With its many additions over the years, Rudas Thermal Bath displays such a variety of features that it’s hard to believe it’s the same facility.
Turkish baths have designated days for men only and women only.
The Turkish Bath Zone: Left Unchanged
The Rudas Thermal Bath is located on the banks of the Danube, at the foot of Gellért Hill, a famous tourist attraction.
Since it's right in front of the Rudas Gyógyfürdő tram stop, you won't miss it.
At the foot of the Elisabeth Bridge, there was a shop where you could drink thermal water.
It's an indoor facility; there is a fee, and they'll fill your bottles with the water.
Drinking the spring water was—and still is—an important aspect of the hot springs.
A long, narrow building running north to south, located beneath the Liberty Statue on the Gellért Hill.
The sections on either side of the yellow swimming pool building, which was constructed in 1896, are part of the same facility, but they look like completely different structures.
At the southern end is a modern rooftop area that was added in 2014.
The highlight is the Turkish bath at the northern end.
The area surrounding this cupola was, surprisingly, built in 1571 during the Ottoman Empire.
Within a single spa facility, zones spanning more than 400 years and representing different eras coexist.
The pricing structure is a bit complicated.
The facility is broadly divided into the Turkish Bath Zone and the Wellness & Spa Zone, and ticket prices vary depending on whether you choose to access both or just one of them.
While the Wellness & Spa Zone is open every day, the Turkish Bath Zone is reserved for women only on Wednesdays.
Tuesdays are for men only, and Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays are also for men only from 6:00 to 10:45.
Clothing is optional during these times.
Other than that, clothing is required for both men and women.
Children under 14 are not permitted to enter.
It seems that men are given quite preferential treatment, but this is actually a reflection of the tradition—in place until 2005—that only men were allowed to use the Turkish Bath.
This tradition extends even to soaking practices; on days when men and women soak separately, white cloths with strings are provided free of charge, and soakers are generally expected to wrap them around their waists.
Beneath the dome was an octagonal main tub.
Surrounding the main tub, there were tubs at each of the four corners with temperatures ranging from 61 to 108 degrees F.
I didn't detect any chlorine odor in the water, but I did notice a faint scent of sulfur.
The dimly lit bathhouse, shrouded in steam, had a divine atmosphere.
It seemed as though they had deliberately left the Turkish Bath Zone unchanged to clearly distinguish it from the Wellness & Spa Zone.
Breaking New Ground in the Wellness & Spa Zone
The Wellness & Spa Zone was separate from the locker room.
In contrast, the interior was bright.
I make my way through the building, which tapers to a point like the bow of a ship.
The swimming pool had a certain vintage feel to it, and I sensed a historical context that was quite different from that of the Turkish Bath.
Swim caps are required here.
There was also a security guard on duty.
Just past the swimming pool was a modern spa area.
There were three tubs set to temperatures ranging from 97 to 108 degrees F, and the tiles were color-coded.
The whirlpool was running, and I could clearly smell the chlorine used for disinfection.
I hurried up the stairs, passed by the bistro, and headed to the rooftop.
Is this a modern interpretation of the baths under the dome of the Ottoman Empire?
The doughnut-shaped tub was lit up to the point of excess.
The rooftop outdoor tub offers a panoramic view of the Pest district across the Danube River.
In its own way, it seemed to have reached new heights.
Summary
Rudas Thermal Bath, Budapest, Hungary
My rating
Type: Walk-in
Rule: Gender-separated, Chlothig required
Chemical use: Yes
Water Temp: Up to 108 degrees F
