Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top 10 Bath Tips
!
Etiquette
Many of the more
traditional baths still insist on
separate pools for men and
women. In such cases, swim-
ming costumes are not worn.
@
Payment
The price list, posted in
Hungarian, German and
English at the entrance to all
the baths, usually runs to
several pages. Basic entrance,
valid for up to four hours, is
usually all you will need.
Swimming pool at Palatinus Strand
&
Palatinus Strand
Budapest's most popular
swimming complex has water
slides, pools of all sizes and hot
springs, all set amidst the peace
and tranquillity of Margaret
Island.
d
Map P1 • XIII, Margaret Island
• 340 45 05 • Open May-Sep: 9am-7pm
daily • Adm Ft1,900
£
Towels
Bring your own. Towels
can be hired, but are expen-
sive and not altogether soft.
$
Bathrobes
In single-sex baths, you
will be handed a small sheet
as a matter of course.
%
Lockers
*
Rác Baths
Extensively redeveloped in
1869, the Rác Baths still retain a
glorious Ottoman dome and
octagonal pool. At the time of
writing, they are closed for further
renovation and due to open by
2008.
d
Map J5 • I, Hadnagy út 8-10
• Closed for renovation; check with tourist
ofice for opening dates
Most baths have secure
lockers where you can leave
valuables for a small fee.
^
Water Temperature
In all baths, the
temperature of the water is
clearly displayed by the side
of the pool.
&
Steam Rooms
(
Dagály Medicinal Baths
and Strand
Some way from the city centre,
the Dagály Strand is Budapest's
largest pool complex, with 12
pools including children's pools
and a hydrotherapy and itness
centre.
d
Map P1 • XIII, Népfürdő út 36
• 452 45 00 • Open 6am-7pm Mon-Fri,
6am-5pm Sat & Sun • Adm
Entrance to the steam
room - where there is one -
is usually included in the
standard entrance fee.
*
Massage
Almost all baths and
pools offer various forms of
massage at extra cost.
(
Wave Pools
)
Danubius Grand Hotel
Széchenyi, Gellért, Dagály
and Palatinus Strand all have
artiicial wave machines.
)
Family Bathing
Margitsziget
Budapest's most exclusive baths
are those at the equally exclu-
sive Danubius Grand Hotel
Margitsziget. Don't be at all
surprised if you ind a Hollywood
star sharing the hot tub with you
(see p113)
.
Children are welcome in
all the city's baths. Note,
though, that families wishing
to bathe together should head
to a non-segregated bath.
Massages are usually given by masseurs of the same sex, but
most baths feature at least one large bath for mixed bathing.
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