Rudas Baths, Budapest
Rudas Baths in Budapest refers to the period of the Ottoman rule. Since that time the baths have been rebuilt many times, but, still, the color and uniqueness have been preserved. Similarities with the Turkish bath can be traced by a traditional dome located above the hall with an octagonal pool in the middle. The therapeutic baths and the Rudas pool receive mineral water from three sources. It contains bicarbonate of calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulfates, as well as fluorine ions. This water is recommended for those who have problems with the musculoskeletal system (joint disease, neuralgia, lack of calcium, problems with the spinal discs).
There are also pump rooms with healing water in Rudas. Drinking mineral water is suitable for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, respiratory tract, gout. Of course, before treatment you need a doctor's consultation.
History of the Thermal Bath
The Rudas Thermal Bath was built during the Pasha Mustafa’s time in the middle of the 16th century, although there are suggestions that there were baths on this site earlier. Luxury baths have become a favorite vacation spot for nobles. In the following centuries, the construction was rebuilt many times, but now, Turkish motifs can be traced in it.
At the end of the 20th century the baths were expanded by building a room with a swimming pool and baths.
Until recently, according to the eastern tradition only men were allowed here. For women, the entrance was closed. This situation changed after the next repair work on the Bath house in 2005.
Now there are men's (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday), women's (Tuesday) and mixed (Saturday, Sunday) days.
Services and swimming pools of Rudas Thermal Bath
Services:
- bathing in thermal pools;
- swimming in the swimming pool;
- medical baths;
- pump room;
- various types of massage;
- bath and steam room;
- solarium;
- cosmetic services;
- restaurant and buffet;
- shop.
Despite a wide range of services, the main attractions are swimming pools. In each of them there is a strictly set water temperature. Visiting Rudas Thermal Bath, you can use these pools:
Thermal pools:
- pool 1 (temperature 16 ° C, 4.5 square meters),
- pool 2 (temperature 28 ° C, 9 square meters),
- pool 3 (temperature 30 ° C, 9 square meters),
- pool 4 (temperature 33 ° C, 9 square meters),
- pool 5 (temperature 36 ° C, 96.5 square meters),
- pool 6 (temperature 42 ° C, 9 square meters).
Swimming pool (temperature 29 ° C, 278 square meters).
Therapeutic pools:
- a swimming pool on the roof (temperature 36 ° C, 26.4 square meters),
- pool with Juventus water (temperature 42 ° C, 10.6 square meters),
- swimming pool for diving (temperature 11 ° C, 5.7 square meters),
- pool with warm water 1 (temperature 32 ° C, 42 square meters),
- pool with warm water 2 (temperature 36 ° C, 34 square meters).
How to get there
The Rudas Bath in Budapest is located on the Danube embankment (on the Buda side) near the Elisabeth bridge. Near the building there are buses № 7, 907, 973 (Rudas Gyógyfürdő stop) and trams № 19, 41, 56, 56A (Rudas Gyógyfürdő stop). If you prefer to use metro, then in a 15-minute walk there is the Szent Gellért station.
Opening hours:
- Swimming pool: 6:00–22:00.
- Spa and sauna: 8:00–22:00.
- Medical bath: 6:00–20:00.
- Night swimming: from Friday to Saturday from 22:00 to 04:00 (mixed bathing).
- Women's day: Tuesday.
- Men's days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
- Mixed days: Saturday, Sunday.
Cost:
- 3500 forints (a day ticket to the thermal pools with a changing room), at the weekend – 4000 forints (in addition to swimming pools, steam chambers and a Finnish sauna). For other services there is additional fee.
- 4200 forints – combined ticket (thermal and swimming pools), at the weekend – 4700 forints.
- 5100 forints – night ticket. Data on April 2018.
