Famed for it’s therapeutical waters, Budapest is a haven for spas and thermal baths. Some of the city’s most popular thermal baths date back over a millennia and are just as important today. While you may have heard of some of the most popular thermal baths in Budapest, you may not have heard about some of the best spas in Budapest.
If that’s the case, you’re in luck!
Spa vs. thermal baths
While these words are often used interchangeably, they aren’t exactly the same thing.
Spas basically offer water-based treatment for the wellness of the body. Think hydrotherapy, hot tubs, hammams, and Finnish sauna. Thermal baths are different in that the type of water they use (for the same purposes) comes directly from the subsoil. This is why this type of water is full of minerals and gases.
So, if you’ve ever visited Gellert or Szechenyi baths and wondered why the water had such a strong smell, that’s why.
But, enough schooling.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds at the thermal baths and seeking a serene escape in the city, here are some of the best spas in Budapest.
1. Away Spa – The luxurious one
Address: W Budapest, Andrássy út 25
Hours: Mon-Sun 8 am – 8 pm
Daily Ticket: 14,000 HUF
Located with the W Budapest, one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, Away Spa offers a relaxing experience within the hustle and bustle of the city. The interior decor draws inspiration from the rest of the hotel, with notes of a second skin, the works of Harry Houdini, and the tale of two cities.
Read more about the architecture of the W Budapest.
With the daily ticket, you have unlimited access to the spa and FIT area, which includes:
- Aromatherapy steam room (45°C)
- Finnish sauna (80°C)
- FIT with Techno Gym machines and free weights
- Relaxation area with comfortable beds
- Lockers and showers with towels, robes, and slippers
- Lemonade, tea, and infused water
- Fresh fruit and snacks
Away Spa offers various treatments to help you detox, rewind, and refresh. You can also enjoy mani and pedi and even get your makeup done.
Since this spa is located in a luxury hotel in Budapest, treatment costs are a little on the higher end, but definitely worth a splurge when you can.
2. Secret Garden Spa – The jungle-like one
Address: Podmaniczky u. 45. 1064 Budapest
Hours: Mon-Sun: Daily 12:00-20:00
3-Hour Stay: 11, 900 HUF
Also located in a luxury hotel in Budapest is the Secret Garden Spa, which you’ll find nestled in the mystery hotel. What makes this one of the best spas in Budapest is it’s oasis-like ambience, with abundant natural light, clear marble, and infused greenery.
While enjoying the relaxing waters of the whirlpool, you can also marvel at towering palm trees and crystal chandeliers.
In addition to this, you can enjoy their:
- Finnish sauna
- Steam room
- Jacuzzi
They also offer several body treatments and massages, each with its own ingredients and purpose.
One perk about this place is that you might just be able to pay with your szep card!
3. Spa & Medical Centre Margaret Island – The medicinal one
Address: Budapest, Zielinski Szilárd stny., 1007
Hours: Daily 7:00 am. to 9:00 pm.
Daily Ticket: Mon-Thurs 10,000 HUF, 12,000 HUF weekends and holidays
While this spa may not be as luxurious as the first two, it’s well worth being one of the best spas in Budapest, considering the price and value.
Located on Margeret Island, one of the most popular places in Budapest, this spa offers everything including:
- Pools
- Carbon dioxide baths
- Saunas
- Sun terraces
- Resting areas
- Massages
- Hydromassage room
- Whirlpool
What sets this spa apart is that you can also get medicinal treatments like hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and electrotherapy.
4. Magnolia Day Spa – The one with a tea house
Address: 1054 Budapest, Zoltán Street 3.
Hours: Tues – Fri 12 pm to 8 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am – 8 pm
Daily Ticket: 9,000 HUF for 4 hours
If you want to experience one of the best spas in Budapest, then you should visit the Magnolia. This spa’s ambience is a bit more moody, earthy, and chill. It’s almost like bathing right in nature because it’s earthy tones.
With four hours to spend here, you can enjoy the:
- Jacuzzi
- Kneipp basin
- Finnish saunas
- Infra saunas
- Tea house
They provide towels, slippers, and other amenities for a comfortable experience, and all you need is your bathing suit. When you’re not sipping on aromatic tea or in the sauna, you can enjoy one of their plenty of treatments suited for your face, body, couples, and even exclusive offers.
5. Aronia Spa & Wellness – The true hidden gem
Address: Árpád fejedelem útja 94. H-1036 Budapest
Hours: Mon-Sun: Daily 6:00 am. to 10:00 pm
Daily ticket: Daily weekday HUF 5,000, weekend HUF 5,600
If you’re ever in Budapest’s District 3 and looking to unwind and recharge, head over to Aronia Spa & Wellness.
Located within the Aquincum Hotel, Aronia Spa is the true hidden gem because it offers what you need in a spa, takes szep card and AYCM, and is the most affordable spa on this list.
At this spa, you can enjoy:
- Swimming pools of different temperatures
- Finnish sauna
- Steam cabins
- Whirpool
- Jacuzzi
- Fitness equipment like treadmills, elliptical trainers, bicycles, dumbbells, pull up, hamstring and hamstring stretching machines
But that’s not all! If you’re in the mood for a special treatment, the hotel also has you covered. They offer different treatments based on your mood and needs.
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