Budapest has a few nicknames, one of which is the "City of Spas," and for good reason! Thanks to its location on a patchwork of thermal springs, the city boasts a rich bathing culture that dates back centuries. From Roman-era baths to Ottoman hammams and grand 19th-century spa complexes, the thermal baths in Budapest offer relaxation, healing, and a truly unique travel experience. Whether you are looking for a historic soak or a modern twist on traditional bathing, the thermal baths in Budapest will not disappoint.
In this guide, we will explore two of the most famous thermal baths in Budapest—Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Bath—as well as an unusual, but incredible, experience at the Thermal Beer Spa.
If there is one spa that defines the thermal baths in Budapest, it is Széchenyi Thermal Bath. Located in the picturesque City Park (Városliget), this sprawling complex is the largest of the thermal baths in Budapest and one of the biggest in all of Europe. Built in 1913 in a beautiful Neo-Baroque style, Széchenyi Thermal Bath is fed by two natural thermal springs rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfate, which are believed to have therapeutic benefits.
With 18 pools, including both indoor and outdoor options, as well as numerous saunas and steam rooms, Széchenyi Thermal Bath offers an extensive and luxurious bathing experience. The outdoor pools are particularly popular, drawing both locals and tourists year-round. One of the most iconic sights is watching bathers play chess as they soak in the warm, steamy water.
At Széchenyi Thermal Bath, there are three large outdoor pools, including a lap pool, perfect for relaxation. The spa complex also boasts another 15 indoor thermal pools, at varying temperatures. Additionally, there are steam rooms, saunas, and an ice-cold plunge pool onsite for contrast therapy. Massages, pedicures, and other spa services are also available for an additional fee.
For a truly unforgettable experience, consider visiting Széchenyi Thermal Bath in the winter months. Unlike Gellért Thermal Bath, which I will cover shortly, the outdoor pools at Széchenyi Thermal Bath are actually open in winter. The contrast between the crisp cold air and the steaming hot pools creates an almost magical atmosphere, making it one of the most beautiful experiences among the thermal baths in Budapest.
Looking for something a little different? The Thermal Beer Spa, located within Széchenyi Thermal Bath, offers a unique take on the traditional bathing experience. Here, you can soak in a barrel-style tub filled with warm thermal water infused with beer ingredients like hops, malt, and sea salt. These ingredients are beneficial for the skin, promoting relaxation and hydration. The experience lasts 45 minutes and is really soothing. My skin has also never felt softer or more refreshed than after my visit to the Termal Beer Spa!
The best part? Unlimited draft beer is included in your session. Each room in the Thermal Beer Spa is equipped with its own beer tap, allowing you to pour yourself as many pints as you like while enjoying the warm, fragrant soak. It is a fun, quirky, and relaxing addition to your visit to Széchenyi Thermal Bath, making it one of the most unique experiences at the thermal baths in Budapest.
The Thermal Beer Spa at Széchenyi Thermal Bath must be booked in advance of your visit. For more information, and to book the Thermal Beer Spa experience, please visit the Thermal Beer Spa website.
The Thermal Beer Spa has a second location at Lukács Bath with some additional add-ons available like massages and ice baths. Just make sure you are booking the correct location when you make your online reservations!
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is more than just a spa, and these additional experiences can take your trip to the thermal baths in Budapest to the next level.
While the baths are famous for their relaxing daytime soaks, they transform into an entirely different scene on Saturday nights. Enter Sparty—a legendary nighttime pool party that combines thermal bathing with an electrifying nightclub atmosphere. Sparty events run every Saturday night from 9:30 PM to 2:00 AM.
Sparty is a unique thermal bath party experience held at Széchenyi Thermal Bath, blending electronic music, laser lights, and a lively party crowd. These events take place on Saturday nights and turn the historic spa into an open-air nightclub, complete with world-class DJs. Imagine dancing in steaming thermal pools under the stars while surrounded by historic Neo-Baroque architecture—Sparty is truly unlike any other nightclub in the world.
If you are looking for a more exclusive and luxurious way to enjoy the famous baths, DaySPALM offers a VIP wellness experience within the historic Széchenyi complex. DaySPALM is a premium relaxation area inside Széchenyi Thermal Bath, designed for those who want to relax after enjoying the thermal baths in a more private and tranquil setting. The DaySPALM section offers upgraded amenities, including bathrobes and slippers, complimentary drinks and snacks, and a quiet escape from the busy main pools. DaySPALM is essentially a boutique spa atmosphere that enhances the traditional thermal bath experience.
DaySPALM has a limited capacity and spots fill up quickly. As such, I recommend booking your admission to the DaySPALM in advance of your visit. Admission to the DaySPALM includes access to all of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath facilities, including pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Reservations for DaySPALM at Széchenyi Thermal Bath can be booked online on the DaySPALM website.
For those seeking therapeutic treatments, the Medical Spa at Széchenyi Thermal Bath offers a range of medical services aimed at promoting health and wellness. The spa's experienced medical team tailors individualized therapy programs to address each patient's specific needs. Visitors can access therapy programs without a referral and the Medical Spa is open to tourists. Typically, medical examinations are scheduled within days, and treatments can often begin the following day. For additional information and to make an appointment, please visit the Medical Spa at Széchenyi Thermal Bath website.
The Private Spa is a dedicated area within Széchenyi Thermal Bath, designed to provide guests with a secluded and personalized wellness experience. It features air-conditioned rooms equipped with amenities such as bathrobes, towels, slippers, in-room toiletries, and hair dryers. Sparkling wine, fruit juice, and mineral water are also included. Guests can choose between Superior and Deluxe rooms, with Deluxe rooms offering the added convenience of a private bathroom with a shower. Each package includes a 4-hour access to the bath facilities (8-hour packages are also available), allowing guests to enjoy the thermal pools and other amenities at their leisure. Additionally, guests receive access to the exclusive DaySPALM area. Bookings for the Private Spa also include the option for 45-minute or 90-minute massages.
For additional information and to make reservations, please visit the Private Spa website. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance of your visit.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Operating hours for the Thermal Beer Spa, Private Spa, DaySPALM, and Medical Spa may differ, so it is best to check directly with them when making your reservations. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is open on national holidays.
Tickets for Széchenyi Thermal Bath can be booked about a month in advance. I highly recommend making your reservations for Széchenyi Thermal Bath, even if it is just for general admission to the thermal baths, online ahead of your visit. I also recommend booking a ticket that includes a private changing room (sometimes called a cabin) for you to safely secure your belongings while enjoying the facilities. Massages and spa treatments can also be booked online, ahead of your visit. To book your trip to Széchenyi Thermal Bath, please visit the Széchenyi Thermal Bath website.
There is a restaurant on site at Széchenyi Thermal Bath and you are also permitted to bring in food and drinks with you from outside vendors. However, alcohol is not permitted. Food and drinks may only be consumed on the outdoor terrace and inside the restaurant.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is located in City Park (Városliget). It is easily accessible by public transport, taxi, or even a scenic walk. The metro will be the quickest way to get to Széchenyi Thermal Bath if you are coming from central Budapest. From Deák Ferenc Square (a short walk from St Stephen's Basilica Budapest), you can take Metro Line 1 (Yellow Line) from Deák Ferenc tér toward Mexikói út and get off at Széchenyi Fürdő station. Széchenyi Thermal Bath is right next to the exit.
For those who prefer an elegant setting and a quiet atmosphere, Gellért Bath is a must-visit. Located within the Gellért Hotel, this Art Nouveau masterpiece opened in 1918 and remains one of the most visually stunning thermal baths in Budapest. Gellért Bath is famous for its mosaic-tiled pools, intricate stained glass windows, and grand columns, which create an atmosphere of old-world luxury. Unlike Széchenyi’s massive outdoor pools, Gellért offers a more intimate and refined experience, with most of its pools located indoors.
Gellért Bath has a total of 10 pools, two outside and eight inside, all various sizes and temperatures. One of the most unique features of Gellért Bath is its outdoor wave pool. Sadly, the wave pool has been out of operation since 2019 and currently functions as a regular leisure pool. There are plans to repair the wave pool, though a date for its reopening has not yet been set.
The thermal waters at Gellért Bath are sourced from Gellért Hill’s mineral-rich springs, containing calcium, fluoride, and sodium, which are said to help with joint pain, circulation issues, and overall relaxation.
Beyond the thermal baths, Gellért Bath also offers steam rooms, saunas, and massage services, providing a well-rounded spa experience. Whether you are admiring the spectacular Art Nouveau design, enjoying a rejuvenating soak, or indulging in a private bath session, visiting Gellért Bath is one of the most elegant and unforgettable things to do in Budapest.
One unique feature that sets Gellért Bath apart from other thermal baths in Budapest is the option to rent private bath spaces. If you are looking for a more exclusive and intimate experience, you can book a private thermal bath, perfect for couples or those wanting a tranquil escape from the main pools. This makes it an ideal choice for special occasions or a relaxing retreat after a long day of sightseeing. The private bath experience was really enjoyable at Gellért Bath. The private bath experience consisted of a large private suite, featuring a seating area, private bathroom (including a shower), and a large thermal bath that fit two adults comfortably. Towels and toiletries for the shower were also provided. The experience even included a bottle of Hungarian sparkling wine and some chocolate!
If you are interested in booking a private bath experience at Gellért Bath, you will need to send a message to Gellért Bath through their official website. From my experience, they responded promptly, answered any questions that I had, and provided information regarding availability. You can send a message to Gellért Bath on the Contact Us page on their website.
Additional information regarding the private bathing experience can be found on the Gellért Bath website.
Gellért Bath is open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, including on public holidays. The last admission to Gellért Bath is at 6:00 PM and the pool area closes at 6:40 PM. The saunas and steam rooms are open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, daily. The outdoor pool is closed during the winter months (typically late September to mid-May, depending on the weather).
Massages and entry tickets can be booked online, in advance of your visit to Gellért Bath. As with Széchenyi Thermal Bath, I highly recommend booking an admission ticket that includes a cabin. The cabin is a secure, private changing room, offering ample space for you to both change and safely store your belongings while you enjoy all of the services that Gellért Bath has to offer. If you are traveling to Gellért Bath with luggage, know that the cabin is large enough for you to store your luggage inside.
Reservations and additional information can be found on the Gellért Bath website.
Aside from Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Bath, there are a few other thermal baths in Budapest. While I have not had the opportunity to visit them myself, these baths are still pretty popular and are well-loved by locals.
A favorite among locals, Lukács Baths offers a more authentic and less touristy thermal bath experience in Budapest. Located in Buda, this historic spa has been renowned for its healing waters since the 12th century, once attracting monks and later famous writers and artists. The bath features thermal pools, saunas, steam rooms, and a wellness area. While quieter than Széchenyi Thermal Bath and Gellért Bath, Lukács is a hidden gem for those seeking a more relaxed and traditional spa experience.
For additional information on Lukács Baths, please visit the Lukács Baths website.
Like Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Lukács Baths also offers a Thermal Beer Spa. The Thermal Beer Spa is a private and relaxing spa experience, with additional add-ons like massages and ice baths at Lukács Baths.
Advance booking is required and is a popular add-on for Lukács Baths. For more information, and to book the Thermal Beer Spa experience, please visit the Thermal Beer Spa website.
For a truly unique experience, Rudas Thermal Bath blends Turkish tradition with modern wellness, offering one of Budapest’s most atmospheric spa experiences. Dating back to the 16th century Ottoman era, Rudas features a beautiful octagonal thermal pool beneath a domed ceiling, evoking an air of ancient luxury. The bathhouse includes several thermal pools, a modern wellness area, and a rooftop with spectacular views over the Danube River and the Budapest skyline.
Uniquely, Rudas has men-only and women-only days in its traditional Turkish bath section, while the modern spa and pool is co-ed and welcomes all visitors daily. For additional information on Rudas Thermal Bath, please visit the Rudas Thermal Bath website.
To make the most of your visit to one (or more!) of the thermal baths in Budapest, keep these eight tips in mind:
If you are coming to Budapest exclusively for the spa and thermal bath experience, know that you can stay at a hotel like Hotel Gellért, where a spa is available on-site. Some additional hotels with on-site spas in Budapest include:
If you book a hotel through one of our Expedia Group or Hotels.com affiliate links, we may earn a small commission.
Whether you choose to soak in the grandeur of Széchenyi Thermal Bath, enjoy a beer-infused relaxation session at the Thermal Beer Spa, or immerse yourself in the Art Nouveau elegance of Gellért Bath, the thermal baths in Budapest are an essential experience for any traveler. These historic spas are more than just places to unwind—they are a deep part of the city’s culture and heritage, offering a perfect blend of history, wellness, and relaxation.
Have you visited any of the thermal baths in Budapest? Share your experience in the comments below! ⬇️
Looking for additional information to help you plan your trip to Budapest? From top sights to hotel recommendations, and more, check out our Budapest Travel Guide and our blog post on the Top 10 Things to Do in Budapest.