Budapest, the “City of the Spas”, is famous for its thermal baths, and if you’re planning a visit, chances are two names will keep popping up – Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths. I had a tough time deciding between which of these thermal spas in Budapest to visit, so I went to both.
Since I had the chance to soak in both during my time in the city, and while they each offer that quintessential Budapest spa experience, the vibe, architecture, and overall feel are very different. So which one is better?
In this post, I’ll break down my personal experience at both Szechenyi Baths and Gellert Baths, so you can decide which bath is better suited for your trip – whether you’re looking for grandeur, relaxation, or that perfect instagram shot.
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Quick Comparison: Szechenyi vs. Gellert Baths
| Feature | Széchenyi Baths | Gellért Baths |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Lively, social, often busy; popular with both tourists and locals | Elegant, art nouveau, quieter, more “spa-like” |
| Architecture | Neo-Baroque, massive outdoor pools with yellow palace backdrop | Stunning Art Nouveau interiors with stained glass & mosaics |
| Outdoor Pools | Yes — 3 large outdoor pools (including iconic thermal pool) | Yes — 1 outdoor wave pool (seasonal) |
| Indoor Pools | 15+ indoor pools with different temps & saunas | 10+ indoor pools, beautifully tiled, more intimate |
| Best For | Social vibe, iconic Instagram shots, soaking outside year-round | Relaxation, design lovers, symmetrical Instagram shots, more peaceful spa experience |
| Cost | Same price | Same price |
| Crowds | Very crowded, especially afternoons & weekends | Less crowded, more relaxed (but still popular) |
Outdoor Spa Baths | Szechanyi or Gellert?
Let’s start off our Szechenyi baths vs Gellert Baths comparison with the outdoor areas in these thermal spas in Budapest.
Szechenyi bath (pictured above) is the biggest Budapest thermal spa and when it comes to the outdoor areas, Széchenyi definitely takes the crown for sheer size and atmosphere. The vibe is lively and social, almost like a gathering place as much as a spa.
Its three massive outdoor pools framed by grand Neo-Baroque architecture, with one pool kept at thermal temperatures year-round, makes the Szechenyi thermal baths a favorite for locals who play chess in the steaming water even in the middle of winter.
Gellert, on the other hand, has a smaller outdoor space with a single wave pool that operates seasonally. While it’s fun in summer, it doesn’t quite have the same iconic, all-weather charm as Szechenyi’s outdoor thermal baths.
The outdoor area in Szechenyi is grand and makes you feel like you’re having that iconic Budapest thermal spa experience. If soaking under the open sky is high on your list, Szechenyi’s outdoor pools deliver that unforgettable Budapest bathhouse moment.
Indoor Baths | Szechenyi vs Gellert
The indoor areas of each these Budapest thermal baths have very different personalities.
Szechenyi’s interior is expansive, with more than a dozen thermal pools ranging in temperature, along with steam rooms and saunas. While the variety is great, the atmosphere can feel busy and less ornate compared to its iconic outdoor section.
Gellert (pictured above), by contrast, truly shines outdoors. Its Art Nouveau design features intricate mosaics, stained glass windows, and elegant columns that make every soak feel like stepping into a work of art. I loved the symmetry of the insides baths in Gallert.
The pools themselves are slightly smaller and more intimate, creating a calmer, spa-like vibe. If design and ambiance matter to you, Gallert’s indoor pools are hard to beat, while Szechenyi’s interiors focus more on function and variety.
Best Thermal Spas in Budapest | Facilities
When it comes to facilities, Széchenyi thermal bath is all about size and variety. With over a dozen indoor pools, three large outdoor pools, numerous saunas, steam rooms, and massage services, it feels more like a sprawling thermal complex.
The outdoor changing areas and courtyards make it practical for big crowds, but also a bit less polished.
If you’re looking for a unique thing do in a thermal spa in Budapest, Szechanyi thermal baths offer a beer bath. That means, you can pay for your own private soaking tub that they fill with hops and hot water.
There is a private draft beer handle next to your tub because you can drink as much keg beer as you want during the duration of your soak. Joe and I personally tried out the beer bath as we wanted to make a fun unique YouTube video. Would I do it again? Probably not, but I’m glad we did it.
Gellert, on the other hand, focuses on quality over quantity. While it has fewer pools overall, its spa services (massages and private baths) feel more upscale, and the design of the changing rooms and interior spaces adds to the sense of luxury.
Szechenyi’s facilities cater to those who want a lively day of soaking with lots of options, while Gallery’s feel more curated for a refined spa experience.
Changing Stations
Lockers in Szechenayi are unisex and lockers at Gellert are co-ed. Szecheneyi thermal baths have blow dryers. Joe and I spent the morning at Szecheneyi before we caught an afternoon train and it was nice to be able to get ready and blow dry my hair before the journey.
Szechenyi Baths Sparty
A Sparty (short for “spa party”) is one of the most unique things to do in Budapest at night, held right inside the Szechenyi Baths every Saturday night.
Image the massive outdoor thermal pools you’d normally soak in by day – but at night they transform into a full-on party venue with DJs, lasers, light shows, and hundreds of people dancing in the steaming water.
Worth Knowing: It’s loud, crowded, and definitely not the place tor a calm spa experience. If your goal is relaxation, stick to daytime Szechenyi. But if you’re up for something wild and unforgettable, a Sparty is a once-in-a-lifetime way to experience Budapest’s bath culture with a twist.
Architecture | Gellert vs Szechenyi
The architecture of the two baths couldn’t be more different, and it plays a big role in the overall experience.
Szechenyi Baths, built in the early 20th century, showcase grand Neo-Baroque design with bright yellow facades, sweeping courtyards, and a palace-like setting that feels larger than life. Its outdoor pools framed by this ornate architecture are what make it so iconic in photos.
Gellert Baths, on the other hand, are a masterpiece of Art Nouveau design, with stained glass windows, intricate mosaics, marble columns, and arched ceilings that make the interiors feel like a cathedral of water.
While Szechenyi impresses with its scale and outdoor majesty, Gellert captivates with its artistic elegance and intimate details. Both spas are beautiful with grand architecture but the Gellert Spa has perfect symmetry and colorful mosaic tiles which in my opinion takes the cake.
Size
When it comes to size, Szechenyi is by far the giant of Budapest’s bath scene. With 18 pools in total, including three massive outdoor pools and 15 indoors of varying temperatures, it feels more like a thermal complex than a spa.
Its sprawling layout can take some time to navigate, but that scale is part of its appeal – there’s always something new to discover, from hot soaking pools to lap-swimming areas and cold plunges & saunas.
Gellert, in contrast, is much smaller and more compact, with 10 pools total and a design that emphasizes atmosphere over scale. It’s easier to explore in one visit and feels more intimate, but doesn’t offer the same breadth of options as Szechenyi.
If you’re after variety and grandeur, Szechenyi delivers. If you prefer something manageable and less overwhelming, Gellert is the better fit.
Atmosphere | Vibe
Okay, the atmosphere at each Budapest bath is where the difference really comes to life. Szecheneyi is lively, energetic, and buzzing with people. It feels more like a social gathering place than a quiet spa.
Travelers, locals, and even groups of friends come together here, and the iconic outdoor pools can feel almost festive, especially on the weekends.
Gellert, offers a calmer, more refined vibe. Its Art Nouveau interiors create a serene, almost cathedral like ambiance where you can actually hear the echo of water and enjoy a more meditative soak.
While Szechenyi is perfect if you’re after energy, people watching, and that iconic Budapest experience, Gellert is the choice for those who want relaxation, elegance, and a slower pace.
Location | Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths
From a practical standpoint, both Szechenyi and Gellert are easy to access, but in slightly different ways. Szechenyi is located in City Park, right by Heroe’s Square. You can reach Szechenyi directly via the Metro Line 1, which drops you off almost at the entrance.
Gellert sits on the Buda side of the Danube River, attached to the Gellert Hotel. It’s easily reached by trams and buses, plus it’s within walking distance of Liberty Bridge.
👉 Travel Tip: Pair visiting the Gellert Thermal Baths with a tour of the Parliament Building. They are located nearby each other.
Thermal Spas in Budapest Price
When it comes to price, Szechenyi and Gellert are nearly identical, so cost alone isn’t likely to sway your decision. A standard full-day ticket at either bath costs about €25, with the option to upgrade to a private cabin instead of a locker for small extra fee.
Both also charge more for spa treatments, massages, and VIP services. The main difference is that Szechenyi often feels like you get more “bang for your buck” simply because of size and number of pools.
Tickets for both can be purchased online or at the door, but I do recommend booking ahead, you’ll be stoked that you were able to skip that large line at the entrance.
Gellert feels more like you’re paying for the beauty and elegance of the surroundings. In short, prices are on par – the choice comes down to whether you value variety and scale (Szechenyi) or ambiance and refinement (Gellert).
🚿 Travel Tip: Books your Tickets in advance and go early to avoid afternoon crowds.
Budapest Travel Vlogs
Would you rather see what exploring these Budapest thermal spas is like? Joe and I spent about 10 days exploring Budapest and all her glory. We filmed a many vlogs, like the one above showing you two of the highlights of Budapest – the Parliament Building & Gellert Thermal Baths.
Check them out after you read this post and please subscribe or give us a thumbs up. It doesn’t cost you anything and really helps us be able to continue creating free content for you to enjoy 🙂.
🎥 Watch our Hungary Series on YouTube
Best Budapest Thermal Spa for you
So, which bath should you choose? Budapest is one of the few cities in the world where a trip to the spa is part of everyday life, and both Szechenyi and Gellert Baths showcase that tradition in their own unique way.
If you’re looking for that iconic Budapest experience – soaking in a steaming outdoor pool surrounded by grand palace like architecture and chatting with travelers from all over the world- then Szechenyi is your spot.
It’s social, enormous, and unforgettable, especially if you only have time for one bathhouse. The kind of place you’ll remember for its atmosphere as much as the soak itself.
On the other hand, if you prefer a calmer, more refined spa day with breathtaking interiors, stained glass, and a quieter vibe, Gellert is the better choice. It feels more intimate and elegant, perfect for the travelers who want relaxation in a stunning setting.
Having visited both thermal spas in Budapest, I truly believe you can’t go wrong with either choice. But if time is short, let your personality guide you: choose Szechenyi for the energy and outdoor poos, and Gellert for elegance and relaxation.
Either way you’ll walk away with one of Budapest’s most memorable experiences. If you have any questions drop my your thoughts in the comments below 👇.
Hungary Travel Guides ↓
📍 Planning a trip to Hungary? I spent 2 weeks hanging out in thermal spas in Budapest and exploring Hungary’s wine country so check out the guides below for inspiration and aid in planning your travels.
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