Enjoying the Szechenyi Bath in Budapest
Written by Jeremy Branham
When visiting Budapest, there are a number of things to see – the Buda castle, the Chain Bridge, a stroll down Andrássy Avenue, Heroes Square, and many others. However, one of the best experiences in Budapest is a day at a thermal bath – Szechenyi.
Szechenyi Bath
Located in City Park, Szechenyi Bath is a beautiful structure with various pools, thermal baths, massages, showers, and fitness centre for those who need a bit of pampering and relaxation. Szechenyi Bath opened in 1881 as temporary and became a permanent bath in 1913. Various contruction projects have improved the bath over the years as both locals and tourists have enjoyed a dip in these waters.
The bath offers something for all ages as it includes three swimming pools with water at 26 degrees, 32 – 34 degrees, and 38 degrees C. The swimming pools offer a chance to relax and enjoy the thermal springs from nearby St Stephan’s well. For a fun swim in the pools, enjoy the massage streams as participants walk around in a circle.
For a quiet, more relaxed experience, enjoy one of 12 thermal baths with both warm and cool waters. Eight of the baths offer water 28 – 38 degrees C in which groups of men and women sit, relax, or swim. Enjoy each of the many pools as you can easily go from one to another as your body enjoys the change in temperatures. These baths, located indoors, offer a chance to relax away from the crowds in the swimming pools.
If you are looking for a bit more exercise, the Szechenyi bath also offers a gym, fitness room, and physio-therapy department in which people can participate in gymnastics, underwater gymnastics, saunas, massages and more. Getting some exercise in these hot, healing waters or enjoying a bit of pampering is a perfect way to relax.
Want to taste the healing waters? The water in the bath is considered healthy and is said to help with ulcers, calcium deficiency, inflammation of the pelvis and kidney and more. The water contains fluoride, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate, and other minerals to help aid the body. If you are curious as to what it tastes like, have a drink.
A Hungarian bath was quite an experience for me. Not only was this a unique experience, it was must-see Budapest attraction in a beautiful part of this European city. Our other Europe travel tips for Budapest include Amanda’s visit to the Gellert Baths and Spa and Andy’s Danube riverside foray.
Entrance to the Szechenyi Bath
What are your favourite things to do in Budapest?
I was there in ’97 as the first stop on my goodbye trip thru Europe on my way back to the U.S. after living the Czech Rep. What a great city. However, we didn’t have much money at all and ended up just watching this and the other baths from outside! We were able to tour one of the main ones but didn’t actually do the spa/bath thing. They are such beautiful buildings. Interesting stuff, and I’m sure many people will be inspired to visit these from reading this article!
[...] outdoor facilities and you can have a spa experience at any time of the year. The Gellert and the Szechenyi Baths are two of the largest and most [...]