Which Budapest Bath is Better? Gellert or Szechenyi Thermal Baths?

Trying to decide which Budapest bath is better to visit: Gellért or Széchenyi Thermal Baths? Budapest is often referred to as the “City of Spas” due to its many thermal baths, thanks to an abundance of natural hot springs beneath the city. Possibly the two most famous are the Gellért Bath and the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. If you don’t have time to visit both during your short travel break in Budapest, I’ll help you decide between the two. In this review of both the Széchenyi and Gellért Baths, I’ll compare the facilities and features. If you want a wider range of pools and love a lively atmosphere, you might like Szechenyi Thermal Baths, but if you’re into fewer crowds and more aesthetic places, you may opt for Gellert Baths.

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Check out my Instagram video on Gellert Baths

About Budapest Thermal Baths

Budapest’s thermal baths date back to Roman times and were significantly developed during the Ottoman occupation in the 16th century. Today, the city has 15 major baths, including the iconic Széchenyi, Gellért, and Rudas baths. Each of the baths have stunning architecture from different eras, such as Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque.

The thermal baths come from natural hot springs rich in minerals and offer many health benefits. The thermal waters are rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sulfate, which are believed to help with health conditions including arthritis, joint pain, and skin issues.

Today, they have become an must-do experience for social gatherings and even spa parties like Sparty at Szechenyi.

Some of the most notable baths in Budapest include:

1. Széchenyi Thermal Bath
2. Gellért Thermal Bath
3. Rudas Thermal Bath
4. Király Thermal Bath
5. Lukács Thermal Bath
6. Veli Bej Bath
7. Dandár Thermal Bath
8. Palatinus Bath
9. Csillaghegyi Bath
10. Dagály Bath

What to Bring to the Baths?

You should get a locker to store all your belongings when going to the baths. You can pay extra for towels and swimming caps at the bath but it’s obviously more affordable to bring your own.

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Flip-flops: Wearing them is required.
• Swimming Cap: required if you want to swim in the pools. I absolutely love this stylish swimming cap!
• Tote bag to carry belongings & a plastic bag for your wet suit

Can you take photos at the thermal baths?

Taking photos is generally permitted at both Széchenyi and Gellért Thermal Baths, but with certain restrictions to ensure the privacy and comfort of all guests. Just be mindful of others and take more panoramic view shots rather than zeroing into guests without their permission.

Should you Choose Gellert or Szechenyi?

Comparison: Szechenyi vs. Gellert Baths

Feature	Széchenyi	Gellert	Winner
Aesthetics	Neo-Baroque design with grand outdoor pools	Stunning Art Nouveau Architecture, totally aesthetic	Gellert
Atmosphere	Lively, busy with parties at night and beer spas	Quieter and more elegant	Szechenyi
Facilities	15 indoor baths and three large outdoor pools.	10 Indoor and outdoor pools, wave pool, effervescent bath, saunas.	Tied
Size	huge at 4.5 acres	Smaller, with fewer crowds	Szechenyi
Spa Treatments	Limited spa treatments are available.	Extensive range of spa services, including massages and facials.	Gellert
Cost	Entry + Locker €44, Massages €30+ Buy Tickets Here	Entry + Locker €44, Massages €28+ Buy Tickets Here	pricing is similar
Overall	Better for social atmosphere, first-time visitors	Better for relaxation, fewer crowds	Depends on personal preference: My pick is Gellert

Location

Gellert Bath Location

Gellért Thermal Bath is located on the Buda side of the city, next to Gellért Hill, near the Liberty Bridge. I definitely recommend visiting Gellert Hill for nice views of the city.

The bath is part of the historic Hotel Gellért, which adds to its charm. You can easily walk to Gellert Bath from the city or take tram lines 47 or 49, which stop at Szent Gellért tér.

Address: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118 Hungary (Google Maps Location)

Széchenyi Thermal Bath Location

Széchenyi Thermal Bath is located in City Park (Városliget), one of Budapest’s largest green spaces on the Pest side of the city. The bath is a bit further out of the city than Gellert Bath but it’s still easily accessible via the M1 (yellow) metro line. The station is called Széchenyi fürdő and is conveniently located right outside the entrance.

Address: Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, 1146 Hungary (Google Maps Location)

Which bath is more beautiful?

When it comes to aesthetics, the Gellért Thermal Bath is a winner with its stunning Art Nouveau architecture, intricate mosaics, stained glass windows, and grandiose columns. Part of the historic Gellért Hotel, the bath dates back to 1918 and is a luxury experience.

While Széchenyi Thermal Bath also impresses with its expansive Neo-Baroque style and lively atmosphere, Gellert Baths takes it to another level. I do think, however, Széchenyi’s outdoor space is more impressive than Gellerts.

Winner: Gellert Baths

Which is more lively?

Széchenyi Baths definitely wins on a lively atmosphere if you’re looking for a more social space. They have a beer spa, at night the place turns into a huge party, and the outdoor thermal spa bath is always full of a ton of people!

Beer Spa at Széchenyi Baths

Sparty – Party at the Széchenyi Baths

Winner: Szechenyi Baths

How do the facilities compare?

📸: Gellert Bath (on left), Szechenyi Gellert Bath (on right)

Indoor Pools

As I’ve mentioned before, Széchenyi Thermal Bath has 15 indoor pools while Gellert has 10. Out of the two, I preferred the indoor baths at Gellert as they were more aesthetic and relaxing. I walked through the indoor baths at Széchenyi and it was quite packed.

Outdoor Pools

Széchenyi Thermal Bath is famous for its three large outdoor pools, including a swimming pool, a thermal pool, and a pool with a whirlpool and water jets. These outdoor areas are lively social hubs, especially in the summer. You’ll even find locals playing chess in the water. I also loved relaxing at the warm outdoor pool at sunset. It was a nice vibe and if you visit even in winter it’s warm enough to relax in.

Gellért Thermal Bath, on the other hand, offers a smaller outdoor section that includes a wave pool and a sunbathing terrace. The outdoor pools at Gellért are set against the backdrop of the stunning hotel facade. This bath is more intimate and quiet.

Saunas

Széchenyi Thermal Bath features a many different saunas and steam rooms, with various temperatures and humidity levels. Included are Finnish saunas, infrared saunas, and steam baths.

Gellért Thermal Bath also offers a good selection of saunas, including Finnish saunas and steam rooms, but on a slightly smaller scale compared to Széchenyi. The saunas at Gellért are known for their clean and elegant design.

Winner: Tied

Which is bigger?

Szechenyi Baths is massive spanning 4.5 acres. Not only is the outdoor thermal spa huge, you’ll get lost inside as it’s endlessly big. There are 15 indoor baths, 3 outdoor baths, and 10 saunas / steam cabins. Gellert Baths has 10 pools but it’s not nearly as big as Szechenyi Baths.

Winner: Szechenyi Baths

How do the Spa Treatments compare?

When comparing spa treatments, Gellért Thermal Bath has a much more extensive range of services, including a variety of massages, facials, and therapeutic treatments. Széchenyi Thermal Bath, while offering some spa treatments, primarily focuses on its pools and saunas, catering more to socializing and recreational bathing.

Gellert Bath Spa Services include Anti-aging facials for €25 and massages starting at €28. You can even get a pedicure at Gellert Baths. Massages at Szechenyi Bath start at €30.

So if you’re looking for a luxurious spa experience, Gellért is the better choice.

Winner: Gellert Baths

How much is entry?

Prices are pretty similar at Gellert and Szechenyi Baths.

• Gellert Bath: Entry with Lockers €44 Buy Tickets Here
• Szechenyi Baths: Entry with Locker is €44 Buy Tickets Here

Weekday prices are €2 cheaper than weekend prices.

You can save 20% off tickets to Szechenyi Baths with a Budapest Card which gets you into many Budapest attractions free of charge.

Bottom Line

So which spa should you choose? Gellert or Szechenyi Thermal Baths? Well, the decision is up to your personal preferences. I’d say if it’s your first time visiting a spa, then Szechenyi might be for you as it’s larger with a lot more going on and a social atmosphere. However, if you’re like me and prefer to go the non touristy route with fewer crowds and a chill vibe, then you’ll love hanging out at Gellert Baths. Gellert Baths is also so much more beautiful in my opinion.

Winner: Personal Preference, mine is Gellert since I prefer a less touristy experience but I also loved relaxing in the hot water outside at Szechenyi Baths.

How to visit Lukas Thermal Bath for Free & save 20% off on entry to the Széchenyi Bath

Here’s a money saving hack during your trip to Budapest. Get the Budapest Card with prices starting at €29. The card gets you a 20% discount at the Széchenyi Bath. You’ll get free enter into the Lukács Thermal Bath among other top attractions in Budapest including museums and more. You won’t have to worry about buying a metro ticket or bus ticket as all the transport is included in the card.

Let me know in the comments below which one you plan on choosing!