Turkish Baths in Budapest Hungary

We have all, at one point or other, taken a vacation for relaxation and rejuvenation purposes. But are you familiar with the concept of travelling for healing? If not, it’s time to introduce you to the ‘City of Spas’- Budapest. While other places in the world are famous for brilliant architecture and gastronomical delights, this Hungarian city is best known for its Thermal and Turkish Baths.

The credit for the discovery of these medicinal waters can be attributed to the Celtic tribes who first settled in the region. However, it was the Roman and the Turkish invasion which brought the curative powers of the water to light. Since then, many a people from the world over have frolicked to Budapest to dip themselves in its therapeutic waters to mend their health and advance their well-being. Given below is the list of some of the finest baths in the city of Budapest which are celebrated for restoring anyone’s health who soak themselves in the city’s hot springs.

Szechenyi Bath and Spa:

From aqua-aerobics and fat-burning gymnastics to curing joint illnesses and chronic arthritis, Szechenyi Bath and Spa, provides the visitors with all this and more. Situated in the ‘Pest’ side of Budapest in the City Park, this bath complex is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The spa wears Neo-Baroque architecture and takes after the styles of Romans, Greeks and traditions of Northern Europe. The thermal waters which were discovered in 1913 are sourced out of St. Stephans well and are utilized for a variety of healing functions.

Szechenyi Bath and Spa consist of three outdoor and fifteen indoor pools and provides many services including, but not limited to, weight and body toning, infra sauna, Thai massage and carbonic and salted tub-bath treatment. If you are looking to get in shape or want to rid yourself of chronic orthopaedic diseases, you can take a bath or drink the healing waters available in abundance in this place. The Wellness Centre located inside the complex is fully equipped with modern cardio-vascular and workout machines whereas the day-time hospital offers many healing-cure programmes for those in need. You can also try one of the Finnish, dry or steam saunas to invigorate yourself and when you get drained out of energy (in a good way) you can always head to the buffet or the restaurants to enjoy sumptuous meals with your family.

If you are planning to visit this place, it’s a wise idea to restrict yourself to weekdays only as prices of the tickets shoot up during weekends and holidays. Moreover, you won’t be able to visit the day-time hospital which houses all major therapeutic services as it’s closed on weekends.

Treatments and Famous For Curing:
You can take a dip in the waters of this spa which is known to cure degenerative illnesses of joints, chronic and semi-acute arthritis and provides orthopaedic and post-injury treatments. However, drinking the waters of the hot spring will aid in curing Chronic gastric catarrh, gastric ulcer, intestinal catarrh, Chronic inflammation of the pelvis, kidney and urine paths, Chronic catarrh of the inhaling organs, Overproduction of gastric acid, Disturbances of metabolism linked to gout, Illnesses of the gall bladder and the gall paths, Calcium deficiency in the bones and Certain forms of renal stone.
Timings and Prices:
Swimming pools- open daily from 6:00am-10:00pm, Thermal pools- open daily from 6:00am-9:00pm. Massages can be indulged in everyday whereas the day-Time Hospital is closed on weekends.
Depending on the length of stay as well as the day of the week, the Swimming pool tickets costs anywhere between 2620-3650 HUF. Steam room entrance also costs the same approximately.
The cost of a full day thermal tub ticket is 1500 HUF whereas a therapeutic tub ticket is priced at 2200 HUF for either a carbon enhanced bath or an underwater jet massage.
You can also avail various medicinal service packages either for around 8000 HUF/day, or 60000-72000 HUF/week.
A 15-30 minutes massage cost 2000-3800 HUF and most short medical services can be taken advantage of by paying 2100 HUF.

Gellert Baths and Spa:

If you have enough to splurge, we have just the thing for you. Opened in 1918 and located on the ‘Buda’ side of the city, the Gellert Bath sits grandly in the southern part of the City Centre. Deriving its medicinal waters from the 118 natural hot springs of the Gellert Hill, the 13 units make up an entire complex. The tastefully decorated baths with their Art-Nouveau architecture, Roman-style columns, ceramic tiles and glass roofs, aide in bringing the history of this place to life.

Whether you want to get rid of some chronic disease, are in dire need of relaxation or simply want to spend time with your children and spouse, there really is no single reason to pay a visit to this place. There are three outdoor pools, two effervescent bath sections and eight thermal bath departments, out of which some are open to just men, some to just women while some to members of both sexes. Massages are the order of the day in this spa and all those who are looking to revitalize themselves will be particularly delighted with the variety of massages available, ranging from medical healing massage and refreshing massage to foot massage and underwater-beam massage.

Amongst the many services that are offered by this spa, you can also make use of buffets, dental surgery, manicures, bathing suites rentals and the Hairdresser’s shop located inside the premises of the place. Facilities to exchange currency as well as custody of garments and valuables can also be taken advantage of by the visitors. Even though tickets are sold up till an hour before closing, it is recommended to plan your visit in such a way that leaves you with ample time to enjoy maximum services offered by the Gellert spa.

Treatments and Famous For Curing:
The baths are famous for treating chronic and semi-acute arthritis, blood circulation problems, degenerative illnesses of joints, illnesses of the vertebral spine, pains of the inter-vertebral disc, aortic stenosis, and neuralgia. Treatment for asthmatic illnesses and chronic bronchitis is also available.
Timings and Prices:
It is open from 6:00am-8:00pm on most days, but the timings for treatments available vary. Therefore, it is advisable to check the spa’s website to find out at what time you can indulge in your preferred treatment before you venture inside the spa.
The Full entrance price to both the swimming pool and the men's and women's thermal facilities with a cabin rental is 3600 and 3900 HUF. You can get a refund of 300 HUF if you leave within two hours.
Children aged 6-14 years- bit over half the adult price while children under 6 can go in for free.
Massage prices are as follows: Powder massages (30 minutes) - 4300 HUF, Aroma, Relax massage (20 minutes) - 2800 HUF and Aroma, Relax massage (30 minutes) - 4300 HUF.
You can also purchase multiple-use tickets if you are in a group of around 50 people, on which you can avail close to 20 percent discount.

Lukács Thermal Bath:

Another famous spa which is a favourite among Hungarians finds itself on the ‘Buda’ side of the city. Chronicling these baths is a winding trail of rich history which establishes 12th century as the period in which the monastery baths were built, followed by the first spa hotel in 1880’s. But it was in the 20th century that seemingly advanced structures such as a drinking cure hall and a day time hospital were added to the story of this ancient building which, at present, is renovated to spas.

While the eight pools housed inside this bath provide picturesque views of the park that envelops them, both sexes can enjoy the luxury of the remedial waters and surrounding vistas in separate sections. Apart from the usual services and treatments that other thermal baths offer, Lukács provide visitors with a variety of alternatives to chose from. Some of the peculiar services include a Carbonic acid tub-bath, healing drinking cure, physico-therapeutic treatments and mud pack treatment. If you are looking to soak up some vitamin D, you can go for roof sunbathing which is quite a popular pursuit for visitors here.

If you want to procure the benefits of the treatments offered without spending much then visit this spa during weekday afternoons. There is also a Happy Hours programme on Tuesdays which reduces your bathing costs significantly. However, keep in mind to steer clear of weekend mornings as they are the most expensive of the lot.

Treatments and Famous for Curing:
The waters of Lukács baths acts as a cure for joint degeneration, vertebral deformation, inter-vertebral disc displacement, bone system calcium deficiency, neuralgia, chronic arthritis and also provide treatments for post-injury recovery patients.
Timings and Prices:
Thermal Bath and Swimming pool are open every day from 6:00am-8:00pm. Thermal tub bath and weight bath are open from 6:30am-7:00pm on weekdays and 6:30am-1:00pm on Saturdays. However, the medical healing massage can be availed till 5:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Pool tickets for two hours- 1800-2600 HUF while All-day pool tickets costs 2400-2900 HUF.
Happy Hours on Tuesdays are priced between 1250-1450 HUF.
A 15-30 minute massage can be availed by paying anywhere between 2200 to 3800 HUF.

Rudas Thermal Bath:

The Turkish occupation in the 16th century must be credited for the establishment of Rudas Thermal baths which takes its water from three springs, namely-Hungária, Attila and Juventus. The bath is situated right along Danube below the Gellert Hill and is a fine example of the Turkish architecture.

Rudas baths boasts of six steam pools as well as a swimming pool which is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphate. Visitors to the spa can take advantage of the balneology treatment in its daytime hospital along with cleansing their bodies in Dry and steam sauna chambers. Gulping down waters of these springs might not quench your thirst but is sure to cure you of diseases plaguing you. While you are here, make sure you give in to the pleasures of a foot massage which is relaxing and therapeutic at the same time. Medical healing massage and Refreshing massage are some other services offered to those who come looking to restore their health.

Before you buy a ticket to any of the services provided here, bear in mind that different days are reserved for men and women. You can check out the bazaar outlets which dots the area of Rudas Spa. After you are done with your retail therapy, gorging on delicacies that are available in the Buffet would provide the perfect ending to your day.

Treatments and Famous for Curing:
You can visit this place to cure yourself of joint degeneration, protruded inter-vertebral disc, bone system calcium deficiency, neuralgia and chronic arthritis.
Timings and Prices:
Thermal bath is open from Monday-Friday from 6:00am-8:00pm while the swimming pool closes at 6:00pm on Mondays through Wednesdays. On Weekends, swimming pool for group use is open from 6:00am-8:00pm while the tub section is closed. Women can only access the thermal baths on Tuesdays while the rest of the days are reserved for men.
Weekday afternoon pool tickets for two hours-1270 HUF and all day tickets are priced between 1700-2200 HUF.
Steam room tickets are for 2000-2800 HUF and a 15-30 minute massage costs between 2200 to 3800 HUF.

Király Bath:

A brainchild of the pasha of Buda, Király Thermal Bath was commissioned by Arslan in the year 1565. Damaged during World War II, these Turkish baths were restored to their former glory in 1950. The baths “borrow” the waters from the springs of the Lukács Bath located nearby and were designed in such a way that they could be used even during a siege.

You can avail any service from thermal, steam, sauna and tub baths to refreshing, underwater jet and medical massage in order to cure yourself of joint diseases, spinal deformity and discus hernia among other things. Pedicures and foot massages provided inside these spas are also a great way to relieve yourself of tensions and are guaranteed to transport you into a state of permanent bliss (at least for a little while).

Like other baths, men and women can make frequent these spas on different days, with Mondays and Fridays reserved for the fairer sex and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for men. Keep in mind to observe the spa etiquette when taking a dip in any of the four bath units located in the complex, which will not only save you from any embarrassments but will ensure that these remedial waters remain hygienic and sterile.

Treatments and Famous for Curing:
You can dip in the waters of Király Bath to cure degenerative joint diseases, chronic and sub-acute arthritis, discus hernia, spinal deformity, neuralgia and for post-accident rehabilitation.
Timings and Prices:
Ladies can access these baths on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00am-8:00pm while it’s open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for men from 10:00am-10:00pm. Wednesdays and Sundays are reserved for both sexes from 8:00am-8:00pm.
An all day ticket with cabin facility is priced at 2100 HUF while a two hour afternoon ticket with cabin facility costs 1570 HUF.

Things you must know about before you go for these baths:

• If you really want to bask in the benefits of these baths, treat yourself to its waters, massages or saunas for at least two hours. You’ll have to shell out extra money for any additional time spent inside the waters. However, if you leave before the allotted time, you can ask for refunds of around 100 forints from the attendant.

• There is no guarantee that you’ll be provided with necessary items such as clean towels or a swimming cap when in spas. Therefore, carry along fresh towels, slippers, shower gel and a swimming cap.

• A very obvious tip and yet of extreme importance- Before you step inside the swimming pools in these places, it’s mandatory to take a shower.

• Even a few hours spent in these baths has the tendency to drain you out of energy. Make sure you give yourself a nice nap and gorge on food after you have had your fill of the medicinal waters. Sight-seeing immediately is a terrible idea.

• A dip in these hot waters can leave anyone dehydrated. Keeping bottled water nearby will save you the trouble of getting parched.

• Etiquette also calls for tipping your attendant and masseur for the services they provided. Don’t be stingy here.

• There are many spas in Budapest which allows bathing nude or co-ed bathing. If you are not comfortable with the given options, you can always search for a spa which has provisions for single-sex bathing.