Budapest Thermal Baths: The 5 Best Hot Springs & Spas

What exactly are thermal baths?

Thermal baths are fed by natural hot springs. This gives the water an exceptionally high mineral content, and it’s believed to have a healing effect on conditions such as skin diseases, respiratory ailments, and joint problems. In Budapest, thermal baths are even part of standard medical practice.

Beyond that, the baths are simply perfect for relaxation and wellness. Even in winter, the pools stay consistently warm at temperatures between 21 and 40 degrees Celsius.

Thermal baths are not comparable to the water parks and public pools we’re used to. But they’re also not your typical spas. Most have a medical thermal section along with “regular” pools — for lap swimming, for example. Many also offer saunas, massages, or medical treatments.

Budapest’s bathing culture stretches back an incredible 2,000 years. There are more than a hundred springs and a full 21 medicinal baths in the city.

Map of Budapest’s thermal baths

To help you get your bearings, we’ve put together a map showing where each of the Budapest thermal baths is located — so you can quickly see which one is closest to your hotel.

Our Top 5 Budapest Thermal Baths

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Admission: from 33 euros

The Széchenyi Bath is the most famous and largest thermal bath in Budapest. Located in the Pest district, it sits above the deepest and hottest hot springs in the city. The Széchenyi Spa isn’t just a thermal bath — it’s one of the most important attractions in Budapest. It’s situated pretty centrally, so you’ll pass by it on some guided city tours of Budapest as well.

• large selection of pools and treatments
• locker included with ticket
• specials like ColorBath and Beer Spa
• lots of people

The building dates from 1913 and is built in neo-Baroque style, reminiscent of a palace. You can enjoy the full wellness experience across 15 pools, two saunas, a steam bath, and a hot room. The outdoor area is also impressive and generously sized.

Massages and even medical treatments are available.

In true Budapest fashion, you can even do a Beer Spa here. On Friday evenings there’s also the ColorBath, where a cool light show is staged while you soak. Saturday evenings in summer are known for their Sparties — short for spa party in the thermal bath.

Because it’s the most well-known bath in the city, it can get very busy here. If you’re after peace and quiet, we’d point you toward one of the other options below.

Ticket for the Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Combo ticket incl. Palinka Museum

Gellért Thermal Bath

The Gellért Bath is currently closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in 2028.
Admission: from 18 euros

Alongside the Széchenyi, the Gellért Bath is one of the most famous Budapest hot springs experiences you can have. You’ll find it on the Buda side, right at the foot of Gellért Hill, where the thermal water originates.

• stunning architecture
• wide range of massages and treatments
• outdoor wave pool
• admission relatively expensive

The entire building is in Art Nouveau style and has the feel of an elegant manor house. The highlight is a pool set in a colonnaded hall with delicate balconies and detailed mosaics. Honestly, the Gellért is worth a visit for its beautiful architecture alone.

In addition to the thermal pool, there are five hot-air chambers, saunas, and steam rooms. You can also try various treatments such as mud baths or underwater massages.

In the outdoor area, Budapest’s first wave pool awaits you, along with another medicinal bath. The entry fee is on the steeper side, but in our opinion it’s still totally worth it.

Szent Lukács Medicinal Bath

Admission: from 26 euros

With the Budapest Card, you get free admission to the Lukács Thermal Bath.

The Lukács Bath is less well known than the Gellért and Széchenyi, partly because it’s tucked away a little further off the beaten path on the Buda side of the city.

• salt chamber
• Rooftop Fitness Area
• Quiet location

The bathhouse has some genuinely unique features — like the salt chamber, which is said to help with asthma and allergies. The rooftop terrace also has a fitness area where you can work out with views over Budapest in the summer. Seriously cool.

There are also the typical thermal pools, a plunge pool, a Kneipp pool, a leisure pool, and various saunas. The outdoor area sits in the center of the building, making it pleasantly quiet and sheltered from the city buzz.

If you’re in the mood for a souvenir, you can pick up a handmade soap or a mud pack at the spa shop — a nice way to bring a little wellness feeling home with you.

Tickets for the Lukács Thermal Bath

Rudas Thermal Bath

Admission: approx. 19 euros

The Rudas Bath is more of a local favorite among the city’s thermal spas. It’s a bit smaller and far less touristy than the big names — so if the Széchenyi feels too crowded for you, we’d absolutely recommend heading here instead.

• Ladies’ Day and Night Spa
• Not as many people
• Rooftop Pool
• Smaller selection of pools

The centerpiece of the Rudas Bath is the Turkish Bath, which dates all the way back to the original period of Ottoman occupation.

Particularly cool is the outdoor pool on the rooftop terrace, where you can soak while taking in a fantastic panorama over the Pest district. For 60 euros you can rent the area privately — not exactly cheap, but guaranteed to be a special experience.

The Rudas also offers some fun special events: on Tuesdays it’s Ladies’ Day, with the baths open exclusively to women. On Fridays and Sundays, the Rudas is also open at night — and the view of Budapest’s lights from the rooftop pool is really something else.

Tickets for the Rudas Bath

Tickets for the Rudas Bath incl. 3-course dinner

Palatinus Bath

Admission: from 9 euros

With the Budapest Card you get a 20 percent discount

The Palatinus Bath is somewhat atypical for a thermal bath — it has a lot more in common with a water park than most of Budapest’s thermal spas.

• Family-friendly
• The first outdoor thermal bath
• Medicinal pools
• Often a very lively atmosphere

The Palatinus is located on the beautiful Margaret Island right along the Danube, and it’s Budapest’s first outdoor thermal bath. During the summer months, various outdoor pools await you — a thermal pool, a wave pool, and a lap pool. All in all, it really does feel like a classic outdoor pool day out.

Inside, just like at the other thermal baths, there’s a medicinal pool, along with three saunas and a plunge pool. You can also add massages and medical treatments to your visit.

One thing we especially love: at most thermal baths, children under 14 aren’t allowed in the water for medical reasons. But the Palatinus has dedicated children’s pools, both indoors and outdoors. Outside there’s even a water slide park that the kids will absolutely love.

Tickets for the Palatinus Bath

Thermal Spa Hotel in Budapest

If you want the full wellness experience, we really recommend the 4-star thermal spa hotel Ensana Thermal Margaret Island. Not only is your bed just a few floors from the sauna — the atmosphere in the hotel’s own thermal bath is also noticeably more private than at the big public baths.

The Ensana has its own thermal spring. In addition to the medicinal pool, there are various other pools, an outdoor area, several saunas, and even a salt grotto. A full team is also on hand for massages and medical treatments.

The hotel sits on the beautiful Margaret Island, surrounded by the Danube and plenty of greenery — it’s a genuinely wonderful spot for some peace and quiet. And yet downtown Budapest is just a short walk away.

The rooms are simply but modernly furnished and nicely spacious. The hotel also has several restaurants serving international cuisine as well as classic Budapest dishes.

Book the Ensana Thermal Spa Hotel
Also check out our tips for design & boutique hotels in Budapest:

General tips for visiting Budapest’s thermal baths

Before you head out, here are a few practical pointers to make sure you’re well prepared for your visit. Let’s go!

Book tickets online in advance

The best thermal baths in Budapest are a true highlight, and especially the two most famous — the Széchenyi and the Gellért — are always busy. We strongly recommend buying your ticket online in advance to avoid queuing.

Visit the thermal baths outside of peak hours

If you’d rather skip the crowds, head to the thermal bath as early in the morning as possible and on weekdays. From midday onward, most visitors flock to the baths. Even then, the Széchenyi or Gellért won’t be empty — but you can at least avoid the biggest rush.

What to bring to the thermal bath

The thermal baths are well set up for spontaneous visitors, and you can buy most things in the shops on site. So don’t panic if you’ve forgotten something.

That said, you’ll feel most comfortable with your own gear. Here’s what you should definitely bring:

• Swimwear
• Flip-flops / shower sandals (required at many baths)
• Towel
• Swim cap (required at many baths)
• Sunscreen and a hat if needed
• Bathrobe if desired
• Jewelry

Plan for enough time

A visit to the thermal bath is meant to be relaxing — so give yourself plenty of time to try out the various pools and saunas without rushing. We recommend setting aside at least half a day.

What to keep in mind on site

After paying admission, your first stop is the changing area. Most baths have public locker rooms for men and women. For an extra charge of around 2.50 euros, you can also use a private changing cabin.

You can store your valuables in a locker. At many baths, locker use is already included in the ticket price; at others, you’ll need to add it for around 2.50 euros.

Eating and drinking near the pools is generally discouraged. That said, if you’re having a quick snack while relaxing on a lounge chair, nobody will mind. There’s always a restaurant or café on site at the baths as well.

Are thermal baths in Budapest suitable for a family outing?

Most thermal baths are only open to visitors aged 14 and up. From our list, we can only recommend the Palatinus Bath for a family outing — it has dedicated children’s pools both indoors and outdoors, plus a water slide park.