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The Budapest Thermal baths may not be what draws you to Hungary, but one of the special things about this city is the prevalence of thermal springs right in the center of the city.
There are over a hundred springs and bore holes that supply the city's spas and baths with millions of gallons of warm water daily.
Budapest has been known as a city of spas since ancient times... enjoyed by Romans and Crusaders, Kings and Queens... by and modern day residents and, oh yea... by tourists. We loved it!
The Romans built baths everywhere their empire spread. One of the reasons the Romans colonized this area was to utilize and enjoy the thermal springs. There are still ruins visible of the baths the Romans built here. More baths were built in the Turkish period of the 16th and 17th centuries. Some of those are still in use to this day!
You might want to check out one or two of the Budapest Thermal Baths on your visit. We visited the Gellert Baths. Men and women can enjoy these baths downtown at the venerable hotel by that same name.
The public entrance to the baths is around the corner from the entrance to the Gellert Hotel. You don't have to stay in the hotel to enjoy the bath experience. There is a modest entrance fee. You will be given a locker in the men's or women's locker rooms where you can change into "proper bathing attire" - your swim suit. There are indoor and outdoor pools and thermal spas. It's a fun way to spend a late afternoon after a long day of sightseeing.
We also visited, but did not bathe, in the Szechenyi Baths. This complex is in the Varosliget or City Park which is a short ride from the Pest side of the center of town on the historic Number 1 subway line. The Szechenyi Baths are one of the largest bathing complexes in all of Europe. The indoor and outdoor pools are open to men and women.
The Rudas Thermal Bath is one of the oldest baths still in use. It is near the Gellert Hotel on the Buda side of the Danube. The real jewel here is the old Turkish bath which was built in the 16th century. Other pools are housed in buildings with architecture dating from the Turkish period also. It is a traditional Turkish bath.... and traditionally, Turkish baths were open to men only, but the Rudas Thermal Baths are now open to female bathers, without swimsuits, on certain days of the week. And both men and women can now enjoy these baths on Saturdays and Sundays.... but on those occasions with mixed bathing, you must wear your swimsuit!
Most of the buildings of the Kiraly Thermal Baths also date from the Turkish period. As far as we know, they are still men only. They are on the Buda side of the river near the Margaret Bridge.
I don't know if you'll experience any miraculous cures by taking the waters, but just to experience the Budapest thermal baths is great fun and a wonderful cultural experience that you might not find at home. Don't be shy, just grab your swimsuit and jump in. No one is looking at you really... and besides, you'll probably never see these people again!
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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