Budapest, the “City of Spas” has more thermal and medicinal water springs than any other capital city in the world. A visit to Budapest is not complete without experiencing a thermal bath or two. During our 4 day stay in Budapest, we managed to visit its two most popular thermal baths, which came highly recommended from locals- Szechenyi and Gellert. Both are amazing and extremely affordable to visit, costing under $20 for a full day. Gellert was our favorite because we found it the most beautiful and it was far less crowded. Szechenyi was a hot spot for both young and old and if you don’t mind the crowds is a great place to mingle and meet people. We would love to return and eventually visit all 15 of Budapest’s public thermal baths. We offer you a look inside Budapest’s two most popular thermal spas. We love taking photos and hope our images tempt you enough to go visit for yourself.
Szechenyi Bath, located in the beautiful City Park, is the largest medicinal bath in Europe and is Pest’s oldest thermal bath with 3 outdoor pools and 15 indoor pools. It is extremely popular with both locals and tourists, where people soak up the sun in the outdoor pool while drinking beer and playing chess. If you don’t want to take a dip but would like to see the place, you can purchase a visitor pass for only about $5. It is worth visiting just to see the incredible architecture dating back to 1913, with gorgeous domed ceilings and Romanesque columns. You may feel like you are inside a sanitarium at times because the staff dresses in all white and some of the changing cabins and hallways are stark white. Don’t worry, you haven’t flown over the cuckoo’s nest.
Szechenyi Thermal Spa in Budapest is the largest medicinal bath in Europe with 3 outdoor pools and 15 indoor baths
One of 15 indoor hot thermal baths at Szechenyi Spa in Budapest
Thermal baths at Szechenyi range from 18 to 38 degrees Celsius
Smaller thermal bath at Szechenyi Spa
There are 15 thermal baths at Szechenyi of varying temperatures
Szechenyi is the most popular thermal bath in Budapest
Cold plunge bath at Szechenyi Spa in Budapest
Beautiful architecture and ceiling inside Szechenyi Thermal Spa in Budapest
Changing cabins at Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest
Changing rooms and hallway reminiscent of a sanitarium
Beautiful architecture at Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest
Flowers decorate Szechenyi Spa in Budapest
Stunning dome at Szechenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest
After checking out Szechenyi Spa, we decided to visit Gellert Bath which is known world-wide and favored by tourists. Gellert Thermal Bath on the Buda side in Gellert Hotel has been open since 1918 and is famous for its Art-Nouveau main hall. Its “miraculous” springs have been drawing people since the 15th century and were favored by the Turks due to being hotter than the Buda baths. It includes 12 thermal baths, saunas, wave pool, effervescent pool, and children’s pool. It stood out to us because of its sheer beauty with its gorgeous tile mosaics and glass roofed main hall. We went a little crazy with our camera inside, snapping tons of photos because it is just so photogenic. The varying shades of blue throughout the bath put you into pure relaxation mode while reveling in its decadence. Gellert was definitely our favorite thermal spa in Budapest because it felt more private and because we absolutely loved the stunning interior. We spent several hours there soaking in the hot thermal waters and enjoyed meeting people from around the world. It was the perfect way to spend our last day in Budapest.
Gellert Bath is located in Gellert Hotel in Budapest
Main gallery and effervescent pool at Gellert Thermal Spa in Budapest
Soaking in the hot thermal waters at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Feeling glorious as the sun shines down on the thermal waters at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Stunning tile mosaics and showers at Gellert Spa
Our favorite room at Gellert Bath in Budapest because it was so beautiful and not crowded
Gorgeous thermal baths at Gellert Spa in Budapest
Enjoying the healing waters of Gellert Bath
We couldn’t help but take tons of photos of the beautiful Gellert Bath
Close-up of intricate decorations at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Take a drink of the healing waters while at Gellert Bath
One of several rooms with thermal baths at Gellert
Gellert Bath was far less crowded than Szechenyi Spa in Budapest
Showers for rinsing off between thermal baths at Gellert Spa
Dip in the cold plunge pool to improve your circulation if you dare
Tile mosaics decorate the walls, floor, and ceiling at Gellert Thermal Bath
One of the outdoor pools at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Outdoor pool with waves at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Outdoor pool and sauna at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Sauna at Gellert Thermal Bath
Changing cabin area at Gellert Bath
Private changing cabin at Gellert Bath
Sconces line the walls at Gellert Bath
Fountain at Gellert Bath with thermal water to drink
Art everywhere at Gellert Bath
Love these fountains spitting water into the effervescent pool at Gellert Bath
Entrance hall at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Feeling refreshed and relaxed after a day at Gellert Bath in Budapest
Don’t leave Budapest, the Spa City, without visiting a luxurious thermal bath. There are 15 public thermal baths to choose from and countless more private baths in hotels. Go indulge because you are worth it. Life is short, so make the most of every moment. That’s our motto- YOLO! Now go plan your spa vacation to Budapest! For more ideas on what to do there, check out our blog post 20 Best Things to Do in Budapest. If you need ideas on where to stay in Budapest, check out our review of the Hilton Budapest located in the historic castle district. If you liked this post, please sign up for our weekly email newsletter with travel tips and inspiration!
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