Budapest Bathes

Budapest Bathing Culture - including Szechenyi, Rudas, Kiraly and Gellert thermal baths

You cannot visit Budapest without indulging in a hot bath, one of the oldest and most popular traditions in the city.

Bath culture in Hungary was developed during the 16^th and 17^th centuries, but has been used for a much longer time, originally by the Romans, who had been using thermal baths for healing and relaxation for years. The baths are still as popular as ever, but are currently more comparable to spas. Set against beautiful, landscaped backdrops, there are nearly 50 hot baths throughout the city where people can gather to soak as a group or alone.

Known throughout the world as the “City of Spas,” Budapest has so many hot baths because the land underneath the city is littered with natural springs and wells. When the Romans began building the baths hundreds of years ago, they believed that the mineral water beneath the ground supplied healing waters. Naturally warm, the water offers a relaxing experience for everyone and soothes body aches and pains.

In modern times, the baths in the city are both more formal and laid back. Upscale spas and hotels feature elegant baths where wealthy guests can enjoy a hot soak before or after various spa treatments while public baths provide the ideal places for families and locals to indulge and enjoy the company of others.

The city also still features several of the baths built by the Romans, all of which have been remodeled throughout the years to provide the same kind of relaxing escape amidst their original beauty.

Bathing houses and baths also serve as meeting places in the city. Friends and family members will often meet up at a bathing house on a weekend while business colleagues are known to have meetings while indulging in a hot bath. While this may seem inappropriate in other cultures, bathing is so popular in Budapest and has been around for so long, that it’s not only appropriate, but encouraged.

Some of the most popular bathing houses in Budapest today include the Gellert Baths, located in the Gellert Hotel, the Kiraly Baths, the Szechenyi baths, the Lukacs Baths and the Rudas Baths, which many argue are the best in Hungary.

Pictures of thermal baths in Budapest: