What Advisors Should Know About Budapest: City of Spas & Wellness Wonders

Once you dip a toe into the healing waters of the spas of Budapest, you’ll understand why the thermal bath culture is part and parcel of everyday life in this great Eastern European city and throughout Hungary.  

Budapest has attracted travelers to its healing waters for centuries, making it one of the most unique wellness destinations in the world. Known affectionately since 1934 as the “City of Spas,” Hungary’s capital is built on top of more than 120 natural thermal springs that feed its legendary baths. The city’s spa culture is deeply woven into its daily life and history, offering a rejuvenating, steamy, mineral-rich reprieve for locals and visitors alike. 

For travel advisors, Budapest presents a golden opportunity to introduce clients to a European experience that is equally relaxing and culturally enriching. Whether it’s a luxury traveler looking for five-star wellness, a history buff in search of ancient Roman ruins hidden beneath their spa of choice, or a honeymoon couple wanting to soak under the stars, there’s a thermal bath in Budapest to match every type of traveler. Advisors booking clients into a hotel near one of the city’s thermal facilities, or arranging a day pass and treatment package, can easily add value and local flavor to any Budapest itinerary. 

The Thermal Waters Tradition 

The tradition of thermal bathing in Hungary stretches back to Roman times, when soldiers built the first public baths. The Turks later expanded on the practice during the 16th-century Ottoman occupation, introducing domed bathhouses that still stand today, 400 years after they were built. In the 19th century, engineers discovered how to drill up thermal water, and grand classical spas were constructed, which continued into the 20th century when some spas were built in the Art Nouveau style. With so many of the spas set in historically significant buildings, those who partake in the thermal waters can feel like they’re having a distinctive “bathing in a museum” experience. 

While Budapest has been dubbed the City of Spas, thermal water or medicinal water can be found across 80% of Hungary. The country has 1,453 springs, 98 accredited spa bathing facilities, and 40 quality spa hotels. There are many spa towns that offer the whole spectrum of health services – medical, prevention, and wellness.  

So it’s no wonder that spa-going is not seen as a special luxury in Hungary, it’s an everyday wellness ritual. Hungarians often visit the spas for therapeutic purposes, socializing, or simply to relax. The mineral-rich waters are said to help with everything from joint pain to skin conditions to musculoskeletal disorders, and more. And the settings of the bathhouses range from ornate and historical to modern and chic. 

The Best of Budapest’s Thermal Spas  

The spas of Budapest offer a wide range of services. Both public and private spas provide evidence-based medical treatments as well as relaxation. Balneotherapy ─ the science of combining physiotherapy treatments with natural elements such as thermal water and mud ─ can be easily discovered and enjoyed. And the pastime is generally quite affordable. Here are some of the best thermal waters experiences in Budapest and beyond. 

Széchenyi Thermal Bath 

Perhaps the most iconic spa in Budapest, Széchenyi is also one of the largest medicinal bath complexes in Europe. Conveniently located in City Park and recognizable by its sunny yellow Neo-Baroque architecture, Széchenyi features 21 pools (both indoor and outdoor), saunas, steam rooms, and a full-service spa offering massages and medical treatments. The outdoor pools are open year-round and are especially magical in winter, when bathers soak in steaming waters surrounded by snow. For American travelers, Széchenyi might feel more like the local municipal swimming pool in the U.S. summer season, because the activity level and number of people moving through the pools are much more intense than one might expect to find at a spa. 

Rudas Bath 

For travelers seeking something unique, Rudas offers a traditional Ottoman experience. This bath has been in operation since the 16th century and still features its original Turkish dome and octagonal pool. On the Buda side of the Danube River, Rudas also offers a rooftop hot tub with panoramic views over the Danube and Buda hills ─ ideal for Instagram-ready moments. Night bathing is available on weekends, creating a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Lukács Bath 

Popular with locals, Lukács is less known among tourists, but offers a wide array of wellness services, including mud treatments and weight baths (a therapeutic Hungarian specialty). The spa is also known for its “drinking hall,” where mineral water from its springs can be consumed for digestive health. It’s a great pick for travelers who want a more authentic, everyday Budapest experience. 

Veli Bej Bath  

Tucked away behind a hospital and less touristy than some of the other bathhouses, Veli Bej is a restored Ottoman-era bath originally built in the 1570s. It blends traditional Turkish architecture with modern wellness amenities. The domed central pool is surrounded by smaller thermal pools, saunas, and a hot-and-cold plunge sequence. History buffs and wellness-focused travelers seeking a peaceful, uncrowded experience will appreciate this hidden gem. 

Gellért Thermal Bath 

Part of the Gellért Hotel, in the Art Nouveau style, this elegant bath complex offers stunning architecture and a more refined, calm ambiance. Stained glass windows, Zsolnay tiling, and Roman columns frame the experience. Housed on the quieter Buda side of Budapest, Gellért is perfect for upscale travelers who appreciate history, design, and a tranquil environment. The bath features thermal pools, a wave pool, and private bathing areas for an extra touch of exclusivity. Gellért Thermal Bath is currently closed for renovations and will reopen in 2028, but it is such a classic example of the city’s traditional baths that travel advisors should keep this one on their radar for future bookings. 

Dandár Bath 

Intimate and local, Dandár is a small art deco bathhouse in Budapest’s 9th district, With a retro feel, it is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. The spa features indoor thermal pools, a cold plunge, steam baths, and outdoor pools. Dandár is good for budget-conscious travelers and those looking to soak where the locals go. 

Szent Lukács Thermal Bath Hotel & Spa 

This historic complex with a focus on medical wellness is believed to be one of the oldest spa sites in Budapest, dating back to the 12th century. Located just outside Budapest in Buda Hills, it offers thermal pools, weight baths, drinking therapies, and an adjacent hotel for spa-centric stays. Wellness travelers, long-stay clients, and those seeking medical or rehabilitative treatments would do well here. 

Palatinus Bath 

Located on Margaret Island about 13 miles from Budapest, Palatinus Bath is an open-air bath with a retro feeling that is especially popular in the summer. It features thermal pools, a wave pool, and water slides, all surrounded by green space. Recently renovated, it now also offers wellness facilities including a sauna world and indoor spa section. Families and active travelers looking for a laid-back day in nature will enjoy Palatinus Bath. 

Hévíz Thermal Lake 

About two hours from Budapest, the thermal lake of Hévíz is a magical place where visitors can swim in water that never drops below a comfortable 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and reaches up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. The water has curative powers that have been known to provide relief from a broad variety of ailments and to deliver preventative benefits. The feeling of floating effortlessly in the water, the gently bobbing lotuses, and the protective forest surrounding the lake soothe the nerves and help to facilitate the healing process. The Festetics Bath House offers a wide range of wellness services including sauna, steam bath, ice bath, salt cave, pools, hydrotherapy, massages, mud packs, and physiotherapy. 

Aquaworld Resort Budapest 

A family friendly wellness resort, Aquaworld Resort Budapest is one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe. It is more of a thermal adventure park than a traditional bathhouse, with 15 pools, water slides, wave pools, and spa facilities. While it is slightly outside the city center, a free shuttle runs from downtown Budapest. Aquaworld is perfect for families, multigenerational groups, and clients looking to combine fun and wellness. 

And Then There’s Sparty 

For an unexpected twist on thermal bathing, enter Sparty. Summer night spa parties (Sparty, for short) are famously held at the Széchenyi thermal bath of Budapest most Saturday nights ─ and tickets are available online. Started in 1994 and still going strong, Sparty takes place in the thermal springs baths, but it is mainly a party that combines the ancient bath culture of Budapest with electric dance music and mind-blowing visuals while partying in the pool. Needless to say, it generally attracts a younger set. 

Beyond the Baths 

The thermal spas are just one aspect of the allure of Budapest. Many seasoned travelers would agree that Budapest is a favorite destination they will happily return to repeatedly. The city itself is a feast for the senses, divided by the Danube into hilly Buda and buzzing Pest.  

Travelers can explore grand boulevards lined with historic cafés; visit world-class museums like the Hungarian National Gallery; experience the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter that blend nightlife with urban archaeology; climb Castle Hill or take the funicular to see magnificent views of the Danube; wander around Fisherman’s Bastion; and learn about history at monuments like Heroes Square and Shoes on the Danube Bank. 

The city’s architecture is a showstopper, as well, from Gothic churches and baroque palaces to Soviet-style apartment blocks and cutting-edge design hotels. Passing by the Parliament Building, alight in all its glory at night, on a river cruise is one of those breathtaking moments that inspire us to travel in the first place.  

Budapest also offers vibrant culinary experiences, including traditional goulash and paprikash (hearty fare beautifully seasoned with generous amounts of paprika), lángos (deep-fried flatbread smothered in cheese and sour cream), chimney cakes filled with fluffy whipped cream or ice cream, and modern Hungarian fusion cuisine. 

In addition to all that Budapest has to offer, and back to the subject of spas for a moment, travel advisors can easily combine a thermal bath visit with other wellness activities in and around Budapest, such as a Danube river yoga class or a wine tasting in nearby Etyek. Also, many river cruises begin or end in Budapest, making it a prime destination for pre- or post-cruise extensions.  

Whether travelers are seeking rejuvenation, culture, or a touch of old-world indulgence, Budapest delivers. In the City of Spas, relaxation flows as freely as the healing waters. All travel advisors need to do is help their clients dive in.