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Visit to the Szechenyi baths in Budapest

27/03/2022 by Roobens 7 Comments

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It’s impossible to go to Budapest, and not test out at least one thermal bath. Before going to Budapest, I had of course checked what I could do in the city (even though I already knew Budapest), and if there’s one thing that makes this city’s reputation, it’s the thermal baths. They’re numerous in Budapest. But the most famous and the most popular stays the Szechenyi baths in Budapest. It’s perfect to go there if you stay two days in Budapest!

temperature szechenyi baths
“It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes…” (30°C/86°F)

Thermal baths are an integral part of the Hungarian culture, inherited from the Romans and then the Ottomans. When you’re going to the Szechenyi baths, you realize this is not just a touristy thing, a lot of locals go there too : young, old, friends, couples, families… Everybody goes there! Why? A little bit like your regular bar where you go after work to relax, Hungarian people go to the thermal baths. Supposedly, going there has medicinal properties. Thermal baths can treat rheumatism, can help cure skin problems, and has benefits on people’s health in case of respiratory problems or muscular ache.

szechenyi baths budapest
A sunday in the thermal baths…

Table of Contents

  • How to get to the Szechenyi baths
  • Szechenyi baths tickets
  • The outdoor baths
  • The indoor baths
  • Szechenyi baths parties
  • Szechenyi baths tips

How to get to the Szechenyi baths

Szechenyi baths are located on the “Pest” side of the city, in the Varosliget park. The baths are not too far from Heroes’ Square and from Vajdahunyad castle. If you take the subway, you have to take line number 1 and get off at Széchenyi Furdo station (second to last station). Before going there, make sure you have flip-flops -the floor isn’t always clean, and it can get slippery…-, a bathing suit of course, and no open wound, to avoid any infection. Don’t forget to buy travel insurance if you didn’t do it yet! Here’s why you should buy travel insurance!

széchenyi thermal bath pool
The pool at széchenyi thermal bath. Bathing cap mandatory for the pool only

Szechenyi baths tickets

Getting in will cost around 5000-5500 forint (17-18€). Depends if you decide to get a locker or a cabin to put your stuff. When you pay, they give you an electronic bracelet. With it, you can open/close your locker/cabin. There’s often a long line to buy your ticket. Be smart, and buy your ticket online now! You’ll be able to skip the line!

inside szechenyi baths
One of the few inside pools with a few people in there (this one was hard to find!)

The outdoor baths

Szechenyi baths are the biggest ones in Budapest, one of the biggest in Europe, and it’s understandable. You’ll find fifteen indoor baths and three large outdoor baths, and also a swimming pool outside (where the swimming cap is mandatory). The water in the outdoors baths is hot! It goes from 32°C to 38°C (90°F to 100°F). There are water jets around the baths, and in one of the baths, they set up a whirlpool. You just get there, and get carried away by the tide. In one of the outdoor baths, you’ll see chess, and regulars flock to it to play. The architecure reminded me the Romans time, and it’s possible to eat and to drink there.

szechenyi baths budapest whirlpool
The whirlpool

The indoor baths

As I said, inside you’ll find fifteen baths, a lot smaller than the ones outside, with various temperatures, from 18°C to 40°C (64°F to 104°F), and there’s a beer spa (didn’t try that one!). There is also a hammam and saunas, again with various temperatures. I saw one at 50°C (122°F), and another one at 95°C (203°F)!

szechenyi baths budapest
People eat snacks before going back to the water

I went there on a Sunday, the weather was nice, 30°C (86°F), and as you can see on the pictures, the place was crowded. Indoor baths were also packed, and there was no places to be alone. Apparently, Szechenyi baths are open all year long, and during the winter, there are a far less people, so it’s more enjoyable.

szechenyi baths inside
Inside

Szechenyi baths parties

I couldn’t talk about Szechenyi baths, and not mention the Sparties! What is that? Sparties are bath parties taking place in the Szechenyi baths on saturday nights, from 10pm to 3am. I didn’t test out, but hey! Why not give it a try? From what I heard, this is where you realize people from Hungary know how to party! When you mix thermal baths, people half naked and alcohol in your blood, it often ends up in debauchery!

szechenyi baths budapest
Packed…

Szechenyi baths, like other thermal baths, have to be tested out if you go to Budapest. I’ve been there because of its iconic status, and unlike other thermal baths, anyone can go there -some thermal baths only accept men or women, depending on the day-, and it’s still a nice place! Do not hesitate! Going to Budapest? Here are the best hotels in Budapest! If you spend some time in the country, check out this list of places to visit in Hungary!

Szechenyi baths tips

  • Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
  • Do not leave home without a travel insurance.
  • Want a tailor-made trip to Hungary?  Get a free quote here!
  • As I said, it’s possible to buy your ticket online and skip the line..
  • Bring flip-flops, the floor is slippery and not completely clean in some places
  • A bathing cap is mandatory to swim in the pool (not in the thermal bath, in the swimming pools!)
  • It’s possible to buy a towel if you forget yours.
  • Thermal baths are not recommended for children/teens under 14
  • It’s not recommended to stay more than 20 minutes straight in the hot baths. Best thing to do is to alternate : hot bath, break on a deckchair, hammam, inside pool, sauna, hot bath…
  • Going to Budapest? Check the latest flight prices, and the hotels available there!
  • Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it! Here’s why you should a VPN when traveling!

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Comments

  1. Pia says

    16/07/2017 at 17:41

    Great post. Brings back some memories from my childhood when my family and I used to travel Hungary for vacation. About 20 years ago I can remember that the thermal bath we went to (can´t remember which one) was also crowded as hell. But I loved to go there anyway.

    Reply
    • Roobens says

      16/07/2017 at 20:16

      Thank you! Yeah I like to go there too, but it would have been perfect with less people.

      Reply
  2. Spa pools auckland says

    17/12/2020 at 11:37

    This is a brilliant post, thank you for sharing about szechenyi baths in Budapest. We always tend to change something or the other in our house, thanks for this great advice.

    Reply
    • Roobens says

      17/12/2020 at 15:31

      You’re welcome!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Hot Springs Of Budapest says:
    04/01/2021 at 19:27

    […] The Széchenyi Baths have 21 pools, including three outdoor baths. The surroundings are particularly ornate, with classical style statues everywhere. It is clear that this is a popular meeting place as well as a health facility: apparently playing chess is a popular activity here! (Read more about visiting the Széchenyi Baths). […]

    Reply
  2. 5 reasons why Budapest could be your next travel destination - Thrilling Travel says:
    10/07/2021 at 13:41

    […] here is something that is quite unique to Budapest. The city is filled with public baths like the Szechenyi Bath, Gellert Baths and more – a legacy that has come in from the times of the Romans & Turks. The […]

    Reply
  3. 4 Days in Budapest Itinerary: The Best Way to See Budapest | Faraway Lucy says:
    31/07/2021 at 19:38

    […] Szechenyi Baths are one of the largest in Europe with fifteen indoor and three outdoor baths. You’d be surprised […]

    Reply

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