The Baths of Budapest
The capital of Hungary is famous for its rich history and interesting architecture. Budapest has many beautiful Gothic buildings, museums and parks, but it is world famous for its springs of natural thermal waters. There are 131 springs on the territory of the city. There are 32 health centers based on these medicinal waters.
Book excursions in Budapest from Sputnik8 to visit the famous baths. This will avoid queues to visit the baths and save you the time of searching for the best complex with the best set of additional services.
The history of the thermal bathing culture
The city is located in a zone of tectonic fracture, thanks to which there are many thermal springs on its territory. This unique geographical feature was noticed by the ancient Romans in the I century BC. They called this place “rich water” (Aquincum). The inhabitants of ancient Pannonia erected the first baths here. The baths built by the Ottomans in the 16th century reached our times.
In the XIX century the technology of drilling the Earth’s interior was mastered. The chemical sciences reached a new level. This was the reason for the increasing interest in the thermal springs of Budapest. Today, the volume of underground water of the capital amounts to thousands of deciliters per day. The water in different springs differs in its chemical composition and the therapeutic effect on the human body. The water temperature varies from +20℃ to +75℃.
What are the baths of Budapest?
The healing underground waters of Budapest were the basis for the creation of spas, where you will find:
- Baths in the open air and indoors. They are bowls of water of varying temperatures.
- Swimming pools for adults and children, with normal tap or thermal water.
- Drinking fountains, where you can drink mineral water on the spot or take it with you.
- Additional services, which include a variety of spa treatments, massages, sauna.
Prices for admission differ on weekdays and weekends, depending on the range of services offered. There is an opportunity to borrow swimwear.
Healing effect
After visiting the baths a person feels a burst of energy. Efficiency returns, depressive mood disappears and locomotive activity improves. Healing water positively influences the nervous and bone system. A course of taking mineral water orally is useful for curing gastrointestinal diseases.
The therapeutic clay extracted in the vicinity of thermal springs has a powerful rejuvenating effect. Clay masks purify and smooth the skin, remove inflammatory processes.
The best effect is achieved by a course of treatment for at least 10 days. Some types of procedures require a doctor’s permission. It is not recommended to visit the high-temperature natural baths for pregnant women and in case of acute diseases.
Top 5 Popular Baths in Budapest
Gellert
The springs of Mount Gellert have been attracting people for centuries. In the 13th century the first mud baths were built on the mud lake. During the Ottoman rule the Turkish baths were built. At the beginning of the 19th century, Emperor Franz Joseph I. commanded the construction of a bathing complex.
The beginning of the modern complex was in the beginning of the last century. During the Second World War the buildings were badly damaged. It was possible to fully restore its former glory only by 2008.
The temperature of thermal water from the depths of the Gellert mountain is +38℃ … +43℃. There is a possibility of generating waves in the huge pool.
Today the most beautiful baths in Hungary resemble a fairy palace. There are indoor pools, whirlpools, pearl baths, different kinds of baths.
Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4
www.gellertfurdo.hu
Széchenyi
The hottest spring on the continent with a temperature of +76℃. The water comes out from a depth of 1200 meters. The medical complex is more than 100 years old. The building has Gothic and Baroque elements and is very well preserved. There are 21 swimming pools inside the baths. The most popular pool has an underwater current. Under the directional jets of water you can have a neck and back massage.
Mineral water has a rich composition and is very useful for people suffering from diseases of the skeletal system, it is shown during post-traumatic rehabilitation. To improve health, it is sometimes enough to drink just 300 grams of water.
The bath is considered the most expensive in Europe. The chic beach functions all year round. It is a very popular place in the capital for relaxation and meeting with friends.
Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11
www.szechenyifurdo.hu
Rudas
The baths near Mount Gellert were already in existence during the Ottoman period in the 16th century. The Oriental flavor in some parts of the complex has been preserved to this day and is evident in the interior and architecture. The building has a domed roof with openings for sunlight. Visitors note the fantastic atmosphere.
There are 5 swimming pools, in which you can recuperate through swimming. There is a separate bowl with thermal water for diving. A number of pathologies are successfully treated using the radon bath. On the territory of the baths there are massage parlors and baths.
On the roof of the building there is a swimming pool with a glass dome. It has a stunning view of the city and the Danube.
Budapest, Döbrentei tér 9
www.rudasfurdo.hu
Lukacs
The bath is named after St. Luke. According to historical records, this was the favorite bathing place of the Turkish Pasha Mustafa. At the end of the 19th century it was the largest and most famous bathing place in the capital. Grateful visitors who got rid of their ailments left notes about it on the marble walls of the spa.
There are water tanks, pools, saunas and spa procedures rooms on the territory of the complex. There is a Himalayan salt wall and a cryotherapy room. For the romantics there is a gold bath.
Many visitors believe that the water from St. Luke’s spring has a greater healing effect than other springs. It contains a lot of useful calcium, magnesium, fluoride.
Budapest, Frankel Leó u. 25-29
www.lukacsfurdo.hu
Kiraj
The idea for the oldest of Budapest’s baths came from the Turkish Pasha Arslan, who lived in the 16th century. The baths were built inside the fortifications because the Turks did not want to lose their healing spring in the event of a siege.
The historic buildings were almost destroyed during the Second World War, then rebuilt. The dome-shaped roof points to its eastern origin.
One of the four thermal pools is filled with cool water.
Visitors can relax on the comfortable sun loungers on the patio. There is a Finnish sauna, a whirlpool and a beauty salon.
Budapest, Fő ut 84
http://www.kiralyfurdo.hu/