Budapest’s Best Thermal Baths in 2026: Széchenyi vs. Rudas vs. Lukács (While Gellért Sleeps)

Budapest didn’t just stumble into the nickname “City of Baths” — it earned it the hard way, over 2,000 years of obsessive soaking. The Romans built the foundations, the Turks turned bathing into a full-blown cultural ritual, and by the 19th century we’d decided that steamy water was basically our national birthright. Fast-forward to today and the city is still bubbling away, serving up a mix of history, health, and half-naked strangers floating beside you.

But here’s the plot twist no one asked for: in October 2025, one of the city’s crown jewels — the Gellért Bath — closed its ornate doors for a massive, multi-year renovation. The Art Nouveau masterpiece won’t be back until 2028 at the earliest. So if you’ve been dreaming of floating under Zsolnay tiles — park that dream for a few more years.

The good news? Budapest has over 120 natural hot springs and more thermal baths than you can shake a towel at. So in this guide, we’re pitting the city’s three best currently-open baths against each other: Széchenyi, the neo-Baroque palace in City Park; Rudas, the Ottoman time machine with a rooftop hot tub; and Lukács, the under-the-radar local favorite that just inherited Gellért’s crown. Each has its own personality — from grand Austro-Hungarian swagger to moody hammam vibes to “where the actual Budapestians go” — and choosing the right one is about more than pool counts or water temperature. It’s about which slice of history you want to bathe in.

Meeting the Contenders: Budapest’s Top Three Open Baths

Budapest’s three heavyweight thermal baths each pull from a different era and attitude. Széchenyi Thermal Bath in City Park is Europe’s largest medicinal bath complex with 18 pools across 6,220 square meters, open since 1913. Rudas dates to 1550 and pairs its Ottoman heritage with a modern rooftop panorama pool. Lukács, operating since 1884 on Buda’s riverbank, is the locals’ bath of choice — affordable, uncrowded, and quietly excellent.

Before we dive (literally) into the details, let’s get acquainted with the three heavyweight contenders. These aren’t just glorified swimming pools — they’re living, steaming monuments to Hungary’s obsession with hot water. Each one is a different personality, a different vibe, and frankly, a different kind of hangover cure.

Széchenyi: Pest’s Grand Palace — Europe’s Bathing Behemoth

If baths had a “go big or go home” philosophy, Széchenyi wrote the rulebook. This neo-Baroque monster in City Park is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe, and trust me, it feels like it. With 18 pools — 15 indoor, 3 vast outdoor, plus thermal, adventure, and lap pools — it’s less like a spa and more like a theme park for adults in swimsuits.

The sheer scale is breathtaking, but so is the atmosphere: Széchenyi is lively, loud, and buzzing. Don’t expect serene zen vibes; expect a social carnival in chlorinated mineral water. Locals come here to play chess half-submerged in steam, tourists come for selfies in the yellow palace-like backdrop, and on certain nights it turns into an outright pool rave (“Sparties”), where neo-Baroque grandeur meets glow sticks.

In short: Széchenyi isn’t a quiet retreat — it’s a spectacle, and you either embrace the chaos or you drown in it (figuratively, of course — lifeguards are everywhere).

Rudas: The Ottoman Time Machine With a Rooftop Hot Tub

If Széchenyi is a carnival, then Rudas is a time machine with a rooftop hot tub attached. Its heart dates back to the 16th century Ottoman era, and the star of the show is still the octagonal Turkish pool under that brooding stone dome. Step inside and you half-expect a pasha to wander in with a hookah.

But don’t let the history fool you — Rudas has gone full 21st century in other ways. There’s a modern wellness wing with saunas and therapy pools, and the pièce de résistance: a rooftop hot tub with killer views over the Danube, Gellért Hill, and the city skyline. Yes, you can literally sit in 40°C mineral water while staring down Parliament and thinking, “this is the peak of civilization.”

What makes Rudas extra quirky? It still enforces gender-segregated mornings in the historic Turkish section on weekdays. So check the schedule unless you fancy an awkward surprise. It’s a rare blend: ancient Ottoman ritual meets modern spa weekend Instagram post — and somehow, it works.

Lukács: The Locals’ Secret That Just Got Promoted

Here’s the bath that most guidebooks overlook — and that’s exactly why Budapestians love it. Lukács (pronounced “LOO-kahch”) has been quietly doing its thing on the Buda riverbank since 1884, attracting artists, intellectuals, and locals who’d rather soak in peace than jostle with selfie sticks. With Gellért out of commission until 2028, Lukács has been thrust into the spotlight — and honestly? It’s handling the promotion like a champ.

The vibe here is unmistakably local. You’ll see regulars who come every single day, grandmas doing water aerobics, and a healthy dose of creative types nursing their hangovers in the thermal pools. It’s got a beautiful Neo-Classical main building, outdoor pools that feel like a proper Budapest summer institution, and — here’s the kicker — it’s significantly cheaper than Széchenyi or Rudas. Think of it as the neighborhood trattoria in a city full of Michelin-starred restaurants: less flashy, more soul.

Plus, Lukács now has its own Beer Spa experience — because apparently Budapest decided that two baths with beer tubs is better than one.

Architectural Grandeur and Historical Aura

Budapest’s three open thermal baths span 500 years of architectural ambition. Széchenyi’s neo-Baroque palace (1913) covers 6,220 square meters with statues and water motifs across City Park. Rudas dates to 1550 when Ottoman pasha Sokollu Mustafa built its iconic octagonal pool under a stone dome. Lukács blends 19th-century Neo-Classical elegance with a “creative district” atmosphere, its walls decorated with memorial plaques from famous former regulars.

Budapest’s baths aren’t just places to get pruney fingers. They’re full-blown architectural flexes, each one screaming, “look at me, I’m history you can swim in.”

Széchenyi is a neo-Baroque drama queen. Designed by Győző Czigler and expanded by Imre Francsek, this wasn’t some converted ruin. Széchenyi was purpose-built to be a palace of bathing. Statues? Check. Water motifs? Everywhere. Fun fact: its mirrored layout was originally intended to keep men and women separated. (Spoiler: now they all crowd the same hot tubs while taking selfies.)

Rudas is your ticket straight back to the 16th century, courtesy of Sokollu Mustafa Pasha and the Ottomans. Its octagonal pool under a moody stone dome is basically a hammam time capsule — eight stone columns supporting a cupola, with colored light streaming through stained-glass openings. But here’s the kicker: they grafted on a slick modern wellness wing and a rooftop hot tub with skyline views. It’s like Netflix rebooted Ottoman bathing culture — same gritty dome, but with better lighting and an infinity pool.

Lukács brings a totally different energy. The Neo-Classical main building is handsome but unpretentious, and the walls outside are covered in memorial plaques from famous artists, writers, and intellectuals who were regulars. It feels less like a tourist monument and more like Budapest’s cultural living room — the kind of place where you wouldn’t be surprised to see someone reading poetry in the steam room. The 2017 renovation modernized the interior without killing the soul, and the outdoor pool area is pure Budapest summer vibes.

Pools and Aquatic Adventures

Széchenyi leads the pool count with 18 total — including its famous outdoor thermal pool where locals play chess in winter steam. Rudas counters with six Ottoman-era medicinal pools (10°C to 42°C) plus the signature rooftop panorama hot tub overlooking the Danube. Lukács offers a more focused lineup: thermal pools at 22–40°C, a 50-meter outdoor swimming pool, and an adventure pool — fewer options, but rarely a queue.

At the end of the day, baths are about one thing: where you dunk yourself. But each Budapest bath has its own “hero” pool, the Instagram magnet, plus a supporting cast that makes or breaks your visit. Variety is everything: you might want to bob like a dumpling in 38°C mineral soup, actually swim a few laps, or just sit in silence hoping the jets massage away your questionable life choices.

Széchenyi is the undisputed heavyweight with 18 pools total. Outside you get the holy trinity — a 38°C thermal pool (locals floating like lazy dumplings), an adventure pool with jets and bubbles, and a lap pool for people who pretend they’re training for the Olympics. Inside? 15 smaller pools of varying temperatures, whirlpools, and jet massages. The iconic outdoor thermal pool in winter — steam rising while snowflakes fall — is the stuff postcards are made of.

Rudas is where history meets rooftop bragging rights. Inside you’ll find six medicinal pools (temps ranging from a bracing 10°C to a toasty 42°C), plus a swimming pool for the ambitious. The star, of course, is the 16th-century octagonal Turkish pool under that dome — moody, atmospheric, and about as far from your local YMCA as you can get. And then there’s the cherry on top: the rooftop panoramic hot tub, where you can soak while staring at the Danube and Parliament. You will feel like a sultan with Wi-Fi.

Lukács keeps things focused but delivers where it counts. The main thermal pools range from 22°C to 40°C, and there’s a proper 50-meter outdoor swimming pool — one of the best in Budapest for actual swimming rather than “floating with intent.” The adventure pool adds some fun with jets and currents, and the thermal sitting pools are exactly what a Hungarian doctor would prescribe for your lower back. What Lukács lacks in sheer pool count, it makes up for in elbow room — something the big-name baths can only dream of on a Saturday.

Wellness Sanctuaries Beyond the Pools

Each bath extends well beyond basic soaking. Széchenyi offers saunas, a gym, aqua fitness, the Palm House VIP lounge, and both Beer Spa and massage packages starting at 11,800 HUF ($31). Rudas features an Ottoman hammam, salt room, aroma sauna, and a medicinal drinking hall with three natural springs. Lukács provides Finnish and steam saunas, medical hydrotherapy, and an affordable massage service starting at 9,000 HUF ($23).

In Budapest, “wellness” can mean anything from sipping craft beer in a hot tub to letting a stranger in a white coat prescribe your bath time like it’s medicine. It’s all about what you’re after.

Széchenyi is the Las Vegas of wellness. More is more: over half a dozen saunas and steam cabins, a gym, aqua fitness, the rooftop Palm House lounge (yes, you can rent it like a VIP cabana), plus massages and facials. And then there’s the Beer Spa — sit in a wooden tub filled with hops and malt while pulling unlimited beer from your own tap. It’s either wellness, alcoholism in disguise, or both.

Rudas is where the old Ottoman hammam soul meets modern wellness hype. The “sauna world” includes a salt room, aroma sauna, dry sauna, Finnish sauna, steam bath — basically everything short of a cryo chamber. The standout is the authentic Turkish hammam and ilidža, a warm spring chamber straight out of the 16th century. And then there’s the drinking hall, where you can actually drink the medicinal waters from the Hungária, Attila, and Juventus springs. Locals swear it fixes everything from stomach aches to hangovers. Jury’s out, but hey, it’s cheaper than a pharmacy.

Lukács is more medical-grade wellness than Instagram spa day — and that’s a compliment. It has a fully operational physiotherapy department, Finnish and steam saunas, and medical treatments including mud therapy, weight bath therapy, and underwater physiotherapy. The massage prices are the most wallet-friendly of the three (starting at 9,000 HUF / ~$23 for 20 minutes). Plus, its Beer Spa offers private tubs for two — considerably more intimate than Széchenyi’s version.

The Vibe Check: Atmosphere and Ambiance

Széchenyi feels like Times Square went swimming — 90% tourists, buzzing energy, glow-stick Sparty raves on weekend nights. Rudas splits the mood: the Ottoman dome section is intimate and almost sacred, while the rooftop pool is sleek and Instagram-ready. Lukács is the polar opposite of both — overwhelmingly local, quiet on weekdays, and the kind of place where regulars nod at each other like they’re in on a secret.

When it comes to Budapest’s baths, it’s not just about the water temperature — it’s about the social temperature. Do you want a rowdy, Instagrammed free-for-all, or an intimate, locals-only vibe?

Széchenyi is the Times Square of thermal bathing. Lively, buzzing, and about 90% tourists (seriously, locals mostly avoid it unless they’re chess grandpas). Outside, the yellow palace backdrop and steaming outdoor pools are magic — especially in winter — but inside, the vibe can range from “fun” to “did someone spill their lunch in here?”. And then there are the Sparties — weekend nights when the place turns into a rave in hot water. Glow sticks, EDM, and half-naked strangers from six continents. Love it or hate it, Széchenyi is never boring.

Rudas is where things get interesting. The Turkish dome gives the whole bath an intimate, almost sacred vibe — it’s easy to imagine you’re in the 16th century, minus the Ottoman beards. It feels more local than Széchenyi, especially on the gender-segregated mornings. Then there’s the rooftop: chic, modern, and ridiculously photogenic, with Parliament twinkling across the river. Add in night bathing on Fridays and Saturdays (10 PM to 3 AM) and you’ve got the best of both worlds: ancient hammam downstairs, rooftop wine-soaked selfies upstairs.

Lukács is the anti-Széchenyi. Walk in on a Tuesday morning and you might be the only person under 60. And that’s the magic. The regulars treat this place like a second living room — they know the staff by name, they have their favorite bench, they’ve been coming since the ’80s. It’s gloriously unpretentious. Since Gellért’s closure, Lukács has gotten a bit busier, but it’s still leagues away from the tourist crush at Széchenyi. If you want to feel like a local rather than a walking selfie opportunity, this is your bath.

Unique Selling Points: The “Oh Wow” Moments

Every bath has a signature move. Széchenyi’s is sheer scale plus its chess-playing outdoor pools and infamous Sparty raves. Rudas delivers the most dramatic contrast in Budapest bathing: a 500-year-old Ottoman dome downstairs, a sleek rooftop panorama pool upstairs. Lukács offers the city’s best student and senior discounts, a proper 50-meter pool, private Beer Spa tubs for couples, and the most authentic local atmosphere of any major Budapest bath.

Budapest’s baths all have warm water, minerals, and people bobbing around like dumplings. What makes you pick one over the other are the weird little extras — the “oh wow” moments you can’t replicate anywhere else.

Széchenyi is the super-size bath buffet. Its USP? Sheer size — no other bath in Europe gives you this many options in one place. The real showstopper is the outdoor pools where locals play chess in steaming water like it’s no big deal. Add the infamous Sparties, the Beer Spa, and the VIP Palm House relaxation zone if you want to feel like thermal royalty.

Rudas is all about contrast. Downstairs: a 16th-century octagonal Turkish pool under a moody stone dome — you’ll feel like an Ottoman pasha. Upstairs: a sleek, modern rooftop panorama pool with killer Danube views. Want more quirks? Gender-segregated mornings that completely change the dynamic, late-night bathing on weekends (co-ed, with a cool, almost secret vibe), and even a drinking hall where you can literally sip the medicinal waters. (Do they work? Who knows. But it beats Gatorade.)

Lukács wins on authenticity and value. At 7,000 HUF weekday entry (roughly half what Széchenyi charges), it’s by far the cheapest of the three — and the only one with proper student and senior discounts (3,800 HUF weekdays, about $10). The 50-meter outdoor pool is genuinely great for swimming, not just posing. The Beer Spa here offers private tubs for two, making it a sneaky-good date move. And those memorial plaques on the walls? They’re from famous regulars like poet Endre Ady — this bath has cultural cred.

Healing Waters: Therapeutic Benefits Up Close

All three baths tap into Budapest’s 120+ natural hot springs, each with a distinct mineral cocktail. Széchenyi’s water contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphate, and fluoride — prescribed for arthritis and joint rehabilitation. Rudas offers slightly radioactive thermal water (beneficial, not Chernobyl-level) for joint diseases and neuralgia, plus three drinking springs. Lukács sources its water from springs rich in calcium, magnesium, and fluoride, recommended for degenerative joint conditions and chronic inflammation.

Most people don’t land in Budapest thinking, “My spine could use some balneotherapy.” They’re here for the photos, the domes, and the bragging rights. But Hungarians? We take the healing side dead seriously. Doctors literally write prescriptions that say: “Go soak for two weeks.”

Széchenyi’s water is basically a mineral cocktail: calcium, magnesium, hydro-carbonate, sodium, sulphate, fluoride, and metaboric acid. It’s prescribed for arthritis, chronic joint problems, and post-accident rehab. There’s even a drinking cure — you drink the stuff. Allegedly good for digestive issues. In reality, it tastes like warm salty disappointment, but Hungarians swear it’s liquid medicine.

Rudas goes full hard mode: its thermal waters are slightly radioactive (yes, really — but in a good-for-your-bones way, not a Marvel-origin-story way). Loaded with sulphate, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and fluoride, it’s used for joint diseases, disc problems, neuralgia, and calcium deficiency. The drinking cures from the Hungária, Attila, and Juventus springs are a whole ritual. Hungarians down it like it’s holy water; tourists down it once, gag, and stick to lemonade.

Lukács has been a medical spa since the 1880s — longer than most “wellness” brands have existed. Its thermal water is packed with calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbonate, and fluoride, prescribed for degenerative joint conditions, chronic musculoskeletal inflammation, and post-operative rehabilitation. The on-site physiotherapy department is the real deal — this isn’t spa-as-lifestyle; it’s spa-as-medicine. Lukács also offers mud treatments, weight bath therapy, and underwater physiotherapy that would cost a fortune at a private clinic.

Current Prices and Ticket Options (2026)

Budapest’s top three baths range from budget-friendly Lukács at 7,000 HUF ($18) weekday entry to Széchenyi’s 13,200 HUF ($34) and Rudas’s 12,000 HUF ($31). Weekend and holiday prices run 10–25% higher across all venues. Online booking at Széchenyi offers fast-track QR entry from €44 weekday. All prices verified January 2026.

The good news: you can soak in world-class thermal water for less than a decent dinner. The bad news: none of them are “cheap dip in the pool” money once you add extras. Here’s the full breakdown.

Note: Prices are in Hungarian Forint (HUF). USD conversions at ~385 HUF/$1. Holiday surcharges may apply. Online booking often provides faster entry.

Opening Hours and Optimal Visit Times

Széchenyi opens weekdays at 7:00 AM (weekends 8:00 AM) and closes at 8:00 PM, with “Good Morning” discounted tickets for early arrivals before 9 AM. Rudas runs 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily (Saturdays until 10 PM), with night bathing Fridays and Saturdays from 10 PM to 3 AM. Lukács operates daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with thermal pools closing at 8:00 PM. The golden rule for all: weekday mornings before 10 AM for the emptiest pools.

Timing isn’t everything — it’s the thing. Want EDM and glow sticks? That’s a Széchenyi Sparty. Want to feel like a sultan in the moonlight? That’s Rudas night bathing. Want to soak in peace without a single selfie stick in sight? Lukács on a Tuesday morning.

Széchenyi opens weekdays 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM, weekends from 8:00 AM. There’s a cheeky “Good Morning Budapest” ticket if you roll in before 9:00 AM (cheaper and blissfully less crowded). Best time: weekdays before 10:00 AM, when the only people around are locals doing laps and you get that golden steam rising in peace. Nights? That’s for Sparties — buy a separate ticket, bring tolerance for bass drops.

Rudas has the most complicated schedule in town, almost like a nightclub with spreadsheets. General hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM weekdays, 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturdays, 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sundays. The Turkish bath section is men-only mornings on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (6:00–10:45 AM); women-only Tuesday mornings (6:00–10:45 AM); and co-ed the rest of the time (swimsuit required). The showstopper? Night bathing Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 PM – 3:00 AM — co-ed, atmospheric, online tickets only. Best time: early weekday mornings for peace, late weekend nights for vibes.

Lukács runs 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily, with thermal pools typically closing at 8:00 PM. No gender-segregated days, no complex spreadsheets, no night bathing gimmicks — just reliable, all-day access. The sauna world operates separately. Best time: any weekday morning for near-solitude, or late afternoon for the “golden hour” outdoor pool atmosphere. Weekends have gotten busier since Gellért closed, but nothing close to Széchenyi-level chaos.

Getting There: Location and Access

All three baths sit on excellent public transport routes. Széchenyi is directly at the M1 metro Széchenyi fürdő stop in City Park (Pest). Rudas sits on the Buda Danube bank near Elizabeth Bridge, reachable by trams 19, 41, 56/56A or buses 7, 8E. Lukács is on Buda’s Frankel Leó út near Margaret Bridge, served by trams 4, 6 (Margaret Bridge stop) and bus 9.

Don’t worry, you won’t need a sherpa or GPS implants — all three baths are easy enough to reach. The real trick is weaving them into your sightseeing plans.

Széchenyi → Smack in City Park (Pest side). Jump on the yellow M1 metro (the cute little one that looks like a toy train) and get off at Széchenyi fürdő. You’ll emerge basically inside the bath’s lobby. Also accessible via trolleybus 72, or a pleasant walk from Heroes’ Square. Perfect for combining with the Zoo, Museum of Fine Arts, or Vajdahunyad Castle.
📍 View on Google Maps

Rudas → On the Buda side, hugging the Danube right next to Elizabeth Bridge. Trams 19, 41, 56, 56A drop you nearby, plus buses 7, 8E, 108E, 110, 112. The M4 metro Gellért tér stop is about a 10-minute walk. The best entrance is just striding up dramatically along the riverbank like you own the place. Combine with a Gellért Hill hike for the full Buda experience.
📍 View on Google Maps

Lukács → Also Buda side, on Frankel Leó út near Margaret Bridge. Take trams 4 or 6 to the Margaret Bridge, Buda side stop — it’s a 5-minute walk. Bus 9 also stops nearby. If you’re coming from Pest, just cross Margaret Bridge on foot (great views). Pairs naturally with a visit to Margaret Island or the Római-part riverbank area.
📍 View on Google Maps

Essential Tips for Your Bath Day

Success at Budapest’s baths requires three things: a swimsuit, flip-flops, and your own towel (renting one costs 6,900 HUF at the door). A swim cap is mandatory for Széchenyi’s lap pool. All three baths accept card payments. Lockers are standard; cabins offer private changing space for 1,000 HUF extra. Arrive before 10 AM on weekdays for the emptiest pools and lowest stress.

A little prep saves you money, embarrassment, and the joy of realizing you just paid $18 to rent a towel thinner than a paper napkin.

Bring This: Swimsuit (yes, mandatory — no, “but I’m European” doesn’t cut it), towel, and flip-flops (they will look at you funny if you don’t). A swim cap is mandatory for the lap pool in Széchenyi and recommended elsewhere. In winter, bring a robe unless you enjoy frostbite dashes between pools.

Locker vs Cabin: Lockers are fine if you don’t mind communal changing. Cabins give you private space for an extra 1,000 HUF — worth it for the shy or the luggage-laden.

Etiquette: Shower before pools. Don’t turn saunas into a phone booth. Don’t BYO essential oils (yes, people try). And at Rudas, please check which session it is before you waltz into the Turkish bath — gender-segregated mornings are enforced. At Lukács, respect the regulars’ vibe: this is their living room, not your photo studio.

Kids: Thermal waters are generally not recommended for under-14s at any of these baths. Széchenyi strictly forbids under-14 entry. For family-friendly swimming, check out Palatinus Strand on Margaret Island (summer) or Dagály Aquapark.

Payment: All three baths are card-friendly. Lukács uses a top-up card system for internal purchases (food, drinks). Bring plastic, not piles of forints.

Food & Drink: Each has cafés or restaurants inside — Rudas’s Bistro is the best of the bunch with proper Hungarian cuisine and panoramic views. Pro tip: eat after your soak, unless you enjoy bobbing with gulyás-induced reflux.

The Verdict: Finding Your Perfect Bath Match

There is no single “best” bath in Budapest — only the best bath for you. Széchenyi is the social spectacle for party seekers and Instagram addicts. Rudas is the atmospheric choice for history buffs, romantics, and rooftop panorama chasers. Lukács is the budget-friendly, crowd-free local favorite for anyone who values authenticity over flash. Your mood, your company, and your wallet will decide.

Here’s the truth: picking your perfect soak buddy depends on who you are, who you’re with, and what kind of day you’re having. Think of it less like a TripAdvisor ranking and more like Tinder for thermal baths. Swipe accordingly.

For the Social Butterfly & Party Animal…
If your idea of wellness involves glow sticks and a DJ, Széchenyi is your temple. The Sparties, buzzing outdoor pools, and Beer Spa scream “fun first, health second.” Rudas joins the party with its legendary midnight bathing sessions on weekends.

For the History Nerd Who Gets Excited About Ottoman Domes…
Rudas wins, hands down. Built in the 1550s, its octagonal pool under the Turkish dome oozes atmosphere. Lukács channels a different era — the creative bohemian Budapest of the early 20th century, when poets and painters made the bath their intellectual salon.

For the Hopeless Romantic…
Rudas’s rooftop pool while the Danube sparkles below — cheesy, but ridiculously effective. Lukács’s private Beer Spa tubs for two are the under-the-radar date move nobody’s talking about. Széchenyi’s Palm House evening vibes will also charm you.

For the Lone Wolf Explorer…
Rudas on its gender-segregated mornings feels oddly liberating if you’re solo. Lukács is spacious enough and local enough that solo visitors blend right in — nobody bats an eye. Széchenyi? Unless you’re in the mood to socialize with half of Europe, it might feel like showing up alone at a house party.

For the Wellness Purist…
Rudas comes with an entire drinking hall of medicinal springs. Lukács leans heavily on medical treatments and physiotherapy — it’s the most doctor-approved of the trio. Széchenyi? Sure, the minerals are there, but most people are too busy playing chess in the steaming pool to notice.

For the Budget-Conscious Bather…
Lukács wins by a mile. At 7,000 HUF weekday ($18) — nearly half of Széchenyi’s price — it’s the cheapest quality thermal bath in Budapest. Add the student/senior discount at 3,800 HUF ($10) and the afternoon ticket for 3,800 HUF, and you’ve got a genuine budget hack. Széchenyi’s “Good Morning Budapest” ticket (10,500 HUF before 9 AM) is the next best deal.

For the Photographer/Instagrammer…
Pick your poison: Rudas’s rooftop skyline selfies, Széchenyi’s iconic outdoor scenes with locals playing chess in the mist, or Lukács’s retro-Budapest outdoor pool vibe. Either way, your followers will hate you out of envy.

Gellért Bath Closure: Everything You Need to Know

Budapest’s iconic Gellért Thermal Bath closed on October 1, 2025, for a comprehensive renovation costing approximately 20 billion HUF (€50 million). The project addresses urgent safety concerns with the machinery house shared with the adjacent Danubius Hotel Gellért, plus structural reinforcements and a new wellness wing. Reopening is planned for 2028, with the Art Nouveau interiors preserved.

If you were dreaming of floating under those Zsolnay porcelain tiles and Miksa Róth stained glass — we feel your pain. The Gellért Bath, sitting at the foot of Gellért Hill in its full Art Nouveau glory, officially closed on October 1, 2025. Here’s what happened and what’s coming.

The renovation was overdue. Gellért hadn’t had a proper overhaul since the 1970s, and the building’s machinery house — which it shares with the adjacent Danubius Hotel Gellért — had reached “urgent safety concern” status. The fix? A 20 billion HUF (approximately €50 million) investment covering structural reinforcements, complete machinery replacement, a new wellness area, a panoramic sauna, and modernized interiors — all while preserving the Art Nouveau architecture that made it famous.

The result, when it reopens in 2028, should be spectacular: the same jaw-dropping Zsolnay tiles, marble columns, sculpted nymphs, and glass-roofed main hall, but with 21st-century plumbing and safety standards. Think of it as a €50 million facelift for a supermodel who was gorgeous but desperately needed new knees.

What Gellért was famous for: Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, the legendary wave pool (one of Europe’s first), eight thermal pools (36–40°C), a retractable glass-roof indoor pool, Zsolnay porcelain mosaics, and the atmosphere of bathing inside a museum. It was the elegant, slightly posh sibling of Széchenyi — a matinee opera where the audience happened to be in swimsuits.

Best alternatives while Gellért is closed: Rudas is the closest geographically (about 850 meters north along the Buda riverbank, a 10-minute walk). Lukács captures some of that same “artistic, Buda-side” energy. For the ultimate small-bath luxury experience, check out Veli Bej Bath — a beautifully restored Ottoman jewel near Lukács with entry from just 5,700 HUF.

We’ll update this article the moment Gellért announces a reopening date. For now, Budapest’s other baths are more than capable of keeping you pruney and happy.

A Final Dip: Your Budapest Bath Awaits

Here’s the thing: Budapest’s baths aren’t just places to relax — they’re time machines, cultural institutions, and occasionally, giant hot tubs full of strangers you’ll never see again. Whether you’re here to cure your back pain, snap the perfect steam-and-chess selfie, or just float until you resemble a well-marinated dumpling, each bath has its own flavor and personality.

Yes, Gellért’s absence stings. But Budapest has responded the way it always does — by giving you more excellent options than you have days in your trip. Széchenyi delivers the grand spectacle. Rudas delivers the history and the views. And Lukács? Lukács delivers the thing that guidebooks can’t manufacture: genuine local soul, at a price that won’t make your credit card weep.

So pick your vibe — party palace (Széchenyi), Ottoman relic with rooftop views (Rudas), or the locals’ beloved secret (Lukács) — and take the plunge. Trust me, it’s one of those only-in-Budapest experiences you’ll be talking about long after your fingers have un-pruned.

Last updated: January 2026. Prices verified from official sources. Exchange rates approximate.