swimming pool: 6:00-22:00

Thermal bath: 6:00-19:00

Website and prices: http://www.szechenyibath.hu/

Photo: Facebook

Rudas Thermal Bath

The Turkish bath, which is located in the centre of the bath today  was built in the XVI th century during the Turkish occupation. The swimming pool, operating as a therapeutic swimming facility and with a sauna, was built in 1896. In its drinking hall, the water of the springs Hungária, Attila and Juventus can be consumed for the purposes of a drinking cure.  It has a wellness, swimming and thermal departments with more than 10 pools. Rudas offers a special nigh bath opportunity on every Friday ans Saturday night from 10pm to 4am. From the rooftop sun terrace you can admire the beautiful panorama of the Danube river sitting in the rooftop pool.

Address: 1013 Budapest, Döbrentei Square 9.

Opening hours: Everyday from 6:00 to 22:00

Website and prices: http://en.rudasfurdo.hu/

Be careful! On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the Turkish bath is available only for men, on Tuesday it is open only for women. The new wellness section and the swimming pool  are co-ed all week long.

Photo: www.rudasfurdo.hu