Széchenyi Thermal Bath

There was some renovation going on in one of the main outdoor pools but because there are so many pools, it wasn’t an issue. No work was done during open hours. Overall, it’s kept pretty clean considering how many guests visit it. We were worried about getting a ticket and booked with a local tour guide we saw on the street (cheaper than any online tickets we found), went around 3pm (no lines) and stayed until close. I saw some seasoned bathers who brought a little washcloth and a body brush for the steam baths which would be a good idea. If you’re into alternating temperatures, I recommend the steam bath and cold pool on the right side of the building and on the far left you’ll find the hottest pool right across from a cold bath. Bring all your own soap, shampoo, slippers to wear in the spa and towels. You can buy them there, but they are pricy. We were surprised at how big the lockers are. A regular size backpack fits as well as a shelf for shoes and other personal belongings. It’s free with the ticket. Spending an afternoon there reinvigorated us for another day of walking tours. I would go regularly if I lived here. Great way to recuperate.

It was a good experience! We went there on a weekday and it wasn’t crowded at all. The staff isn’t really helpful or nice, seems like they don’t care at all, it would be nice if they could just smile and welcome the tourists. The place is also quite old and seems like it hasn’t been renovated in a long time, so we didn’t really go into all baths, as it looked not pleasant. But the main ones and the saunas were very nice. As a student of Budapest uni and living here, you can get a discount, so it is worth for 50% off price:)

Széchenyi Baths – A Classic Budapest Experience with a Few Quirks - 28€ I recently visited the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths in Budapest, and overall, it was an experience I’d recommend to anyone visiting the city. There are a few downsides worth mentioning, but they’re far outweighed by the uniqueness and atmosphere of the place. Let’s start with the pros: The Széchenyi Baths are one of the largest and most iconic thermal bath complexes in Europe, and the architecture alone is stunning. The neo-baroque design gives the place a historic charm, and it’s easy to imagine how people have enjoyed these waters for over a century. The variety of thermal pools, saunas, and wellness options is impressive. Whether you’re looking to relax in hot mineral-rich water, enjoy a massage, or sit in a steam room, there’s something for everyone. The whirlpool in one of the outdoor pools was definitely a highlight for me—it’s surprisingly strong and fun, especially if you’re going with friends or want a little playful moment during your visit. The warm outdoor pools are also magical in cooler weather; there’s something truly relaxing about sitting in hot water while breathing in crisp air. The baths are open year-round and are accessible in all seasons. The experience in winter is especially unique with the steam rising into the cold air, making it feel like you’re in a movie scene. A practical bonus: many of the staff and visitors speak English, which is very helpful for navigating the lockers, understanding spa options, or just asking for directions within the complex. It’s clearly a place that welcomes international visitors. That said, there were a few drawbacks during my visit. The indoor pool didn’t feel very clean—perhaps due to high traffic or maintenance cycles. Additionally, the central outdoor pool was under maintenance, which was unfortunate since it’s one of the most photographed parts of the complex. It’s worth checking their website or calling ahead if there’s a specific feature you want to experience. Also, the towel situation could be improved. There are hangers provided, but they’re not secure enough—if there’s even a slight breeze, your towel might end up on the floor. I’d recommend bringing a towel clip or just being extra cautious with where you leave your things. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Széchenyi Baths remain one of the must-do activities in Budapest. The atmosphere is both lively and relaxing, and it caters to solo travelers, couples, and groups alike. It’s easy to spend several hours there unwinding, soaking, and enjoying the surroundings. If you’re visiting Budapest and want to try something unique, culturally significant, and rejuvenating, Széchenyi Baths definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. Just go prepared—with your own towel, flip-flops, and perhaps a lock for peace of mind—and enjoy a true Hungarian spa experience.

The baths seem nice on the photos and social media, but it’s a different story in person. Wow it is really dirty here. This is one of Budapest’s main attractions and I was shocked that they can’t keep it clean for the public. I’ve been to massive indoor water parks built for thousands of people in other countries which were extremely clean and I don’t understand how they can’t keep these facilities clean here. There is black mold which is very visible in parts of the building. The water in some of the indoor pools is absolutely disgusting and has tons of debris floating around. I went to a sauna and literally one of the planks was falling off and was splintering. You come here to feel clean, but then you get here you just feel unclean the whole time. This place has a lot of potential, but I don’t understand why do they neglect it so much since they are one of the main attractions here. I absolutely loved Budapest, but these baths were the most underwhelming and overrated part of the trip. It is not worth the price. These baths can be amazing if they actually make an effort to renovate and clean the place. I don’t recommend until they make massive changes here.

Such a wonderful experience. We decided to go and buy our tickets there, and the line wasn’t too long and tickets were still in stock. The main pool (the lap pool) is under construction as of late May 2025. However, the two outdoor pools that were open were more than enough. We didn’t venture inside too much, but we stopped in the salt room and aroma sauna and those were nice and warm as well. The pools outside are lined with benches and places to set your belongings. Inside, there are cubicles around to set your things. I recommend booking any experiences you want to have at the bath in advance (ie massages, facials). The crowd was mostly tourists, but some locals were there as well. Overall, something very cool to do in Budapest.

We went there on Monday 30 June at 4 pm. There were not so many people and we can swim and use all the pools with no issues . There were reasonable amounts of people as for the week day and time. Just remember to bring towel and slippers. We stayed for 3 hours and enjoy all warm and cold and indoor and outdoor pools and thermal baths with minerals. For shower don’t forget to bring your own shampoo. As there is no shampoo available. Also bring some plastic bag for your swimming suit to put after you finish. The prices are attached. Yhere are many pools with different temperatures indicated in map attached

The baths are indeed beautiful, both the indoor section and outdoors. The thermal pools are surprisingly warm, but very pleasant to relax in. However, the baths are undergoing major renovation at the moment. Currently (July 2025), the largest outdoor pool is closed, but no one at the entrance even mentions this. I find this very dishonest and would have chosen a fully open bath elsewhere in Budapest if I had been informed of this significant closure. Quite a disappointment.

Worth visiting for the experience if you have a few hours to spare in Budapest. I arrived 8:30am on a weekday and there was no wait, definitely recommend coming early to avoid the crowds and have an hour or two of a nice experience. By 11am the place was really packed out. As many other reviews have stated, the place is pretty run down, there’s mold everywhere indoors, and the indoor pools are quite dirty with particles circling around. The main outdoor pool is under renovations too. I had the above in mind before deciding to come so overall would still rate it 4 stars, just set expectations!