Photos by Worldwide Scott
Like most top-notch tourist draws in the world, before most travelers even arrive in Budapest, they'll typically have a slideshow of iconic images swirling in their mind.
Paramount among the scenes of Budapest is the drop-dead gorgeous Hungarian Parliament building, the regal set of bridges that span the Danube, and of course, the sight of a bunch of half-naked guys playing chess in an outdoor pool.
Oh yes, it's true, but those dudes aren't just hanging out in any old pools, these concrete ponds are proper thermal baths.
READ MORE: Budapest Takes Its Place Among the World's Best Tourist Cities
Budapest's baths are legendary, with the city's serendipitous location over hundreds of hot springs to thank. This combination of geology and geography led to the building of a bevy of formal baths centuries ago, and the subsequent proliferation of tales touting their healing powers.
These baths have been a huge part of the fabric of the city ever since, and no trip to Budapest is complete without a dip. So, to help you get your feet wet, here is a list of some of the best baths in Budapest, and what they are best suited for.
Most Beautiful Bath- Gellert Baths
This is one of the most famous in town, and it is also the most beautiful bath in Budapest. The Gellert Baths reside in a palatial Art Nouveau building, and will have you feeling like royalty when you wade into its waters. Grand adornments abound, like pillars, sculptures and colorful mosaics that lend an air of opulence to the bathing. And that's just inside. Outside, the pools are just as lavish, set amongst gorgeous gardens and even featuring a wave pool in summer.
Best Bath For "Pinch Me, I'm In Budapest" Moments - Szechenyi Baths
This is the biggest bath, the most popular bath, and if you're curious, the one with those iconic chess players. A golden-colored candyland-esque castle inside Budapest's City Park, Szechenyi is among the largest thermal pool complexes in Europe with 18 pools. You'll find whirlpools and underwater jets here, and most uniquely, Szechenyi is open year round, with a steamy wintry bath a truly unique experience.
Best "Off The Beaten Bath" Bath- Dandar Bath
When we were in Budapest, we stumbled across this hidden gem, and it was a true revelation. We only discovered it by walking past, and took a gamble that it would be fun to see what the lesser-known spas were like.
While it won't win any style points (Gellert took them all, anyway), it is laid back, budget-friendly (about a third of the price of the big boys), and almost exclusively used by locals. I can personally attest, that I had been plagued by a sore shoulder for weeks before I visited Dandar, but walked out without any pain, and years later, it hasn't returned.
Best Historic Bath - Kiraly Bath
This bath feels like a step back in time and a trip to the East combined. Built when Budapest was under Ottoman rule in the 1500s, it maintains its original Turkish architecture (stone walls, arched doorways, and domes) to this day, with the spa's fading glory only serving to add to its appeal.
READ MORE: Melding the Modern and Medieval in Budapest
Kiraly isn't the biggest spa in town, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for with centuries of character and soothing waters filled with a unique mix of minerals to help mend the body and massage the soul.
Topics From This Article to Explore
