ABOUT THE SPA

Széchenyi Spa, the first thermal baths in Pest, is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe. Its grand, canary-yellow building is situated amidst the greenery of the City Park, close to the city centre. It was constructed in 1913 and has undergone several transformations since then, taking on its present form in 1999, when the swimming section pools were reconstructed and the water filters and circulation devices modernised. Some highly sophisticated services were also added, including a whirling corridor, neck shower, water beam back massage.

WATER COMPOSITION

There are two types of water in the spa. One is hot-spring water containing calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, sodium, sulphate, fluoride and metaboric acid.

The other one is healing water from the drinking well, containing calcium, magnesium, hydrogen carbonate, chloride, sulphate, alkalics and fluoride.

GETTING AROUND

The thermal selection consists of 11 thermal water pools, one cooling pool and one immersion pool, all of them the indoors. The water temperature in the thermal pools ranges from 28 to 40 ^oC.

The swimming section features a 50 m outdoor swimming pool, where the water temperature is 26–28 °C, an outdoor activity pool, water temperature 30–34 °C, a outdoor thermal water pool, water temperature 38 °C, and two indoor immersion pools, water temperature 18 °C.

The day-care hospital has an indoor preparatory pool with water at temperature 30 °C, an indoor learning pool (30 °C), and an indoor underwater traction pool (34 °C).

Other facilities include sundecks, safety lockers, and hire of bathing suits, towels and sheets.

Refreshments are available in the restaurant and snack bar.

There is an ATM.

There are a range spa-related products available for purchase, including Siam Beauty Cosmetics and Budapest Spas Cosmetics, and you can take home a specially-minted coin as a souvenir.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Have fun in the outdoor leisure pool with jacuzzi and whirlpool and steam chambers.

If you like it hot, the thermal department is the place for you, with a thermal cascade hot air chamber, steam chamber, wet steam chamber, salt inhalation steam chamber, aroma sauna and light sauna. In the steam department, there is also a volcano sauna. The outdoor department offers two 80-100 °C saunas.

The massage offers a daunting range of choice among countless massages. There are Aroma and Thermal Massages, Rosemary Wonder, Orange Happiness and Elderflower Harmony Massages. You can also choose the Royal Thermal Massage Treatment with Matra Mountain Herbs or the Treatment with Kolop Medicinal Mud. If you are very curious, you won’t miss the opportunity to try the unusual Hungarian Wines Treatment.

Some of the massages are aromatic and help you relax both physically and psychologically, making you feel and sleep better. Others, with the addition of herbal oils, can relieve pain of various kinds. Some will help to rejuvenate the skin, improve blood circulation, relax the muscles and increase your overall quality of health.

Among the many other services available are pedicure, aquafitness and even a spa tour.

WHAT CAN IT HEAL

Many visitors to Széchenyi Spa seek medical for an assortment of health conditions. The thermal water is recommended for several health problems: degenerative joint conditions, chronic and sub-acute arthritis and orthopaedic and post-accident complaints.

Drinking diets are recommended for chronic gastric catarrh, gastric ulcer, intestinal catarrh and overproduction of gastric acid as well as certain illnesses of the gall-bladder and biliary duct.

They are also recommended for urinary problems like chronic inflammation of the renal pelvis and the urinary tract and certain forms of kidney stones.

Cures are also offered for chronic catarrh of the respiratory system and metabolism issues linked to gout.

MEDICAL SERVICES

The spa is well equipped for a range of medical services that include drink therapy, balneotherapy, private tub-bath, mud treatment, weight bath, carbon-dioxide bath, medical massage, underwater jet massage, underwater curative gymnastics and complex balneotherapy treatment. Some of them are available only on medical prescription.

OTHER SERVICES

Other facilities for health and fun are gymnastics and aquafitness, Thai massage, sports and spine manual therapy and natural medicine.

If you want to really spoil yourself, do not miss the opportunity to spend time in the Palm House on the top floor behind the dome. Its rich foliage and peaceful atmosphere make it a unique spot in the busy city, a place to relax during the day, and an event venue at night. You can enjoy the fantastic view of the city from the terraces.

If you are really fond of extraordinary things, you will certainly dip in the wooden tubs of the Beer Spa, filled with bubbling mineral water and extract of beer.

If you are planning a wedding party, a company event or a cocktail party, look no further than the magnificent renaissance Marble room, available for hire for events of up to 150 or 200. It may be hired for any time of the day, and the event may optionally include use of the spa.

GOOD TO KNOW

The Spa is open seven days a week from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Suggested length stay is 2–3 hours.

There is some more luxury you can reward yourself with. If you want to skip queuing in long lines to enter the spa, you can book your Private Entrance to Széchenyi Spa with Optional Massage, Budapest Széchenyi Spa Entrance with VIP Massage or Széchenyi Spa Visit with Hotel Pickup.

If you are a party type, check out the Sparty nights, when the pool becomes a club with colourful lights, a DJ and bars.

TRIVIA

Local people like to play chess on a waterproof chessboard while soaking in the hot spa water.

CONCLUSION

If you are unsure which Budapest thermal baths to choose, you won’t go far wrong if you begin with Széchenyi Spa. It can be a romantic getaway. You can get a lesson in history and architecture, a fitness class, medical treatment and meditation session.