Rudas Thermal Bath on Postcard

"Early mornings are when Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza, the co-founder of the Hungarian skincare line Omorovicza, relishes settling in at Rudas Thermal Bath. Its centerpiece octagonal pool lined with pillars sits adjacent to the Buda side of the city’s iconic Elizabeth Bridge, underneath a dramatic dome dating back to 1572."

A Summer Wellness Getaway in Budapest's Storied Baths

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@cntraveler

"While visiting Széchenyi Gyogyfürdo, Europe’s largest thermal bathing facility, is on many Budapest visitors’ lists, and a worthy detour, we can’t help but be drawn to another of the artsy Eastern European city’s thermal baths. Rudas Baths’ 21 hot springs are the prominent feature behind the 16th-century facility, which welcomes guests 14 and older. Traditional water massage treatments incorporate Swedish techniques, and handmade soap made with macadamia oil for ultra silky skin, is used to cleanse and soften the body. The domed space (built during the time of Ottoman rule) delivers self-care in an atmosphere that’s both calming and thought-provoking." - Stacey Lastoe

12 Historic European Spas and Bathhouses for a Wellness Getaway | Condé Nast Traveler

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@travelleisure

"A 450-year-old Turkish bath with five pools surrounded by arch-topped columns and domed ceilings, featuring a modern thermal pool with a view overlooking the Danube." - Carole Rosenblat

I Visited Some of Europe's Most Charming Spa Towns by Train — Here's What It Was Like

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@afar

"With six thermal pools, a large swimming pool, a wellness area, and an oft-Instagrammed rooftop jacuzzi, Rudas has been a full-service spa bathhouse since its restoration and renovation in 2014. Its center, however, reveals a centuries-long history: the octagonal pool under a domed ceiling and surrounded by old stone vaults and pillars, dates to 1550, the Ottoman occupation of Budapest, and is thus literally steeped in history. Though it initially only served men, Rudas now separates genders on weekdays (Tuesdays are for women) and offers coed bathing on weekends. Tip: single-gender bathing can be fabulously pressure-free and almost spiritual; Rudas is the only place that this is still possible. And Fridays and Saturdays, Rudas stays open until 4a.m. Tickets can be booked online."

The Best Things to Do in Budapest

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Nomad Around

Google

Facilities are well maintained and better than the most popular one. It has a couple of thermal baths,saunas , and indoor swimming pools(swim cap is mandatory). The rooftop bar has a panaromanic view which is very nice.But it is very small and accommodate with 15 people. Be aware of that they charge wellness,Turkish bath on an additional cost.Also be aware of the date which they only accommodate man or female.

Kylie

Google

We did the Friday/Saturday night coed option which I think is relatively new. Open from 10pm to 1am I think). Typically this bath still has male & female open times, only one coed day (although at time of writing I believe this was due to change). It was about 60 euro for the two of us. Firstly the baths are beautiful & clean. The cleanest of all we have been to so far. The lower floor bathers are in a really beautiful setting & the roof top spa has an amazing view over the Danube. The reason it's a 4 not a 5 is because it was really quite confusing as to what we had booked. The booking email shows a pic of a couple with a glass of champagne overlooking the Danube with beautiful lights. The reality was the bar does not open at night. The Bistro is also closed at 9.00 & you could not access the baths until 10pm. So if planning anything else for your night you were kind of left in limbo on the street for an hour. I would still recommend the experience. Just go with the expectation. There will be no champagne (it's still very idyllic) & don't turn up before 10pm. As always take your slippers/thongs & towel. You get a changing cubicle that you can lock & leave your belongings in.

Romin

Google

Nice spa with thermal pools, the temperature is nice and they have several different places inside. They also have cold ones for people like me that likes cold water. They have saunas and free lockers, you pay 18k HUF for the whole day. Very relaxing and not so crowded all the pools had spots free without the need to be close to people

Gabo Mirkin

Google

Excellent place to rest, have a massage and enjoy before going back home to the routine. The massage was great. The place has a lot of swimming pools. If you have time, it's a good idea to sent minimum 4 or 5 hour to enjoy all the facilities. To explore the different swimming pools and to enjoy. The food is expensive. But to do it once it's ok. The restaurant it's ok. Not wow. But we really enjoyed the day.

Sara Govero

Google

Rudas Bath House in Budapest is a thermal bath experience on a small scale. I chose this one because it seemed smaller with an outside pool. Situated on the Buda side of the Danube, this bathhouse has amazing views of the Pest side. It’s so relaxing dipping in the pool and watching the boats go by. A little history… During the Roman Empire, Emperor Marcus Aurelius discovered that his soldier's wounds healed faster when they bathed in these hot springs. As a result, he built the first thermal bath in what is now Budapest. The highlight for me was the outdoor pool, where I spent hours chatting with fellow patrons while soaking in the panoramic view. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for a comprehensive spa experience, from multiple pools to saunas, ice baths, and steam rooms. There is a variety of thermal pools, each with different temperatures. If you’re traveling solo, this is an amazing place to spend the day to meet people.

Vivian S.

Google

This is my new favorite Budapest thermal spa. For many years I only went to Gellert and Szechenyi and nowadays it's so crowded with loud tourists it's just not relaxing anymore for me. As I was looking for a more relaxing and cleaner thermal spa I wanted to try the other big 3 Rudas. It's beautiful insidr with the Turkish bath and the 42C hot baths are so nice. The steam room is a good one with loads of steam infused in herbal smell. The rooftop panorama hot tub (since it's not thermal water) is also very very nice to enjoy the beautiful view with a drink. This will be my new favorite and I hope it doesnt get way too crowded like the other ones. Btw it is much cleaner than Szechenyi where there were skin floating in every pool. Rudas was basically clean and only once in a while can I find skin floating.

Tiffany Wong

Google

Great experience with the Rudas Thermal Bath. There were cold, hot and warm bath and it was very comfortable. It was clean and there was an outdoor bath too. I came at around 6pm and it was very nice.

DarkKingJennifer

Google

For this price, not so good. They don't ask you if you need to buy/rent towels and slippers downstairs when you pay, and then you can't buy them upstairs anyways. There were no showers by the changing rooms, so you can't shower properly before entering the pools. The showers were located by the pools but only with foam soap, no shampoo or conditioner for after you have bathed. The pools doe are really nice. Good views and spacious. But for this price, I'd much rather save my money to buy tickets to Japan and go to an onsen.😅 Edit: there were showers next to the toilets which were to the left of the dressing rooms, still no proper soap, shampoo or conditioner.

Nomad Around

Google

Facilities are well maintained and better than the most popular one. It has a couple of thermal baths,saunas , and indoor swimming pools(swim cap is mandatory). The rooftop bar has a panaromanic view which is very nice.But it is very small and accommodate with 15 people. Be aware of that they charge wellness,Turkish bath on an additional cost.Also be aware of the date which they only accommodate man or female.

Kylie

Google

We did the Friday/Saturday night coed option which I think is relatively new. Open from 10pm to 1am I think). Typically this bath still has male & female open times, only one coed day (although at time of writing I believe this was due to change). It was about 60 euro for the two of us. Firstly the baths are beautiful & clean. The cleanest of all we have been to so far. The lower floor bathers are in a really beautiful setting & the roof top spa has an amazing view over the Danube. The reason it's a 4 not a 5 is because it was really quite confusing as to what we had booked. The booking email shows a pic of a couple with a glass of champagne overlooking the Danube with beautiful lights. The reality was the bar does not open at night. The Bistro is also closed at 9.00 & you could not access the baths until 10pm. So if planning anything else for your night you were kind of left in limbo on the street for an hour. I would still recommend the experience. Just go with the expectation. There will be no champagne (it's still very idyllic) & don't turn up before 10pm. As always take your slippers/thongs & towel. You get a changing cubicle that you can lock & leave your belongings in.

Romin

Google

Nice spa with thermal pools, the temperature is nice and they have several different places inside. They also have cold ones for people like me that likes cold water. They have saunas and free lockers, you pay 18k HUF for the whole day. Very relaxing and not so crowded all the pools had spots free without the need to be close to people

Gabo Mirkin

Google

Excellent place to rest, have a massage and enjoy before going back home to the routine. The massage was great. The place has a lot of swimming pools. If you have time, it's a good idea to sent minimum 4 or 5 hour to enjoy all the facilities. To explore the different swimming pools and to enjoy. The food is expensive. But to do it once it's ok. The restaurant it's ok. Not wow. But we really enjoyed the day.

Sara Govero

Google

Rudas Bath House in Budapest is a thermal bath experience on a small scale. I chose this one because it seemed smaller with an outside pool. Situated on the Buda side of the Danube, this bathhouse has amazing views of the Pest side. It’s so relaxing dipping in the pool and watching the boats go by. A little history… During the Roman Empire, Emperor Marcus Aurelius discovered that his soldier's wounds healed faster when they bathed in these hot springs. As a result, he built the first thermal bath in what is now Budapest. The highlight for me was the outdoor pool, where I spent hours chatting with fellow patrons while soaking in the panoramic view. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for a comprehensive spa experience, from multiple pools to saunas, ice baths, and steam rooms. There is a variety of thermal pools, each with different temperatures. If you’re traveling solo, this is an amazing place to spend the day to meet people.

Vivian S.

Google

This is my new favorite Budapest thermal spa. For many years I only went to Gellert and Szechenyi and nowadays it's so crowded with loud tourists it's just not relaxing anymore for me. As I was looking for a more relaxing and cleaner thermal spa I wanted to try the other big 3 Rudas. It's beautiful insidr with the Turkish bath and the 42C hot baths are so nice. The steam room is a good one with loads of steam infused in herbal smell. The rooftop panorama hot tub (since it's not thermal water) is also very very nice to enjoy the beautiful view with a drink. This will be my new favorite and I hope it doesnt get way too crowded like the other ones. Btw it is much cleaner than Szechenyi where there were skin floating in every pool. Rudas was basically clean and only once in a while can I find skin floating.

Tiffany Wong

Google

Great experience with the Rudas Thermal Bath. There were cold, hot and warm bath and it was very comfortable. It was clean and there was an outdoor bath too. I came at around 6pm and it was very nice.

DarkKingJennifer

Google

For this price, not so good. They don't ask you if you need to buy/rent towels and slippers downstairs when you pay, and then you can't buy them upstairs anyways. There were no showers by the changing rooms, so you can't shower properly before entering the pools. The showers were located by the pools but only with foam soap, no shampoo or conditioner for after you have bathed. The pools doe are really nice. Good views and spacious. But for this price, I'd much rather save my money to buy tickets to Japan and go to an onsen.😅 Edit: there were showers next to the toilets which were to the left of the dressing rooms, still no proper soap, shampoo or conditioner.

Rudas Thermal Bath

Rudas Thermal Bath

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Highlights

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