Best Budapest Thermal Baths
If you are looking for the best thermal baths in Budapest and want to know about their prices, opening times, rules and main highlights, you have come to the right place. Here, you can compare those features and decide which bath, and optional upgrades, work best for you.
Important Know-How About Budapest Baths
Thermal baths in Budapest are strict about swimwear and how the thermal waters must be used. While you won’t need to wear a swim cap in baths or thermal pools, you must wear a cap in the swimming pools. This rule is kept in virtually all the thermal baths and water complexes.
Also, thermal springs are, for the most part, not children-friendly. Only children over 14 years of age can enter the thermal baths in most places, and there may be similar age restrictions for saunas and other wellness pools. Most places do not provide towels or flip flops, so you will need to bring these.
Outdoor pools may be closed during the winter and when the weather is poor. Indoor pools, even the wellness baths, may also be closed from time to time for maintenance, so be sure to check ahead on the thermal baths’ website. If you are going in summer, especially in areas with outdoor pools, it is recommended to bring sunscreen. But before you enter any of the pools, you should do a quick wash and rinse off any excess lotion.
- Thermal baths and saunas areas are generally 14+
- Swim caps are needed in swimming pools but not baths
- Always bring towels, flip flops and a swimsuit
- Outdoor pools may be closed given poor weather
- Indoor pools can also be closed during maintenance/cleaning
- Always do a quick shower to rinse off excess sunscreen before going into a pool
Comparing 10 Best Thermal Baths
| Bath | Price | Location | Upgrades | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Széchenyi | €39 | 14th District | Lockers, cabin, morning/evening passes, fast track | Most popular, iconic Budapest bath |
| Lukács | €33 | 2nd District | No add-ons (separate packages available) | Big, historic venue without the crowds |
| Rudas | €75 | 1st District | Dining experience with coffee or champagne, Turkish Bath extra add-on | Iconic Turkish bath and rooftop Panorama pool |
| Margaret Island (Ensana Hotel) | €33 | Margaret Island | No add-ons (separate packages available) | Excellent location on island, surrounded by greenery |
| Mandala | €48 | 13rd District | VIP champagne, treatment, and gastro add-ons | Luxury aesthetics, and modern facilities |
| Palatinus | €27 | Margaret Island | No add-ons | Massive water park on island, popular with locals too |
| Pesterzsébet | €25 | 20th District | No add-ons | Only salt-iodine medicinal bath in Budapest, and Sauna World |
| Paskál | €25 | 14th District | No add-ons | Modern, spacious complex with smaller crowds |
| Dandár | €22 | 9th District | No add-ons | Cheapest Budapest spa with a quiet, local feel |
| Csillaghegyi | €25 | 3rd District | No add-ons | Indoor and outdoor water park, not very touristy |
Always check the opening times and price yourself, as these are subject to change. Especially during high season or for weekday/weekend passes
Best 10 Budapest Thermal Baths
Below are the best thermal baths in Budapest, with all the information about opening times, ticket passes, and upgrades.
1. Széchenyi Thermal Bath
The Széchenyi is the biggest and most popular spa in Budapest. It has both indoor and outdoor pools, has a bar where you can grab a bite to eat during visits, and a wide range of treatments to make the most of your relaxation time.
- Open 7:00 - 20:00 weekdays, 8:00 - 20:00 weekends
- Ticket prices: Start from €39
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: Locker access, private cabin, fast track, morning pass, evening pass
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1146, Budapest, Állatkerti körút 9-11
- Phone: +36 20 435 0051 (from 8 am to 5 pm)
- E-mail: info.szechenyi@budapestspas.hu
Not to beat about the bush, Széchenyi does get crowded, especially during weekends or on Friday afternoon, so if you are planning a trip between Friday and Sunday, then be sure to arrive nice and early, anywhere between 8 and 10 am. For context, the busiest it gets is from 1 to 3 pm.
You can save some money getting a morning pass, which means you can only enter between 7 am and 9 am on your chosen day, and the basic tickets include a locker where you can store your stuff. The evening pass works the same way, only entry is restricted to 7 to 9 pm. I wouldn’t recommend fast track unless you don’t plan to go in the morning, but the cabin extra is strongly recommended. You can change in privacy and also leave your stuff there, it is much more spacious than the lockers provided with basic tickets.
Checking all the facilities, you can more or less wrap up in 2 hours, but if you have time to spare, you can easily spend a good 5 or 6 hours here. On average, people spend around 3-4 hours here. My favourite tip is to hit the chess tables at the outdoor pool. Visitors have mostly complained about the showers and lockers here, again, I would suggest upgrading to a cabin for the extra privacy here.
If you can’t borrow a towel from your hotel or hostel, then you can always buy a souvenir either at the Spa Shop, but they are a bit expensive.
2. Lukács Thermal Spa
The oldest spa in Budapest, baths have been located in the area since the 12th century. Lukács is a hidden gem among the Budapest thermal baths, with both indoor and outdoor pools, a rooftop tanning area, and a variety of saunas and hot tubs. It is a popular destination for locals too, and has a quieter atmosphere than some of the more well-known spas in Budapest.
- Open: 9:00 - 17:00 every day
- Ticket prices: Start from €33
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons, separate beer spa packages available
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1023, Budapest, Frankel Leó út 25-29
- Phone: +36 1 326 1695
- E-mail: info: N/A
Lukács is considerably smaller than Széchenyi, but you get all the basics with thermal waters, steam rooms, saunas, and jet pools, and a proper pool for swimmers. Also, it is nowhere near as crowded, so you don’t need to aim for early morning times to get in, or have to share pools with hundreds of visitors during peak hours or weekends.
Though I have to say, you have to appreciate the fact that this is an older venue, it doesn’t have the sleek modern aesthetics of Rudas, nor the spacious, palatial halls of Szechényi. So if you want a modern luxury experience, or to go to a bath with truly massive pools, there are better options out there. If you are looking for timeless charm, a humbler spa with a mini 18th-century resort-style feel, then Lukács is your best bet.
Feedback on the cleanliness has been mixed, and while I personally didn’t feel the spa was dirty, the walls and floors do look old. For me, that added to the charm because it felt like more of a time capsule bathing experience than the other, more famous baths. One of the most peculiar highlights was a “gratitude wall” which had stone plaques of people praising the thermal springs, going all the way back to the 19th century. Lukács is also famous for its beer spa, but this is a separate ticket (not an add-on). You can read about that in Beer Spas Experiences.
3. Rudas Turkish Bath
At the base of Gellért Hill, Rudas is a gem of a spa. This spa is a stone’s throw from the Danube River, and you can take in breathtaking views of the river from Rudas’ rooftop Panorama Pool. The other key attraction is the Turkish Bath, an extra well worth the additional charge. While the spa as it is today was opened in 2006, it has roots that date back to 1571, when Hungary was under Ottoman rule.
- Open: 06:00 - 03:00 across all areas every day (different areas have different opening times)
- Ticket prices: Start from €75
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: Dining and Wine, Dining and Coffee, Dining and Champagne, Turkish Bath add-on
- Provider: Rudas Bistro, Gastro Power Kft
- Location: 1013, Budapest Döbrentei tér 9
- Phone: +36 20 321 4568
- E-mail: N/A
The tickets I’m recommending are the Day Pass & 3-Course Meal bundles, which are among the most popular at Rudas. Alternatively, you can book a simple All In pass, or only Turkish bath tickets on the venue’s site. With the Day Pass & 3-Course Meal ticket, you can pick between a Wellness ticket (doesn’t include Turkish Bath) or the Turkish Bath ticket (includes all experiences).
The Turkish Bath is one of the main draws here, it is an extra, and the other important thing to note is that it has specific days for women and for men, and only Friday afternoon and weekends are co-ed. With these bundles, you also get a 3-course meal, and the option of an extra wine or a coffee (Turkish coffee). You can book for an 11:00 or 12:00 lunch, a 15:00 late lunch, or a 17:00 early dinner meal, and you can choose directly from the á la carte menu or the specials. This is not really “classic” Hungarian food, it is more of a gourmet experience, though the desserts are Hungarian (typically floating island or apple strudel).
This is not a very crowded venue, despite its epic location, and besides the Turkish bath, the other key draw is the rooftop Panorama Pool. You don’t need to rush to get here in the morning, in fact, you can plan your visit around the meal time you choose.
4. Margaret Island Spa Day
Margaret Island is one massive park where locals go to run, have picnics, and laze in the sun during hot summer days. Located up on the Northern end of the island in the Ensana Hotel, this spa is a tucked-away luxurious venue with thermal baths, swimming pools and saunas. Surrounded by the greenery of Margaret Island, it has a very calm ambiance. Part of the Ensana Hotel, guests of the hotel may dip into the pools, but you won’t get nearly as much traffic as at the more famous thermal baths.
- Open: 7:00 - 21:00 every day
- Ticket prices: Start from €33
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons, separate massage passes available
- Provider: Danubius Hotels Zrt. Ensana Thermal
- Location: 1007, Budapest, Margaret Island
- Phone: +36 1 889 4737
- Email: N/A
This wellness spa is part of the Ensana Hotel, and so a lot of the visitors here are also hotel guests. But if you aren’t staying at the hotel, don’t let that put you off. It may be intended for tourists, but it doesn’t have the swarms of crowds that the bigger baths attract, and many previous guests have praised the cleanliness of the changing rooms and pool areas.
Towels are included in the ticket price, unlike many of the other spas in Budapest, and there is an on-site bar where you can grab a bite to eat. I think one of the best highlights of this spa is just how connected it is to the natural environment, and sitting on Margaret Island there is no shortage of greenery surrounding it. There are outdoor and indoor pools, the indoor one having massive glazed walls that let in all the colours of the greenery outside.
The only downsides are that some pools can be closed for maintenance, and considering how exposed the outdoor pools are to the elements (this is on the island, not in the city), they can be closed when the weather is poor. However, if you are going during the spring or summer, this is a fantastic option and it makes for the perfect day out when you can explore the island as well.
5. Mandala Day Spa Pass
This spiritual-themed retreat is a lot humbler and more intimate than the historic thermal baths in Budapest. Built in 2003, the Mandala Day Spa has made a name for itself through luxurious pools and exotic aesthetics. It also has packages with unique treatments, champagne, and dining. While the aesthetic could put you in mind of an Oriental palace, make no mistake, Mandala Day Spa is uniquely Hungarian, utilising local thermal waters, and ingredients like mud from Hévíz and thermal crystals from Sárvár.
- Open: 10:00 - 20:00 every day
- Ticket prices: Start from €48
- Ticket validity: 3 hours
- Optional extras: VIP, Relaxing, Peeling, Delicate
- Provider: Mandala Day Spa
- Location: 1133, Budapest, Ipoly utca 8.
- Phone: +36 1 491 0079
- Email: reservation@mandaladayspa.hu
The first thing that stands out about this experience is that Mandala Day Spa tickets only last 3 hours, however, that is more than enough. The facilities are very modern, and the dimly lit rooms create a kind of atmosphere that is perfect for romantic couples.
Tickets must be booked in time slots, which start at 10:00, 10:30, 13:30, 14:00, 16:30, and 17:00, and the basic pass gives you access to all the pools and thermal waters. Upgrade to the VIP package and you get a glass of champagne, an extra that costs around the same price as you’d pay for good champagne at most restaurants.
Relaxing also comes with a glass of champagne and gives you 20 minutes on the zero gravity massage chair. This chair doesn’t have great reviews from visitors, some have even called it average. The next is Peeling, which has the chair, the champagne, and Aroma peeling, which is an exfoliating treatment where you get a body scrub that cleans your skin. Last, but not least, the Delicate package has all of the features of the Peeling ticket, and adds a plate of sushi or shrimp salad. I have to say, if you are planning to have a light meal here, definitely pick this option. If you don’t and you want to eat, then you will have to wait at the bar to order a meal – and it eats into your 3-hour time slot.
Ultimately, Mandala may not have the historic roots or local charm that other spas have in Budapest, but this is really a luxury experience. From the VIP ticket up, towels and slippers are included, as well as toiletries, a hairdryer, and bathrobes.
6. Palatinus Spa and Pools
Palatinus is more of a water theme park than a thermal bath, or at least that is what most locals come here for. It is really a multi-functional complex, with water slides, a wide variety of indoor and outdoor pools, and spa facilities. You could easily spend a whole day here, there are plenty of buffets, tanning areas, and all kinds of exciting water activities, from wave pools to winding water slides. Palatinus is really the full deal, with saunas, indoor medicinal pools, and outdoor thermal pools to submerge yourself in.
- Open: 9:00 - 19:00 every day
- Ticket prices: Start from €27
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1007, Budapest, Margaret Island
- Phone: +36 1 340 4500
- Email: N/A
Palatinus is where thermal baths meet water theme parks. This is a mostly outdoor venue, in the heart of Margaret Island, that has loads of activities. You could easily spend half a day here on the water slides, thermal waters, swimming pools, wave pools, lazy rivers and open tanning areas. There are also buffets so you can grab a bite to eat.
It is really a place for couples, groups and whole families to go, and the complex is so big that while it can have hundreds of guests, it never feels claustrophobic. You really want to go here when the weather is good, because while the thermal waters are indoors and there are indoor pools, the majority of the facilities are outside.
The thermal waters here are large and you have hot and cold plunges, medicinal pools and outdoor thermal pools. Popular as it is, there is no fast track ticket for Palatinus. I have been a few times and never felt that you have to wait a long time to get in, the entry is well organised and they let people with bookings in quite fast. Then, you can really spend as much time here as you like. Whereas at other spas a good 3-4 hours is the average stay, at Palatinus the hours can fly past and I have spent 6+ hours here quite easily.
7. Pesterszébet Salt-Iodine Spa
This thermal bath is off the beaten track, it is in District 20 (Pesterzsébet), an area that tourists seldom visit. While a bit trickier to get to than most other centrally located baths, this is exactly what makes the Pesterzsébet spa so attractive, and the fact that this is the only iodine-salt bath in Budapest. Besides the unique medicinal bath, there are also cold and hot plunges, and a variety of saunas in Sauna World.
- Open: 8:00 - 20:00 every day, except 8:00 - 22:00 on Saturdays
- Ticket prices: Start from €25
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1203, Budapest, Vízisport u. 2
- Phone: +36 1 250 0213
- Email: N/A
Getting here is a bit tricky, there is no transfer and Pesterzsébet is not close to any real touristy areas. So you can go by public transport, hire a taxi or if you are renting a car, then you can drive here, it has a big parking area. The big appeal is the iodine-salt bath, which has many therapeutic purposes including improving circulation and anti inflammation.
A local’s venue it may be, Pesterzsébet is bigger than average spas, with 10 indoor pools, saunas, a popular wave pool, and a children’s zone. It is best to come in the morning or during the day, not because this bath gets crowded, but because it has large windows to let in all the natural light. Given a spot of good weather, this is a perfect place to spend a good 3-4 hours between soaking in thermal waters, tanning outside, and going for a proper swim. It is also one of the few spas in Budapest that allows children under 14 to enter.
The location may seem like a drawback, but I would point out that there are plenty of interesting sights in the area. If you have more time to explore, you can go onto Csepel Island, explore the Soroksari-Danube embankment (“little Danube”) or head further inland to the Wekerle Estate.
8. Paskál Bath
A modern thermal bath with pools for swimming, leisure, aqua therapy and even children’s pools, Paskál is a versatile spa. While it doesn’t have the same historic architecture as many of Budapest’s other spas, Paskál feels elegant and very clean. It boasts wide open spaces, with plenty of greenery and areas outside to sit in the grass or on loungers. The indoor pools are surrounded by glazed walls, so that natural light shines in nicely, and this spacious venue rarely gets overcrowded.
- Open: 9:00 - 20:00 every day
- Ticket prices: Start from €25
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1149, Budapest, Egressy út 178/f.
- Phone: +36 1 252 6944
- Email: N/A
Paskál Bath is a good 40+ minutes from downtown by public transport, but it is actually just a bit further out from Szechenyi, and the experience is entirely different. Instead of the historic appeal and the international crowds, this is a very modern facility that is frequented by locals. It is clean, the pool zones are spacious and light, and Paskál features a variety of thermal waters with different mineral compositions.
It also has pools for babies and training pools for young children, which you don’t get at many other facilities in Budapest. The complex has outdoor pools where you can do proper swimming, soak in heated waters, and relax in comfortable loungers.
There is also a drink bar by the outdoor pools, and a buffet that is available in the guest area, so you can grab a bite to eat on your day out. Paskál is perhaps my top recommendation for families with young children.
9. Dandár Thermal Bath
Dandár Thermal Bath is not one of those touristy spots, the Art Deco themed spa opened in 1930 and is one of the smallest in the city. With only three indoor thermal pools and two outdoor pools, it is quite a modest venue. However, it is a favoured spot among locals: relatively central and cheaper than many other options. Sure, it doesn’t have as many amenities as the top-dollar thermal baths in Budapest, but it has its own tranquil atmosphere.
- Open: 9:00 - 19:00 every day, except 09:00 - 22:00 on Thursdays
- Ticket prices: Start from €22
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1095, Budapest, Dandár u. 5-7.
- Phone: +36 1 215 7084
- Email: N/A
Dandár has a unique vibe that you won’t find at other baths in Budapest. This is a local venue that isn’t very big, but covers all its bases with saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, and thermal baths. It has an Art Nouveau design, and even if you aren’t into architecture, you will feel the old world charm this spa has to offer.
The pools are not big, but this venue doesn’t get overly crowded, and it is virtually off the radar for most tourists. Though you still have many of the same features as you would get at Szechenyi, including chess tables in the outdoor heated pool, but everything is just at a smaller scale.
It beats other thermal baths pricewise, but from my experience, and feedback from visitors, not all of the staff speak English well. It is a locals-first venue, and some visitors found the staff rude. So I would recommend booking in advance to avoid the hassle of buying on the spot. But generally the reviews were positive, and I would recommend this as a good hidden gem for anyone seeking a quiet, authentic bathing experience.
10. Csillaghegyi Spring Bath
Csillaghegyi Spring Bath is among the older baths in Budapest, it was constructed in 1919 and lies way up in the northern part of District 3. It is more of a complex than specifically a thermal bath, with slides, saunas, sports zones and a Kid’s World. Csillaghegyi has an innovative set of wellness facilities, including an acoustic pool, spring water leisure pool, and a very popular open-air bath.
- Open: 9:00 - 20:00 every day, some areas have different opening times
- Ticket prices: Start from €25
- Ticket validity: Full day
- Optional extras: No add-ons
- Provider: Hungaria Koncert Ltd
- Location: 1038, Budapest, Pusztakúti út 2-6
- Phone: +36 1 242 0754
- Email: N/A
Csillaghegyi is another complex that has both indoor and outdoor facilities, has programmes for the whole family, and a wellness zone with thermal waters. It is popular among locals in the 3rd and 2nd districts in Budapest, but non-Hungarians are pretty divided on this bath. It is quite out there, so as a tourist you would have to travel outside of the main areas where most of the key sights are.
This is a thermal bath designed for locals, and many of the visitors here are recurring customers who buy multiple day passes and go during the summer heatwaves. The facilities are quite diverse, highlights of which include a rooftop pool, slides, a Hellish Sauna, and various mineral water baths.
The buffet is also cheaper than the ones at the main tourist spas. You could easily visit this complex and enjoy it thoroughly, but you may have problems with staff that doesn’t speak English well, or difficulties getting here, and there are no transfer services. So bear these in mind, and if you do go, then go to soak up a little of the local atmosphere and for the extended family-friendly facilities.