Budapest - city of Spas!

• By: Editor
• On: 10/Apr/2007
• In: Budapest Travel Tips

How is a bustling metropolis like Budapest home to so many thermal springs you ask. Well, this city is fortunate to be located on a thin layer of earth right over thermal springs. The thermal springs are formed by a fault line at the meeting point of the Buda Hills and the Great Plain close to the River Danube.

Around the 1st century BC the Celts settled here due to the abundance of water in the area and they actually called the area "ak luk" which meant water. The Romans too called their part of the city "Aquincum" which also means water. Then the Turks arrived around the 16th century and it wasn't long until they discovered the wonders of these thermal springs. They occupied the city for about 150 years and during that time they built lots of Turkish baths and beautiful architecture to surround some of the springs.

The spas in Budapest are the richest mineral springs in Europe and contain calcium, magnesium, fluoride, sodium and potassium among others, which doctors claim have healing qualities. Different spas are popular for different ailments like arthritis, stomach problem, locomotor disease, heart problems and even dental problems! Of course these famous baths are also important for relieving stress, tension and fatigue.

There are so many different types of spas in Budapest. You can choose to take a dip in a spa, bath, or public pool, indoor, outdoor pools, male or female pools. And if the soothing warm waters do little for your aches and pains, you can also have the option of an additional treatment like a massage.

We have selected three of the best Spas in Budapest so you'll have a little idea of where to go and what to expect:

• Gellért Spa

The Gellért Spa is probably the most popular and luxurious spa in Budapest. It's located in a beautiful hotel at the foot of Gellert hill by the banks of the River Danube on the Buda side of the city. This spa complex has an indoor pool, 3 outdoor pools, a wave bath, a thermal bath, a sun terrace, a solarium and a medical centre. Some of the baths are for women or men only and some are for combined use.

The Gellert Baths are rich in magnesium, sodium, fluoride, hydrogen-carbonate, and calcium and so are popular for the treatments of arthritis, neuralgia, heart problems and back problems.

The full entrance price to this spa is about 3100HUF (approx EUR13.00) and it's open from 6am to 7pm on weekdays and from 6am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays (from 30th April to 30th September). To get to this spa take tram numbers 18, 19, 47, and 49. You can also get bus number 7, 7a and 86 to here.

• Széchényi Spa

The Széchényi Spa and Baths are beautiful. Here you can bob about in the steamy soothing waters while admiring the stunning architecture that surrounds you. This spa has no less than 15 pools!

The thermal waters here contain sodium, calcium, and sulphates with fluoride and metaboric acid contents. These waters help to soothe and heal joints and the spine, arthritis and bone disorders.

The entrance fee is about EUR 6.00 – EUR 10.00 (about 2456 HUF) and it's open every day from 6am to 7pm. To get here take the underground line M1 to Széchenyi furdö metro station. (the second last station on the M1 line direction of Mexikói út).

• Király Bath

Király Bath is located close to the Danube on the Buda side of the city. It is an old style bath which came about during the Ottoman period. The waters of the spa contain sodium, calcium, magnesium and sulphates, which can help with joint and spine problems and neuralgic pains.

The spa consists of 4 baths which each have a different temperature. Ladies can have the use of the spa from 7am to 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while men can have use of the spa from 9am to 8pm on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays. The spa is closed on Sundays. During weekdays bathing time is 1 and a half hours while at weekends it's 1 hour and a session will set you back about 1200 HUF(about EUR4.88). The best way to get to this spa is to get tram number 19 or bus number 60 and 86.

So when you visit Budapest make sure you take the time to check out one of the above spas and wash away all the aches and pains, whether it be after a long day's sightseeing or a night out in the town. Bathing in the spas and baths is almost considered "a national pastime" at this stage, so you'll see lots of locals heading to one of these in the evenings after work, during lunch and in the mornings. After you've checked out all the top attractions check into a spa and at such a good price you'll find them hard to resist!

Drop us a line using the comment box below and tell us about your Spa experience in Budapest. We'd love to know what made it special for you? Any recommendations? All stories, comments and tips are welcome!