Visit the thermal baths Gellért in Budapest: tickets, prices, schedules

The thermal baths are very well known in Budapest and are part of an ancestral tradition that continues to be practiced today. So how to visit the Gellért thermal baths during your stay?

The thermal bath is in Hungarian what the morning coffee is in French: a tradition anchored in everyday life. Budapest has 118 natural thermal springs. What to offer to its residents and tourists a wide choice to relax. Also very appreciated for their medicinal properties, the thermal baths of Gellért are well known. They are among the most prestigious in the country. They are located in the heart of the capital, near the Mount of the same name, on the banks of the Danube. Mount Gellért, as well as the bath thermaux , owe their name to the first Italian bishop who, in the 11th century, guardianed the first Hungarian king: Étienne Ier.

Want to dive into the heart of tradition? Here is everything you need to know to visit the thermal baths of Gellért in Budapest.

History of the thermal baths of Gellért

Visiting the thermal baths of Gellért in Budapest is making a little good in a rich and amazing history. The spa opened its doors in 1918, yet its history is much older than that. The high therapeuthic properties of his water were described in the 13th century, under the age of the Hungarian king András II . In the Middle Ages, a hospital was erected on the site of the thermal baths of Gellért. It was a place where we were treating each other, licking each other and where he had good rest. The baths have gained popularity with Hungarian monks, hermits. They even welcomed Turkish and Ottoman soldiers at the time of the invasion (16th). They came to stay there on sometimes long periods.

But it was in the 19th century that the thermal baths of Gellért had their most frank success. With the democratization of tourism, foreigners began to benefit from the thermal benefits as well as the inhabitants of Budapest. At the end of the 19th century, the structure sheltering the baths was destroyed so that the Pont de la Liberté (Szabadság híd) could be built. In parallel, the plans of the thermal baths of Gellért that we know today were drawn by three Hungarian architects: Ármin Hegedüs, Artúr Sebestyén and Izidor Stark. Its construction began in 1912, and the current baths will restore public access in 1918!

During the 20th century, the hotel expanded with an ultra-modern wave pool and a bubble bath. Today, the thermal baths of Gellért offer many activities, including the spa, steam bath, sauna... Everything for relaxation!

What to see and do in the thermal baths of Gellért in Budapest?

Besides enjoying the benefits of water, visiting the thermal baths of Gellért in Budapest, it is also discovering the Art Nouveau style . Indeed, the decoration and architecture of the main hall as of the gallery immerses visitors in a past and timeless period. The richness of the decor, the glass roof and the glass roof of the hall are largely involved in the beauty of the places.

The baths offer you a wide range of services such as complex balneotherapy and day hospital, providing patients with successful care and medical care. For others, access to many massages is open: massages with hot stones, essential oils, or dynamiting. Also available: spa pedicure, steam cabins and Finnish saunas in free access, Cleopatra baths, mud or medicinal herbs. For lovers, Gellért's thermal baths offer a chocolate treatment. A gourmet care recognized for its antioxidant virtues, improving the quality of the skin and preventing its aging. They also provide treatment to Hungarian wines, a ritual of invigorating wine therapy, excellent for blood circulation.

Massages and treatments last between 20 and 60 minutes. The same service can be delivered in 20, 45 or 60 minutes. The treatments (Cleopatra, mud, herbs, chocolate or wine) last for an hour.

Little fun : the hotel has a naturist sunbathing area for women or family, at the choice.

You may be surprised by what some call “a strange smell”. These are sulphur lifts, proof that the waters are indeed thermal.

How to go to the thermal baths of Gellért in Budapest?

Many transports will lead you to the thermal baths of Gellért. The city of Budapest is extremely well organized in public transport. A walk will allow you to discover the city, including its bridges, one of which was at the origin of the destruction of the Gellért baths in the 19th century! To go on site and visit the thermal baths of Gellért in Budapest, nothing simpler! They're in the middle of town, 9th arrondissement on the Buda side (west). To give you an idea, they are three kilometres walk south of the Hungarian Parliament. What turns out to be quite practical if you want to include your visit, and a massage for example, during a day in Budapest.

• By metro : go down to Szent Gellért station on line 4;
• By bus : choose lines 7 or 86, they serve the baths directly;
• By tram : This is the easiest way of transport with 4 lines that deposit you near the baths: 18, 19, 47 and 49.

Timetables & rates for the thermal baths of Gellért

HORARI

• The thermal baths of Gellért are open daily, from 6am to 8pm ;
• Des visits are organized all Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. ;
• Des special hours apply the following days: December 24 (from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), December 25 (from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and January 1 (from 10:00 to 10:00 p.m.)

Note : It is advisable to present 40 minutes before the appointment time of a treatment (massage, pedicure...). The bonus time will allow you to get your ticket, change yourself and shower in order to prepare yourself. If you arrive late, your session will be shortened to not penalize the following client.

RATES

• Visit of the bath thermaux Gellért: 2000 Ft (about 6€);
• Access to the baths between 5900 and 6500 Ft (between 17 and 19€). Prices depend on your visit day and the option chosen for your business: locker room or cabin;
• Saturday and Sunday : 00 Extra Ft, or €0.60. This increase is practiced to promote the presence of customers in the week and to defraud the weekends;
• Well-being benefits : between 7000 Ft (approximately 21€) for a solo aromatic massage of 20 minutes and 37,000 Ft (approximately 110€) for an hour-long duo massage;
• Private bath for two persons (1 h 30): 16 000 Ft (48€).

Note : Consider notifying employees of a pregnancy, medical operation, allergy or disease. Some treatments may not be offered to you as you wish. For example, essential oils are highly recommended to pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Think about the cut-file ticket or the Budapest Card !

By choosing ticket cut-file , you will first be able to benefit from baths and well-being services before everyone else. Indeed, you will avoid queues to enter one of the most beautiful architectural gems in Hungary. No worries, the cut-file ticket allows you to choose the type of massage and the duration of it.

As for the Budapest Card , it is accepted for entry tickets, not for visits. This card gives you access to many advantages:

• Free access to transport or 19 museums;
• Very interesting discounts (up to 50%) for some attractions;
• Some cultural programmes and unmistakable views.

It costs between 22 and 67€ , depending on the duration you want to activate (between 24 and 96 hours).