Thermal Baths in Winter

Budapest sits on a patchwork of hot springs, earning it the title “City of Spas.” While the historical thermal baths (like Széchenyi, Gellért, and Rudas) are fantastic year-round, there is something profoundly magical about visiting them in the dead of winter. Sitting in a steaming 38°C outdoor pool while snow gently falls on your head is an unforgettable experience. Here is how to prepare.

1. The Right Swimwear

Unlike some traditional bathhouses in other European countries, swimwear is strictly mandatory in all public areas of Budapest’s major thermal baths. Bring a swimsuit that you feel completely comfortable walking around in. Keep in mind that the high mineral and sulfur content in the thermal water can sometimes degrade the elasticity in cheap swimwear or slightly discolor very light fabrics over time. It’s best to bring a dark-colored suit rather than your favorite, expensive white bikini.

2. The Mighty Flip-Flop

Do not walk barefoot around a massive public bath complex. The floors are constantly wet, incredibly slippery, and walked on by thousands of people. You absolutely must pack a pair of rubber flip-flops or slides. You will wear them from the changing cabins right up to the edge of the pool, where you’ll leave them with hundreds of other identical flip-flops (try to remember where you put yours!).

3. Two Towels (or a Bathrobe)

You can rent towels at the baths, but the queues are often long and the towels themselves are notoriously thin. Pro-tip: Bring a quick-dry microfiber towel to dry off when you finally leave, and rent (or bring) a large towel or bathrobe to wear when moving between the indoor saunas and the outdoor pools. In January, the 30-second wet sprint from the heated building to the outdoor pool feels like an eternity.

4. A Waterproof Bag or Pouch

You will be assigned an electronic wristband that locks a small locker or cabin for your clothes. However, if you want to keep your phone on you to take photos (the yellow neo-baroque walls of Széchenyi are highly Instagrammable), bring a waterproof phone pouch on a lanyard.