One thing I learned about Hungary is that it has miracle water. Not the SKII kind of pitera water that makes your face looks like its suppose to glow in the dark kind.Hungary has more thermal baths in the world than any other country (almost 1000 thermal springs in the country, which many have been turned into baths and spas). How blessed its grounds are!
Thermal Baths are good for health.Their water are sourced from natural thermal and mineral water deep in the ground. Spending time in a thermal bath helps relax stiff muscles, especially now that most of us spend time sitting in front of the computer. It also helps treat other medical conditions including rheumatism, circulatory problems, insomnia, bronchial asthma and gynecological disorders. Just don't be too excited to jump into one if you have high blood. That might not be good.
While we were at it, we had our day out at Szechenyi Bath (a famous one) in Budapest. There are a few baths in Budapest, and it's mostly filled with tourists. I heard from the lady who share my coach with me the night before that the baths in Budapest are a lil more expensive that ones outside because it generally is a tourist attraction. She goes to a bath almost every two days! She also said that the bath that I'm going to visit was one a palace or something for royalty. I could'nt find and source for that so I won't elaborate. All I read about it was that it was called "Artesian Bath". But the place is really pretty. At the entrance, you wouldn't know that you are entering a bath. It looks more like a hotel, with carved ceilings, chandeliers and statues.
To get to the Szechenyi Bath, you'll need to get a metro line 1 (yellow line) to “Szechenyi furdö”. It actually a big park and on the corner, there a great yellow building which is the Bath. We got a day pass at the entrance with a cabin shared by two people. It was around 2900-3750 HUF. They do offer other services such as massages and spas. There are a few ticket counters around the building. Instead of waiting in a long line, one of the attendents showed us another way to the other counters around the building.
Middle olympic pool that requires a swimming cap
The pool with a whirlpool within
The yellow bulding is where all the other pools are
In the Szechenyi bath, there are three outdoor pools with different temperatures. Mostly were between 35 - 40°c. In one of it, theres a whirl pool in the center which spins like a hurricane. One frequently has air jets like jaccuzis which everyone will be waiting for. The center pool is like an olympic pool which you would need a swimming cap to get in. I did'nt have a swimming cap so I could'nt enter.
Cabins for rent
Then theres a building opposite the entrance. At first we thought it hold changing rooms. Lo and behold, unlock a new level of thermal baths! This was mad. The building was filled with rooms equipped with steaming rooms, saunas, and even more hot pools (and cold pools, some were below 10°c). The color of the water was a bit yellowish due to the minerals in it. There was also a pool for aerobics with an instructor and anyone could join. We tried almost every pool and I can't even remember how many there were. I did'nt have any pictures because I just want to dip myself in the water without worries. Outside, the temperatur was a hot 35°c and we were comfortable in our pools at 38°c. There were many people there for their first time to and there were dipping from pool to pool like we were. Personally I think I like the outdoor pool the best.
It was a beautiful day.
Other than this bath, there are a few more baths to visit in the city. See
here. One in the middle of the city is the Gellert bath, which was at the end of the green bridge, if I'm not mistaken. It was turned into a grand hotel so I doubt it'll be a little more costly.
Spending a day in a bath on a visit to Hungary is definately a must-do.
*Budapest was officially declared an International Spa in 1934.
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