Budapest's Summer Spa Experience 🪼

On my second visit to Budapest, I finally got to experience the city's famous spas! It turns out that Budapest's spa culture dates back to the Roman times, and it's one of the cities with the most thermal springs in the world. Although I initially thought it might be odd to soak in hot springs during the summer, the experience was incredibly relaxing! My whole body felt rejuvenated, and my circulation improved—it was truly beneficial for my health. 😌 Budapest is home to numerous spas, each with its own unique charm. After doing some research, I decided to visit the Rudas Spa. This historic Turkish bath was built in the 16th century. We opted for the all-day pass, which cost 180 RMB per person and allowed us to stay for the entire day. 🌴 The most iconic feature of Rudas is the rooftop open-air thermal pool. You can soak in the warm waters while enjoying stunning views of Budapest, especially the beautiful Danube River. The spa closes at 8 p.m., and if you visit during the winter, the early sunset means you can capture breathtaking nightscapes as early as 6 p.m.! 🌅 We arrived around 2 p.m. and stayed until about 7 p.m. There are two types of tickets: regular and cabin. The regular ticket means sharing the changing rooms and lockers with others, while the cabin ticket gives you access to a private room for changing and storing your belongings. Each visitor is given a wristband that you need to swipe to access certain areas. The spa is divided into six main areas: 1️⃣ Turkish Bath Area: The opening hours for men and women vary daily, so it's best to check the official website. On Tuesday, it was open only to women. Many locals soaked without swimsuits, and phones were not allowed inside (they are permitted in other areas). The area has a strong historical atmosphere, with a central dome featuring colorful glass shards that sparkle in the sunlight. The dim lighting adds to the ambiance. There's a large warm pool in the center, surrounded by four smaller pools with varying temperatures, ranging from 16°C to 42°C. Alternating between hot and cold pools is incredibly refreshing and offers therapeutic benefits. There's also a sauna area, and I loved the herbal aromas. After a steam, you can douse yourself with a bucket of ice-cold water—it's invigorating! 🌿 2️⃣ Herbal Bath Area: The herbal pools are rich in minerals and are said to be particularly effective for joint pain. My mom often suffers from knee pain, and after an afternoon of soaking, she felt much better! 🌿 3️⃣ Swimming Pool Area: The swimming pool is located in a beautiful, spacious room with six lanes. Although it's not very large, it's perfect for a few laps. Later in the day, it got a bit crowded, but it was still enjoyable. 🏊‍♀️ 4️⃣ Sauna and Steam Room Area: Located near the swimming pool, this area offers both dry and wet saunas, with rooms at different temperatures to suit your preference. 🌬️ 5️⃣ Spa and Massage Area: This section offers a variety of massage and beauty treatments to help you unwind and pamper yourself. 🧘‍♀️ 6️⃣ Rooftop Open-Air Thermal Pool: This is the open-air pool I mentioned earlier. Although we got quite sunburned in the afternoon sun, soaking in the water while enjoying the view was incredibly relaxing! 🌤️ Overall, Budapest's spas are truly worth experiencing. Most of these thermal baths are located in the city center, making it super convenient to take a break from sightseeing and indulge in a relaxing soak. 🌺 #BudapestTravel #HiddenGemsInBigCities #AffordableAndFunCountries