Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE BATHS
swimming stadium is a large, modern pool complex just north of Margit híd on the Buda side
- the entrance faces the river. The large outdoor swimming pool (bathing caps compulsory)
is covered over in winter. As it's one of the major waterpolo venues in Budapest, this means
one of its pools may be given over to the players on weekdays.
Daily 6am-7pm; 1800Ft.
Gellért Gyógyfürdő
XI, Kelenhegyi út 4 1 466 6166,
gellertbath.com
;
map
.
The most
popular of the city's baths, and also one of the oldest - although nothing remains of the me-
dieval buildings - the Gellért has it all: a magnificent main pool for swimming, hot pools for
sitting around in both inside and outside on the terrace, fabulous Art Nouveau steam baths,
and a large outdoor area, including a wave machine in the main pool (May-Aug) and shaded
terraces. To enjoy the waters you must first reach the changing rooms by a labyrinth of pas-
sages. At the far end of the pool are steps leading down to the separate thermal baths, with se-
gregated areas and ornate plunge pools for men and women - though they go mixed at week-
ends. The Gellért attracts a lot of foreigners, and many of the attendants speak German or
English.
Daily 6am-8pm; Mon-Fri 4900ft with locker, 5300Ft with cabin; Sat & Sun 5100ft
with locker, 5500Ft with cabin.
places for proper swimming, this is a beautiful 1930s lido renovated for the 2001 European
waterpolo championships. There's a small sauna, and two large outdoor pools against a back-
drop of trees; one is normally given over to waterpolo. In the winter you can swim out along
a channel to the larger of the pools without walking outside.
Mon-Fri 6am-3.30pm, Sat &
Sun 6am-5.30pm; 1800Ft.
iváros in Buda, easy to spot thanks to the four copper cupolas. This was formerly the most
popular of the steam baths with the gay community, but is now mixed sex every day. The
main pool under the cupola is surrounded by smaller - hotter and cooler - pools, with doors
leading off to the steam massage rooms.
Daily 9am-9pm; 2400Ft.
north of the Margit híd in Buda has four small but delightful open-air pools, as well as mud
baths and a medical treatment section - its waters are said to be good for rheumatism, arthrit-
is and other complaints. The open-air facilities, including a thermal pool, a cooler and smal-
ler swimming pool, and a bubbling pool with whirling currents, are in two intimate court-
yards. Enter via the folly-like drinking hall (where you can take a sample) and head to the
left (past plaques declaring gratitude from those who have benefited from the medicinal wa-
ters), following the signs for the
uszoda
(pool). The swimming pool and adjacent baths are
