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Spa and Water Fun
One of the very special things about Budapest is the prevalence of thermal springs right in the centre of the city. There are 118 springs and boreholes altogether, supplying the city’s spas and baths with 15.4 million gallons of water daily ranging in temperature from 21 to 78°C (70 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit).
HISTORY
One of the reasons the Romans first colonized the area immediately to the west of the River Danube and established their regional capital at Aquincum (now part of Óbuda, in northern Budapest) is so that they could utilize and enjoy the thermal springs. There are still ruins visible today of the enormous baths that were built during that period. The new baths that were constructed during the Turkish period (1541-1686) served both bathing and medicinal purposes, and some of these are happily still in use to this day. Budapest really gained its reputation as a city of spas in the 1920’s, following the first realization of the economic potential of the thermal waters in drawing in visitors. Indeed in 1934 Budapest was officially ranked as a “City of Spas.” Today, the baths are mostly frequented by the older generation, as, with the exception of the “Magic Bath” water discos, young people tend to prefer the lidos which are open in the summer.
MEDICINAL BATHS
The Gellért Baths and Hotel were built in 1918, although there had once been Turkish baths on the site, and in the Middle Ages a hospital. In 1927 the Baths were extended to include the wave pool, and the effervescent bath was added in 1934. With its immaculately preserved Art Nouveau interior, including colourful mosaics, marble columns, stained glass windows and statues, this is without doubt the most beautiful bathing complex in Budapest. 
Water temperatures: 79-100°F (26-38°C). Pools: open air wave pool, thermal pool and children’s pool, indoor swimming-effervescent pool and nine medicinal pools. 
Water mineral content: thermal water containing nitrates, calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonates and sulphate-chlorides, as well as fluoride ions in significant quantities.
Therapeutic proposals: degenerative illnesses of joints, illnesses of the vertebral spine, chronic and semi-acute arthritis, pains of the intervertebral disc, neuralgia, aortic stenosis, blood circulation problems, in the Inhalatorium: treatment of asthmatic, chronic bronchitic complaints
Opening times: Monday-Friday 6:00-19:00, Saturday-Sunday 6:00-17:00
(last admission 1 hour before closing)
Tickets: 2800 HUF/adult
The Széchenyi Baths are one of the largest bathing complexes in all Europe, and the only “old” medicinal baths to be found in the Pest side of the city. The indoor medicinal baths date from 1913 and the outdoor pools from 1927. There is an atmosphere of grandeur about the whole place with the bright, largest pools resembling aspects associated with Roman baths, the smaller bath tubs reminding one of the bathing cultures of the Greeks, and the saunas and diving pools borrowed from traditions emanating in northern Europe. The three outdoor pools (one of which is a fun pool) are open all year, including winter. Indoors there are over ten separate pools, and a whole host of medical treatments is also available. The thermal water is drawn from both natural springs and a 3,000-foot deep artesian well drilled in the 1870’s (the temperature of the water coming from this well is 165°F (74°C)). If you have seen winter pictures of men playing chess in an outdoor pool while the steam rises around them, then this is where they were taken. 
Water temperatures: 68-100°F (20-38°C). Pools: outdoor swimming pool, fun pool and thermal pool, twelve indoor thermal pools. Water mineral content: thermal water containing nitrates, calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonates and sulphate-chlorides, as well as fluoride ions and metaboric acid in significant quantities.
Therapeutic proposals: degenerative illnesses of joints, chronic and semi-acute arthritis, orthopaedic and post-injury alterior treatments
In the form of a drinking cure: chronic gastric catarrh, gastric ulcer, intestinal catarrh, overproduction of gastric acid, chronic inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney and of the urine paths, certain forms of renal stone illnesses, chronic catarrh of the inhaling organs, prevention and healing of states of the bone system accompanied by a calcium deficiency, influencing disturbances of metabolism linked to gout in case of certain illnesses of the gall-bladder and the gall paths, for enhancing gall-discharge
Opening times: 6:00-22:00
(last admission 1 hour before closing)
Tickets: 2400 HUF/adult
The Lukács Baths are also in Buda and are also Turkish in origin, although they were only revived at the end of the 19th century. This was also when the spa and treatment centre were founded. Happily, there is still something of an atmosphere of fin-de-siècle about the place, and all around the inner courtyard there are marble tablets recalling the thanks of patrons who were cured there. Since the 1950’s it has been regarded as a centre for intellectuals and artists. 
Water temperatures: 72-104°F (22-40°C). Pools: two outdoor swimming pools, fun pool, five indoor thermal pools. 
Water mineral content: thermal water containing nitrates, calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonates and sulphate-chlorides, as well as fluoride ions in significant quantities.
Therapeutic proposals: degenerative illnesses of the joints, chronic and semi-acute arthritis, deformations of the vertebral spine, dislocation of the inter-vertebral discs, healing of neuralgia, calcium deficiency of the bone system, cases of post-injury treatment
Opening times: Monday-Friday 6:00-19:00, Saturday-Sunday 6:00-17:00
(last admission 1 hour before closing)
Tickets: 1700 HUF/adult
OTHER FAMOUS SPAS
Construction of the Király Baths started in 1565, and most of the present-day building dates from the Turkish period, including most notably the fine cupola-topped pool. In 1796 they were bought, renovated and extended by a family called König. König is the German word meaning “king,” and it is the Hungarian word Király with the same meaning that the Baths are known by today. Altogether there are four pools, the medicinal water for which is pumped in from the nearby Lukács Baths. 
Water temperatures: 79, 90, 99, 104 °F (26, 32, 36, 40ºC). Water mineral content: thermal water containing nitrates, calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonates and sulphate-chlorides, as well as fluoride ions in significant quantities.
Therapeutic proposals: degenerative illnesses of the joints, chronic and semi-acute arthritis, deformations of the vertebral spine, dislocation of the inter-vertebral discs, healing of neuralgia, calcium deficiency of the bone system, cases of post-injury treatment
Opening times:
men only: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 9:00-20:00
women only: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:00-18:00
(last admission 1 hour before closing)
Tickets: 1300 HUF/adult
The Rudas Baths are not only superbly centrally placed – in the narrow strip of land between Gellért Hill and the River Danube – they are also an outstanding example of architecture dating from the Turkish period. The central feature is an octagonal pool over which light is thrown from a 30-foot diameter cupola, supported by eight pillars. 
Water temperatures: 61-108°F (16-42°C). Pools: swimming pool and six further medicinal pools. Water mineral content: slightly radioactive thermal water containing nitrates, sulphates and calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonates, as well as fluoride ions in significant quantities. Water temperatures in the medicinal baths: 61, 82, 86, 91, 99, 108 °F (16, 28, 30, 33, 36, 42 °C). Water temperature in the swimming pool: 84°F (29 °C). Water mineral content: slightly radioactive thermal water containing nitrates, sulphates and calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonates, as well as fluoride ions in significant quantities.
Therapeutic proposals: degenerative illnesses of joints, chronical and semi-acute arthritis cases protruded intervertebral disc, neuralgia, states of calcium deficiency of the bone system
Opening times: Monday-Friday 6:00-20:00, Saturday-Sunday 6:00-13:00
(last admission 1 hour before closing)
Tickets: 1200 HUF/adult, 1000 HUF/child
Thermal Hotels
Nowadays virtually every four-star hotel or higher comes complete with its own array of health and fitness services, and many of these are genuinely spas in their own right, that is to say the internationally-known services they provide are based first and foremost on the proven medicinal properties of the mineral water to be found there. The atmosphere is conducive to effective treatment, and qualified medical assistance is always at hand.
MARGARET ISLAND
Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget****
Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget ****
PEST
Danubius Health Spa Resort Hotel Helia ****
BUDA
Danubius Hotel Gellert Budapest ****
Ramada Plaza Budapest*****
NEAR BUDAPEST
Thermal Hotel Visegrad**** - Visegrad
Polus Palace Thermal Golf Club Hotel***** - God
Wellness hotels
Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal Budapest *****
New York Palace Boscolo Hotel *****
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace *****
Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest *****
Ramada Resort Aquaworld Budapest****
One of the biggest indoor water theme parks in Europe offers unforgettable entertainment to visitors of every age throughout the year. The adventure centre is covered by a giant dome, 5-storey high and of a diameter of 72 m. The monumental replica Angkor temple surrounded by suspension bridges, towers and pools is a breath-taking sight. The world of the “serene statues” is a perfect counterpoint to the use of the most modern architectural and technical solutions, in line with the Aquaworld conception, to create a modern shrine of aquatic culture offering complex adventures to visitors.
AQUAWOLRD
15 of the 17 pools of this unique water complex are open in every season. The huge adventure pool pampers visitors with lying and sitting massage, neck shower, a mountain river and much more. The indoor pool is connected to a heated outdoor pool open throughout the year. The wave pool and the surf pool, unique in Hungary, evoke the atmosphere of seaside holidays. The surf pool is big enough for competitions and it can be used with special boards developed for indoor use as well as with own boards.
There is a 25 m swimming pool and a 3 m diving tower designed for the sporty ones. The indoor kids’ pool has sectors of different depths and its many surprise attractions, including kids’ slides, will certainly fascinate the youngest.
In the indoor adventure pool, 11 slides of a total length of almost 1 km guarantee adventure and entertainment throughout the year. The slide tower next to the dome, the entry point of 6 giant slides, is accessible by glass lift or stairs. The bravest can take a breathtaking ride from as high as 17 m. There is also a wideslide big enough to accommodate three slides side by side; an onion slide offering a shorter but all the more intensive experience, and a 180 m mountain river flanked with steep rocks, designed expressly for the most adventuresome.
SAUNA WORLD
The absolutely harmonious design of Sauna World, in the area underneath the mountain river, reflects a relaxing oriental atmosphere, and it has a capacity of 200. Aromatic infusions in the room-temperature tepidarium (hot bath) with heated beds or in the steam and aroma cabins are a treat to the senses and have a cleaning and healingeffect on the entire body.
Opening hours: 6:00-21:30
Tickets:
Aquaworld: Monday-Friday 2500 HUF/adult/2 hours, 1500 HUF/child/2 hours, 4900 HUF/adult/day, 2900 HUF/adult/day, Saturday-Sunday 2900 HUF/adult/2 hours, 1700 HUF/child/2 hours, 5600 HUF/adult/day, 3200 HUF/adult/day,
Sauna World: 400 HUF/person
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