Budapest Travel Guide
Budapest Thermal Baths
How to choose and use a Budapest bath in 2026 — which baths are open, why the Gellért is closed until 2028, what Széchenyi's renovation means, tickets, lockers and cabins, what to bring and the etiquette of the thermal pools.
Budapest calls itself the City of Spas, and for once the slogan is true. The city sits on a geological fault that sends more than a hundred thermal springs to the surface, and people have bathed here since the Romans, whose town of Aquincum stood on the northern edge of the modern city. The Ottomans, who ruled Buda for nearly a century and a half, built domed bathhouses that still operate today, and the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries added the grand spa palaces. For visitors, a bath is not a luxury add-on but one of the essential experiences of the city. Here is how to do it well in 2026.
What is open, and what is not. The biggest change in recent years is the closure of the Gellért Baths, the Art Nouveau masterpiece at the foot of Gellért Hill, famous for its mosaics, columns and indoor pool. It closed on 1 October 2025 for a major renovation that is expected to last until 2028, together with the hotel next door. Széchenyi, the largest and most famous bath, is open, but it is going through a phased renovation that began in late August 2026: the women's thermal section is being rebuilt over about a year, the changing rooms are being overhauled, and the courtyard fountains, the sun terrace and the entrance staircase of the swimming hall are being restored. The bath remains open throughout, but some areas may be closed at times, so check the official site before you go. The newly reopened Citadella on Gellért Hill is not a bath, but its park makes a fine walk after a soak at Rudas, at the foot of the same hill.
Széchenyi: the one to see first. Opened in 1913 in City Park, Széchenyi is a vast neo-Baroque palace with three big outdoor pools, more than a dozen indoor thermal pools, saunas and steam rooms. The outdoor courtyard, with its steaming water, yellow facades and chess players at floating boards, is the defining image of Budapest bathing, and it is especially magical in winter, when the steam rises into the cold air. It is busy, especially at weekends and on summer afternoons, so come early on a weekday. Allow three to four hours.
Rudas: the Ottoman experience. Below Gellért Hill at the Buda end of the Elisabeth Bridge, Rudas has a sixteenth-century Turkish bath at its heart, an octagonal pool under a dome pierced with small coloured windows, surrounded by smaller pools at different temperatures. It is atmospheric and historic, and a modern wing adds a swimming pool, a wellness area and a rooftop pool with views over the Danube. Rudas has become busier since the Gellért closed, so book ahead or arrive early. It also offers late-night bathing on some weekend nights, a memorable experience; check the current schedule.
Lukács: the local favourite. In Buda, near the Margaret Bridge, Lukács is a bath where locals come for their health rather than for photographs. It has outdoor pools, indoor thermal pools and a calm, unpretentious atmosphere, and it is a good choice for a quieter soak. Lukács entry is included in some versions of the Budapest Card, the city pass, which can make it excellent value.
Summer only: the lidos. In summer, Budapest's outdoor strands come into their own. The Palatinus Strand on Margaret Island is a huge open-air complex of thermal and swimming pools, wave pools and slides, beloved by families, and a fine way to combine a bath with a day on the island.
Tickets: locker or cabin? Most baths sell full-day tickets with a choice of a locker or a private cabin. With a locker, you change in shared changing rooms and keep your things in a locker opened with a wristband; with a cabin, you change in a small private room and keep your things there, which is more comfortable for couples, families and anyone with bags. Prices are higher at weekends. Buying online in advance saves queuing at the ticket desk, especially at Széchenyi. Massages and treatments cost extra and should be booked ahead.
What to bring. Swimwear (it is mixed bathing at the main baths, so swimwear is required), flip-flops, a towel, a swimming cap if you plan to use the lap pools, where caps are compulsory, and a bottle of water. You can rent towels and buy caps and flip-flops on site, but it is cheaper to bring your own. Leave valuables at the hotel, and bring a waterproof pouch for your phone if you want photographs.
Etiquette and health. Shower before entering the pools. In the lap pools, swim in lanes and do not stand around; the thermal pools are for soaking, not swimming. Speak quietly in the indoor halls. Locals move between hot pools, saunas and cold plunges in cycles, and you can do the same, but limit long soaks in the hottest pools, especially if you are not used to them, drink plenty of water, and take breaks. The mineral-rich water is said to be good for joints and muscles, but people with heart conditions or high blood pressure, and pregnant women, should check with a doctor before bathing in hot thermal water. Children are welcome at most baths, but the hot thermal pools are not ideal for small children.
When to go. Weekday mornings are the calmest everywhere. Winter is the most atmospheric time for outdoor bathing, with steam rising in the cold, and summer is best for the lidos. Avoid Saturday afternoons at Széchenyi if you dislike crowds. Some baths host late-night party events in certain seasons; they are fun for some and noisy for others, so check the calendar either way.
Our picks. On a first visit, Széchenyi, for the grand outdoor experience. For history and atmosphere, Rudas. For a quieter, local soak, Lukács. In summer, with children, Palatinus on Margaret Island. And when it reopens, expected in 2028, put the restored Gellért at the top of your list.