If water is life, Budapest is full of life. It’s a city that grabs you from the first minute, with great gastronomy and countless monuments. But there is no doubt that the star of Budapest, apart from the Parliament and the Buda Castle, are the thermal baths.

With more than a hundred springs, both natural and artificial, Budapest is the real “City of Spas”. Today we are going to show you some of the most beautiful spas in the city. It is clear that their services match their architecture.

However, we wanted to focus mainly on their structure and beauty, both inside and outside. We want their waters to soothe your pain and their beauty to cheer you up and fill your soul.

Most beautiful Thermal Baths in Budapest

Széchenyi Baths

Állatkerti krt. 9-11 

This is the largest thermal bath complex in Europe and one of the best known, if not the best known, in the whole city of Budapest. Opened in 1913, it has a total of 21 pools, both inside and outside.

It is built in neo-baroque style and being able to contemplate its exterior or its interior submerged in one of its pools is an experience that will leave you breathless, even before you enter the icy water pool.

Looking at this thermal bath from the outside is like looking at the Louvre museum, you know that what it contains is a pleasure for the senses, but its exterior itself is a piece of art worthy of being admired.

You must discover its decoration, its columns, its sculptures for yourself, because trying to describe their beauty would not do them justice. And, leaving aside its architecture, remember that the Széchenyi holds evening parties on some Saturdays in its swimming pool called “sparties”.

Gellért Baths

Kelenhegyi út 4-6

There is no yin without yang or night without day. If we have spoken of Széchenyi, it is impossible not to mention the one who constantly tries to dispute the title of the best health resort: Gellért.

At the foot of the Gellért hill, we find this real treat for the senses. In operation since 1918, it is an exponent of the Art Nouveau and Modernist style. We can see it in its architecture, in its exterior and interior decoration and even in its swimming pools.

It is one of the most spectacular and popular thermal baths in the country. If we have to highlight one of its incredible places, that would be its main pool, which is adorned with Roman columns, terraces at the top and an immense vault that lets in the light of day to create a magical place.

Rudas

9 Döbrentei tér

Built in 1550 during the Ottoman era, Rudas thermal bath is perfectly integrated between the rock and the Danube. Straight lines and big dimensions will welcome the visitors, holding inside the real treasure. It has seven in total, with contrasting temperatures ranging from 16 to 40 degrees, as well as hammam, saunas and a wide range of services.

It has beautiful Turkish characteristics everywhere, although if we have to highlight any element, we have our ideas very clear. Firstly, its octagonal swimming pool, on top of which there is a Turkish immense and colourful ten-metre dome.

Secondly, get ready to go outdoors, since the jacuzzi is waiting for you. On its rooftop, you can enjoy of the amazing views of the Pest skyline.

Apart from having a wide daily schedule from 6:00 to 20:00, on Fridays and Saturdays it opens exceptionally from 22:00 to 3:00.

Veli Bej Baths

Árpád fejedelem útja 7

We must end with a small stop on the way because this spa is not the same as the previous ones. It has a different beauty, it is much smaller, more intimate and that is where its true beauty lies.

Formerly known as Császár Bath, Veli Bej is one of the oldest Turkish baths in the city and balances the methods and decoration of the time with the facilities of today. You will find a hot water thermal pool with the classic octagonal shape and a large dome above it. Its charm lies in the fact that it has a limit of 80 people.

Its structure may not surprise you, nor will you count its statues by the dozen, but to find such a welcoming and relaxing place in a city as lively and touristy as Budapest is a real treat.