El trip to Budapest is packed with interesting places that we should see, but today we are going to talk about one of its most emblematic places, the Széchenyi Spa, a place created at the beginning of the XNUMXth century as a place of leisure that still today still has a lot of charm. If you are planning a trip to Budapest, this place has to be among the top places to visit.
El Széchenyi Spa is one of the largest in Europe and it is also a place that no one misses on the trip to Budapest. This city offers us a great heritage with its parliament, the Buda Castle or the Basilica of San Esteban. In addition, there are other spas such as the Gellert Spa or the Rudas, although this is undoubtedly the most famous of all. Let's get to know a little more about this emblematic place in Budapest.
History of the spa
The Széchenyi Spa began as a project already in the XNUMXth century, although it would not be until the beginning of the XNUMXth century that would take place. This spa was finally inaugurated in 1913 causing a great impact due to its large size and the number of bathrooms it had. Today it is still one of the largest spas in all of Europe. It is well known to the whole world that Budapest is a spa town, hence its great fame. It has twelve thermal baths and about a hundred sources of medicinal waters. The thermal waters of this spa arise from the deepest well in the city, more than 1.200 meters deep and at 76 degrees.
Discover the Spa
This spa has facilities that in certain cases are somewhat outdated, but they are still very charming. With the ticket there is access to the locker area and the changing room. It is also possible to buy VIP tickets with a private dressing room. In the spa facilities we will see up to 15 pools, twelve of them in the interior area with a massage area and saunas. The large outdoor pools are really popular. A great experience is to go in the middle of winter and let it get dark in them. The temperature of the outdoor pools is 37 degrees, so we will be comfortable all year round. They are usually quite crowded but they are very large, so we will not have the feeling of being overwhelmed. This is the best known place in the spa and the perfect spot to take a picture. Around the pools there are also some sun loungers.
Advance entry
You can buy the entrance to the spa or reserve it online in advance, something that is recommended when it is high season. This ticket can be purchased together with a massage. It is important to remember to bring flip flops, a swimsuit and a towel, although if we forget they will offer us these items there. Some are rented and others we will have to buy. Together with the entrance they give us a swimming cap but the truth is that almost nobody uses it. As for the price, it is usually around twenty euros, but it can change depending on the date and demand, so it is always better to take it in advance. This ticket entitles us to spend the whole day in the spa and to use the common facilities. If we want massages or spa treatments we will have to pay separately.
Other spas
Budapest is a city of spas and another of the best known is the Gellert Spa. This beautiful spa was also built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. This spa is next to a hotel that bears the same name, although the pool was there before the hotel and has its own entrance. It is possible to visit them, although it must be said that the main pool, which is the most beautiful thing it has, does not have thermal waters, so it is not so pleasant in winter. The rest of the facilities seem to be a bit outdated, but the main pool is worth seeing, as it is extremely beautiful and it is a place that will surely ring a bell because advertisements were recorded there.
Another place of interest in Budapest are the Rudas Baths, of Ottoman origin, which were established during the XNUMXth century. Apparently they are considered the most beautiful Turkish baths in the world, so they are also worth visiting. The spa that we know today was built in three stages. It was built in the XNUMXth century, later the swimming pool and sauna were added to it in the XNUMXth century and finally it was renovated again in the XNUMXst century. It should be noted that since its inception it was a place reserved only for men. Since the twentieth century, women began to attend and today men and women can attend on weekends. It is precisely during the weekends when the swimsuit is mandatory.