The best-known, and most upscale, baths in Budapest (attached to the Hotel Gellért), built in 1918. The Gellért includes thermal baths and a main pool. The Art-Nouveau main hall is topped by a vaulted glass roof; the gallery surrounding the pool is supported by elegant Roman-style columns. Here a certain grandeur attaches even to the act of dogpaddling. Non-swimmers can pay 500 Ft to look around the beautiful mosaic-studded entrance hall and peep into the pool. Tel: 466-6166 Open: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 19:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 - 17:00 Admission: 2700 HUF. The amount of money you get back if leaving within 2 hours: 900 HUF, within 3 hours: 500 HUF, within 4 hours: 200 HUF. For stays longer than 4 hours there is no money returned.
The Széchenyi (1913) is a vast complex of outdoor and indoor pools - one of Europe's largest spa baths. It's a virtual microcosm of the Central European experience: first there's the Byzantine admission-fee structure, then the 'automatic' entry gate with a bored assistant standing beside it. But don't despair! Once inside, you're in the middle of la dolce vita, Budapest-style. Float around and you'll see young and old sweethearts nuzzling, and potbellied guys playing chess. Women and men are not segregated here. Bring your bathing suit and a towel. Tel: 363-3210 Open: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 19:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 - 17:00 Admission: 1700 Ft, after 15:00 1300 Ft. The amount of money you get back if leaving within 2 hours: 800 HUF, within 3 hours: 500 HUF, within 4 hours: 200 HUF. For stays longer than 4 hours there is no money returned.
The Turkish pasha of Buda began building the Király Baths in 1565 just inside what was then the Castle gates. He wanted to make sure that, in the event of a siege of Buda, the Turks could still bathe. The Király remains one of the most striking and atmospheric of the baths; beneath its cupola lie several small pools. Tel:202-3688 Open: Women Mon, Wed, Fri 07:00 - 18:00. Men Tue, Thu, Sat 09:00 - 20:00. Admission: 1000 Ft. We issue entry tickets until one hour before closure. You have to leave pool-areas until 15 minutes before closure. Bathing time: weekdays 1,5 hours, weekends 1 hour.
These Turkish baths date back to at least the late 16th century. The octagon-shaped central bath is surrounded by smaller baths maintained at various temperatures. The water is promoted as 'mildly radioactive' (natural radioactivity, not the Chernobyl kind). While the thermal baths are men only, the main pool also accepts those of the female persuasion. Rudas is located next to the Buda bridgehead of Elisabeth Bridge. Tel: 356-1322 Open: Thermal bath: Mon-Fri: 06:00 - 20:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 ? 13:00, Swimming pool: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 18:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 ? 13:00 Admission: thermal bath 1000Ft, swimming pool 800 Ft. We issue entry tickets until one hour before closure. You have to leave pool-areas until 15 minutes before closure. Bathing time: weekdays 1,5 hours, weekends 1 hour.
The Lukács is favored by old folks who come here to treat their rheumatism and other complaints. Those whose ailments were eased donated those 'plaques of gratitude' that cover one wall. Although part of the complex is outside, the view is rather narrow and claustrophobic. The current bath complex opened in 1984 but actually dates back a few hundred years. There's also a swimming pool. Tel: 326 16 95 Open: Mon-Fri: 06:00 ? 19:00, Sat-Sun: 06:00 - 17:00 The bath department is open for ladies on Mon, Wed, Fri, while for gentleman on Tue, Thur, Sat. Admission: 1200 HUF. The amount of money you get back if leaving within 2 hours: 400 HUF, within 3 hours: 200 HUF, within 4 hours: 100 HUF. For stays longer than 4 hours there is no money returned.
