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.

Fast links: The history of Rudas Baths – Good to know – What shall I bring with me? – Buying tickets – Cabin vs. locker, – Attractions in the neighbourhood – The water composition of the Rudas Thermal Water – Bath units of the Rudas Thermal Bath – Services – Drinking healing water – Access the Rudas Baths – Opening hours – Contact the Rudas Bath

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 16^th 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 16^th century the other category is the more modern group of baths that were built in the 20^th 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 16^th century and the “new” part that was renovated in 2014 and was enlarged by a super gorgeous wellness unit with new pools.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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 World:

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

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.

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, 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.

Access the Rudas Bath

The Rudas Bath is 800 m 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 6^th September 2019.

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

Contact the Rudas Bath:

1013 Budapest, Döbrentei tér 9.

Phone: +36/20/321-4568

www: www.rudasfurdo.hu

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.