Király Baths, Budapest

Király Baths (Király Gyógyfürdő) or the Royal Bathhouse (if to translate from Hungarian) is the oldest in Budapest. It is simple and, at first glance, unremarkable. But at the same time beautiful, quiet and cozy in its own way. There will not be huge crowds of visitors. This is a kingdom of intimacy and peace.

History of Király Baths

The Baths were built in the 16th century by the Turks. Its creation was started by Ottoman Pasha Arslan of the city Buda, presumably in 1565. It was brought to the end by his son and heir, Sokollu Mustafa. The building was created near the city walls so that the defenders could bathe next to the object on which they served. There were no existing thermal springs at that place, therefore, water was being supplied from the Lukács Thermal Bath. The domination of the Turks took place, and the bath began to periodically change the owners, bringing them a decent income. In 1796, it became the property of the König family, which carried out the first restoration. Because of the family name the bath began to be called the Royal one.

In 1827, as part of the restoration, an extension was made. In 1888 and 1930, the owners of the Baths changed again, and they improved them once again. During the Second World War, the bathhouse was badly damaged, and in 1950 it underwent a great restoration. Often its leaders were doctors who attached great importance to the creation of favorable medical procedures and their development. Now the bathhouse is owned by the shareholders, who take care of many thermal springs in Budapest.

Features of the Baths and services

The bathhouse consists of two parts.

• The first is a typical building for Turkish baths with mushroom-shaped domes.
• The second is made in the more traditional for the European style of classicism.

Inside it is quite small, it is a kingdom of semi-darkness. The rays of light penetrate through the holes in the roof of the Baths. Since it is modest and quiet here, as well as prices are rather low, pensioners often come here, there are very few young people.

About water

The water is similar in composition to the Lukács Thermal Bath, and has many minerals. Among them, sulfur, sodium, calcium, magnesium and fluorine. In connection with the rather aggressive elements, visits are prohibited for children under 14.

Water in the Royal Bath is well suited for the treatment of joint diseases, neuralgia, hernia and post-traumatic syndrome. It is also used as a drink in gastric diseases. All therapy is carried out only according to the prescription of the doctor.

Swimming pools

All swimming pool pools are covered, three medicinal (temperature 32-40 degrees) and one immersion swimming pool (26 degrees). Their total area is 92 square meters.

There is also a sauna, a thermal bath, a Jacuzzi and an outdoor solarium. Among the services of the bath there are therapeutic massage, hydrotherapy and therapeutic baths.

Since 2012 Baths are not divided into male and female. Therefore, visitors should be in swimsuits or swimming trunks. You also need to have slippers, a towel and a hat (you can rent it all).

How to get there

The Király Baths are located in the Buda area, slightly to the South of Margaret Bridge and Margaret Island, practically on the banks of the Danube. The address of the bathhouse: Fő utca, 84. It will not be difficult to get here, with different modes of transport:

• Metro, branch M2. Go out to Batthyány tér. The commuter train of the H5 route also stops.
• Bus routes 109 (stop Bem József tér), 11, 111 (stop Horvát utca).
• Tram routes 19, 41, go to Bem József tér.

Opening hours: from 9:00 to 21:00, every day. The ticket office closes at 20:00. Phone number (+36) 12023688.

Entry: the ticket price depends on the time of day and the place of changing. A morning ticket with a locker – 2500 Hungarian forints, with a booth – 2800 forints (of this price 1100 forints – a deposit that will be returned after a visit). The day ticket costs 2500 forints (locker) and 2800 (booth). For students – 1900 and 2200 forints, for pensioners – 1500 and 1800 forints, respectively. For the other services the payment is separate. Data of February 2018.