Baths

Budapest is fortunate to have some of the world's finest Turkish baths. Not only do they boast original Ottoman architecture (consisting of wonderful octagonal pools, cupolas and colored glass windows) but offer a unique - and sometimes hedonistic - bathing experience. And while some, such as the Széchenyi Gyógyfürdõ are more recent, cheap entry prices and expert masseurs - who happily re-arrange your limbs and muscles in ways that you thought (up until now) were impossible - are common to all!

Bathhouses usually have two main pools, along with smaller ones that contain water of varying temperatures. Elsewhere you'll also find saunas and steam rooms, together with a wide-array of medical treatments. Massages come in two favors, namely orvosi (a relaxing medical massage) and vizí (water), a much more rigorous - dare we say sadistic - Turkish based variant! The Gellért, Rudas and Széchenyi Baths are arguably the best for tourists, while the Király and Rác enjoy an active gay scene.

Reviews for other (public) baths will be added to this page shortly, while hotel spa baths are listed in our Budapest lodging section.

Gellért Baths
XI. Kelenhegyi út 4, Trams 18, 19, 47 to Gellért tér, Open 6am-8pm daily
Guests of the adjoining Gellért hotel tend to feel fairly smug about the fact that the 'in-house' pool is probably the finest Art Nouveau example anywhere in Europe. Don't worry if you're staying elsewhere though, a modest fee will gain you entry - not only to the main pool with it's impressive marble columns and spitting lions, but also to the outdoor pools which are used extensively during the summer. Leading off from the main pool on either side are two Turkish style thermal baths, one for men, the other for women. You'll pay an extra 450 HUF for a therapeutic message, while there's also a full range of medicinal spa treatments available.

Király Baths
II. Fö utca 84, Metro: M2 Batthyány tér.
Open: 6am-8pm, men only bathing Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Undoubtedly one of the city's most historic Turkish monuments, the Király is second only to the Rudas baths (below). Owned by the wealthy König family during the 19th century, its origins date back as far back as 1570. As with the Rudas, the octagonal main pool is surrounded by a number of smaller pools, steam rooms and saunas. Enjoys a largely gay clientele.

Rudas Baths
I. Döbrentei tér 9, Tram 18,19, Bus 7 to Döbrentei tér, Open 6am-8pm weekdays, 6am-12pm Sat-Sun.
Just to the north along Szent Gellért rakpart is another historic spa - the Rudas gyórgyfürdõ (Rudas Baths). Arguably the finest of Budapest's Turkish baths, the site was re-constructed by the Pasha of Buda in the 16th century. The building, which boasts a main octagonal pool, has five other smaller pools, three saunas and two steam rooms. What's more, the baths feel particularly atmospheric when sunlight, filtering through the windows of the domed roof, hits the rising steam of the main pool.

Széchenyi Baths
XIV. Állakerti körút 11, Metro: M1 Széchenyi fürdõ, Open 6am-10pm daily.
Set amidst the tranquil surroundings of the Városliget (City Park), the Széchenyi Baths is a grand old building to which Budapest families flock during the summer. The unisex outdoor pool has a extremely convivial atmosphere - old timers play chess on floating boards while everyone else just lazes around. The Széchenyi's Turkish baths are housed away from the main pool, while outside there's a statue of Zsigmond Vilmos who discovered the thermal springs here.

Palatinus Swimming Pool
XIII, - Margitsziget. (Bus Number 26) Open Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Summer season only.

The most popular location in high summer for a day's lazing in the sun. Set in the lovely park of the Margaret Island. Very crowded in July and August. Seven pools, wave pool, games area. Gay cruising area is on the spot, on the roof where is only for nude men area.