Gellert Baths - Gellert Furdo, Budapest

The Gellert baths are widely considered to be some of the finest spas in the world.

Anybody can enter for under 4000 Ft, and they are small refunds available if you stay less than two hours in the complex. (FREE to guests of the Gellert)

The main attraction is of course the swimming pool (a little on the chilly side) and the large hotpool. Whilst not especially hot, it can take 100 or so people in comfort.

The water is said to consist of sodium and calcium-magnesium-hydrocarbonates and sulphates, with significant fluoride contents.

That means nothing to me, but it is said to be good for, and I quote "Degenerative disorders of joints and the spine, chronic arthritis in the inactive stage, disorders of the vertebral disks, lumboischialgia, neuralgic pain, stenosis, peripheral circulation disorders, in the inhalatorium: treatment of asthmatic and chronic bronchitis."

Doesn't seem so enjoyable now does it ?

The tiling of the place is the other main attraction - it is quite stunning in the main lobby area especially and reflects a number of themes, often oriental.

Budapest maybe the city of Spas, but this is the Queen amongst them.

Built in 1916, it was reknowned in its time for being one of the best spa/bath resorts in Europe. There are several indoor and outdoor pools with that constant temperature needed to satisfy the body. The fame of this spa hotel is known round the world.

The present building of the baths and hotel called Szt. Gellért Gyógyfürdõ és Szálló was erected in 1918. The wave pool was built in 1927, and the `champagne` bubble pool was constructed in 1934. The spa, well-known throughout the world, is the most popular spa among foreign visitors.
Night swim in the outdoor pools on Friday and Saturday nights before midnight.

Personal opinion: It's worth seeing from an architectural point of view; in therms of structure and hygienic issues some might be used to better conditions and therefore ...

Thermal baths, sauna and steam baths separately (one wing for ladies, the other for gentlemen); only the swimming pool is for both sexes - therefore it might get boring if you visit the bath as a (heterosexual) couple ...

The unique Art Nouveau style Gellert Bath with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Turkish thermal baths. Admission to the spa, the sparkling bath, wave bath, steam bath, sun terrace is free to hotel guests.The Hotel Gellert, one of the leading hotels in Budapest Danubius Hotel Gellert .

A well known spa/pool complex attached to the famous Gellert hotel complex.

The pool complex has indoor and outdoor pools with a wave that goes every half hour or so. There are also mens and womens separate areas and spa's etc.

The complex is open from 6am to 7pm except winter weekends where it closes at 5pm. The grand surroundings make this a very pleasant swimming experience.

Don`t be alarmed, but the ground beneath your feet is fairly percolating with superheated water. Countless natural springs and wells lie just below the surface of Budapest. As long as 2000 years ago, the Romans were channeling this water into public and private baths in Budapest, at the settlement of Aquincum (literally `abundant water`). Centuries later, the occupying Turks built baths; others in Budapest were built around the turn of the century, as new springs were discovered.Heated deep within the earth`s crust, the thermal water in the baths often contains mineral water with natural healing powers. Some visitors come to the baths as treatment for ailments of the joints and arthritis (thus the many elderly bathers). Bust most come for pure soggy, steamy, flotational relaxation. Most baths are strictly segregated by sex, since bathers romp around naked. (You will be issued a loincloth and a towel - more precisely, a sheet.) Expect to feel pleasantly enervated and a bit thirsty after a good long soak. Budapest In Your Pocket accepts no responsibility for wrinkled fingertips. Note: the ticket windows at all baths close one hour before the baths close!

The most famous thermal bathes in Budapest. They are very beautiful.
The Gellért baths together with Gellért Hotel was opened in 1918. The wave pool was added in 1927, and in 1934 the bubble pool was built on the site of the former winter garden. Nearly all the medical services of a spa are here available. The Gellért is renowned not only for its waters but also for its superb Art Nouveau architecture and details

The fountains are 200 years old. The bath itself was built in 1918 in art nouveau style, and is probably the most famous among all baths in Budapest for its architectural beauty are highly remarkable. Massage and other medical services are available.
You can buy tickets to the thermal bath from 6 am to 6 pm on weekdays, from 6 am to 12 on Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance to the swimming pool is possible from 6 am to 6 pm on weekdays, from 6 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Entrance fee: only to the thermal bath 700 forints ; daily ticket valid for all areas: 1200 forints, cabin 300 forints (You don't need to pay for a cabin, if you go only to the thermal bath). On weekdays after 5 pm and weekends after 2 pm special entrance fee for bath and pool

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Gellert Thermal Bath is very famous in Budapest. The main disadvantage is the seperation between men and women. There are seperate thermal pools and only the central pool accepts both men and women. However, temperature of this pool is not as high as the other pools and serves for cooling down. There are also sauna and steam bath chambers in men and women sections. If you come to Budapest for thermal theraphy, you should visit Gellert too.

Hungry is well-known for its thermal waters. We visited the Gellert Hotel and Baths complex. Open to both the public and guests.

The complex has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and two separate thermal spas (one for men and one for women). We took to the spas. These consisted of three different temperature plunge pools, a sauna and a steam bath.

If the naked human form in all its wonder offends you - think twice before entering these spas - you may think you have seen it all- think again!!

This may sound crazy, but I shall quickly run through how the changing rooms operate - most of the signs and information is in Hungarian, the attendants do not speak much English and I have never felt so lost and confused!!

1) Pay the entrance fee.

2) You're given what's termed a 'modesty cloth' - and sure enough it certainly is a modest piece of cloth. Take this into a vacant cubical and get changed into either your swimwear or as most Hungarians seem to be- in the nud.

3) Find an attendant (if you have chosen the nude option put on the cloth), point them to where your cubicle is. They will lock it and give you a wooden tag to put around your wrist.

4) Once finished in the spa, find an attendant, show them your wooden tag and they will open your cubicle for you.

I don't know what the procedure is....but I gave the attendant a tip - anyone who has to work dealing with confused foreigners, masses of naked human flesh under such close quarters all day deserves one!

If you can- bring some flip-flops - if you like your sauna really hot it avoids your feet burning.

I cannot seem to find the opening times for this spa - but CLICK HERE for the Gellert Hotels's website, providing contact details and other information.