Rudas Baths, Budapest, Hungary

Rudas Bath is a thermal bath in Budapest which is claimed to have medicinal properties. It was first built in 1550, during the time of Ottoman rule. To date, it retains many of the key elements of a Turkish bath, exemplified by its Turkish dome and octagonal pool. It is located at Döbrentei tér 9 on the Buda side of Erzsébet Bridge. The bath has six therapy pools and one swimming pool where the temperature is in between 10 and 42 °C (50 and 108 °F). The components of slightly radioactive thermal water includes sulfate, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and a significant amount of fluoride ion. A sight-seeing brochure claims the water can help to treat degenerative joint illnesses, chronic and sub-acute joint inflammations, vertebral disk problems, neuralgia and lack of calcium in the bone system.

The baths were used by Sokollu Mustafa Pasha, Beylerbeyi (governor) of Buda Vilayet of the Ottomans between 1566 and 1578. This is inscribed in Hungarian in the baths, on a stone standing atop the Juve spring, which is believed by locals to have a rejuvenating effect on people.

It re-opened at the beginning of 2006, after a comprehensive renovation of its interior.

The baths are open to women only on Tuesdays, to men the rest of the week, and both men and women on the weekend. The attached swimming pool is always open to both men and women.

References:

Wikipedia

Miscellaneous historic sites in Hungary

User Reviews

Samuel Peil (6 months ago)
Amazing complex of baths, but the staff are not the most sympathetic in the world, as usual in Budapest for any service. The staff were the essential, every question answered but without simile, funny.

Kolos Kantor (6 months ago)
My absolute favourite Turkish bathhouse in Budapest. The historic sentiment is palpable. Very atmospheric, historic and unique. Well worth your time should you wish to plunge into times long past and experience the Turkish heritage still present after 150 years of occupation.

Vicky Sk (10 months ago)
I hope 'll visit this country again in order to go at Rudas baths. I chose the night visit on Friday. The baths are very clean and the staff is very nice. I fell in love with the outdoor pool. Taking a bath while viewing the Danube river is an amazing experience. Thank you for all!!

Irene Gomez (11 months ago)
Lovely place, we paid about £20 for entrance to the Wellness and Turkish baths. They were amazing, but quite steamy so careful with your phone. We were charged £10 for slippers (which you dont have to buy- but for hygiene), so bring your own if you can. It was quite busy but an amazing experience for a great price.

Evie Kelly (12 months ago)
Amazing! The views from the panoramic rooftop pool are stunning! You could spend hours here due to the many different pools, Turkish baths, saunas and steam rooms. The full spa experience all for £20, amazing value! There is also a bistro and bar meaning you can enjoy a drink in the thermal bath overlooking the Danube. If you're only going to visit one bath in Budapest, this is the one. We also went to the famous Szechenyi thermal baths, obviously beautiful, but the Rudas baths were so much cleaner and had a lot more going on. Do note, however, that the Turkish bath can only be used by both men and women on certain days so check that out before you visit.

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