A spa day is an invigorating experience for the mind, body, and soul. Imagine enjoying the day outdoors, swimming or dipping in thermal pools, then later having a rejuvenating doze with an amazing massage. End that with a sip of tea and it’s pure bliss. All that can be experienced in Budapest, the “City of Spas.”
The Hungarian capital is a must-visit for spa lovers because of its world-renowned baths and lidos that have been serving travelers ever since the reign of the Romans. Budapest is the best for all things rest and relaxation. It’s time to soak.
Plan Your Spa Visit To Budapest
A spa day is all about serenity and it should start with a hassle-free trip to Budapest. For that to happen, here are some travel reminders to keep in mind.
- Tourists should have passports that are valid for at least six months and three months of validity beyond the departure date from the Schengen area.
- A tourist visa is not required for United States citizens who will stay for under 90 days.COVID-19 restrictions in Hungary are already lifted, so currently, there are no testing, vaccination, and quarantine requirements.
- Cash amounting to more than 10,000 Euros should be declared upon entry and exit.
- Tourists should regularly check travel advisories before the flight.
Benefits Of The Baths
Aside from relaxation, mineral baths in Budapest are believed to have medicinal benefits for the skin, organs, joints, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. Add an hour or two of massage that helps reduce muscle tension, soreness, and stress, and it’s a spa day worth remembering.
Baths To Visit In Budapest
There are more than 100 geothermal springs in Budapest, thus its nickname as the City of Spas. There’s a destination for every type of tourist, from the senior citizens who want some quiet time or young professionals who want to try “sparties.” Here are some of the well-known baths in the city that are worth a visit.
Széchenyi Baths
Széchenyi has 21 pools, making it one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe. The temperature in its thermal pools ranges from 30 to 40° Celsius (86-104° Fahrenheit) and the depth varies from one to 1.3 meters. The place is a tourist favorite because of its wide range of amenities that are intended to deliver a spa-ctacular vacay.
- It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- A daily ticket (with locker use) costs 5,900 forints (around $17) for weekdays and 6,200 Ft (around $18).
- Guests can try a 20- or 45-minute massage (solo) worth 9,000 Ft ($26) or 15,000 Ft ($44) respectively.
- For an intimate experience, guests can have private spa packages with massage, free items, or thalassotherapy.
- There are also saunas, steam rooms, beer spa, medical spa, physiotherapy, and other medical-based bath services.
Rudas Baths
Rudas is a 500-year-old Turkish bathhouse that's believed to have medicinal benefits for joint pain, inflammations, and spine issues. It has five pools and saunas that work together to deliver a holistic experience for guests.
- It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with night bathing on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
- The Turkish bath is exclusively for males every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (all day) and until 12:45 p.m. every Friday. It's women-only every Tuesday, and co-ed every Friday (from 1 p.m.), Saturday, and Sunday.
- An all-zone daily ticket costs 5,500 Ft ($16) every weekday and 6,900 Ft ($20) every weekend. The daily thermal ticket costs 3,800 Ft ($11), while the night ticket costs 7,000 Ft ($20).
- Massage services for solo guests range from 5,500 Ft (20 minutes) to 9,500 Ft or $28 (45 minutes).
Gellért Baths
This bathing complex welcomes guests to its array of spa wonders. It has indoor and outdoor pools, aromatherapy sessions, thermal massages, and other treatments. It’s always a spa-ntaneous day at Gellért. Soak in!
- It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- A daily ticket costs 5,900 forints ($17) for weekdays and 6,200 Ft ( $18).
- Guests can enjoy a 20- or 45-minute massage (solo) worth 9,000 Ft ($26) or 15,000 Ft ($44) respectively.
- Aside from spa packages, visitors can also try thalassotherapy, private bathing, steam rooms, saunas, and the medical pool.
Lukacs Baths
The history of Lukacs Baths dates back to the 12th century and one of its interior walls is the actual wall of a hot spring mill. Pool temperature here ranges from 89-104°F. This landmark is impressive because of its rich spa culture but, more importantly, due to its wonderful amenities.
- It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and until 8 p.m. every Tuesday.
- Adult tickets cost 3,500 Ft ($10) every weekday and 3,900 Ft ($11) on weekends.
- Afternoon tickets cost 2,600 Ft ($7) every weekday and 3,400 Ft on weekends ($10).
- Massage services cost 3,500 Ft ($10) to 6,500 Ft ($19).
- Amenities include saunas, medical tub baths, private bathing, beer spa, sunbathing spaces, fitness park, and spa treatments, among others.
Impressive bathhouses dot the city, and spa lovers just need to choose the right one. Regardless of their choice, they will have nothing but a good time from the pool to the massage table. Imagine roaming around Budapest’s iconic destinations and ending the day with a rich spa experience that when tourists return home, they will crave for more.