Best Public Bath in Budapest

what are the best recommendations for outdoor and indoor public baths?

What is the greatest painting of all time?

They are so varied; for ease of first use and probably the best outside pools and ease to find, its probably Széchenyi.

For a good outside pool, sheer opulence and stunning atmosphere, although a bit crusted with age: Gellért
https://dailynewshungary.com/gellert-bath-is-among-the-most-beautiful-art-deco-baths-in-the-world/

For ancient history mixed with classicist and even new, probably the 16th century onward: Rudas
https://welovebudapest.com/en/toplist/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-budapest-s-historic-rudas-bath

To hang with only a few (if any) tourists in a very functional facility: Lukács
https://info-budapest.com/st-lukacs-baths/

The official sites are here: https://www.spasbudapest.com/

Or get outside of the city ( a few mentioned here )
https://dailynewshungary.com/pictures-that-highlight-why-you-need-to-visit-hungary-hungarian-baths/

I have only been to the Széchenyi baths but I can thoroughly reccommend it.

Széchenyi and Gellért are my top choices, but I think there are 6 or 7 others in town. Széchenyi and Gellért will be the most crowded, so if you're an early riser, head out then. Most public baths have both inside and outside pools. Széchenyi has a great spa. We walked in a couple years ago, but if they are limiting capacity these days, you might want to check online for advance purchase tickets.

Another vote for Szechenyi. If they mention the upgrade, take it, with the extra money.

Hi from Wisconsin,
Szechenyi. This is a real Hungarian bath house for Hungarians. Tourists are as welcome as anyone coming in the door. If you go to the Szechenyi you are near the city park. Look up the statue, Anonymous. And visit the national gallery at Heroes Square.

The Gellert is in a historic healing bath location...but this one was a combo Hotel and spa. Beautiful art nouveau. It is mainly used by tourists. This is Budapest, try four or five coffee houses, and do both of these baths. On the opposite side of the river from the Gellert is the City Market. A lot of tourist action on the ground floor and above some stand up eateries, but if you go into the basement...locals.

My favorite coffee house, The Muvesz, is kitty corner across Andrassy Ut from the Opera House. It has a front and a back room.

wayne iNWI

I like Lukacs. It's less crazy than the touristy baths.

I’ve been to three baths in Budapest and my favorite was Szechényi (SAY-chehn-yee) and Gellèrt (GEH-layrt) Thermal Baths was my second favorite. Rudas was the third one I visited and I say stick with the first two.
If you go to Szechényi go as early in the day as possible so you can take photos of the elderly men playing chess along the edge of the pool. I've been there twice and the second time was later in the day and did not see anyone playing chess.

MaryPat

Since 2014 those taking photographs in Hungary are technically breaking the law if someone wanders into the shot, under a civil code that outlaws taking pictures without the permission of everyone in the photograph. I would suspect that includes the old guys playing chess,

Another oddity, is that you are required to carry your passport at all times.

Two laws rarely obeyed or enforced.

But ......................................

Since 2014 those taking photographs in Hungary are technically breaking the law if someone wanders into the shot

Fortunately I took the photo in 2005 and I agree that it is always best to ask before taking someone's picture. This is probably the most common of the "breaking laws unintentially". Thanks for sharing this information James.

2005, oh my, those gentlemen playing chess may no longer be among the living!