Szechenyi Baths Guide
The Szechenyi Baths in Budapest is a breathtakingly beautiful historical thermal bath and one of the largest spas in Hungary. The warm medicinal water comes from a natural source and is known for its healthy and healing effects.
Located in the city park of Budapest, these unique baths and pools enchant with lots of charm. The wonderfully bright yellow colors and the modern Renaissance style are a true eye-catcher and a popular photo opportunity for visitors from all over the world. The bath house is now one of the most interesting places in the city. A visit the Szechenyi Thermal Bath is one of the best things to do in Budapest.
Brief Overview
Built between 1909 and 1913, the beautiful Szechenyi Thermal Spa is more than 100 years old and today it is the most famous spa in Budapest. The bath gets it waters from Saint Stephen spring, whose hot water is rich in calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, sodium and sulphate, fluoride and metaboric acid. It is mainly used for medical treatments of inflammatory diseases and joint complaints.
Over the years, the charming thermal bath was constantly renewed and expanded. Today there are 15 indoor swimming pools in the interior, and at the beautiful outdoor area you will find another 3 large pools. Also treatments such as massages, cosmetics and other wellness offers can be enjoyed in the Szechenyi Thermal Bath.
How to get there
Szechenyi Spa Baths is close to the city centre of Budapest: by M1 metro (underground) you can easily get to the world famous bath complex in 15 minutes from the heart of the city, i.e. from the transit hub square called Deak Square (Deák tér), where all Budapest metro lines meet.
To make things easier, just type “Szechenyi Baths” on your Google Maps app and this will give you directions and how to get there.
The Outdoor Area
The highlight of the Szechenyi Spa is the beautiful outdoor area. This can be visited throughout the year, whether summer or winter time. Here you can enjoy a truly wonderful ambience, and the yellow colours of the spa give an incredibly amazing contrast with the blue swimming pools.
The 3 outdoor pools have different temperatures, while in the warmest pool locals love to relax with a game of chess. In the warmer months you can enjoy sunbathing on sunbeds dotted around the pool, and in winter you will have an atmospheric steam with the cold air meeting the warm waters.
The best time to visit the Szechenyi Spa is in the early morning as it will be quiet. At noon, it gets more and more crowded. At night (from 8:00 pm) it is usually not too busy.
If you need a little refreshment, there is the Spa-Café selling cakes, drinks and small cold snacks and hot food for a reasonable price. While having a coffee or a beer, the restaurant terrace offers beautiful views of the historic spa.
The Indoor Area
The inside of the spa is huge with 15 pools at different temperatures, including steam baths and saunas.
In the past, men and women still bathed separately in their own departments. Nowadays, there is mixed bathing. For the dress code it’s compulsory to wear swimwear. Wearing a bathing cap is a must only in the cold swimming pools, in all hot tubs of the Szechenyi bath you won’t need them.
If you fancy more relaxation just treat yourself to a nice massage, pedicure or beauty treatments. There is also a beer spa waiting for you. In the “Thermal Beer Spa” of the Szechenyi bath, you can relax alone or in pairs in a mixture of medicinal water, hops, beer yeast and beer bath salts.
Tip: You forgot your bathing suits or bikini? No problem, at the entrance there is swimwear for rent. Also Bath towels and bathrobes can be rented here.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
The Entrance fee to the Szechenyi Spa is compared to many other spas. In the evening and for the morning hours, there are discounts. The ticket includes both, the inside area, the sauna and the outside bathing area. A regular ticket costs on average around 23.00 euros / 27 US / 19 UK Pound per day, depending on whether you choose a ticket with cabin or only with locker use. If you have luggage with you, its recommended to book yourself a ticket with cabin use.
The Szechenyi bath is open all year around. The opening hours are from Monday to Sunday from 06:00 am to 10:00 pm. Some pools in the indoor open only until 7:00 pm, but the wonderful outdoor area can be used until night at 10:00 pm.
Tip: You can book your online tickets for the Szechenyi bath below. The big advantage – you can skip the line!
Hotels around Szechenyi Thermal Bath
Unfortunately, the Thermal Baths does not have its own hotel. If you would like to combine wellness with sightseeing in Budapest, then we can recommend a few accommodations near the Szechenyi Spa. Here are our tips for the most beautiful places to stay nearby:
- Historic Hotel: The Mirage Medic Hotel is a beautiful 19th century house just 600 meters from the bath. It is recommended because of the optimal location and the lovely rooms.
- Boutique Hotel: The small, cool boutique Hotel Park & Art Mini Boutique Hotel is around 15 minutes’ walk from the spa. This hotel has a great atmosphere and good transport links to the city center.
- Top holiday apartment: The Heroes’ Residence is a super nice apartment near the spa. Above all, the facilities, the private parking and the perfect location make this apartment a top recommendation for Budapest.
Final Thoughts
We loved Szechenyi Thermal Baths! Make sure its on your list!
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