Csillaghegy, Rómaibath, Rudas, Gellért, Széchenyi spa

Hello all!

Due to a student job I had the opportunity to work as hostess, life-guard and cabine and locker staff member at Budapest’s famous baths and spas. Thanks this, I think I got familiarized with each of them enough, to be able to give a detailed description. I can say, I know some ‘behind the scene’ infos as well, so excuse me, I won’t write objectively about pool parametres, or water consistency because You can find this information on official webpages. I consider it more important to tell, how it feels at certain spas, how I personally remember the time spent there. Several baths close by the end of Summer, but many of them are available even on rainy days, or during the cold months. No alibis, baths and spas are there for You 365 days a year. Enjoy!

Let’s start with my own favourite: Csillaghegy. Key-words: relax and recover.

Csillaghegy is situated almost in the ‘countryside’, at the periphery of the 3rddistrict, but traveling there is quite simple, while H5 suburban railway line or 160 bus goes there often. Csillaghegy pool is a great place if You like to chill in silence, and don’t want to be surrounded by crowds of people. There are 2 pools for adults, a 33 m swimming pool (bathing cap obligatory) and a more than 50 m long pool also adequate for swimming but also for sunbathing on the edge of it, or imitating waterpolo, underwater ballet or diving. The bonus of this place is that there’s a beautiful pinewood, nature is close, you can drink very healthy natural spring water and near the pools You can walk in the forest or meditate in the beautiful flower gardens, accompanied by beautiful, baroque sculptures. This place is best for relaxing and enjoying the silence. It’s like cure for the soul and body. I used to go often there during exam periods, and I can say, it’s the perfect environment for studying. Opened only during Summer.

+ 1 info: Lángos with cheese and sour cream is excellent at Csillaghegy. www.csillaghegyistrand.hu

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Rómaifürdő is next. Key-words: adventure and adrenaline.

Bus 34, 106 and Suburban Railway 5 goes very close to this bath. Opened only Summer, Rómaifürdő has natural thermal water pools just like Csillaghegy, and every other spa I’m writing about. 2 pools for adults, of which one is a 33m swimming pool and the other an adventure-pool with 3 exciting giant slides, twister corridor/current channel and Scottish shower. More opportunities than Csillaghegy, but more visitors too. Római bath is a place more for youngsters, students, those who want to have fun, have lot of energy, still due to the surroundings plane and pin trees it’s a harmonic and safe environment enjoyed by older generations too. There is palacsinta, lángos, pizza, and the staff is very friendly. Sauna lovers will also get satisfied, because there’s a big finnish sauna.

+1 info: there’s a huge green area suitable for playing football, so if you’re coming with the whole wolfpack, then don’t forget to bring a football. And near the bath there’s a big camping, where You can choose to sleep if You want to go bathing more times in a while. Romaistrand

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Rudas spa: party and extravagance

Rudas spa is situated very close to Szent-Gellert ter, right at the feet of Gellert mountain in the centre of Buda, right at the land of the Danube. Frequented mostly by tourists. The complexum has many pools. Thermal water, sauna, swimming pool (bathing cap obligatory) and mineral water pool, jacuzzi, all result in a true wellness experience. This spa definitely has the criteria of a brilliant 5 star complexum. There’s a classy restaurant, with tasty and modern foods and alcoholic cocktails and sometimes giving live-music performances and concerts on stage. And of course, the one and only Panorama pool on the third floor which gives an amazing panorama view of the capital. At most 30 people can fit in this pool, and sometimes it can be bothering sitting like the herings in the conserve, but in change you got a charming view on the Danube, the bridges, ships, Gellért-mountain and the beautiful buildings and churches of Pest. A lot of famous places of the city can be seen from the panorama pool.

+1 info: There are several night-bathing occasions, night-parties from 10:00. p. m. till midnight, or 02:00 a. m. You have to taste the feeling, because it can’t be described. Rudasfurdo

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Last, but not least the two most famous baths of Budapest.

Gellért-spa: grandiose and prestigious,

Széchenyi: the classical taste of Budapest

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Gellért spa is one of the oldest ones in Budapest. Both Gellért and Széchényi are Kings of baths in Budapest. So, I will speak about them parallelly. Gellért is a story-teller, history itself. Gellért-hotel, and spa is a majestic ornamented building. It has a strong character which will make You feel important. Traditional Turkish baths, steam-rooms, saunas and massages will treat and spoil You. Széchényi bath is located in Városliget, near the Zoo and near the ice-skate field. Nostalgic environment, retro feeling and a beautiful palace from the outside. Inside no sign of modernism, but every wall and little decoration wears the signs of aristocracy and notability. Both spas have thermal, steam and amusement parts, indoor swimming pools, jacuzzis, and smaller pools, outdoor giant wave-pools and amusement-pools. Ancient columns, mozaics and sculptures will take You on a journey of time and space at Gellért spa. Ancient greek and roman motives, elegancy and hedonism. On the other hand, at Széchényi You will find Yourself in a cavalcade of pools, you will hardly decide which one to try, there are so many types. Worth only if You have a free full day. Both baths are hot-spots mostly for tourists.

+1 info Gellért: Every hour there’s a gratis twenty minute aqagym session in the big indoor swimming pool. Not only for grandmas!

+1 info Széchényi: Just like in Rudas, Széchényi is opened during the night, and welcomes every party face.

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If You don’t find from the list above the suitable place for Yourself, be aware, I’ll write another post about Dagály, Király and Palatinus baths.

Thank you for reading, Dóra

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