Enjoying a thermal bath in Budapest is one of the most typical, if not the most necessary, activity of your trip to the Hungarian capital.

The options are numerous, and there is something for everyone; Széchenyi as one of the largest and busiest baths in the city, Gellért to discover a real architectural gem, but what if you want to be surrounded by locals and not tourists?

This is where it gets tricky, as we are talking about one of the main attractions of a large and increasingly tourist city. However, we have compiled several baths where locals still gather to enjoy both, all the benefits the hot springs have to offer and quietness.

Enjoy Thermal Baths in Budapest like a local

Dandár Thermal Bath

Dandár u. 7, 1095

The Bath was built in 1930, then transformed in 1936. Luckily, it wasn´t seriously damaged during World War II so it could be opened as soon as the war finished. Originally, the bath operated as a sanitary bath although in 1978, after a major renovation, it was reopened as a thermal bath.

It is a quiet bath if we compare it with the well known ones such as Gellért or Széchenyi. Its charm lies in its tranquillity, leaving aside the complex architecture, although it has great beauty.

Besides being surrounded by locals, its prices are not as high as the others and you will find a nice place to rest your feet after a day of touring Budapest.

Another advantage of this spa is its location. It is just a two-minute walk from the Unicum Factory, another must-visit if you want to discover all that is original and authentic about the pearl of the Danube, as the city is known.

Unicum is a typical Hungarian herbal liqueur, which is quite popular in the country as a digestive, aperitif and even a cold remedy. Tasting it and learning about its history and how it is made is another must.

The facilities at Dandár Thermal Bath include medical pools, which are between 35 and 38 degrees, a cold water plunge pool and a Finnish sauna for 12 people. There is also room for leisure and fun in the form of pools with waist and back massagers and neck showers.

To conclude the range of products and services on offer, there is a full massage service as well as a pedicure.

Palatinus Thermal Bath

Soó Rezső stny. 1, 1003 (On Margaret Island)

Halfway between the spa and the water park, its history is very interesting and it cannot have a better location. Open since 1919, it was the first bath where you could swim outdoors. At the beginning it had a Danube-cage swimming pool, then it changed into a 5.000-square-metre large pool and two smaller pools in 1921.

In response to the city’s rapid population growth and high demand, it was enlarged in 1936. And so it was, with the aim of being able to build a spa that could accommodate some ten thousand people, this minimalist building for the time, futuristic and practical, was born.

The decade between 1965 and 1975 was a very active one in terms of reforms, with the enlargement of the open air bath with an additional 18.000 square metres of playgrounds, football fields and park. The five-lane slide was built in the 1980s.

In 2002 it was equipped with water circulating equipment as well as modifications in the large pool, which was divided into three parts: a swimming pool, a fun pool and an open air bath pool. The latest renovation took place in 2017.

Among the great facilities and the wide range of services offered by the Palatinus Thermal Bath, we must highlight the spa, open air bath, with a total of fifteen pools, including a wave pool and a wide range of spa and wellness treatments.

Following the latest improvements in 2017, we must highlight the complete indoor wellness department with a leisure thermal pool, children’s pool, two, cold and thermal medical water, huge pools with new saunas and, from September, a thermal open-air pool.

Csillaghegyi Strandfürdő

Pusztakúti út 2-6, 1038

If we had to choose just one word to define this thermal bath, it would be “familiar”. The first notion of its existence, the first traces of its existence, date back to 1858. It is one of the oldest spas in Budapest.

Officially it was opened in 1919 in an enclave in the middle of nature giving, besides the healing of the body with its waters, the relaxation of the mind being surrounded by centenary trees.

In fact, on the hillside, there are terraces with sunbathing areas, pines and perennial flowers.

There were, originally, two open air baths and a swimming pool, and in 1925 this was the first place where a wave pool was built. Few years later the third pool was built, with the intention to be able to hold international swimming competitions.

In 2017, during the expansion of the baths, a Roman Celtic carriage grave right at the bottom of the hillside was found as well as another Roman tomb.

Lukács Thermal Baths

Frankel Leó út 25-29, 1023

Lukács Thermal Baths is a perfect balance between Budapest’s family-friendly meeting place and tourist spot. It lacks the architectural grandeur of the well-known Gellért and Széchenyi but that humble spot is what gives it the beauty to be a perfect place to visit.

Among its facilities we can find a large complex, which offers a heated activity pool, indoor thermal baths, two outdoor swimming pools and an absolutely incredible sauna.

As an added bonus, you will be pleased to discover that the ticket to enjoy all its services is cheaper than the other two mentioned above. This is another aspect that shows that its facilities are aimed more at locals than tourists.

Irgalmasok Veli Bej Bath

Árpád fejedelem útja 7, 1023

Previously known as Császár Bath, this Ottoman era bath is one of the oldest in the city. It gives you the atmosphere and feel of an original Turkish bath but with the advantage of being lacking crowds.

The number of people allowed on the premises at any one time is eighty. This guarantees the peace and quiet that is necessary to enjoy a complete spa experience. The location is not as obvious as other options as it is part of the facilities of a hospital.

Nowadays visitors can enjoy the classic hot water thermal pool with the octagonal shape. It lies under a big colourful dome. On top of that, it now also houses a Finnish and an infrared sauna, a steam bath, a Jacuzzi and a Kneipp walking pool.

Paskál Baths

Egressy út 178/F, 1141

We present the most recently built thermal bath in the city of spas. Inaugurated in 1989, its facilities are modern, with a predominance of glass and aluminium. It is designed for a more local and less tourist public than the better known ones.

It has 9 pools distributed between indoors and outdoors, which are at different temperatures to make the most of their properties.

Despite being the most recent, it does not mean that it is not several decades old, and that is why it underwent a remodelling of its facilities in 2016.

Római Baths

Rozgonyi Piroska utca 2,1031

The beauty and importance of this spa is based on the area in which the baths and ruins are located. It was a known water source as early as Roman times. These springs were considered sacred. It was here where the walls of a sanctuary were found.

The Római Fürdő Baths was established in 1930. The first major modification was carried out by 1964.  Keeping in mind the needs of the population, a kids’ pool, an open air bath pool and a swimming pool were created. After renovation, the area of the open air bath increased from 2.98 hectares to 4.83 hectares.

In 2000, during the renovation, the three pools were modernised and equipped with a filtering-circulating system. The open air bath pool was transformed into a fun pool with a slide, neck shower, jacuzzi area and sauna and steam cabin among other facilities.

Accommodation in Budapest

As a complement to the information given above, we recommend that your accommodation in the City of Spas should match your experience in the thermal baths. For this reason we recommend Amberlyn as the perfect place to spend your days in Budapest.