Széchenyi Thermal Bath - Budapest
The Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, Hungary
Daytrip to Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest
Metro to City Park
After the free walking tour the day before, we had a slower morning than anticipated with coffee and breakfast in our studio apartment in central Budapest.
We packed our swim bags and were off to take the yellow M1 metro line. It was easy to find the Deák Ferenc underground station around the corner from our accommodation.
Di thought it was five stops. We were on the historic old line we had heard about the day before on our Budapest walking tour.
It has wonderful historic platforms and wall tiles and feels very authentic. We got off after five stops at the Bajza utca station. Once we were out of the station we realized this was not our stop.
The main adventure pool at Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Back down at the platform we checked the map and found out it was actually seven stops to the City Park. Trains come every 2-5 minutes so it was not a problem. Shortly after we arrived at City Park and the Baths.
There were not many people around at 9:20 am. It is easy to see the baths when you come up from the underground. Follow the path around to the front of the building.
Online Tickets
We had bought tickets online in order to avoid lineups but on this early December day, there were no lineups. Price HUF 12,536, €38.00, €19.00 each, or about $26.00. We had directions to go to the help desk but found customer service to be lacking somewhat.
The steam is rising - Széchenyi Thermal Bath
We made our way downstairs to separate change rooms and ventured outside to the large pool. Ahhhh, this is what we are talking about.
The signs said 28 degrees in the water and 4 degrees outside. It was 9:34 am when we entered and 12:28 pm when I finally got Di out of the pool :)
An there’s Di in the mist :)
More guests arrived as the day went on. We moved to the pool at the other end but it was not quite as warm. The adventure pool had a current ring, fountains, and sprays you can stand beneath and self-massage your neck and shoulders. It was lovely to float and just enjoy.
There are stairs along the edges where you can lie and massage your neck. The distance between steps is perfect to support your body.
Fres style swimming at Széchenyi Thermal Bath - Budapest
Inside there are a series of pools with different temperatures and mineral content. We made our way through them. We used our Teva shoes and birks rather than flip-flops. It would have been easier with flip-flops.
The smell of minerals was strong inside and we agreed the outside pools were our preference. We did not try the sauna or steam rooms. After trying all the inside pools we made our way back outside to the adventure pool and ended in the same pool where we started.
A great place to relax on a December morning, Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Morten showered and got the phone to take some photos (all photos in this post if from an iPhone 6s plus). I showered and we met for some snacks we had brought.
City Park
We wandered for a while in the City Park down to the skating rink and saw a few Christmas stalls. Vajdahunyad Castle is located in the park. The whole area looked very cozy and I am sure it would have been magical all lit up at night.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest
Metro Back to The City
We took the metro back to the city center. For the rest of the day we relaxed, Morten did some editing and blog work and Di binge-watched Virgin River on Netflix. We were both achy after the time at the pools. Hopefully, it is the detoxification and the water doing its wonders.
We did laundry, hung out, and went to bed early. It was raining for the rest of the day.
To read our other entries from Budapest:
One of the outdoor pools is dedicated to swimming laps at Széchenyi Thermal Bath
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