Maximise your sense of calm at Széchenyi Thermal Baths in Budapest

Last updated: 28 June 2023

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has much to offer all visitors to the city.  The city’s thermal baths have a global reputation with visitors arriving from far and wide to experience the many famous thermal baths on offer in the city. In this post we will cover what you should expect from a visit to one of the most popular baths in Budapest; Széchenyi Thermal Baths.

When Budapest was under Turkish Ottoman rule, it became the city of baths.  The city has many thermal baths, the majority of them are located on the Buda side of the city because of its plentiful natural water sources. Thermal baths seem to have numerous health benefits, and  thermal properties vary depending on the composition of minerals in the water and the temperature reached.

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Where are Szechenyi Thermal Baths Located? 

The Szechenyi baths are the only thermals baths located on the Pest side of Budapest, which is the eastern side of the city. The bathhouse is situated in City Park just near Heroes Square and Vajdahunyad Castle. It’s easy to get to the Szechenyi Baths by the metro, there is a stop – Szechenyi furdo – located a short 3 min walk away.  If you’re taking the trolleybus then Bus no 72 and 75 are the ones that you will need to take however the metro is closer. 

What can you do at Szechenyi Thermal Baths?

A visit to Széchenyi offers so much more than the opportunity to relax in a hot outdoor pool, although that is most definitely a relaxing highlight. You will get the opportunity to experience various indoor and outdoor thermal baths, book in for one of many relaxing massages, spend some time working up a sweat in a steam room, and so much more. 

Here’s an overview of what services and facilities are available at the Szechenyi Thermal Bath;

3 Outdoor Pools

• Swimming pool 
• Thermal pool (where the toasty temperature is 38°C)
• Leisure pool (slightly cooler at temperatures between 30-34°C)

15 Indoor Pools

• Medical pool (with temperatures ranging between 28-40°C)
• Plunge pools (various ranging between 18°C and 40°C)

10 Saunas and Steam rooms

• Various saunas are available; Finnish, Vulkanic, Aromatic, and Light saunas
• Various steam rooms available; Wet, Salt inhalation, and Thermal cascade hot air chamber

Massages & Wellness Services

What’s the perfect accompaniment to spending an afternoon soaking in one of the many thermal baths at Szechenyi? A massage, of course! And that’s exactly what we did during out visit and boy did we feel AMAZING afterwards! Here’s a brief summary of the types of massages and wellness treatments available.

• Classic Massages (with or without oils) 
• Premium massages (complete with candles, soft music, and oil. A real experience)
• Massage for couples 
• Thalassotherapy (wraps, sea minerals, and algae)
• Beer spa – Yes! This is what Roma experienced in Pilsen Czech Republic so it’s on our list for our next visit to Szechenyi Bath!

Sparty

Did you know that every Saturday night Szechenyi Thermal Baths is the location of SPARTY (yes, a combination of SPA and PARTY), a world-famous electronic dance music party series which promises a wild night out that you will never forget. And technically, whilst it’s not our kind of scene (a quiet thermal soak is more our speed) it sure looks like it’s a popular weekly event! You can get more information about SPARTY and tickets here.

Are the thermal baths only for tourists?

No, not at all! The Szechenyi thermal baths are frequented by locals just as much as visitors, which is always great to see when visiting somewhere new for the first time because you know you are visiting somewhere authentic and not a tourist trap. Whilst we soaked at Széchenyi I contentedly watched about a dozen local older men playing chess, they looked like old friends happily chatting away awaiting their turn to play.

Are swimsuits required? 

The short answer is YES. Traditionally thermal baths were segregated by sex, but these days with the increase in tourism being the major drawcard, many of the baths have changed their ways and offer mixed bathing.  Where there is mixed bathing, a swimming costume is required.  Also, visitors must wear the provided slippers when out of the pools so make sure you wear them when required. 

Changing Rooms – Cabin or Locker?

When you’re buying your ticket to Szechenyi Baths, you will have the option for cabin usage or locker usage. So what’s the difference between the two options. It really all comes down to personal preference about where you get changed since the dressing room areas are mixed sex. 

The locker option will give you access to the type of locker you’d get at the gym about the size of a carry-on suitcase or smaller. The cabin however is a private fully-enclosed cubicle for your exclusive use.

Access to your private locker or cabin is via a wristband so there are no keys to lose beside the pool. We thought this was a great idea and made it very easy to work our way around from pool to pool without worrying about leaving something behind. 

The Essentials

• Address: City Park. Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Hungary
• Opening hours: 7am to 7pm weekends and 9am to 8pm weekends
• Prices: Approx. £20 for full day (dependant on locker vs cabins)
• Insider tips:
  • Thermal bath tickets are charged at a half or full day rate. (Half day rate is almost 80% of a full day rate) so get there early before the crowds to soak as long as you want. 
  • Take thongs (flip flops)/waterproof shoes to wander about the baths (especially if it’s winter!) and take at least one towel.
  • Swimming costume spinners are available to wring out the water from your clothes when you leave.  – take a plastic bag.
  • Leave the valuables at home. While cabins are secure, it’s not unheard of to have the locks broken and items stolen.
  • As much research as I did on the baths, I’m sure they’re all great. Just make sure if you need mixed sex bathing that the your chosen venue does it on the day.