Eight hot springs you must try if you visit Budapest
There’s something moving under Budapest’s pavement – every day, more than 70 million litres of hot water gush forth from the city’s 118 hot springs. This figure makes it the capital city with most hot springs in the world. To get things warmed up, here are some of them in this photo gallery.
Opened as a hotel a century ago – and still featuring its original Secession style décor – thermal treatments such as healing gymnastics and electrotherapy are offered in the pools of the Gellért Baths.
With 15 indoor and three outdoor pools, Szechenyi Baths are Europe’s largest medicinal baths. The outdoor pools – with a constant temperature of 37.5ºC – are a meeting point for chess fans, who play every day while sitting on the edge.
The octagonal pool with a dome is typical of Turkish baths. Don’t miss Király Baths, built in the late 16th century when Budapest and a part of what is now Hungary were part of the Ottoman Empire.
Originally, Palatinus Baths, on Margaret Island – a large green area on the Danube – opened as an artificial beach along the river. It currently has ten pools, one of which creates artificial waves.
Rudas fürdő is the most authentic Turkish bath. Built in 1566, the different colours of its stained-glass-dotted dome shine down on the central pool. Higher up (on the roof) is its spectacular panoramic swimming pool overlooking the Danube. It’s ideal for enjoying the sunset.
The water at Lukács Baths – rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulphates – is considered by experts to be the most effective of all the city’s springs. Special sauna programmes are offered on Friday afternoons.
Famous for its medicinal treatments for herniated discs, arthritis and joint problems, Dandár Baths have a spring – filled with healing properties – where the water can be drunk.
Opened in the late 20th century, Paskál Baths feature Budapest’s most modern outdoor pools. Open from 6am, they’re a practical option for early-rising swimmers. It also has the city’s only geothermal sauna.
Opened as a hotel a century ago – and still featuring its original Secession style décor – thermal treatments such as healing gymnastics and electrotherapy are offered in the pools of the Gellért Baths.
