Gellert Thermal Bath

The Gellert baths opened in the 1910s over springs that had been used on this site far longer, and the building is the reason to come as much as the water. The whole complex closed to the public on 30 September 2025 for a full renovation and is expected to reopen only in 2028; what follows describes the baths as they were. The interior is full Art Nouveau: majolica tiling, mosaic floors, stained glass, carved columns and a vaulted main swimming hall under a glass roof that can be opened. Thermal pools of different temperatures sit in side rooms with mosaic surrounds, and there is a sauna and steam section. Outdoors, behind the building, a large pool produces artificial waves in season, along with a shallow terraced pool used mainly by families. Water comes from the springs under Gellert Hill and is warm and strongly mineral.

History

Healing waters here are mentioned as early as the 13th century, a hospital stood on the site in the Middle Ages, and under the Ottomans in the 16th and 17th centuries baths were built over the spring, called Sárosfürdő, "muddy bath", for the mineral mud in its pools. The present Art Nouveau baths were built between 1912 and 1918, had their first extensive renovation in 2008, and closed in October 2025 for refurbishment, with a planned reopening in 2028 (Wikipedia, Gellért Baths).

What you'll find

• The main swimming hall - a glass-roofed gallery hall with columns, used for lane swimming.
• The thermal side rooms - tiled pools at different temperatures with majolica and mosaic decoration.
• Art Nouveau detail - stained glass, carved stone and original tiling throughout the building.
• The outdoor wave pool - a large summer pool behind the building with a terraced sun area.

When to go

The baths are closed for renovation until about 2028 - check for a reopening date before planning around them. When open, the indoor thermal section works all year and is a good rainy-day option. The outdoor wave pool runs only in the warm months. Early morning on a weekday is by far the calmest, before groups arrive. Weekends and public holidays fill the changing area and the popular pools. Buy tickets online where possible to skip the ticket queue.

Good to know

The baths have been closed since 30 September 2025 for a full renovation, with reopening expected in 2028; the notes below describe them before the closure. It is expensive by Budapest standards, and extras such as cabins, towels and treatments push the price up further. The building is showing its age, with worn tiling, tired changing cabins and areas fenced off. Some pools are smaller than photographs imply, and the famous hall is often crowded. Locker and wristband systems confuse first-timers, and staff instructions can be brisk.

Nearby

Gellert Hill and the Citadella rise directly behind, with Liberty Bridge and the central market across the river.