The Rudas Baths are the best choice for those who want to experience something other than large outdoor pools in Budapest.

At its heart lies an authentic 16th-century Turkish bath, whilst the modern section features a small rooftop pool overlooking the Danube.

Rudas also has a few peculiarities that are worth knowing about in advance. On certain days, the historic Turkish section has separate opening hours for men and women, and children under the age of 14 are not permitted on the premises at all.

View the Orion Hotel, 450 metres from the Rudas Baths

Is it worth visiting the Rudas Baths?

Yes, if you’re drawn to the historic setting, the more tranquil atmosphere and the view from the rooftop pool.

Rudas isn’t the largest bathhouse in the city and doesn’t have a sprawling outdoor area; its strength lies in the unusual combination of a 450-year-old Turkish bathhouse and a modern wellness centre.

We’d recommend Rudas mainly for a visit as a couple, to relax after a day’s sightseeing, or for a night-time swim. Allow about 3 hours for a standard visit.

If you’re primarily looking for large outdoor pools and a typical Budapest spa atmosphere, you’re better off choosing the Széchenyi Baths. Families with children should head to the Palatinus Baths on Margaret Island, as children under 14 are not permitted at Rudas.

You’ll find a comparison of other options in our guide to the best thermal baths in Budapest.

What you’ll find inside

The Rudas complex consists of three distinct sections. If you want to see everything, including the rooftop pool, buy a ticket granting access to all areas.

The historic Turkish bath

The most valuable part of Rudas is the octagonal pool beneath a dome supported by eight stone columns. Surrounding it are five further smaller pools, with water temperatures ranging from cold baths up to 42 °C.

People come here primarily for the atmosphere. The space isn’t large, but unlike many historicist baths, this is a genuine building dating from the Ottoman era.

Wellness and rooftop pool

The modern wellness area offers several thermal and adventure pools, massage jets and a sauna complex. The biggest draw is the outdoor panoramic rooftop pool, with water at around 36 °C and views of the Danube, the Elizabeth Bridge and the centre of Budapest.

The pool is small and has a capacity of just 16 people. At weekends, you may therefore have to wait a while to get in. Your best chance of a quieter swim is in the morning or on a weekday.

Swimming pool

The 20.5-metre-long swimming pool forms a separate area. A swimming cap is compulsory only in this pool; you do not need to wear one in the thermal pools.

When is the Turkish section open to men, women and mixed groups?

The gender separation applies only to the historic Turkish section. The wellness area, rooftop pool and swimming area are open to both men and women.

• Mixed bathing for men and women: Monday 11:00–22:00, Thursday and Friday 11:00–20:00, Saturday and Sunday 6:00–20:00
• Women only: Tuesday 6.00 am–8.00 pm
• Men only: Monday, Thursday and Friday 6.00–10.45 and Wednesday 6.00–20.00

Swimwear is compulsory during mixed-gender sessions. During the separate men’s and women’s sessions, it is traditional to wear a small bathrobe, but you may also remain in your swimwear.

If you’re visiting Rudas as a couple and would also like to see the historic Turkish section, choose Monday after 11.00, Thursday or Friday after 11.00, or the weekend.

Admission and where to buy tickets

For your first visit, we recommend an all-day ticket giving access to all areas. With this ticket, you won’t have to worry about whether you have access to both the historic Turkish baths and the modern wellness centre with its rooftop pool at the same time.

All-day entry to all areas costs:

• 12 000 huf Monday to Thursday
• 15 000 huf from Friday to Sunday
• 16 000 huf on selected public holidays and the busiest dates, which are highlighted in the booking system before purchase

Limited tickets are also available for access only to the Turkish section with a swimming pool or to the wellness centre with a swimming pool for 8 000 huf.

These are only available for selected times on weekdays; availability is always shown in the booking system.

Please purchase tickets via the official Rudas Spa booking system.

Opening hours

The entire complex is open daily:

• Monday: 6.00 am–10.00 pm
• Tuesday to Sunday: 6.00–20.00
• Sauna World: from 8.00

The ticket offices close one hour before closing time and you must leave the pools 20 minutes before closing time. Opening hours may vary on public holidays, so please check the official website for the latest information before your visit.

Night-time swimming at Rudas

Every Friday and Saturday, there is a separate night-time swimming session from 10.00 pm to 3.00 am. The Turkish section, wellness area, swimming pool and rooftop pool are all open, and the facilities are shared by men and women. Swimwear is compulsory.

A night-time ticket costs 15 000 huf and is sold online only. A day ticket is not valid for night-time bathing.

Rudas at night has a completely different atmosphere to daytime and is particularly worthwhile during a weekend stay. However, if peace and quiet are your main priority, a regular morning visit is preferable.

What to bring

• Swimwear – compulsory as the pools are mixed-use.
• Your own towel and flip-flops – although these items are sold on site, they’re unnecessarily expensive.
• Swimming cap – you’ll only need this if you want to use the swimming pool.
• A bottle of water – it’s easy to underestimate how much you need to drink in the hot thermal pools.

There is an additional charge for a private changing cubicle on top of the standard admission ticket 1 000 huf.

Are children allowed into the Rudas thermal baths?

No. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted in any part of the complex, even when accompanied by adults.

The official website also currently states that the complex is not wheelchair-accessible. If wheelchair access is important to you, please check the current situation directly with the baths before you travel.

A Turkish bathhouse with 450 years of history

The historic core of Rudas was built in the 16th century during the Ottoman rule over Buda. Its distinctive character is defined by the central octagonal pool beneath a dome approximately 10 metres in diameter, into which subdued light filters through small coloured openings.

The swimming pool was added to the original Turkish bath in 1896, whilst the modern wellness area was added much later. This means that during a single visit, you can walk from the authentic Ottoman rooms right through to the contemporary rooftop pool.

The thermal water here contains, amongst other things, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates, sulphates, sodium and fluorides. It is also used in the spa for therapeutic treatments focused primarily on the musculoskeletal system; however, a standard tourist ticket covers swimming only, not individual treatments.

Where to stay near the Rudas Baths

Staying at a nearby hotel makes sense at Rudas mainly if you’re planning a night-time swim ending at 3 am. These two options are in the best locations:

• Hotel Orion Várkert – is situated about 450 metres from the baths in a quieter part of Buda. A good choice if you also want to be close to Buda Castle.
• Hotel Vision Budapest – is situated on the opposite bank of the Danube, near the Elizabeth Bridge. You can walk to the baths and, at the same time, you’ll be staying closer to the restaurants and sights in the centre of Pest.

You’ll find more tried-and-tested tips in various price ranges in the article ‘Where to stay in Budapest’.

Location and transport

The Rudas Baths are situated on the Buda side of the Danube, right next to the Elizabeth Bridge, at Döbrentei tér 9.

The nearest stops are:

• Rudas Gyógyfürdő – trams 19, 41, 56 and 56A; bus 7
• Döbrentei tér – buses 8E, 108E, 110 and 112

After a night-time swim, you can take night buses 907 and 973 or a taxi. We describe tickets and how the local transport system works in our guide to public transport in Budapest.

From the centre of Pest, you can easily walk to the thermal baths via the Elizabeth Bridge. You can then continue along the Buda embankment to the Chain Bridge and walk up to Buda Castle.

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