Spa Visits and Tickets in Budapest

The first thing that comes to mind when I think back to my Budapest spa experience is that, until then, I did not know what a real spa was. In fact, I have not visited any spa or spa resembling one again. The most popular in the city is the Széchenyi Spa, which is the best value for money. I'll tell you more:

With tickets to the Széchenyi Spa in Budapest you get fast-track access to one of Europe's largest hot spring complexes, where you can enjoy up to 18 pools, including three outdoor pools, massage jets, saunas and steam baths. A paradise for spa and relaxation lovers.

In addition, with the same ticket you will have the opportunity to visit the Palinka Museum with an expert guide, who will tell you about the process of making this traditional Hungarian drink. And of course you will be able to taste some of this brandy or, if you prefer, another non-alcoholic drink.

Recommended if... You don't want to miss out on the authentic Budapest spa experience in one of the most popular resorts, with modern and varied facilities at a very reasonable price.

The Széchenyi Spa is the best-known baths in the city, both by tourists and locals, and also the cheapest. You've probably seen several pictures of its huge yellow façade and its chessboard outdoor pools. The luxurious neoclassical Széchenyi has a total of 15 pools, 3 of them outdoor, including Jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas.

Prices for additional services

The total price you will pay for your full day entrance to the Széchenyi baths is about 37 euros and includes:

Opening times

Széchenyi Spa is open from 6am to 10pm (although the indoor pools usually close at 7pm). It can be visited in both winter and summer, but the experience of visiting in winter is unique, as with an outside temperature below freezing you can be outdoors in a warm pool of water without being cold at all, something unheard of in other parts of the world.

Availability

The Széchenyi Baths are considered to be the largest hot spring complex in Europe, so its large capacity makes it difficult to sell out except at Easter or on public holidays. However, it is best to book in advance to avoid queues.

Budapest's second most famous spa is the art nouveau Géllert Spa. It is part of the hotel of the same name and is located on the Buda bank next to the Citadel. The style is different from Széchenyi and arguably these baths have a more "exclusive" or luxurious feel to them.

The demand tends to be a little higher so we recommend that you buy tickets for the Gellert Spa to avoid waiting and queuing. The baths at the Géllert Hotel have been in operation since 1918 and are one of the most renowned in Hungary.

What you will see inside

Special services available

With 13 pools, including steam baths and saunas, there are also services you can add to your ticket such as:

In this package, the entrance fee to the Géllert spa is added to the hotel pick-up service. A private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel on the day and at the time scheduled for your visit and will take you to the spa in comfort so that you don't have to worry about anything.

Timetables

A very important thing to know about the Géllert spa is that it is closed at weekends. During the rest of the week the opening hours are from 6.30am to 7pm, although these conditions are subject to change at certain times of the year. In any case, when you book your tickets online, you will know which dates are not available.

If you have already visited Budapest's two most important baths, Széchenyi and Gellert, and would like to add some more to your visit, there are also other options. These are smaller spas where you can enjoy the experience in a more intimate way.

Lukács

I recommend you to go on a Saturday, as on this day this bath, which used the thermal waters of an ancient monastery in the 12th century, is the site of a real party known as a sparty. You can also go any other day of the week to relax, but it is smaller than the other options you have in the city.

Important: if you get the Budapest Card, you get free entry to the thermal baths and the Lukács swimming pool, as well as discounts on many attractions, unlimited use of public transport and much more.

Rudas baths

With a decorative style dating back to the 16th century, these baths are very popular in Budapest. They are located on Gellert Hill facing the Danube (don't forget to walk around before entering) and feature an octagonal-shaped central bath with a dome 10 metres in diameter. When you buy your ticket, you have the option of selecting morning opening hours only, which will save you money.

Császár Baths

This is the best option if you are looking for a smaller spa where you can relax without being surrounded by people. It only has five pools, so it's best to book your ticket in advance to secure your place.

Király Thermal Bath

Don't expect grand structures at this bath, as the décor is rather rustic, which makes it the most authentic of all the options available in Budapest. These Turkish baths date back to the 16th century and are not usually very crowded, especially if you go during the week.

How to get to Budapest

Although there are spas like Széchenyi further away from the city centre, everything in Budapest is accessible either on foot (depending on where your hotel is) or by taxi (prices are quite affordable). Remember that you can also buy tickets with hotel pick-up included for a small supplement, but the return journey is at your own expense.

Where to eat

If you're spending a whole day at the Budapest baths, you'll probably want to know where to eat. Most of the baths with full-day admission have restaurants or cafés inside that are a little more expensive than the restaurants in the city centre but still quite affordable.

In many of them you can also bring your own food and keep it in your locker or cabin to take with you when you get out of the water. In any case, don't rule out going out in the middle of the day for lunch or a stroll around the area; if you let reception know, you can get back in with your wristband at any time of day, at least at most of the resorts.

When to go

The spas in Budapest are open all year round and in both summer and winter the experience is worthwhile. In winter, you'll get quite cold as you move from pool to pool, but it's worth it in exchange for being in a warm pool when the temperature outside drops below freezing.

Avoid public holidays such as Easter if you don't want the spas to be overcrowded with tourists and locals alike. At night the magic of the pools is amazing, so try to be there when the sun goes down, even if it's only for a little while.

Hygiene

Although all of these baths are well kept, the number of people that flock to them every day makes it wise to take a few precautions. Above all, bring your own flip-flops or rent them on site and wear them whenever you are out of the water. Although a water cap is not compulsory, it is advisable to wear one to avoid leaving hair in the pools.

Health

In any of the spas you can go to in Budapest you will find, above all, large temperature changes. This is very good for your circulation, but if you have a specific medical condition that you think might affect you, consult your doctor or the spa staff before using the facilities. Also make sure you stay hydrated during your visit.

There are many cities that lend themselves to visiting a spa or health spa during your trip, but in Budapest it goes beyond that. Visiting the city's spas is as much of a must-do experience for visitors as visiting the Parliament or crossing any of the Danube bridges that connect the two banks of the city.

While in other countries such facilities are used as a place of relaxation, in Central Europe they are recommended for their medicinal properties. This is why the health systems of countries like Hungary promote and pay for balneotherapy in baths like these.

Budapest's spas, moreover, are not an attraction for tourists, however much it is recommended to visit them during a trip. Hungarians themselves use these facilities as they did in the old days: as a medicinal therapy. This tradition has been going on for centuries and that is why many of the city's baths are decorated according to the period in which the baths in question were built and are worth a visit in themselves.

Finally, if you are wondering why Budapest in particular has so many spas, perhaps the fact that there are over 100 thermal springs in the city that are used to provide these baths will help you to understand why.

Visiting the city's spas is undoubtedly one of the most authentic experiences you can have on this trip. If you don't have much time, at least visit the baths one afternoon (most of them close quite late so you won't be crowded with other tourist activities) and reserve the morning for, for example, a cruise on the Danube. I tell you about the best cruises here: Cruises and Boat Rides in Budapest.

The river cruise is also a relaxed and authentic experience where you can see the city's main sights and learn about the culture from your guide. If you only have one day in Budapest, the cruise and visit to the baths will leave the city with the feeling that you have made the most of your time.