Gellért Thermal Bath
Gellért Gyógyfürdő
4.3 · 16800 reviews · via Google
Gellért Thermal Bath
calcium-magnesium · Central Hungary
Hotter than 78% of Hungary springs (n=18).
More acidic than 0% of Hungary springs (n=18).
Mineral profile
Bar width reflects listing order, not measured concentration.
Suitability
At a glance
Getting there
Easy — under 1km from a station
Cost
High
Crowd level
Popular
About this spring
The healing springs are loaded with calcium, magnesium, and hydrocarbonate minerals, keeping a series of ornate indoor pools beautifully heated. The facility showcases magnificent Art Nouveau architecture with intricate Zsolnay porcelain mosaics, towering marble columns, and colorful stained-glass windows overhead. It heavily suits art lovers and travelers seeking a visually striking, historical soaking environment. Visitors should note that the historic indoor pools can echo significantly and feel crowded during weekend afternoons. Bringing a personal towel and sandals is highly recommended. Swim caps are required only if you decide to enter the indoor wave and swimming pool areas.
Highlights
History
Built between 1912 and 1918 in a lavish Art Nouveau architectural style, this bath complex was constructed alongside the famous Hotel Gellert.
King Andrew II established a hospital on this site in the thirteenth century, and Ottoman Turks later favored the mud-rich waters. The wave pool was introduced in 1927, solidifying its place as a luxury destination for international travelers.
Local guide
The entrance hall alone is worth slowing down for. Marble columns rise toward a stained-glass ceiling, and the whole space has the hush of a cathedral rather than a public bath. Zsolnay porcelain tiles in deep blues and golds cover the walls of the indoor thermal pools, and the light through the glass roof shifts the colors through the day.
The main indoor thermal pools sit at a comfortable soaking temperature, and the water has a mild mineral character that is gentler than some of the sulfur-heavy baths elsewhere in the city. What sets Gellért apart is the outdoor wave pool, a genuine novelty when it opened in the 1920s and still a highlight in summer, when the machinery kicks on and turns a calm bath into something closer to a gentle sea.
Book a private cabin rather than a locker if you want somewhere to leave your things without watching them, since the main changing hall can get busy. The floor around the pools is often wet and slightly uneven in the older sections, so proper pool sandals matter more here than at newer facilities.
Visit on a weekday afternoon if the wave pool schedule interests you but you want to avoid the weekend crowds. The attached Hotel Gellért has a formal restaurant if you want to make a full afternoon of the visit, though there are simpler cafes a short walk toward the river.
Mineral chemistry
Water character inferred from mineral type — verify on site.
Calcium chloride springs share the heat-retaining property of sodium chloride springs but with a stronger warming effect. Prized for muscle and joint relief.
The strong warming effect means those with cardiovascular conditions, high blood pressure, or pregnancy should limit soak duration and consult a doctor if in doubt.
Bicarbonate springs cleanse and soften the skin surface, removing excess sebum without stripping the skin's acid mantle. Traditionally recommended for acne-prone skin and sensitive skin types.
Bicarbonate springs are generally among the most gentle and well-tolerated onsen types.
Sulfate springs contain dissolved calcium, sodium, or magnesium sulfate. Calcium sulfate springs are traditionally associated with wound healing and post-surgical recovery.
Sodium sulfate springs can have a mild laxative effect in sensitive individuals — stay well hydrated.
Similar springs
The water is rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen carbonate, surfacing at high temperatures to fill eighteen distinct indoor and outdoor pools. The facility features a spectacular Neo-Baroque yellow palace structure with large outdoor swimming areas where locals famously play chess in the steaming water. It suits travelers looking for a grand architectural experience and extensive thermal facilities. Rental towels can have long lines so bringing your own towel and flip-flops is highly recommended. Swim caps are strictly mandatory only in the outdoor fitness lap pool while the thermal pools do not require them. Expect large tourist crowds during peak afternoon hours.
The famous iodine and bromine-rich thermal water has a distinct dark brown tint and a strong salt aroma, flowing into a massive array of pools. The facility is the largest spa complex in Europe, featuring a covered Aqua-Palace adventure spa, a massive traditional open-air medicinal bath, and a giant summer water park with a Mediterranean beach layout. It suits everyone from senior citizens looking for medical mud wraps to teenagers seeking extreme water slides. Because the complex is completely massive, buying a combined ticket that covers the specific zones you want to visit is highly recommended. Expect significant walking distances between the indoor halls and outdoor pools.
The lake water is a unique biological mix of sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and mild radon minerals, constantly replenished by deep subterranean cave springs that completely refresh the lake every seventy-two hours. The facility is the largest swimmable natural thermal lake on earth, featuring a central timber bathhouse from which swimmers float out among blooming pink water lilies. It suits couples and wellness travelers looking for a unique open-air natural environment. Because the lake is exceptionally deep, renting or bringing a foam pool noodle is highly recommended for effortless floating. Children under twelve are restricted from the therapeutic water due to its powerful mineral composition.
The natural thermal water contains high levels of sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, flowing directly into a historic octagonal pool hall and modern wellness areas. The facility seamlessly blends a sixteenth-century Ottoman dome bath with a sleek modern wellness wing featuring a rooftop hot tub that overlooks the Danube River. It suits travelers looking for both historic Turkish authenticity and modern panorama views. Visitors must be aware that the historic Turkish section retains traditional single-sex days for men and women during the week while the weekend is completely coed. Swimsuits are required on coed days and a swimsuit is always mandatory in the newer rooftop wellness sections.
Amenities
Getting there
From Budapest
Gateway: Szent Gellert ter Metro Station (0 min)
M4 green metro line directly to the bath entrance
Total journey: 12 min
- From Keleti station across Freedom Bridge (Taxi) · 4.1km · 12 min
- Cross the Liberty Bridge or walk from the station exit (Walk) · 0.1km · 1 min
Take metro line M4 directly to the Szent Gellért tér station on the Buda side of the Danube.
Location & nearby
Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118
Make a day of it
Pair your soak with these nearby spots.
Attraction
Gerard of Csanad Monument
0.0km away
Park
Gelert Termal
0.1km away
Attraction
Cseh Tamas Szobor
0.1km away
Attraction
Gellérthegyi dombormü
0.1km away
Attraction
Gyerekbarát Budapest
0.2km away
Attraction
Liberation Monument at Gillert Hill, Budapest
0.2km away
More springs in Central Hungary
The water is rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrogen carbonate, surfacing at high temperatures to fill eighteen distinct indoor and outdoor pools. The facility features a spectacular Neo-Baroque yellow palace structure with large outdoor swimming areas where locals famously play chess in the steaming water. It suits travelers looking for a grand architectural experience and extensive thermal facilities. Rental towels can have long lines so bringing your own towel and flip-flops is highly recommended. Swim caps are strictly mandatory only in the outdoor fitness lap pool while the thermal pools do not require them. Expect large tourist crowds during peak afternoon hours.
The natural thermal water contains high levels of sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, flowing directly into a historic octagonal pool hall and modern wellness areas. The facility seamlessly blends a sixteenth-century Ottoman dome bath with a sleek modern wellness wing featuring a rooftop hot tub that overlooks the Danube River. It suits travelers looking for both historic Turkish authenticity and modern panorama views. Visitors must be aware that the historic Turkish section retains traditional single-sex days for men and women during the week while the weekend is completely coed. Swimsuits are required on coed days and a swimsuit is always mandatory in the newer rooftop wellness sections.
The thermal water is sourced directly from the deep boreholes of Margaret Island, containing calcium, magnesium, and low-concentration sulfur minerals across multiple thermal pools. The facility operates as a massive open-air lido and beach park during summer, featuring giant water slides, a wave pool, and indoor thermal baths that stay open all year. It suits families, lap swimmers, and active travelers looking for extensive outdoor space and casual sunbathing lawns. Visitors should prepare for massive family crowds and long food kiosk lines during warm summer weekends. Swim caps are required strictly in the designated swimming lanes while casual thermal pools are cap-free.
Common questions
What is the water temperature at Gellért Thermal Bath?▾
The water temperature at Gellért Thermal Bath ranges up to 40°C (minimum around 35°C).
Is Gellért Thermal Bath free to visit?▾
Gellért Thermal Bath charges an entrance fee in HUF.
Is Gellért Thermal Bath a public or private bath?▾
Gellért Thermal Bath is a public bathing spring.
Are tattoos allowed at Gellért Thermal Bath?▾
Yes, Gellért Thermal Bath welcomes visitors with tattoos.