Rudas Baths

The Rudas Baths is one of the most beautiful baths in the world. It is a real wellness center on the Buda side, where the drinking fountains are made of Zsolnay porcelain and where you can leisurely marvel at the beauty of Budapest while sitting in the rooftop pool of the Rudas Baths.

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Rudas baths panorama
Rudas baths panorama
Rudas Bath in 1940 | Photo by Somlai Tibor

The history of Rudas Baths

The Rudas Baths is one of the most important Turkish baths that still operates in Budapest. Visiting the bath feels like a time travel back to the 16th century when the original Turkish part of the bath was built. Budapest was under Turkish occupation that time. The different baths in Budapest can be divided into two categories. Some of them are traditional Turkish baths and were built during the 16th century the other category is the more modern group of baths that were built in the 20th century. (e.g. Gellert Thermal Bath). Rudas is quite special since the thermal complex has got two different parts. The old part that was built in the 16th century and the “new” part that was renovated in 2014 and was enlarged by a super gorgeous wellness unit with new pools.

Entering into the Rudas Bath

Rudas, the Turkish bath
Rudas, the Turkish Baths

When you enter the Rudas Baths you will feel like travelling back in time because the more than 450-year old bath has preserved its special atmosphere. The marvellous semi-circular arches, the pillars, the gates, the octagonal swimming pool under the colourfully decorated dome, they all contribute to the special atmosphere of the place. What makes the bath unique is that a separate drinking hall has been dedicated to the drinking culture and the guests can taste the healing water of Hungária, Attila, and Juventus springs. There is also a swimming pool in the building but people mostly visit the bath to enjoy the Turkish feeling in the dome pool.

Good to know

Another speciality of the Rudas Thermal Bath is that until 2006 only men were allowed to use it. Since 2006, Tuesdays have been dedicated for women only and weekends have been co-ed. Due to the popularity of the bath among the tourists, the Rudas Baths has opened its gates for all sexes on Friday too from 1 pm.
During the men’s days, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until noon you may enjoy the bath naked wearing only an apron-like piece of cloths. The wellness unit is co-ed every day.You can buy an all-in ticket that includes the use of both the wellness unit and the Turkish bath. Keep in mind that the price of the tickets differs at weekdays and at the weekend. Be careful when you purchase your ticket online. You can buy a ticket that guarantees entrance to the Turkish bath and you can use the famous indoor swimming pool as well.

Rudas baths Thermal
Rudas baths Thermal

If you don’t like crowded places it is highly recommended to visit the bath in the morning from 9.00 to noon, which period falls into a different price category.

Rudas Baths new pool
Rudas Baths new pool

What shall I bring with me?

You should have the following items in your bag: slippers, towel and swimming costume. I always bring shower gel with me to wash off the thermal water at the end of the day and I would also throw in a hairdryer if I had long hair and I did not want to wait for a free one. You should take a bottle of water with you and I usually take 1-2 cans of cold beer with me in summer.

You cannot choose between a cabin or locker in the Rudas Thermal Bath. You may choose if you are visiting the swimming pool only, otherwise, there are lockers with changing cabins in the wellness (since it is co-ed) and only cabins in the Turkish bath unit.

Rudas Bath Locker
Rudas baths cabin
Rudas baths cabin

Buying tickets

If you don’t feel like queuing to get your ticket and you want to use other services as well, such as massage (not including erotic massage budapest), it is recommended to purchase your ticket online to secure your appointment.

I visit Rudas Bath once or twice a year and especially for the reason to spend some quality time in the rooftop pool. It is a great idea if you want to impress your significant other. Budapest is beautiful day and night.

Rudas baths tickets prices
Rudas baths tickets prices

Once you have got your ticket, go upstairs to the changing room. This is a co-ed changing room with changing cabins. The lockers are a lot bigger than any other baths’ lockers. They are quite high and convenient you can actually hang your clothes in them.

You must decide at the cashier if you want a cabin or a locker. If you are hesitant read this article on “Cabin vs. locker” and you will be able to decide.

Rudas baths map
Rudas Baths new pool
A Turkish bath full with splendor: Rudas, located right on the bank of Danube
A Turkish bath full with splendor: Rudas, located right on the bank of Danube

The most popular pool of Rudas Baths is the so-called rooftop pool (no. 6 on the map) and can be found on the top floor in the corner. You should check this out first and if it is not too crowded jump in, relax and enjoy the view.

Sauna World

Rudas baths bed
Rudas baths bed

If you have had enough of the view, go and try the rest of the pools too and do not forget about the sauna world either. You should use the sauna in between soaking in pools. You should definitely look for an empty sunbed, inside or outside and reserve it by putting your stuff on it.

Rudas baths sauna
Rudas baths sauna

My other favourite pool is the indoor experience pool with warm water!

Rudas baths thermal hot water
Rudas baths thermal hot water
Rudas baths Sauna world
Tip

Always check the recommended bathing time on the board at the pools!

Rudas baths restaurant

Rudas baths restaurant
Rudas baths restaurant

There are two cafeterias in the Rudas Bath. One of them is located at the entrance and is available for both wellness and Turkish bath visitors. The second one is an exclusive cafeteria in the wellness unit which is quite nice and also functions as a separate restaurant and serves everybody arriving from outside as well.

I would like to bring to your attention the drinkable healing water of the Hungária, Attila and Juventus springs that can be tasted in the separate drinking hall. They are not free to drink you will have to pay for them at the cashier as far as I know.

The water composition of the Rudas thermal water

The hot spring of the thermal bath is radio-active, rich in calcium, magnesium, fluoride ions, hydrogen-carbonate, sulphate and sodium.

Bath units of Rudas Thermal Bath

  • 6 steam pools, with different temperature
  • Swimming pool
  • 2 hot water sitting pools
  • Juventus pool
  • Rooftop pool
  • Immersion pool

Services

  • Tub bath
  • Underwater waterjet massage
  • Medical massage
  • Aroma massage (with rosemary, elderflower or orange)
    The aroma massage is one of the most liked types of massage in the bath. This is more than a massage in Budapest, it is a pampering experience when your body is being massaged with precious aromas and warm oil and your soul is being healed too. The aroma massage is a slow, gentle type of relaxing treatment.
  • Royal thermal extra massage
    This type of massage is the perfect supplement of thermal bathing. It is a massage with stronger movements with the Swedish massage technics, it is ideal for guests who prefer strong hands during the treatment. The extra massage is the therapic version of the royal thermal massage where a special, strong, healing balm made of goat butter is applied on the body of the guest in order to boost the pain killing effect of the massage.
  • Water massage
    Refreshing massage with soap from head to toe for those who wish to be refreshed. During the massage, the whole body is thoroughly treated, the movements reduce tension, muscle rigidity, and also stimulate blood circulation.

Drinking healing water

Hungária healing water: good treatment for gastroenteritis, acid reflux, renal pelvis stomach diseases.
Attila healing water: good treatment for respiratory diseases, gastroenteritis, bladder, gall bladder and liver diseases.
Juventus healing water: good treatment for high blood pressure, premature ageing, rheumatism and arthritis.

Access the Rudas Bath

The Rudas Bath is 800m away from the famous Váci street which is a 10-minute easy walk.

It could take quite a long time going by a taxi in rush hour, you may want to find a different solution on how to access the bath. Before getting in a taxi read the article on taxis.

Tram 19, 41, 56 and 56A stop in front of the building or take bus 7 that stops at the foot of the bridge and you will have to walk 2 mins to reach the bath.

Opening hours

Swimming pool: 6:00 am – 22:00 pm.

The night bathing takes place on Friday and Saturday between 22.00 pm and 04.00 am (this is co-ed). The sauna world does not operate during the night bathing.

Wellness unit and sauna world: 8:00 am – 22:00 pm.

The men’s “apron bathing” in the Rudas Bath will finish at 12:45 on Friday from 6th September 2019. (See our reviews of gay bar budapest)

The thermal bath can be visited by any sexes starting at 1 pm on Friday.

Summary

In my opinion, you can easily spend a whole day in the Rudas Bath, including the wellness and Turkish bath. Once you have visited the Rudas Bath you should not miss out on the gem of the Turkish bath, the octangular pool in the doom room. It used to be the favourite place of the Turkish Pashas and Hungarian Lords.

Attractions in the neighbourhood

The Buda Castle, the Hungarian National Museum, and the panorama from the bank of the Danube which is part of the World Heritage and last but not least the Liberty Statue.

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