Szechenyi Bath - Szechenyi furdo, Budapest

Mineral baths .. healthy or not? My gf is a believer in its beneficial effects. But i dont remember ever seeing so much unhealthy looking people in my life. In any case, it's worthwhile to visit this public bath. First of all because of the building (late 19th century). And secondly for ... uh ... well for the experiment shall we say.

Tickets valid for half a day cost about 2000 Florint per person (approx 10 euro), however you get a refund for the time you didn't actually spend in the bath. You can rent swimming suits and towels in case you didn't bring anything yourself.

Inside there are about 5 baths with water temperatures ranging from 24C to 38C. Also there are a wet and a dry steam room. Finally a massage is included (optional offcourse).

Hungary is also known by it's mineral spring resorts. A lot of people also come there to take care about their health and to take a pleasure of sitting in the mineral warm of even hot water and enterntaining. Situated in the very centre of the city, huge Széchenyi bath is a very popular place. It's located in the nice ancient building in a form of rectangular, with 2 pools with warm and almost hot water, and a swimming pool between them. There are also saunas, shops everywhere. We spent 4 hours there and didn't want to leave it:)

Please do not leave Budapest without going into one of the great bathes! I like Széchenyi the best with its dozen of hot and warm pools, saunas, spas, etc... It has a frequent location and the building itself is fascinating.

The bathinghouses of Budapest are ancient and have a special atmosphere. It's not so much swimming that one does here, but just sitting and let the (healthy) water soak in the body. Just lovely to see how people sit at little tables, made in the pool, playing chess or chatting along with a drink. All over town are the bathinghouses, from simple to very exclusive ones.

The largest public bathing complex in Europe. Outdoor pools are open year round. In the winter steam rises from the pools while snow gently falls on the surrounding statues - enchanting. During the summer there is late night band entertainment and movies.

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One of the largest bathing complexes in Europe, it's thermal springs are the deepest and hottest (74-75*C) in the capital.

Many elements of Szechenyi's architecture seem to have a Roman influence. Pictured is a curious statue of Atlas? astride a spouting dolphin. A welcome diversion while partaking of the waters.

Szechenyi Thermal Baths
It was great fun to go to a real termal bath!! You can also find some more photo's in the travellogue