BUDAPEST: The City of Spas, Art and Great Food
By Jackie Jones
Posted November 25, 2013
Where should you go for the ultimate spa experience? Look no further than Budapest, where their world-renowned spas are waiting for you.
Popular spas like Széchenyi and Gellért, have taken advantage of the Hungarian capital’s 120 springs that provide healing, relaxing, and revitalizing experiences for all who visit them. These springs pump out a whopping 70 million liters of water daily, and you can bet that the volume is put to good use.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is Budapest’s premiere grand spa, and consists of ten indoor pools, and three outdoor pools. As it has been in operation since the early twentieth century, it is a favorite among locals of all ages, and health backgrounds. Many visit during the weekends to prepare for the coming week, or to help relieve muscle and joint pain.
A great time to visit Budapest’s spas is after or before a long day of checking out historical sites. The city has many that attract tourists’ attention including the Buda Castle, Hungarian Parliament Building, and Matthias Church. Visiting all those sites can be tiring, so take a load off at a spa and enjoy the healing hot waters or, do the reverse and jump in to get more energy for the day ahead.
Gellért Spa and Bath, provides many of the same comforts as Széchenyi, though it has fewer pools. Its charm lies with its exquisite mosaics, marble pillars, and the fact that it’s a part of an art noveau hotel of the same name. Add that to its location—on a hill close to the historic city center, and Gellért is a spa experience you don’t want to miss out on.
If the hot water takes it out of you and you want something to munch on, try local sweets like strudel, cakes, or pancakes, or heavier dishes like Pörkölt—Hungarian meat stew, and of course the famous Hungarian meat goulash.
Soaking at a spa may not be your thing, but there are plenty other opportunities to enjoy all that Budapest has to offer. For all you travelers who aren’t ready to pass up your spa opportunity however, remember to bring your own swimsuit, towels, and flip-flops, jump in and enjoy.
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