Szechenyi Bath (Szechenyi furdo), Budapest

You do have to pay to go to the baths, even if you just want to take pictures. The Szechenyi baths allow men and women to visit together. It is located in the Varosliget (City Park) and has a variety of indoor and outdoor pools, so it is a nice place to relax. I think the outdoor pools are very beautiful and are the most photographed part of the Szechenyi baths. The metro line 1 stops right outside the building, so it is easy to get to. Also, if you visit during the winter months, remember that the indoor pools are heated, but the outdoor pools aren't as warm as they might appear! :)

They have recently changed the entrance system (March 2010). Previously there were refunds on the whole day ticket for people who went for less than two hours. Now, the only two-hour refunds are for entrance with the Budapest card, which is worth getting as it only costs 270 ft, or one euro.

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The present-day complex of Szechenyi Bath was built 1909-13 in neo-Baroque style - very beautiful. Until 1927 outdoor swimming pools were added. The spring (970 m below the ground) is the the hottest in Budapest with 75° C.

The complex offers several in- and outdoor swimming pools, steambaths, saunas, spa treatments etc. It is *huge*. Also, it is probably the most popular among the locals. Prices are considerable lower than in the Gellert.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to go in. Next time then :-)

Hint: This is where the photos with the chess playing men in a swimming pool were taken.

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Budapest has many excellent thermal baths, but few are housed in such fine buildings as the Széchenyi Baths. The neo-Baroque building was constructed in 1913, and houses the largest medicinal baths in Europe. These baths, and Széchenyi in particular, are so important to Hungarians that it gets its own Metro station, in the middle of the park.

Behind the amazing entrance, and through the ornately painted hallway, you enter the huge bathing area.

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Perhaps the most popular swimming and bathing area in the city being opened all year round. The water supply of the bath is provided by St. István spring, from a depth of 1256 metres. The spring with its temperature of 77 °C is one of Europe's warmest springs.

The in-door complex offers five mixed curative baths, four women's pools and three men's pools. A complete medical team is also on hand for advice and therapy.
The open-air swimming pool with a temperature of 27 °C is huge, and there is a wide range of activities on offer, e.g. underwater gymnastics.
The fancy bath (32-34 °C ) includes a sweeping-corridor.
The banks of the sitting pool (38 °C) are featuring many interesting services, such as neck shower, water beam back massage, underwater effervescence production.
The roof is for sun-seekers and offers men's, women's and mixed nude sunbathing.

Széchenyi bath's significance is not merely on the basis of its medicinal water, the sculptures and glass mosaics decorating the building are creations of Hungary's most considerable artists.

Prices: http://www.spasbudapest.com/furdo.php?idx=14&menu=10

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I went in January the coldest time of year when it gets dark really early and to be honest it really added to the pleasure. We went in the out door pools and by night it gives thermal baths a whole new feel. Steam rises from the hot water and you can see dark silhouettes bobbing around disappearing into the 'fog'. You have to run from one pool to the other as you are dressed in nothing put your swim wear. Taking some kind of flip flops is a great idea.

There are several on door pools as well as saunas and steam rooms which are fun to explore even if you can't bear the heat for long. We had lots of fun in the colour and aroma saunas!

In the winter you have to get there before seven when they stop admitting people.

The swimming pools are mixed but the changing rooms separate. If you don't want to get changed in front of other people you can also hire a cabin. It costs 2600ft for a normal ticket but if you come out before 2 hours you get 400ft back.

The Szechenyi baths are one of the most expensive in Budapest but also far prettier than most therefore I recommend splashing out to splash around in these wonderful baths located in Varosliget (the city park). The yellow building that surrounds the pool adds to the magical atmosphere.

If your feet are frozen from sight seeing then what better way to warm up again!!! The baths, of course, are great any time of year, but in the summer I am sure a cold water pool would be more refreshing. There are two out door pools, one very hot and the other tepid. The ones inside range in temperature and also have medicinal properties.

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Visiting a thermal bath while in Budapest is as compulsory as visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Szechenyi bath is huge with 9 pools and 3 of them are outdoors. It is well frequented and the earlier you get there the better (they open at 6 am!). Lunch can also be had there and is not expensive at all. Ex. a pint costs 480 Forints. Of the 3 outdoor baths there is one Olympic pool for those who want to swim, one with 24-25 degrees which have some artificial currents and the last one is thermal with 37-38 degrees. The hot one is the most popular and is where people tend to stay the longest some playing chess others reading a book. The entrance cost is 5600 forints (there is a reduction with the Budapest card) and you can stay as long as you want.

Remember to take a towel, some slippers and some sun screen if you go during summer as the water reflects the sun and could rapidly cause burns.

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In the middle of the city park , behind the Heroes square there is the famous szechenyi thermal bath.

The building is a very beautiful Neo Baroque style that was built on 1913.

Szechenyi bath is the largest bath in Europe and the water is from 2 thermal springs.