As a Solo Traveler, You Must Visit the Amazing Széchenyi Bath in Budapest!
I am a sucker for hot springs and thermal baths, so when I researched Budapest, I was surprised to find that Széchenyi Bath is the biggest and most popular thermal bath in Budapest—and all of Europe, for that matter! How crazy is that??
Let me provide you with:
Some history about this bath
How much it costs
Options for what to do while here
What you will need
My overall thoughts about this place!
Széchenyi Bath History
Széchenyi Bath was discovered in the 1880s when hot springs were drilled under Heroes' Square. Artesian Bath was the less spectacular version of the modern-day Széchenyi Bath. The Széchenyi Bath was built by Győző Czigler. Because of the baths' popularity, at the end of the 1880s, the city councilors decided to build a bigger and nicer place.
Another thing to note is that a geological fault along the Danube River has created 100 hot springs. The ancient Romans were the first to make the most of Budapest's underground wealth, which helped them find another hot spring called Aquincum.
What You Need to Know
On my first full day in Budapest, I wandered over to Heroes' Square and City Park, where the bath was. I knew I wanted to do the bath on my last day since I was flying out, but I wanted to check it out to get some information.
I warn you to book everything online—your tickets, massages, everything. The place was a zoo, and asking questions of those who worked there was extremely difficult.
Luckily, I booked my tickets through "Get Your Guide," the same app I used to get my tickets for the Lake District tour!
The ticket I chose was a Full-day Pass with a Private Cabin, and the total cost of my ticket was €39. I got the Private Cabin because I was heading to the airport afterward. This ticket also includes a Palinka Tour, which is located in downtown. Palinka is a traditional fruit spirit, which I didn't bother with, but I bought one at the airport!
There are 18 pools in Széchenyi Bath, but there are two big pools outside. And a third pool is between the two; you can do laps in it!
I was a little nervous getting into the pool since I had just gotten a tattoo in London 7 days before coming to Budapest. For those who know nothing about tattoos, you should not soak in a bath for at least three weeks. I was good at not fully soaking in the bath for a while, but I decided towards the end to say “fuck it,” and I went all the way in.
I'm so glad I did.
I loved going back and forth between the two outside pools since they were two different temperatures. After dipping back and forth, I loved laying out on the deck, soaking in the sunshine. At one point, the clouds started to roll in, and I swore it was going to storm, but instead, it made the bath (which was yellow) stand out even more strongly against the dark sky. There was also a cool breeze that blew in, contrasting with the hot sun.
The nice thing is that they have a café where you can get food and drinks. Honestly, I got there around 9:30/10 a.m. and didn't leave for the airport until around 5-ish. I wish I had brought my snacks and, most importantly, a bottle of water—which you’re allowed to do. I wouldn’t have had to return to the café to get more food and water.
Besides the outdoor and indoor geothermal pools, you can book all the different massage treatments, enjoy the saunas and the gym, and even taste the natural waters that supply the pools (which I didn't do).
I decided to book a detox body ritual. I booked it because I was really feeling all the beer and heavy foods; I ate through the four countries I visited and figured my body could use some detoxification!
The Detox Massage
When it's time for your massage, someone will take you to your room. It was indeed a maze to get to the treatment room. You have to go inside and walk past the indoor pools to another area.
I stupidly thought leaving my phone in my cabin was a good idea. I wish I didn't because the room I was in for my massage was gorgeous.
When you first walk in, you have a small living room area with a blue velvet couch, a table, and a coat rack to hang your clothes on. The room is a little dark and moody, but when you walk into the massage room, it’s filled with warm light pouring in from the vast skylight above. There was also a gigantic bathtub that I didn't go into in this room.
The table was nice and warm when I laid on it.
The massage was 90 minutes long, and it started off with an invigorating scrub. Here’s what it’s like:
They rub marine ingredients on you, and then you lay there for 15-20 minutes, wrapped up in a plastic wrap and this black body suit while the ingredients stimulate your body. During this time, you will feel a slight tingling sensation.
It was so nice to lay there, feeling the sun shine on me through the skylights. I even fell asleep for a bit. I wish I could have had more of a massage since my body was pretty banged up from all my walking. And I wish I played in the tub, too! Afterward, they clean you up, and you are free to go!
I felt so relaxed. I’m unsure if I was fully detoxed, but it was a nice treatment!
Things You Need:
Water Bottle! -This is obvious, but as I mentioned above, I wish I had my own! The nice thing is that they have a place to refill your bottle.
Swimsuit -You cannot swim in the pools naked.
Towel - A compact microfiber towel is excellent for two reasons. First, they only sell big towels, and they don't rent any of them out. Second, their portability makes them great when you go from one pool to another or to take a shower/airport travel!
Flip Flops- They're essential for wandering from pool to pool in the thermal baths.
Swimming Cap- Although it's not required in thermal plunge pools, wearing a swimming cap is mandatory in large swimming pools.
Why You Should Go
After 17 days, four countries, and a few planes and trains, my body screamed for a lovely, relaxing day.
Now, you don't have to be all fancy like me and get a massage. But just hanging out in the sun for a few hours to recharge at the Széchenyi Bath is something I recommend to anyone, especially if you are wandering through Central Europe as a solo traveler. It was nice to lay out, read a book, and relax on my last day in Budapest.
As a solo traveler, what did you do to relax after days of traveling finally?