Budapest, Hungary
Baths
Budapest is a famous spa city, so go “bathing”.
The baths are really the last vestige of Turkish culture in Budapest, left over from their occupation of the city. Budapest does not have a large Turkish culture the way a city like Berlin or Munich does: instead the Hungarians have modified and molded this tradition into something of their own.
All baths are build around hot springs, and their central part is one or several thermal pools. They are usually complimented with several steam baths, saunas and massage services.
Traditional public baths (like Gellért, Széchényi) have quite complicated navigation and soviet-time service and admission system, but it’s worth going through to experience authentic bathing with locals around you. At the cash desk at the entrance, you are expected to select treatments / areas to access in advance. Time to spend in baths is not restricted, but if you’re finished earlier, some part of your payment may be returned. The only thing that can’t be paid at the entrance is rental of towels and bathrobe (and/or deposit for it)–it should be paid inside, right where they are given. There’re two types of place to change clothes: a common room with lockers is cheaper (male/female-separate, of course); cabins can be used by families and may differ in size (2 or 3 persons). For cabins, you’re handed a token with a number, which is also written on a chalkboard inside as a security code; you need to remember cabin number. To open your cabin, show your cabin and a token to attendant, and s/he’ll check it against the number inside. In swimming pools, swimming caps are recommended (and can be rented), although this is not always strictly enforced.
* Gellért Baths (Buda, Kelenhegyi utca 4; Gellért Hotel at the base of Gellért Hill). Open 6am-7pm daily. 1200 ft entry fee, therapeutic massage 450 ft extra. While the Kiraly baths may be a more authentic Turkish bath experience, those at the Gellért can’t be beat for style. This is probably the finest Art Nouveau pool in Europe, and the baths are beautiful as well as relaxing.
Changing: Besides individual lockers and family cabins, there’s some number of signle-person changing rooms in both men-only and women-only area.
What’s inside: Common area for men and women has only a 50m(?) swimming pool and a soaking pool with massage bubbles, both with 36..38°C water. Using swimming caps in the swimming pool is prescribed by signs, but not enforced at all. There are separate Turkish-style thermal baths for men and women, which encompass several different areas: two soaking pools (one with 36°C, another with 38°C), the showers, the dry sauna and Turkish steam bath, and the cold pool (designed to scare the living daylights out of one’s body after it’s been happily lounging in the warmth). Besides swimming pools and separate areas, there’s a large open-air complex of pools (open only in summer time). The young massage therapists mean business.
Specialities: In shower area, there’re also a strange stool without a seat, with a stream of water from the bottom (bidet?)–not used by anyone, though.
Visitors mix: Many locals; among tourists, no country seem to have a majority.
Are you ready to go? Than book it!
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