Hungarian Baths for Dummies

I had a friend of mine visiting recently, and we decided to go to one of the baths in Budapest. Being the first time for him to a bath my friend had a lot of questions for me, like: “Do I need to bring a towel?” or “Can I get changed there?”. I then remembered that I had the very same questions for my friends who brought me to a bath for the first time.

So in case you’re visiting Hungary and you’ve never been to one of its bath before, here’s the Hungarian Baths for Dummies guide, a list of answers to most common questions. And if you have any other question feel free to ask leaving a comment below.

Can i get changed there?

Absolutely. All baths offer a changing room where you can put your costume on, leave your personal belongings and then lock. Some baths would have a changing room that you cannot lock, but then offer storage cabinets. Just make sure to fix the key of the room or cabinet in a way that you won’t lose it. The most common option is to tie your key with a knot to your costume.

Do I need to bring my costume?

Of course. But in case you forget it (unlikely I know, but it happened to me once) you can even rent or buy one there.

Do I need to bring a towel?

The choice is all yours. In case you don’t want to carry a towel with you (and a wet towel back) you can rent one there for a little extra.

How about flip-flops/thongs?

You could walk barefoot most of the time, but for hygienic reasons, and because some surfaces are slippery or rough it’s a good idea to bring a pair.

Is it true you are completely naked and there’s a male and female section?

Most baths are like public swimming pools, so you wear your costume and mingle with the crowd. But when there are separate sections it’s clearly indicated (see also how to choose the right bath below)

Do I need to be able to swim?

This was one of the questions that worried me most (as you can guess I can barely stay afloat). The good news is that most thermal tubs are not deep at all. The biggest baths have something a bit deeper, but there are always signs indicating the depth of the water, and people in charge of supervising the bathers.

How long can I stay there?

As long as you want. Some baths offer a refund in case you spend less than two hours there. Most of them have also weekly or monthly pass. For a different experience Rudas Baths at weekends opens from 10pm to 4am.

How do I choose the right bath for me?

You can choose depending on which kind of experience you’re looking for, and in case you go not only for fun but for health reason on the thermal water that is more beneficial for you. For the perfect choice you can consult two Baths Search Engines: at national level the Hungarian National Tourism Office, or for Budapest only SpasBudapest.com. Just enter your parameters (type of swimming pool, water qualities, adventure pool, etc) and get the customized result.

Finally, will I enjoy my experience?

It depends how much you like soaking in water. I thought I wouldn’t like it too much, considering also that I can’t even swim, but I feel in love with the whole bath experience. My friend, a good swimmer that loves water, at the end of the day commented: “I was lucky you brought me here only on the last day of my stay, otherwise I wouldn’t have seen anything at all and spend every single day at the baths”.

Day at the Budapest Zoo

We went to the Budapest Zoo last week with our two daughters. When the sun is shining there isn’t a much better way to spend an afternoon with kids in Budapest.

Part of what makes the Budapest zoo so great is how different it is from zoos back home in the USA. We are used to standing 30 feet away behind a 15 foot high fence, but at the Budapest Zoo you get up close and personal with the animals. Sometimes too close…the thin sheet of plexiglass between my 2 year old and a tiger was a little too scary for her. Some of the  cages are a little small and run-down, but the zoo has really cleaned up since the first time I came two years ago. Restoration on the Zsolnay ceramic tiled Elephant House turned out especially well. Speaking of elephants, this was the highlight of the day for my daughter. She is still talking about when she got to feed the elephant an apple. Again, not too many zoos will let you feed the animals, and whether or not that is a good or bad thing, let’s just say the kids love it.

Other highlights include the petting zoo (where a goat chewed off my shoelace), the Giraffe House, and the flavored cotton candy. If you’re in Budapest with kids this is a must-see.

Lake Velence, a magic spot for all needs

Want to explore a place where you won’t find hordes of tourists and relax totally immersed in nature?

Located almost half way between Budapest and lake Balaton there is lake Velence, the third biggest natural still water in Hungary.  In summer sunny beaches and pleasantly warm waters (which happen to contain also a large amount of mineral salts) make this spot perfect for sun lovers.

All kind of accommodations are available, from cheap pensions campsites and motels to the luxury of the 183 rooms of the recently opened Velence Resort and Spa, which boasts 11 indoor and outdoor pools – thermal baths, adventure pools, kids’ pool – which adds up to 1,000 m2 total water area, in case the lake is not enough for you!

The mountains surrounding the lake are perfect for a good hike, but if you prefer something less energetic like fishing the good news is that the lake is extremely rich in fish, especially carps. Bird watching is particularly favorable too, with 28 bird species breeding regularly here and plenty more transiting during the autumn and spring migration.

From outdoor activities to luxurious Spas looks like Lake Velence, or Velencei-tó in Hungarian, offers something that is able to please all needs.