By Bridget Castner
There's no better way to relieve stress than immersing yourself in the revitalizing baths of Budapest, famously named the "Spa Capital of the World."
To help you along your journey, we've gathered a list of some of the best spas and bathhouses in Budapest you simply don't want to miss.
Rudas Bath
Rudas Bath is one of the most popular medieval Turkish baths in Budapest. It's surrounded by a stunning 16th-century core and is located at the foot of Gellert Hill on the Buda side. This bath house is extremely popular thanks to its late night hours on Fridays and Saturdays. It also has specific days assigned to men and women, and then co-ed days as well.
The bathhouse provides a range of services including traditional massages, aromatic massages, couples massages, as well as medical and spa pedicures. Featuring a panoramic pool and saunas, it's easy to see why this is such a popular spot to visit. There's also a bistro that serves international and Hungarian cuisine, plus an Aqua Bar on the roof.
Széchenyi Baths
Built in 1913, this is one of the largest spa baths in all of Europe featuring 15 indoor baths and 3 outdoor pools. There are 10 saunas and steam cabins, massage treatments, facial treatments, and more. While spending the day here you can choose to purchase separate tickets to the Palm House Spa where you can relax, meditate, and enjoy the fresh fruits of Budapest along with some calming tea. The bath features a cafeteria next to one of the outdoor swimming pools where you can grab a snack or a fast-food style meal.
Római Beach Baths
This bath house is perfect for couples, singles, and families. There is a beautiful indoor pool that can be used for swimming or just lounging if you need to cool down. The open air bath features 5 slides, and there's a kid's pool with shade. There is a playground behind the kid's pool where they can play with wooden toys, swings, and climbing walls all covered in rubber to increase safety.
If you want to relax after some pool time, there is a large meadow surrounded by beautiful green trees where you can relax or sunbathe. Don't forget to check out the dining area where you can choose from a wide range of typical foods such as scones, burgers, waffles, ice cream, and more.
Lukacs Baths
Established in the 12th century, Lukacs Baths is known for its therapeutic drinking mineral water referred to as "Kristaly." The bath house features a thermal pool, a swimming pool, and 3 wellness pools, as well as a sauna for those wishing to detox. Here you can choose from medical treatments such as mud treatments, an underwater jet massage, medical tub or pool and more.
The bath offers wellness services such as massages, and there is even a timed BeerSpa where you have 45 minutes to lounge in the tub and drink beer from the taps inside. If that isn't enough, there is also a rooftop sunbathing area and a fitness park!
Palatinus Baths
This was the first bath to open in Budapest in 1919 where guests could bathe outdoors. The baths feature an outdoor swimming pool, a kid's pool, and two pools with medicinal water (one being a cold and hot plunge pool). During your time here you can choose from the aroma sauna where the herbs in the steam are said to help heal stress, anxiety, and headaches. The Finnish sauna and steam room are both great places to relax.
Gellert Thermal Baths
Gellert Thermal Baths was the capital's first luxury facility and is as relaxing to guests today as it was over 100 years ago. While the bathhouse has officially been co-ed since 2013, there are still separate baths for men and women. There is a wave pool located right near the swimming pool, and the pools are said to have healing waters that help the wear and tear of joints, spinal issues, chronic arthritis, and more.
Dandar Baths
Originally used only as a sanitary bath, this now thermal bath house has been standing since 1930 even after sustaining some damage during World War II. Today the bath doubles as a wellness center with two outdoor pools and a sauna. The leisure pool has waist and back massager, and you can enjoy an aroma steam chamber, or the plunge pool as well. Opt for a classic massage or a medical pedicure, or soak all your aches and pains away in the hot springs thermal pool.
Veli Bej Bath
This 16th century bath has a variety of options for you to choose from and is the perfect intimate setting with a capacity limited to 80 people. The bath offers a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, a selection of different massages, as well as a Kneipp walk pool and a traditional thermal pool.
Cave Bath (Miskolc)
If you're feeling adventurous and want to explore some baths outside of Budapest, the Cave Baths in Miskolc are the spot to go! Located a little over an hour away from Budapest, this bath is in an actual cave with hot waters inside. In addition to the thermal pools inside the cave, there are also outdoor pools, saunas, a restaurant and bar, and water slides for the kids.
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