Unwind in style at Gellért Thermal Bath.
Heads up: Gellért Baths is closed for renovations
Budapest’s legendary Gellért Thermal Bath closed on October 1, 2025, for renovations, with a planned reopening in 2028. In the meantime, explore the Best Thermal Baths in Budapest!
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Tickets and Prices
You can choose from a range of tickets to suit your style and convenience at Gellért Baths:
Please note the Gellért Bath is for guests 14 and older. Tickets are valid for the selected day only with no changes or refunds. But if online tickets sell out, you can still grab them at the counter.
Plan Your Visit
Gellért Thermal Bath is open daily, with shorter hours on special days.
| Area | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Gellért Thermal Bath | 9:00 – 19:00 |
| Pool Area | 9:00 – 18:40 |
| Saunas & Steam Chambers | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Cash Desks / Ticket Office | 9:00 – 18:00 |
Expect more people and higher prices in summer (June to August). Winter months (November to February) offer a quieter, budget-friendly experience, though the outdoor pools can be chilly.
Tip:
For a more peaceful soak with fewer crowds, visit on a weekday morning or late afternoon. Weekends get busy, especially around midday, so plan accordingly.
Getting to Gellért Thermal Bath is easy. The main entrance is located on Királyok útja 20, marked by the iconic Art Nouveau façade.
Gellért Bath is wheelchair-friendly in the indoor areas, including the thermal pools, saunas, swimming pool, and small jacuzzi. Lifts provide easy access on both sides, and hoists are available in the women’s 38°C thermal pool and the large jacuzzi, though the outdoor pools are not accessible.
When visiting Gellert Thermal Bath, here’s what to wear and bring to stay comfortable and follow the rules:
- Swimwear is mandatory for all guests in pools, saunas, steam rooms, and during massages. Women can wear bikinis, tankinis, one-piece suits, burkinis, or long-sleeve/leg swimwear made from quick-dry fabric. Men can wear Speedos, swim trunks, or wetsuit-style tops.
- Guests require swim caps in the main swimming pool, but they’re optional in thermal pools. You can purchase a cap at the on-site shop.
- Wearing slippers (including flip-flops or slides) is obligatory.
- Bring your own towel, or rent one.
- Always shower thoroughly before entering any pool or thermal bath.
- Respect fellow guests by keeping the noise down and not bringing in food or glass.
What to See & Do
Gellért Thermal Bath offers a full day of relaxation and discovery, where you can soak in thermal pools, swim, steam, indulge in spa treatments, and enjoy on-site dining.
Thermal Pools
Soak in eight luxurious thermal pools, each with a different temperature and mineral-rich waters designed to relax muscles and rejuvenate the body. Float under stunning mosaic ceilings, stained-glass windows, and elegant Art Nouveau columns.
Tip: Move between the hot 38°C pools, cooler jacuzzi-style baths, and wave pools to find your perfect soak.
Swimming Pool
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Fun fact: Swim caps are required in the main pool but not in the thermal baths.
Saunas and Steam Rooms
Unwind in a variety of saunas and steam rooms, including several interconnected saunas with varying heat levels. From mild warm-up spaces to intense therapeutic heat, there’s even a Finnish-style sauna reaching 80–90°C. Each room offers a different experience to help detox and refresh your body.
Tip: Alternate between hot and cold areas to boost circulation and enjoy a true spa ritual.
Spa Treatments
Treat yourself to signature aromatherapy or refreshing massages to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation, mineral-rich mud wraps, and beauty treatments in private or semi-private areas.
Fun fact: Many therapies incorporate Gellért’s natural thermal waters to enhance relaxation and healing.
On-site Facilities
Recharge at the café or restaurant, where you can enjoy Hungarian specialties like goulash, pastries, and coffee, along with light snacks and refreshing drinks. Comfortable lounge areas let you rest between swims or after a sauna session.
Tip: Bring a second towel to dry off before relaxing or dining.
Did You Know That? Facts
- Opened in 1918, the baths use mineral-rich waters long believed to aid joints, muscles, and circulation.
- The baths are famous in more ways than one, featuring in movies like I Spy (2002) and K-12 (2019).
- One of Europe’s first artificial wave pools, introduced in 1927, adds a playful twist to thermal bathing.
- Stunning Art Nouveau mosaics, stained-glass windows, and ornate columns make it a visual treat.
- Originally called Sárosfürdő (“mud bath”), the site has evolved from a medieval spa to a modern wellness haven.
Insider Tips
History
15th century
The first records mention the site’s “miraculous” hot springs, already renowned for their healing powers.
16th century
The Turks use the springs extensively, preferring them to other Buda baths for their larger, hotter waters.
17th century
The site becomes known as Sárosfürdő (“Mud Bath”) because of the fine mineral silt settling at the bottom of the pools.
1894
Construction begins on Liberty Bridge, improving access and boosting interest in the natural springs.
1912 – 1918
The Gellért Hotel and Bath complex is built in Art Nouveau style and officially opens in 1918.
1927
A wave pool is added, one of the first of its kind in Europe.
1934
An effervescent bath is introduced, cementing Gellért’s reputation as a luxury spa destination.
1945 – 1946
The baths suffer damage during World War II and are later restored to their former elegance.
2008
Major renovations modernize facilities while preserving the original architecture.
2025
The bath closes for extensive restoration, reopening in 2028.
FAQs
How long should I spend at Gellért Baths?
Set aside three to four hours to truly relax, explore every pool, and soak in the Art Nouveau beauty. If short on time, two hours is enough for a dip and a steam, while one hour covers the highlights.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, pre-booking online is the best way to skip the queues and guarantee entry, especially during weekends and holidays.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear, flip-flops, a towel, and a swim cap if you plan to use the main pool to save money on rentals
Are children allowed?
Kids under 14 can’t use the thermal pools.
Are the Gellért Baths open year-round?
Normally, yes, but the baths are currently closed for major renovations until 2028
Can I take photos inside?
Yes, but be respectful of others’ privacy. The Blue Room is the most popular (and photogenic) spot for pictures.
Notice:
Gellért Thermal Baths is currently closed for renovations. Information here is for reference only and will be updated when it reopens.