Budapest thermal baths: best options, prices & tips for your visit

Budapest wouldn’t be the same without its thermal baths. The city sits on top of dozens of natural hot springs, and for centuries people have been using them to relax, socialize, and even treat health conditions.

The Romans built the first baths here, the Turks expanded the culture during their rule, and today Budapest is home to some of the most famous bathhouses in the world.

For visitors, spending a few hours at a thermal bath is more than just checking off a tourist attraction — it’s a real local experience. Whether you’re soaking outdoors in winter while steam rises in the cold air, or trying one of the ornate indoor pools with mosaics and stained glass, the baths are a unique part of Budapest’s identity.

In this guide, we’ll go through the best thermal baths in Budapest, explain what each one offers, give you updated information on prices and extras like spa services, and share practical tips on how to plan your visit.

Famous thermal baths in Budapest

With so many options, it can be hard to know which bathhouse to choose. Some are historic and atmospheric, others are big and lively, and a few are more modern or hidden away.

To make it easier for you to choose, here’s an overview of the most famous ones, with details on what each offers, from spa services to ticket types.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Széchenyi is the most famous thermal bath in Budapest, and also the largest. Located in City Park, it has a mix of indoor pools and big outdoor ones that stay open year-round. In winter, it’s especially popular because you can sit in steaming hot water while the air around you is freezing.

In total, there are 21 pools, ranging from hot thermal baths to cooler swimming pools.

It’s not exactly where locals go on a daily basis — Széchenyi is mainly visited by tourists — but it remains a classic experience and a good choice if you want to see the most iconic bath in the city.

Extras

Beyond the pools, Széchenyi offers plenty of extras. You can book massages, wellness packages, and private cabins.

On Saturday nights, the complex even hosts the famous Sparty, a pool party with DJs and lights that starts at 10 pm (tickets from €59).

There’s also a Beer Spa, where you sit in tubs filled with beer-based water while sipping draft beer — tickets cost €111 and include a full-day bath ticket, private cabin, and beer spa session.

Another option is booking a 3-course meal at the Garden Restaurant for €26.

Tickets and prices in 2025

In 2025, day tickets start at €33 with locker use included. If you prefer a private changing room, the daily ticket is €36. There are also special packages with spa treatments, starting from €76. Massages alone start from around €30, depending on the type and duration.

Gellért Thermal Bath

Gellért is one of Budapest’s most iconic baths, famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, colorful mosaics, and stained-glass windows. It’s located inside the historic Gellért Hotel, on the Buda side of the Liberty Bridge. For decades, it was a must-see spot for visitors who wanted to experience Budapest’s spa culture in a beautiful setting.

Tickets and prices in 2025

Unfortunately, Gellért Bath has been closed since October 2025 for a major renovation. The reopening is currently planned for 2028, so it won’t be possible to visit the pools in the meantime.

Rudas Thermal Bath

Rudas combines history with modern touches. At its core is a 16th-century Turkish bath, built during the Ottoman period, with a traditional octagonal pool under a domed ceiling. But what really makes Rudas stand out today is the rooftop panorama pool, which overlooks the Danube, the Parliament, and several of Budapest’s bridges.

Rudas is also unique for its night bathing sessions every Friday and Saturday, when the baths reopen from 10 pm to 3 am (tickets must be booked online in advance). In addition, the Turkish bath section still keeps some single-sex days on weekdays — men only on certain days, women only on others — while the rest of the complex operates as mixed-gender pools. The bath is open year-round, including on Christmas and New Year’s, which makes it a reliable option in winter.

Extras

Rudas has a wellness section with several types of massages, including traditional treatments, water massage, and couple’s massage. There’s also the Rudas Bistro, a restaurant inside the building with a great view of the Pest side of the river

Tickets and prices in 2025

In 2025, day tickets for Rudas start at €26, which gives you access to the thermal pools, including the rooftop one. If you’re looking for a massage, prices begin at around €24, with options ranging from traditional treatments to couple’s massages.

One of the most popular experiences is the night bathing session on Fridays and Saturdays. From 10 pm to 3 am, the baths reopen for a late-night soak under the stars. Tickets for these sessions start at €34 and need to be booked online in advance.

Lukács Thermal Bath

Lukács is often described as the most authentic of Budapest’s baths. Located on the Buda side, not far from Margaret Island, it has a calm atmosphere and is less touristy compared to Széchenyi or Gellért. Many locals come here regularly, and the bath has a long history of being associated with healing therapies.

Extras

Lukács offers classic massages, as well as a unique private bathing package: for about €38, two people can enjoy a three-hour session in a private medical-water bath, complete with a bottle of champagne, a shower, and beds to rest afterwards.

The bath also has a beer spa option, where you soak in tubs filled with beer-based water while sipping unlimited draft beer. This package costs €89 and includes a private changing room, daily bath entry, and a 45-minute beer spa session.

Tickets and prices in 2025

Daily tickets at Lukács start from €15, making it one of the more affordable options among Budapest’s major baths. Seniors and students pay even less, with discounted tickets starting at €9. Massages are also reasonably priced, beginning at €20.

Which is the best thermal bath?

Budapest has more than 100 baths, so the ones we covered here are just the most famous and accessible options. There isn’t really a single “best” bath — it depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.

If you want the full-on tourist experience, with big outdoor pools, extras like beer spas and even Saturday night parties, then Széchenyi is the obvious choice. It’s the busiest and most international of them all.

For something quieter or more traditional, the other baths might suit you better. Rudas is great if you like the mix of history and modern touches — plus that rooftop pool with views of the Danube is hard to beat.

Lukács is the one to pick if you want a more local atmosphere at a lower price.

And while Gellért is closed until 2028, it has always been one of the most beautiful, so it’s worth keeping it on your list for the future!

How to plan your visit

Going to a thermal bath in Budapest is easy, but knowing a few details in advance will help you avoid surprises and enjoy the experience more. Here are the main things to keep in mind:

When to go

Most baths are open all year. Winter is especially nice because of the contrast between hot water and cold air. For fewer crowds, visit on weekdays or early in the morning. Weekends and holidays are the busiest times.

Opening times

Schedules vary depending on the bathhouse, the day of the week, and even the season. Some places open earlier or close later in summer, while in winter they may add special sessions. The safest option is always to check the official website before you go, so you know the exact hours for the day of your visit.

Visiting with children

Kids under 14 usually can’t use the thermal pools, and pregnant women are also advised to avoid them. For families, Budapest has other pools and open-air lidos that are more suitable.

What to expect inside

Most baths have multiple pools with different temperatures, saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunge pools. Some also have restaurants or cafés, making it easy to spend half a day or more there.

Extras

Massages, private bathing, and special packages are available in most places, but they often need to be booked in advance, especially during busy seasons like December.

What to bring

You don’t need much to enjoy a thermal bath in Budapest, but being prepared will make your visit more comfortable. Here are a few essentials to pack:

Swimsuit: required in all public areas of the baths;

• towel: you can bring your own or rent one, but rentals are usually more expensive and less convenient;
• Flip-flops: mandatory for walking between pools and showers;
• Hair tie: if you have long hair, some pools require it to be tied up;
• Swim cap: needed only if you want to use the swimming lanes;
• Reusable water bottle: the hot pools can dehydrate you, so it’s good to stay hydrated.

Tip: If you forget something, most baths rent or sell basic items, but it’s usually cheaper (and nicer) to bring your own.

Etiquette guide for Budapest baths

Visiting a thermal bath is fun, but it also comes with rules. These places are part of everyday life for Hungarians, and respecting the local culture is important. Being a tourist doesn’t mean you can behave however you want — the baths have clear guidelines to keep things safe and pleasant for everyone.

Here are some of the main rules you’ll see posted inside the bathhouses:

• No entry if you’re sick: people with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or infectious skin or respiratory diseases are not allowed to use the pools;
• Slippers are mandatory: everyone must wear flip-flops when moving around the complex;
• Shower before and after using the pools: always with hot water and soap;
• Swim caps in swimming pools: not required in thermal pools, but obligatory in lanes for swimming laps;
• No food or drinks in the pools: eating and drinking are only allowed in designated areas;
• Adults in kids’ areas: Adults are not allowed to use children’s or paddling pools;
• Keep the noise down: thermal baths are not lidos or waterparks. Indoors, sound carries easily, so quiet chatting is expected. Remember that some people come for healing and relaxation!

Conclusion

Spending a day at a thermal bath is one of the most unique things you can do in Budapest. Whether you go for the big and lively Széchenyi, the historic Rudas, or the quieter Lukács, you’ll come out relaxed and recharged.

Take your time, enjoy the pools, maybe book a massage, and don’t forget to respect the rules that keep these places special.

Want more ideas for your trip? Check out our guide to the top 10 must-see places in Budapest for first-time visitors — the perfect next step to plan your days around the city!