Gellért Bath is closed. October 1, 2025 through at least 2028. The Art Nouveau masterpiece everyone told you to visit is under full renovation—scaffolding, barriers, zero access. If that was your plan, you need a new one.
But here's the good news: Gellért closing forced tourists to discover what locals already knew—Budapest has a dozen other thermal baths, many of them better. Less crowded, cheaper, more authentic, and in some cases, more beautiful. The problem was never a lack of options. The problem was everyone going to the same three baths because a guidebook from 2019 told them to.
This is the 2025/2026 update. Gellért is out. Rácz is still a ghost building (don't even try). But Rudas has a rooftop hot tub with Danube views, Lukács is free with the Budapest Card, Dandár costs 4,000 HUF and feels like a secret, and Széchenyi is still the cathedral of water—golden baroque, outdoor steam in winter snow, the postcard shot everyone wants.
Here's where to go instead.
🚨 THE GELLÉRT ALERT: CLOSED UNTIL 2028
Status: Fully closed since October 1, 2025.
Reopening: 2028 at the earliest.
Why: Complete Art Nouveau restoration, energy system upgrades, structural repairs.
If you're reading old blog posts or guidebooks that rank Gellért as #1, ignore them. The building is empty. You cannot enter.
Where to Go Instead:
- For Art Nouveau architecture: Lukács Bath (historic tiles, plaques, thermal cure)
- For luxury + views: Rudas Bath (Ottoman dome + rooftop panoramic pool)
- For iconic photos: Széchenyi (yellow baroque palace, outdoor thermal pools in snow)
- For budget + local vibe: Dandár Bath (4,000 HUF, outdoor thermal pools, zero tourists)
Now let's break them down.
🏛️ WHICH ONE ARE YOU?
The Showstopper: Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Best For: First-time visitors, Instagram shots, outdoor winter bathing, families
Weekend Price: 14,000 HUF (15,000 HUF Dec 20–Jan 6)
Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Fri closes 22:00)
Location: City Park (Városliget), Pest side, M1 Metro to Széchenyi fürdő
Why It's Iconic:
Széchenyi is the yellow baroque palace with outdoor thermal pools steaming in winter snow. This is the postcard. This is what people imagine when they hear "Budapest thermal baths." Three massive outdoor pools (27–38°C year-round), neo-baroque architecture with golden yellow walls, locals playing chess on floating boards while steam rises into freezing air.
What You Get:
- 18 pools total: 3 outdoor thermal (the money shot), 15 indoor (thermal baths, swimming pools, specialty pools like ice baths and bubble pools).
- Sauna world: Finnish saunas, steam rooms, aroma cabins.
- Treatments: Massages, mud wraps, physiotherapy (book ahead, not included in entry).
The Reality:
Széchenyi is crowded. Weekend mornings (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) = 60-minute ticket lines, pools packed to the point you can barely move. Holidays are worse. Buy tickets online 24–48 hours ahead—walk-up tickets sell out, and online bookings skip queues entirely.
Best Times:
- Weekday mornings (7:00–9:00 AM): Locals only, peaceful, best light.
- Weekday late afternoons (5:00–7:00 PM): Post-work crowd, manageable.
- Sunday evenings (6:00–8:00 PM): Families leave, quieter vibe.
Avoid: Saturday/Sunday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. Absolute chaos.
Sulfur Smell: Moderate. The outdoor pools have that classic "rotten egg" mineral water smell, but it's not overpowering. You get used to it in 5 minutes.
Budapest Card Discount: 20% off (saves ~2,800 HUF).
Why You Should Go: This is the only bath with massive outdoor thermal pools perfect for winter. If you want the iconic shot of steam rising into snow, golden baroque architecture, and the full "Budapest thermal bath" experience, this is it. Just book ahead and avoid peak times.
The History & View: Rudas Thermal Bath
Best For: History buffs, couples, rooftop views, night bathing
Weekend Price: 14,000 HUF (includes all zones: Turkish + Wellness + Rooftop)
Hours: Open 365 days. Night bathing Fri/Sat 10:00 PM–3:00 AM (14,000 HUF special ticket)
Location: Buda side, foot of Gellért Hill, Tram 19/41/56 to Rudas Gyógyfürdő
Why It's Special:
Rudas is a 500-year-old Ottoman Turkish bath with an octagonal thermal pool under a domed skylight pierced by colored glass. The modern wellness wing adds a rooftop panoramic pool with 360° views of the Danube, Parliament, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge. It's history + luxury + romance in one complex.
What You Get:
- Ottoman Turkish Bath: 6 thermal pools (16–42°C), steam room, octagonal main pool under the 1550s dome. Gender-separated on specific days (see below).
- Wellness Section: Modern thermal pools, saunas, steam cabins, and the rooftop panoramic pool (38°C year-round, summer open-air + winter enclosed).
- Night Swimming (Fri/Sat): Rooftop pool under stars, colored LED lighting, occasional DJ sets, bar service. Romantic without being a party scene.
Gender Schedule (Turkish Bath Only):
- Men Only: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings, Friday mornings
- Women Only: Tuesday
- Mixed (Co-Ed): Thursday afternoons (from 11:00 AM), Friday afternoons, all day Saturday/Sunday/holidays
- Wellness section (rooftop pool, modern saunas): Always co-ed.
The Reality:
Rudas expects silence in the Turkish bath. This is a 500-year-old therapeutic space, not a party pool. Whisper if you must talk. Locals will glare if you're loud. The rooftop pool is more relaxed, but still respectful.
Sulfur Smell: Strong. The Ottoman pools use mineral-rich thermal water with a noticeable "rotten egg" sulfur smell. If you're sensitive to smells, this might bother you. Most people acclimate in 10 minutes, but fair warning.
Best Times:
- Night bathing (Fri/Sat 10:00 PM–3:00 AM): Rooftop pool under stars, fewer crowds, romantic. Book ahead—capacity is limited.
- Weekday afternoons (2:00–6:00 PM): Moderate crowds, access to both Turkish and wellness sections on mixed days.
Budapest Card Discount: 20% off (saves ~2,800 HUF).
Why You Should Go: With Gellért closed, Rudas is the romantic frontrunner for couples. Ottoman dome + rooftop hot tub with Danube views + night bathing option = unbeatable combination. Just respect the silence and book night swimming if you want the full experience.
The Intellectual/Local: Lukács Thermal Bath
Best For: Art Nouveau lovers (now that Gellért is closed), locals-only vibe, Budapest Card holders
Weekend Price: 7,000 HUF (or FREE with Budapest Card)
Hours: Daily, typically 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM (seasonal variations)
Location: Buda side, near Margaret Bridge, Tram 17/19/41 to Margit híd, budai hídfő
Why It Matters Now:
Lukács is the top Art Nouveau alternative now that Gellért is closed. Historic charm, ornate tile work, marble columns, and plaques from grateful patients dating back to the 1800s. It's been here since the 12th century (rebuilt multiple times), and locals treat it as a serious therapeutic facility, not a tourist attraction.
What You Get:
- Thermal pools: Indoor and outdoor (22–40°C), mud baths, thermal drinking cure (yes, you drink the mineral water from fountains for digestive health).
- Swimming pool: Olympic-size lap pool (seasonal, mostly summer).
- Beer spa: Novelty option—soak in thermal water while drinking draft beer from taps at your tub (extra charge, book ahead).
- Historic atmosphere: Ceramic tiles, plaques thanking the waters for curing ailments, medicinal vibe.
The Vibe:
Locals only. Fewer tourists than Széchenyi, more elderly Hungarians doing daily thermal therapy prescribed by doctors. The facilities are dated but clean. This is functional wellness, not Instagram spectacle. Mornings are peaceful—you'll see regulars who've been coming here for 30+ years.
Sulfur Smell: Strong. Lukács uses high-mineral thermal water with a noticeable sulfur smell. If you hated the smell at Rudas, you'll hate it here too. If you've acclimated, it's fine.
Best Times:
- Weekday mornings (7:00–10:00 AM): Locals doing therapy, peaceful, authentic.
- Weekday afternoons (3:00–6:00 PM): Moderate crowds, relaxed vibe.
Budapest Card Perk: FREE entry. This is massive. The Budapest Card costs ~15,000–20,000 HUF (depending on 24/48/72-hour version) and includes unlimited public transport + free entry to Lukács. Since Lukács weekend entry is 7,000 HUF, the card pays for itself if you use transport + visit the bath once.
Why You Should Go: If you wanted Gellért's Art Nouveau tiles and historic charm, Lukács delivers that—plus it's free with the Budapest Card. It's also half the price of Széchenyi/Rudas without the card. The "locals only" reputation keeps crowds manageable. Just don't expect luxury spa vibes—this is a working therapeutic bath.
The Quiet Secret: Veli Bej (Irgalmasok Fürdője)
Best For: Escaping crowds, authentic Ottoman architecture, budget travelers
Weekend Price: 7,200 HUF
Hours (Dec 2025): Mon–Tue 3:00–9:00 PM only; Wed–Sun 6:00 AM–12:00 PM AND 3:00–9:00 PM (closed 12:00–3:00 PM daily)
Location: Buda side, near Király Bath, Tram 17/19/41 to Király fürdő
Why It's a Secret:
Veli Bej is a modern renovation of a 16th-century Ottoman bath with strict 100-person capacity. No tour groups. No party vibes. Just 4 thermal pools (32–38°C), excellent saunas, and silence enforced by locals. It's part of a hospital rehabilitation program, so the atmosphere is therapeutic, almost monastic.
What You Get:
- 4 thermal pools: Graduated temperatures (32°C, 34°C, 36°C, 38°C) for progressive soaking.
- Saunas & steam: Finnish sauna, Turkish steam room, infrared cabin.
- Ottoman dome: Octagonal pool under restored dome with colored glass, similar to Rudas but smaller and quieter.
- Towel rentals available (unlike Széchenyi/Rudas): 1,300 HUF + 2,000 HUF cash deposit.
The Catch:
Strict 100-person capacity. On Saturday afternoons, it hits max capacity and they stop admitting guests until someone leaves. Arrive exactly at 3:00 PM (right when they reopen after midday cleaning) to guarantee entry. By 4:00 PM, you'll wait or be turned away.
Sulfur Smell: Moderate. Less intense than Rudas/Lukács, but still present.
Why You Should Go: If you hate crowds, want authentic Ottoman architecture, and don't mind the capacity restrictions, this is the best value in Budapest. Just plan around the midday closure (12:00–3:00 PM) and arrive early on weekends.
The Budget Hero: Dandár Bath
Best For: Budget travelers, 100% local experience, outdoor thermal pools in winter
Weekend Price: 4,000 HUF (includes indoor + outdoor + sauna)
Hours: Daily, typically 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: IX. district, Pest side, M3 Metro to Nagyvárad tér + 7-minute walk
Why It's a Hero:
Dandár is the cheapest authentic thermal bath in Budapest at 4,000 HUF for full access. Fully renovated in recent years, outdoor thermal pools run year-round (36–38°C), sauna section is modern, and the crowd is 95% locals. Zero tourists. Zero English signage. Just elderly Hungarian men playing chess between soaks and families doing weekend therapy.
What You Get:
- Outdoor thermal pools: 36–38°C, steaming in winter. Picture soaking in hot water while snow falls on your head.
- Indoor thermal pools: 34–40°C, smaller, quieter.
- Sauna world: Finnish sauna, steam room, infrared cabin—all included.
- Swimming pool: Olympic-size lap pool (seasonal, mostly summer).
The Vibe:
This is what thermal bathing looks like when it's not performed for tourists. People come in sweatpants, change in no-frills locker rooms, soak for 90 minutes, leave. No baroque architecture, no rooftop bars, no audio guides. Just functional, therapeutic, deeply Hungarian.
Sulfur Smell: Mild. Dandár's water is less sulfuric than Rudas/Lukács—it's more neutral, which some people prefer.
Why You Should Go: If you're on a budget, want a 100% local experience, or are tired of tourist baths, this is your move. Outdoor thermal pools in winter = peak Budapest for 4,000 HUF.
📊 THE COMPARISON TABLE
| Bath | Best For | Weekend Price | Crowd Level | Sulfur Smell | Budapest Card Perk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Széchenyi | First-timers, iconic photos, outdoor winter bathing | 14,000 HUF | High (weekends = packed) | Moderate | 20% discount (~2,800 HUF off) |
| Rudas | Couples, history, rooftop views, night bathing | 14,000 HUF | Moderate | Strong | 20% discount (~2,800 HUF off) |
| Lukács | Art Nouveau, locals-only vibe, budget | 7,000 HUF | Low-Moderate | Strong | FREE entry |
| Veli Bej | Escaping crowds, authentic Ottoman, quiet | 7,200 HUF | Low (strict 100-person cap) | Moderate | None |
| Dandár | Budget, 100% local, outdoor thermal in winter | 4,000 HUF | Low | Mild | None |
❄️ SEASONAL ADVICE: WINTER vs. SUMMER
Winter (Dec–Feb): Best Season for Thermal Bathing
Why Winter Wins:
- Széchenyi's outdoor pools steaming in snow = peak Budapest. This is the iconic shot everyone wants.
- Thermal water feels better when it's -5°C outside. The contrast between 38°C water and freezing air is visceral.
- Fewer tourists (except Dec 20–Jan 6 holiday surge). Weekdays in January/February are quiet.
Best Winter Choice: Széchenyi (outdoor pools) or Dandár (outdoor thermal for budget).
The Catch:
- Prices surge during Christmas/New Year (15,000 HUF at Széchenyi).
- Running from hot pool to indoor sauna in freezing air is brutal. Bring a robe or towel wrap.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Rooftop Pools Open
Why Summer Works:
- Rudas rooftop panoramic pool opens fully (enclosed in winter, open-air in summer).
- Lukács and Dandár outdoor pools become primary attractions.
- Longer hours, better weather for walking to/from baths.
Best Summer Choice: Rudas (rooftop views) or Lukács (outdoor lap pool + thermal pools).
The Catch:
- More tourists, longer lines. Book ahead.
- Indoor thermal zones are less appealing when it's 35°C outside. Outdoor pools and swimming pools take priority.
💡 THE BUDAPEST CARD MATH HACK
Budapest Card 2025 Perks:
- Unlimited public transport (metro, tram, bus) for 24/48/72 hours
- FREE entry to Lukács Bath (7,000 HUF value)
- 20% discount at Széchenyi, Rudas, Palatinus
Card Pricing (approx.):
- 24-hour: ~10,500 HUF
- 48-hour: ~16,500 HUF
- 72-hour: ~20,500 HUF
The Math:
- Lukács weekend entry: 7,000 HUF
- Public transport (3 days of metro/tram): ~5,000 HUF worth of tickets
- Total value: 12,000+ HUF
If you're visiting Lukács + using public transport, the 48-hour card pays for itself and saves money. Even the 72-hour card (20,500 HUF) is worth it if you add discounts at Széchenyi (2,800 HUF saved) or museums.
Pro Tip: Buy the card, visit Lukács for free, use the 20% discount at Széchenyi or Rudas, ride unlimited transport. It's the best budget hack in 2025.
🌙 NIGHT BATHING: FRIDAY/SATURDAY OPTIONS
Rudas Night Swimming:
- Fri/Sat 10:00 PM–3:00 AM
- 14,000 HUF special ticket (separate from daytime entry)
- Rooftop panoramic pool under stars, colored LED lighting, bar service, occasional DJ sets
- Romantic without being a party. Fewer crowds, intimate vibe.
Széchenyi:
- Open until 10:00 PM on Fridays (22:00 closing)
- Note: "Sparty" (bath party with DJs, music, lights) is Saturday nights only (~20,000 HUF, separate event)
Why Rudas Wins for Night Bathing:
Open until 3:00 AM, rooftop hot tub with Danube views, couples-focused atmosphere. Széchenyi is more family/tourist during the day; Rudas night swimming is designed for romance.
🚫 SKIP THESE: CLOSED OR STALLED
Gellért Bath: CLOSED
October 1, 2025 – 2028. Full renovation. You cannot enter.
Rácz Bath: STALLED PROJECT
Still closed in late 2025. Renovations stalled since the early 2010s due to legal/financial issues. No reopening date. Don't waste time looking for it.
Király Bath: CLOSED
Renovations stalled since 2020. Ownership disputes, rising costs, no start date. Skip it. Go to Veli Bej (5 minutes away) instead.
🏁 FINAL VERDICT: WHERE SHOULD YOU GO?
"I'm visiting Budapest for the first time."
→ Széchenyi. Iconic yellow baroque palace, outdoor thermal pools in winter snow, the postcard shot. Just book ahead and avoid weekends 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.
"I want romance and views."
→ Rudas. Ottoman dome + rooftop panoramic pool + night bathing = unbeatable for couples.
"I wanted Gellért's Art Nouveau charm."
→ Lukács. Historic tiles, plaques, medicinal vibe. FREE with Budapest Card.
"I'm on a budget."
→ Dandár. 4,000 HUF, outdoor thermal pools, 100% locals. Best value in the city.
"I hate crowds."
→ Veli Bej. Strict 100-person cap, authentic Ottoman dome, quiet. Arrive at 3:00 PM weekends.
Buy the Budapest Card if you're visiting Lukács—it pays for itself. Book Széchenyi/Rudas online 24–48 hours ahead. Bring your own flip-flops and towel (save 10,000+ HUF). Respect the silence. Soak for 2+ hours.
Gellért is closed, but Budapest still has the best thermal baths in Europe. You just have to know where to go.