{"id":6892,"date":"2020-12-01T15:15:25","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T15:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/gellert-baths-budapest\/"},"modified":"2024-04-26T08:31:20","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T08:31:20","slug":"gellert-baths-budapest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/gellert-baths-budapest\/","title":{"rendered":"The Gell\u00e9rt Baths In Budapest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Located in the former municipality of Buda, the Gell\u00e9rt Baths rank very high on the list of the best bath complexes in Budapest.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guide! \ud83d\udc59<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f: The Gell\u00e9rt Baths’ popularity often leads to lengthy queues,<\/strong> particularly during the high season. To save time, it’s advisable to book your visit in advance: Tickets for The Gell\u00e9rt Baths<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\ud83d\udca1 The Captain\u2019s tip<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\uddd0 Want to know more about the history of Budapest?<\/strong> Captain Ulysses highly recommends this free guided tour of the city<\/a><\/mark>. It\u2019s up to you to choose how much you wish to tip the tour guide!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca4 Are you looking for a hotel in Budapest?<\/strong> Be sure to check out the Captain’s article: Where to stay in Budapest? Advice & recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfdb Planning your trip to Budapest?<\/strong> Take a look the Captain’s detailed article on the best things to do: A Guide to Budapest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc76 Planning a family adventure to Budapest?<\/strong> Discover all of the Captain\u2019s top tips in the article: Exploring Budapest with the Kids: Family-Friendly Activities<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Brief history of the Gell\u00e9rt Baths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Budapest, an ancient thermal town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Gell\u00e9rt Baths ( Gell\u00e9rt gy\u00f3gyf\u00fcrd\u0151<\/em> in Hungarian) are undoubtedly one of the most famous spa complexes in Budapest (along with, of course, the iconic Sz\u00e9chenyi thermal bath<\/a>), but the Hungarian capital has many more. Why this craze for thermal baths in the Hungarian capital?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is simple: the city once was under Roman rule, and then, much later, under Ottoman rule. And what do these two cultures have in common? Their love for the thermal baths! The Romans and later the Ottomans discovered thermal springs in the Hungarian capital: a godsend!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although they left Budapest many moons ago, the tradition of thermal baths has remained and become deeply rooted in Hungarian culture!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gell\u00e9rt Baths stand as one of Budapest’s most iconic thermal complexes nowadays. If you’re looking to indulge in a little relaxation, it’s best to book your tickets ahead of time<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the Gell\u00e9rt Baths in all of this?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Part of the famous Hotel Gell\u00e9rt, located at the foot of Gell\u00e9rt hill ( Gell\u00e9rt-hegy<\/em> ), the Gell\u00e9rt Baths were founded in 1918. Designed in the Secession style (a trend of Art Nouveau), they are not, however, the first spa complex ever to be built on this site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal springs were discovered on the current location of the baths as early as the 13 th<\/sup> century. Later in the Middle Ages, a hospital was built on the springs so that patients could benefit from their medicinal properties. Under the Ottoman Empire, thermal baths were built in place of the hospital, but were destroyed at the end of the 19 th<\/sup> to make room for the Liberty Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entrusted to Hungarian architects \u00c1rmin Heged\u0171s, Art\u00far Sebesty\u00e9n and Izidor Sterk, the construction of the Gell\u00e9rt Baths began in 1912. The baths were inaugurated 6 years later, in 1918. The Gell\u00e9rt Baths were later expanded in 1927 and 1934 with an artificial wave pool and a whirlpool, but were partly destroyed during the Second World War.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renovated after the war, the baths were closed again in 2008 to be fully refurbished. As of 2013, all the complex’s pools are open to both men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2695\ufe0f Gell\u00e9rt Baths: waters with therapeutic virtues?<\/strong> \u2695\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Once in the baths, it’s impossible not to notice the smell of sulfur in the air!
The water of the Gell\u00e9rt Baths indeed contains calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbonate, alkalis, chloride, sulphate and fluoride. It is said to have many therapeutic virtues: relieving joint pain, as well as back pain, circulatory disorders or asthma.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"Gell\u00e9rt<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the Gell\u00e9rt Baths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Located at the foot of Gell\u00e9rt Hill, in the former municipality of Buda, the Gell\u00e9rt Baths are worth a visit for their impressive Art Nouveau architecture… as well as to enjoy a moment of relaxation in the beautiful thermal pools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Architecture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wonderfully well preserved, the Gell\u00e9rt Baths are a very fine example of \u201cSecession\u201d style architecture, combining Art Nouveau aesthetics and oriental inspirations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main hall, richly decorated with mosaics and crowned with a glass roof, is particularly stunning. The swimming pool, lined with pink columns and topped by a glass roof is also absolutely gorgeous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pools of the spa complex are covered with ceramics from the famous Hungarian Zsolnay factory. For the record, it the very same factory that made the colored tiles covering the roof of the Great Market Hall<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gell\u00e9rt<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Swimming and relaxation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let us not forget that the Gell\u00e9rt Baths are above all a thermal bath complex. So just relax and enjoy a nice swim!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bath complex includes 13 indoor and outdoor pools. The water temperature fluctuates between 26 \u00b0C \/ 78.8 \u00b0F and 38 \u00b0C \/ 100.4\u00b0F.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thermal baths also have a Finnish sauna, steam cabins and a naturist solarium for women and families. They also offer a wide selection of treatments and massages: pedicures, wine therapy, chocolate treatments, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u26a0\ufe0f Please note:<\/em><\/strong> the wave pool is only open on sunny days, from May 1st<\/sup> to September 30th.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gell\u00e9rt<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Access<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting to the Gell\u00e9rt Baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Gell\u00e9rt Baths are located in the former municipality of Buda, on the right bank of the Danube, opposite the Liberty Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nearest public transports are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n