Széchenyi Thermal Bath

The civil engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy got the ball rolling by commissioning the first deep drilling, which was supposed to bring the thermal water to the surface. The first provisional bath was therefore established as early as 1881. However, between 1909 and 1913, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath was completely rebuilt to meet the requirements of the time. In the past, it was common for men and women to bathe in separate areas, but today the bathing is mixed.

The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is an architectural masterpiece in the Neo-baroque style, which was designed by Győző Czigler. The imposing and majestic bath impresses not only in the interior but also with its splendid facade. After its construction, the bath was renovated several times and expanded with new features including a whirlpool corridor, underwater bubblers, and seating benches.

The 18 pools have different temperatures, ranging from pleasantly warm to hot water of up to 40 °C (104°F). The thermal water originates from the St. Stephen's Fountain, which has a temperature of 76 °C (168.8 F). It is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, sodium, sulfate, fluoride, and boric acid and is therefore primarily used as a complementary therapy for conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, skin diseases, or respiratory diseases.

Both in summer and winter, the outdoor area with three pools invites visitors to linger. Especially in winter, the outdoor swimming areas are a spectacle when the warm water begins to steam due to the temperature difference. The largest outdoor pool is intended for swimmers, while in the warmest pool, you can observe locals playing a game of chess.

As I still had to work from our Airbnb for half a day, we didn't set off until lunchtime. But half a day is enough to see and enjoy everything. Public transport is a great way to get from the city center to the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. The subway will take you directly to your spa day. But be careful: if you have to change between two different means of public transport, you will also need two public transport tickets. So it's best to buy 10 tickets at once to be on the safe side. We were checked again and again during our journey. After a short walk, we reached the largest thermal baths in Europe - in this time-honored style - and it is already very impressive from the outside. As we went to Budapest spontaneously, we didn't book tickets in advance and therefore had to queue for a few minutes.

Mission 1: Get slippers for my boyfriend. Luckily, this was easy to do, as you can find all the essentials for your spa day in the spa store.

Mission 2: We have to go to EVERY SINGLE POOL! So first the pleasure, then the relaxation, or at the same time. There are shelves all over the bathroom, similar to the Kallax shelves from Ikea, where you can store your towel and other bathing essentials. The pools inside are divided into different rooms and areas, and I can proudly say that we accomplished our mission, even if some of the pools were quite hot. After exploring the inside, we head out onto the outdoor loungers to relax. We get some ice cream there and, when the rain starts, simply sit down in the warm pool.

Already refreshed and softened, we both treat ourselves to a massage. They are a lot cheaper in Hungary than in Austria. At the massage rooms, we also find a relaxation room that we probably wouldn't have discovered otherwise. The massage rooms are all on the 2nd floor of the building, from where we have a wonderful view of the baths and take a few photos. Despite the first strange feeling in the one-size-fits-all underpants, I can still enjoy the massage. Relaxed and freshly kneaded, I wait for my boyfriend in the relaxation area. We then enjoy it together until our stomachs growl.

It's hard to say goodbye, but the feeling of hunger is greater. We leave the Széchenyi spa for a snack, although there is something to eat here too. However, I had already discovered a Langós stall on arrival, which I was determined to visit. Relaxed, very clean, thoroughly kneaded and still a little soggy, we leave the largest and, in my opinion, most beautiful spa in Europe and get a langós with cream and cheese.

A tip for the way back to the city: the walk from here to Heroes' Square (Hosök Tere) is short and leads you through a nice park. When you're already here, you should definitely tick this sight off your list. Back in the city center, Ghettó Gulyás is one of the best-known restaurants for the popular national dish - but we recommend Kazimir. Thank me later!