TOP FIVE MEDICINAL BATHS IN BUDAPEST

Ever considered Eastern Europe for a spa trip? If you havent youre missing out.
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, could easily be one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and yet
under this stunning city are 80 geothermal springs the worlds largest thermal water cave
system.
Budapest is a city of medicinal baths. Baths from Roman times and as far back as 2,000BC have been
uncovered in Budapest but the true bathing culture was initiated at the beginning of Turkish
occupation, in the 17th century.
Not only good for your body, Budapests baths soothe the spirit and make this city break one
of relaxation and rest. Heres our pick of the best:
1. Rudas Baths
A thermal and medicinal bath that was first built in 1550. After several years of restoration work, the
Turkish bath section reopened in December 2005. The original fittings dating from the 16th century
are still in use today. An octogonal pool is sited under the characteristic Turkish dome supported on
eight pillars. The components of slightly radioactive thermal water includes sulphate, calcium,
magnesium, bicarbonate and a significant amount of fluoride ion.
It is believed that a start was made on building Kirly Baths by Pasha of Buda Arslan in 1565. It is one
of the few remaining monuments from the Turkish times. Water temperature in the four different
pools varies between 26-40 !. www.rudasbaths.com
2. Gellrt Baths
One of the most popular baths for tourists although the medicinal spring was already famous in the
13th century. The spa is decorated with a wealth of original Art Nouveau furnishings, artistic mosaics,
stained glass windows and sculptures.
The thermal baths, one with a temperature of around 36 C and the other 38 C, are decorated with
mosaic tiles. The complex includes saunas and plunge pools, an open-air swimming pool which can
create artificial waves every ten minutes and an effervescent swimming pool. You can also find a
Finnish sauna with cold pool and childrens pool.
3. The Lukcs Baths
These baths are of Turkish origin; the spa and treatment centre founded in the 19th century. Since the
1950s it has been regarded as a centre for intellectuals and artists. Take a relaxing walk inside a 1,800
square metre park under trees, centuries old and sip from a drinking fountain, reputated to have
healing water good for stomach problems, gallbladder and kidney stones.
The thermal water has been bottled since the turn of the century and distributed around the world,
with the label Szent Lukcs (Saint Lucas). The Lukcs Baths are on the Buda side of Budapest, close to
the Margaret Bridge, spanning the river Danube.
4. Szchenyi Baths
One of the largest bathing complexes in Europe, situated in the Pest side of the city, in the biggest park
of Budapest, the City Park (Varosliget). Its thermal springs, discovered in 1879 are the deepest and
hottest thermal wells in Budapest (74-75 degrees). The neo-baroque baths were built in 1913 and the
swimming pool in 1927. The complex had three outdoor pools (a swimming pool, thermal water pool
and jacuzzi) and 15 indoor pools.
5. Rcz Thermal Bath
Covering an area of 8,000 square metres and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The complex
has 11 pools which water temperatures varing from 14 C to 42 C. The water contains calcium,
magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate, sulphate-chloride, sodium and fluoride ions and are beneficial for
arthritis, spine illnesses, intervertebral disk pains, circulatory problems asthma and bronchitis.
Baths in Budapest: www.baths.topbudapest.org
Have you tried any of the baths in Budapest? How was it? Let us know in the comments
below.
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