Pesterzsébet Bath – Reviving the iodine-salt thermal waters in Budapest
Looking for a thermal bath away from the noise of downtown Budapest? Dive into the iodine-salt waters of the recently reopened Pesterzsébet Bath.
- • Pesterzsebet Bath (Pesterzsebeti Jodos-Sos Gyogyfurdo) is unique in Budapest for its special iodine-salt and bromine-rich thermal waters, which are highly therapeutic.
- • The historic bath recently underwent a massive, full-scale renovation, transforming it into a state-of-the-art modern spa facility.
- • It features numerous indoor and outdoor pools, an extensive sauna world, modern locker rooms, and an impressive architectural dome over its central pool.
Do you think you’ve seen it all in the Budapest thermal bath scenery? If you can recite all the big names, like Széchenyi Baths, Rudas Baths, and Gellért Baths by heart, and even had a few sweet dives at the tiny Veli Bej, it’s time you venture deeper and discover some lesser known spas of the city. Further from the main tourist spots and the buzzing downtown of Budapest, there are some hidden gems that are worth the ride. One of these is Pesterzsébet Iodine-Salt Thermal and Open-Air Bath, or in short, Pesterzsébet Bath. As the name suggests, this venue offers a very unique water composition, the only one in Budapest, which alone makes it a must. Besides, it reopened its upgraded doors in, so it’s still quite untouched by the crowds of tourists. Sounds good? Take the road less traveled with us and enjoy a spa day at the Southern corner of the Hungarian capital.
The one and only iodine-salt thermal bath in Budapest
Hungary is famous for the many mineral springs that run through the country. Budapest alone has half a dozen thermal baths well-known for their healing waters. But while Szechenyi Baths, Rudas Baths, Gellért Baths and the other popular ones in the city center have the same water composition with health benefits mostly to arthritis and musculoskeletal problems, the waters of Pesterzsébet Bath are truly unique.
Rich in iodine, bromide, and salt, its geothermal waters have stress-relieving and calming powers, as well as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects great for a number of health problems ranging from degenerative illnesses of the joints, chronic and semi-acute arthritis, dislocation of the intervertebral discs, neuralgia, and chronic gynecological issues. It is the only iodine-salt thermal bath in Budapest, and with just a handful of similar healing waters in the countryside (Cserkeszőlő, Hajdúszoboszló, Igal, Debrecen), Pesterzsébet Bath offers a spa experience like no other in the capital city.
The past and present of Pesterzsébet Bath
Contrary to most thermal baths in Budapest, Pesterzsébet Bath does not date back to the Ottoman times. Its story started in the early 1900s when the Danube at Budapest was still suitable for swimming. All it took was a pier stretching into the river and some wooden structures for the area to quickly become a popular swimming and sunbathing spot for the workers of the nearby factories.
Shortly after, the first pools got built, including the leisure pool with a then-revolutionary wave generator – which, according to some, was the first of its kind in Europe. Oddly enough, as it was before the discovery of the iodine-salt waters, the first pools got filled with water from the Danube. As the decades went by and the water of the Danube got less and less suitable for bathing, the owners of the bath started to drill wells and accidentally found thermal water. During the 1950s, they even built a domed bathhouse, mimicking the Turkish bath traditions. However, even the exceptional thermal water couldn’t save the bath from financial problems, which resulted in closing the open-air pools in 2001, and the spa in 2005. As the main gate got locked, Pesterzsébet Iodine-Salt Thermal and Open-Air Bath ceased to exist for the next decade or so.
Fast forward 14 years, Pesterzsébet Bath got its well-deserved renovation. The expanded and modernized indoor thermal bath reopened in December 2018, while the revamped open-air area welcomed its first guests in July 2019. Now the spa complex is ready to operate all seasons. Building on the old faux-Turkish dome, the indoor area now stretches to a 4,300 square-meter with 10 pools, one of which leads to the outdoors through an in-water exit, and an extensive sauna world. The outdoor facilities include the iconic wave pool, a swimming pool, and a children’s pool.
Pools, saunas, and other spa facilities in Pesterzsébet Bath
Pools:
- Medicinal and thermal pools: a salt-iodine therapeutic pool with water temperature: 36-38 °C and another thermal pool with water temperature: 38-40 °C
- Leisure pool with in-pool access to the open-air bath area with water temperature: 34-36 °C
- Wave pool with water temperature: 26-28 °C
- Outdoor sitting pool and sun terrace with water temperature: 36-38 °C
- 25-meter outdoor swimming pool open all-season with water temperature: 26-28 °C
- Children’s pool with water temperature: 30-32 °C
Sauna world:
- Indoor Finnish sauna (up to 20 people) – 80-90°C
- Indoor steam room (up to 8 people) – 45-50°C
- Indoor infrared-salt cabin (up to 6 people) – 45-50°C
- Outdoor Finnish sauna (up to 20 people) – 80-90°C
- Cold water immersion pool with water temperature: 10-14°C
- Hot water immersion pool with water temperature: 40-42°C
Other spa facilities:
- Medical, aroma, and refreshing massages
- Medical and spa pedicure
- Bathing in carbonated water
- Underwater jet massage
- Underwater traction
- Mud treatment
- Medical pool bath
- Medical tub bath
Pesterzsébet Bath tickets
The all-inclusive adult tickets on weekdays are 3,600 HUF and on weekend 3,800 HUF, which is approx. 10-11 euros. Due to its recent reopening and relative distance from downtown Budapest, entrance tickets less than that of the most famous thermal spas of the city. If we add this to the fact that it’s still quite unknown to tourists yet offers something exceptional, the iodine-salt thermal waters, it’s quite a good deal.
How to get there
Located at the south Pest banks of the Danube in the 20th district of Budapest, Pesterzsébet Bath is relatively far from the inner city. But don’t get discouraged, the newly reopened thermal spa is definitely worth the ride.
If you use public transport, you can get there by suburban train H6 from Közvágóhíd (you may be familiar with the area because of Budapest Park, the biggest open-air concert venue in Budapest) or by bus nr. 23 from Boráros tér.
If you’re coming by car, there is a free parking lot for bath visitors.
If you’re planning to visit the bath multiple times or take sightseeing trips to the nearby towns while in Hungary, you should probably rent a car for your stay.
Dive into some other possibilities
Are you done with thermal water and all you need is a good swimming pool? Check out the top pools in Budapest. And if you’re into a more adventurous spa experience, Budapest also has spa parties and a top notch waterpark at hand. Make a splash!
Q & A
Did you know?
The massage in Budapest is amazing! You should visit one of the most renowned massage salons where you can enjoy the treatment of qualified, professional masseurs!
