I was twice in Budapest late October early November, went to the must see spas there, and the fun outdoor pools were closed and the indoor ones were small and dull. Took the train to Miskolc (3 hrs) and visited the Tapolca cave/tunnel thermal bath facility where you swim in the maze of large tunnels and caves. It is all indoors, so perfect for winter season. This was great fun!
The second time we took the train 2 hrs toward Vienna from Budapest to Györ (a charming old town) and found the Raba Quelle thermal bath complex. It is six large pools in a fairly new and well organized building, couple of water slides, several cafeterias, and all indoors. This is now my favorite off season spa there! The locals come there for the day as if going to the beach. They bring a small bag with their own towel, a book to read and then set it all up in one of the free lounge chairs near the pools and enjoy the day. We stayed one night in a small hotel right next to it. Rick never addresses the issue of being in the spas off season, I think he should because it is so totally different.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20179 posts
Most (I believe all) of the Bpest baths (inside and outside) are open 365, which is great if you find yourself in Bpest on Christmas day / evening. Enjoyable and great cultural experience.
Details and times: http://m.spasbudapest.com/
Posted by
goldsboro, nc, usa
101 posts
Do you mind me asking your favorite Turkish bath worldinbetween?
:D
Posted by
goldsboro, nc, usa
101 posts
Hey, Thanks Julie!
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20179 posts
If Bath Houses are your thing then you might want to see a spectrum of ages and styles ….. and history. There are three “true” Turkish baths; in that they were constructed in the 16th century during the Ottoman occupation. And there are a couple of very nice neo-classical bathhouses constructed in the 19th and 20th century. If you are interested in some of the sadder history of the 20th century you might be interested to know that the Gellert Hotel was frequented by Oscar Schindler and Adolf Eichmann. If you find yourself in Budapest on a holiday when everything else is closed; the bath houses are almost always open. Its where we will wile away Christmas Day. This is a good site to learn a little more about the bath houses. http://visitbudapest.travel/activities/budapest-baths/
Posted by
goldsboro, nc, usa
101 posts
Oh wow, awesome info, I love history!! We might have to check out and see where Oscar Schindler and Adolf Eichmann visited. :o
Is New Years day a good day?or packed? Are most things closed on NYE and day?
Thanks James!!
Posted by
goldsboro, nc, usa
101 posts
Oh Geeze, I just saw your times up the post. With 10 days till we leave ,I am on information over load. Haha
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20179 posts
The Gellert Hotel is where the WWII history was set. It come up in most accounts of the period of German occupation. While both Schindler and Eichmann visited the hotel I doubt that they sat in the spa and blew but cheek bubbles together.
Even though we are in Budapest 3 times a year most years, I still over plan it; then do very little of what we planned.
As for New Years Eve and day, I've only been in Budapest on one occasion; on New Years (this year will make two) but I don't recall it being much different than here as far as businesses being open. New years eve we will probably find ourselves eating light early in the evening; maybe Vak Varju http://pest.vakvarju.com/ or Kadarka's http://budapestlocal.com/kadarka-place-learn-hungarian-wine/ as we will be in the opera house from 8 pm to midnight. Then we go home and cook a pizza or something similar. New year's day I haven't given much thought to. Might be a good day to finish our exploration of Kerepesi Cemetery http://www.nemzetisirkert.hu/fotoforum
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20179 posts
There are tours. I think at 4:30 & 5:30 pm. Check their Web site. We enjoy the experience of the performances.
Posted by
goldsboro, nc, usa
101 posts
Sounds great!! I am getting very excited the more I read. I hope to visit the Kerepesi Cemetery after reading Julies blog. I love Cemetery's too. I can hear my kids now, you want to see what mom. Haha
I think we will go for the bath with the most history surrounding it. I got to impress the kids(young adults) right. :)
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20179 posts
Then watch for us in the cemetery................... that sounds a little creepy.
Posted by
stevens point, wi, usa
1194 posts
Hi from Wisconsin,
If you haven't visited the City Baths in City Park (at the far end of Andrassy Avenue) you have missed the Hungarian bath. So many of the others are filled with touristas. Széchenyi Baths is its real name. Bring a towel, bring a bathing cap. The price is up to more realistic levels than 10 years ago. But it is filled with Hungarians.
And some people from the US have a body image thing going on and are hesitant to be seen in a suit. No need to worry at Szechnyi Baths. These are real people, with real bodies.
As near as I can tell it is open 365 days/year. And it is open air. In the winter it is great to watch the clouds of steam float up and fight with the snow flakes as they try to descend.
Our first trip, out B&B lady sent us to some modern "holiday Inn" type thermal bath. What a waste of our time. SHe thought we were regular tourists afraid of something different.
wayne iNWI
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20179 posts
AND, depending on where you come from, your sensibilities, etc, you may or may not find the locker room "stressful" or "......". There are those that don't deal with wall to wall naked flesh pressed together around small lockers. For older Americans this is sort of "High School" locker room scene for the younger kids they seem to be a little less free in expression. Never bothered me because i am "of that age" but i have observed others with levels of discomfort. BUT, not to worry, you can choose a private cabana (closet) when you purchase your admission.