When you go to Budapest the question is not whether or not to go to the baths. The question is which baths and when. We were staying near Castle Hill and decided to go to Gellert Baths even though we read reviews saying it was crowded and touristy, the staff was all cranky and your belongings may or may not be safe in a locker.
On a sunny Sunday morning, we walked the 30 minutes from our rental apartment to the baths, taking with us the absolute basic necessities, money, flip-flops, a towel and bathing suits.
We arrived around 9:30 am and were greeted by helpful staff that told us how to get to the lockers and baths. We changed and met up on the men’s side.
I asked Tim if he was sure it was co-ed day. I felt like an intruder until another woman walked in. At which point I started to relax and enjoy the heat.
We went from pool to pool, 36C, 38C, and the plunge pool at 18C (Tim didn’t last too long in that one). We donned our mandatory bathing caps and did a few laps in the swimming pool.
Four hours later, wrinkled like raisins and limp like overcooked noodles, we walked back to the apartment. A little dehydrated but without a care in the world.
‘I could definitely get used to this.
If you go, bring only the basics, a towel, your flip-flops, a bathing cap and suit and enough cash for the entrance fee and water. Leave your body issues at the door, you will see all shapes and sizes here so get in there an enjoy the experience.
Which baths did you choose?
Ahhh, I miss the Gellert Bath… but I didn’t read anything about the little cold pool in the shower room, if you’re still in Budapest you have to go back!
Look for a small pool in the shower/sauna/steam area, and it’s large enough for 2-3 people. It’s really cold and what you do is shower after getting out of the hot-tub, get in to the cold tub until you can’t take it anymore, rinse off and get back in the hot-tub to warm up. Be careful because you don’t want to faint but do this 2-3 times over your visit and you’ll be exhausted, but I had very deep sleeps after and I loved it.
I don’t always have deep sleeps but when I do it’s after going from the hot to cold tubs at the Gellert bath… or my favourite, the Szechenyi Bath, I went 3x… good stuff!
Love your pictures by the way… sorry for hijacking your comment area but you inspired me to comment on this 🙂
Haha, in your excitement you read too quickly, I did mention the plunge pool at 18C 😉 fun times.
The plunge pool of course, I read it but I didn’t realize it was called that and I never remembered what the temperature was… and yes, too excited during comment haha… wish I was there again, it’s miserable here in Vancouver and I could use the Gellert Bath right about now 🙂
Yep, it’s that time of year isn’t it, the beginning of the rainy season. Stay dry!
I first went to the Gellert Baths in 1974, and I don’t know if its still there, but the steam room had carved into the lintel over the door ‘Gas Chamber’ Bad translation with attitude! Love Budapest, tried most of the spas. Miss them.
I think that may have been removed, if not I didn’t notice it. We loved Budapest too. Would like to spend more time there.
Oh, we’re heading to Budapest in November and everyone has been telling us we have to do the baths. Given that it’ll be a tad on the cold side, weather wise, I think I’m going to enjoy this part of Budapest. We did the onsens in Japanese and suits are NOT mandatory there. I think we can handle this one. Lol. Thanks for the post!
Just remember that bathing suits are mandatory on Sundays only. Otherwise the women and men are in separate areas and suits are optional until you arrive at the swimming pool.
I remember the baths and especially the freezing cold plunge pool! Quite an experience. I wish we had baths like this here in the States, it’s so healthy. Thanks for the reminder!
You may not have the same type of baths but you have tons of hot springs in the US http://acme.com/jef/hotsprings/
This seems to be such a popular place to visit. I wonder how many people show up on the co-ed day and forget to bring their suit!
haha good question, I may just have to email them and find out 🙂
I visited Budapest and experienced Gellert about 8 years ago. I like the architecture and the atmosphere created by this, but I find the ones in Switzerland much better 🙂 Lavey les Bains for instance. Much, much smaller but surrounded by a wonderful landscape.
Sounds wonderful, are they affordable?
This sounds really nice right now. I’ve always wanted to see these baths.
And you should, it’s such a nice experience.