Blessed with natural hot springs and thermal spa waters, Hungary has one of Europe’s oldest wellness cultures, and Budapest alone has more than 100natural springs. Széchenyi, located in City Park, is the most famous bathhouse, and a must for any first-time trip to Budapest. That said, to avoid spa culture shock, here are a few things to keep in mind before you go (and don’t worry, bathing suits are compulsory):
- For Hungarians, the bathhouse experience is more about medical well-being than about spa pampering (at one bath house, there is one window solely for Hungarians bearing doctors’ prescriptions). Most Budapest locals I spoke to said they went at least once a week.
- Some bathhouses are unisex
- The bathhouses are vast complexes that hold numerous thermal water plunge pools, large indoor and outdoor swimming pools, massage rooms and changing areas. Some also have pungent sulfur springs baths. Ask a bathhouse staffer to give you an overview before you enter.
- “Hot springs” means just that: some of the plunge pools can go to 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- In most bathhouses, you can buy a half- or full-day pass. Treatments like massages come at an extra cost.