2 Comments The Thermal Baths Budapest was awarded the title of “spa city” in 1934 and rightfully so, with over 130 thermal springs pumping out 70 million liters of water daily. It’s the biggest thermal bath in the city and provides a complete bath-experience. That gives you plenty of options to get your relaxation on. If you’re looking for a traditional Turkish bathhouse, Rudas Baths is the spot to visit. Budapest’s thermal baths are popular all year. A smattering of Budapest’s bathhouses are much newer (post-communist Hungary didn’t want to stay stuck in history forever): The Helia and Aquincum, both contemporary hotel baths, have brought Budapest bathing up to date. Another lovely traditional bath that you should visit if you enjoy rich history and a well- equipped bath is … Mid and late afternoons are more popular with tourists, especially in the summer months (from June to September). Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 8 am-8 pm. The one exception: Rudas bath, where men wear little aprons on men’s days, which are held every weekday but Tuesday, which is women’s day; weekends are for mixed crowds. the best time to visit I know it’s not fun to wake up early when you’re on vacation but if you can, I highly recommend visiting Szechenyi Baths early in the morning. It has more thermal and medicinal water springs than any other capital city in the world so if you’re looking for a thermal bath… Did you know that there are 118 mineral pools in Budapest? 31,358 Views. We were initially swayed by the cheaper flights, but visiting Budapest in March offers many other benefits. Avoid the tourist rush and go to the larger baths as early as you can, even at 6 a.m., when most open; or linger on Friday or Saturday nights at Rudas, which stays open past midnight. This is the City of Baths after all, and the 123 geothermal springs bubbling in caves under its hills and vales have soothed and healed locals, visitors, even invaders since the Romans settled here nearly 2,000 years ago. It also happens to be the city’s first bath, dating back to 1913. This can kick a hangover, they say. The Weather in Budapest However, my favourite time was around 1 hour before sunset. Bathers have submerged basked in the Budapest springs since the 16th century, when the Turkish occupation of Hungary established a bath culture around the thermal hotspots. So, if you want to pick the best time of the day, we recommend visiting the baths earlier in the day, either in the morning around 10am, or around noon, e.g. Rudas Baths address: Budapest, Döbrentei tér 9, 1013 Hungary After pondering which was the best baths to visit in Budapest, I opted for Rudas Baths for my thermal bath experience. That gives you plenty of options to get your relaxation on. Budapest is well known for its stunning architecture, delicious food, and of course, thermal baths. Do bathers have to be naked? However, summer means you can enjoy Széchenyi … Otherwise, head there at nigh t for a cool experience. The thermal waters were first documented by the Romans in the 2nd century. Hot Spring Baths in Budapest Szechenyi Baths are the biggest baths complex in Budapest and a must experience. (Remember that 37 degrees Celsius is body temperature; in many baths the temperature is marked, in Celsius, in tiles on the wall; the hottest is usually 40 degrees, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.) Relax and cool off in between. The well-known and internationally popular Gellert Thermal Bath is equally liked by the locals and foreign people as well and due to this fact, it is one of the most important touristic destinations in Budapest. Listen to the lapping water and just think. Budapest attracts a lot of visitors at the height of summer. Dear Jo, Veli Bej Baths. Should you want to choose the best time of the day, we suggest to visit the baths either in the morning at around 10 am, or around noon. Do you want good weather for your trip? A great way to pamper yourself and soothe your sore muscles after a day of exploring the city is to hit up one of the local baths and take a dip in their hot therapeutic waters. Enjoy. Located within the city's largest park, … If you really want to feel the spirit of local traditions, you should visit the Széchenyi Thermal Baths in winter. Have a great time in Budapest. With many thermal springs, Budapest is rich in thermal waters with healing qualities; visit the Széchenyi Fürdő – the largest medicinal bath in the world and one of Europe’s largest public baths – and soak in one of the 18 pools (15 have spring-fed water! The heavily decorated, stunning façade of Szechenyi Baths gives a promise of luxurious spa treatment. Whitsunday Opening Hours in Budapest Baths, Whitmonday Opening Hours in Budapest Baths. And of course that means you’ll have to contend with the crowds at this large, but undeniably picturesque, outdoor thermal bath. Budapest, Fő u. (Rudas Baths the only thermal Baths which offers men only and women only days on weekdays. Are men and women together or separated? Plenty of picture opportunities – and it’s a surreal experience during sunset. In the vintage baths, especially Széchenyi, retirees often meet at dawn in the various saunas and springs to fulfill their “bath prescriptions.” (The water allegedly cures arthritis and other joint ailments, as well as pretty much everything else. Best Thermal Baths in Budapest – Palatinus Thermal Baths – The One On the Island The ‘Pala’, as locals call it, is located in the heart of the Margaret Island, the green refuge of Budapest. How much does it cost? When I read the reviews on trip advisor it seems to say they get very crowded and busy. Several baths are situated within walking distance of metro stations. The early morning hours (between 6 am and 8 am) are less busy, as well, the pools are almost only used by local people. The ‘Pala’, as locals call it, can be found in the heart of Margaret Island, the … The baths open at 6AM and you’ll pretty much have the entire place to to yourselves (aside from a few locals here and there). Easy to get to by the subway. Best time to visit the Gellert Baths. Balneology, the study of mineral hot springs and their medicinal effects, is an official thing.) Tipping is welcome for the massage therapists and aestheticians providing other spa services like mud treatments—two or three euros will do it, and note you should tip before the service. My favorite thing about Budapest is its plethora of thermal baths. Answer 1 of 11: We are thinking of either visiting Gellert or Szchenyl baths when we visit Budapest in a couple of weeks time. ). While all these things are available to rent on site, lines can be long and dispensed towels can be more like bedsheets than absorbent terry. How old is your bathtub? Should you want to choose the best time of the day, we suggest to visit the baths either in the morning at around 10 am, or around noon. Or go where the locals go: Less ornate baths like Lukács are where Budapesters, especially the intellectual set, hang out. The stunning environment, the many thermal baths, saunas and steam cabins are definitely worth a visit. There are many different types of baths in the city and it's up to you to choose where to enjoy a relaxing thermal bath and spa. While the therapeutic effects of the calcium, magnesium, and bromine-laden waters might be medically disputable, floating weightless in hot water in a subdued atmosphere is simply relaxing. 84, 1027 Hungary. Skip the line and purchase tickets online. Younger couples or friends meet at Gellért or Király, the latter of which has dark stone walls and skylights whose perforations look like stars (a long-overdue renovation and expansion of this Turkish-style bath is set to be complete in 2020). Here are some highlights of Budapest Thermal Baths. Except for Rudas, all Budapest baths are coed and require a bathing suit. Relax in the thermal pool at Rudas Baths, built in the 16th century © Sarah Coghill / Lonely Planet. This moment was also used to give the Széchenyi bath house a new look. Answer 1 of 11: We are thinking of either visiting Gellert or Szchenyl baths when we visit Budapest in a couple of weeks time. Understand your body’s limits: If you feel dizzy, get out and cool down. Soon, the thermal baths in Budapest became a must-see. The Best Thermal Bath For Night-Bathing. But winter has its offerings too, with sprinklings of snow only enhancing the city’s enchanting skyline. As one of the tourists wrote in their Szechenyi Baths review on a travel forum “We were there today, arrived at 1.30pm, and by 3.30pm it was chock-full of tourists. Think about it! Most baths have decent restaurants or a cafeteria, and it's possible to spend a whole day there. You can try two other Ottoman baths in Budapest: the Rudas Spa is located between the Király and the Gellért Baths in district I. in Buda, The Rácz Bath and Thermal Hotel is next to it at the Buda end of Erzsébet Bridge, the Veli Bej is in the vicinity of the Lukács Bath in north Buda. Not only is the weather great, but you also get to escape the queues that come with the peak season crowds. Avoid the tourist rush and go to the larger baths as early as you can, even at 6 a.m., when most open; or linger on Friday or Saturday nights at Rudas, which stays open past midnight. The summer in Budapest is long and hot, fall crisp and bright, and spring generally sunny. Yes, tickets will be available only on the spot between 24th Dec 2019 and 7th Jan 2020. Opening hours vary by bath, but most are open from early morning through early evening. Families with children are best to visit one of the open air lidos of Budapest, especially Palatinus Pools on Margaret Island and Dagaly Lido close to Arpad Bridge. If you’re unsure of how to choose, start with Szechenyi Bath—Budapest’s largest, grandest, and busiest thermal bath. Inside the complex, you can find 15 indoor pools, three huge outdoor pools, and saunas. So plan to bring along the following: Shower before a bath session. It is a Budapest thermal bath that the whole family can enjoy. The Szechenyi thermal baths can get very busy at times. Dagaly Baths – child friendly lido in Budapest. Like it or not, nudity is no longer accepted. Easy to get to by the subway. What about tipping? Budapest sits on a total of 123 thermal springs that pump out natural mineral-rich water. Answer 1 of 11: We are thinking of either visiting Gellert or Szchenyl baths when we visit Budapest in a couple of weeks time. It would also be a refreshing start to the rest of your day if you head there early. When I read the reviews on trip advisor it seems to say they get very crowded and busy. Best time to visit Szechenyi baths. For all the historical, architectural, and demographic differences in Budapest’s baths, a few universal questions plague the uninitiated. Széchenyi Thermal Baths. If you really want to feel the spirit of local traditions, you should visit the Széchenyi Thermal Baths … Spa treatments abound and you should indulge; there’s nothing quite like a vigorous Hungarian massage, mud therapy, or soapy hammam session to literally beat or scrub the tension and toxins out of a weary body. Best time to visit the Thermal Baths in Budapest. The original Roman baths remain only as archeological sites, but they kicked off centuries of soaking. Beyond the obvious soothing qualities of hot water, there’s a strange intimacy and sense of tolerance and ritual to the Budapest bath experience, one that’s clearly endured for many centuries and won’t stop anytime soon. Entrance to most of the older thermal baths in Budapest cost between 10 and 20 euros. As a rule of thumb, kids under 14 are prohibited to use the thermal baths (except for the 3 open air pools with constant parental supervision), while children over 14 can use the thermal baths for a limited time to avoid medical complications. Unfortunately, the original source got exhausted soon and a new drilling was made at the beginning of the 20th century. Web Visit website. Most baths are quiet zones. The Széchenyi baths were constructed at the end of the 19th century by drilling up natural water. Gellért Baths. ... One of the greatest pleasures of winter in Budapest must surely be the city’s spectacular thermal baths. Did you know that there are 118 mineral pools in Budapest? However, with its sights spread all over the place, the city absorbs large influxes of tourists better than most. AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 118! Szechenyi Baths is a world famous and really popular spa, that makes it one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Hungarian capital.The bath is on the bucket list of every tourist visiting Hungary, so I cannot tell you a time when only a few people are there. The best medicinal thermal baths in Budapest Of the baths constructed in locations formerly occupied by the Ottoman Empire, most of the ones in original or near-original condition are found in Buda. Address: H-1007 Budapest, Margitziget While it may not … Plenty of picture opportunities – and it’s a surreal experience during sunset. May 1, 2019 - Szechenyi Baths are the best in Budapest, with thermal pools, saunas and everything else you need to feel like a Roman. The only time I would suggest Géllert is in the middle of winter. Take a dip in one of the leading natural hot spring spa baths in Budapest at Gellért Thermal Baths. If you’re unsure of how to choose, start with Szechenyi Bath—Budapest’s largest, grandest, and busiest thermal bath. For most tourists, Spring, Summer and Fall are the best times to visit Budapest. Whether you’re going for a full range of massages and wellness treatments, or just stopping in for a steam and a quick dip, there are baths throughout the city designed in a wide range of styles. If you only have time to visit one of the baths while in Budapest, I would recommend Széchenyi. Budapest is famous for its thermal spas, and so it’s no wonder that a visit to the Szechenyi Thermal Baths is arguably the most popular thing to do in Budapest. Price: Admission starts at 2,400 HUF. Budapest Houses of Parliament at night. Avoid the tourist rush and go to the larger baths as early as you can, even at 6 a.m., when most open; or linger on Friday or Saturday nights at Rudas, which stays open past midnight. Visiting Budapest in the winter, particularly around the Christmas season, is also lovely. Or go where the locals go: Less ornate baths like Lukács are where … (Try the drinking water here, which apparently cures many ills, too.). Palatinus Thermal Baths. The Szechenyi Thermal Bath is the largest outdoor thermal bath in Europe and the first thermal bath of Pest. Even if many have claimed it to be extremely touristy, it is definitely still a must-visit for first-timers to Budapest. You get to see the spas in the day, during sunset and at night. So early morning is probably the best time to visit. Why Winter is the Best Time to Visit Budapest. Szechenyi and Gellert are among the best thermal baths in Budapest – visit at least one of them! 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