Soaking up Budapest: Thermal Baths, Danube Views, and Summer Heat

I arrived in Budapest in the evening, stepping off the 40-minute express bus from the airport into a city that felt both grand and approachable at the same time. My hotel, the Ibis Centrum Budapest, was perfectly located near the Kelvin Tér Metro stop. The area had an international feel, with plenty of small ethnic restaurants clustered around, though for my first night I wanted something traditionally Hungarian. I sat down to a dinner of hearty mushroom soup followed by salmon tagliatelle, both seasoned with a healthy dose of paprika. Delicious, yes, but heavier than I would have liked on such a sweltering summer night.

And sweltering it was—Budapest baked under 100-degree Fahrenheit heat every single day of my visit. I quickly learned that afternoons were best spent indoors, preferably with air conditioning. Mornings, however, belonged to the city’s famed thermal baths.

Day One: Szechenyi Baths and a Night on the Danube

My first morning, I walked through City Park to the Szechenyi Baths, the grand dame of Budapest’s thermal spas. With its yellow Neo-Baroque buildings and expansive outdoor pools, it felt like something out of a postcard. Inside, I tried steam rooms, cold plunges, and pools with jets and even a lazy river. Locals and tourists alike seemed to lose track of time here, floating between the baths or soaking under the sun.

That evening, I saw the city from a different perspective—aboard a Danube river cruise. As the sun set, bridges and landmarks lit up, casting shimmering reflections across the water. Parliament glowed golden, Buda Castle stood tall, and I felt lucky to watch the skyline transform. Later, wandering back through the streets, I stumbled across a group of locals performing traditional Hungarian dances. They waved me in, and before I knew it, I was clumsily trying to follow their steps, laughing with strangers in the middle of the city.

Day Two: Pastries and Gellert Baths

On my second morning, I fueled up with a visit to the Central Market. I bought a small selection of pastries—cheese roll, coconut pastry, and pain au chocolat—and carried them across the street to a park. Sitting on a bench in the shade, I sampled each one, deciding the coconut pastry was my favorite.

From there, I crossed the Danube to visit the famous Gellert Baths, about a 20-minute walk from my hotel. The tiled interiors were stunning, with intricate mosaics and stained glass windows framing the pools. The wave pool outside wasn’t running that day, but it didn’t matter—the calm atmosphere and warm mineral waters were enough. 

Day Three: Rooftop Views at Rudas Baths

For my final morning, I explored the Rudas Baths, which offer both a modern wellness section and a historic Turkish bath. The wellness area had jets and fountains that worked magic on tired muscles, but the highlight was the rooftop spa. From the pool, I sipped a cold drink and looked out over the Danube, the bridges arching gracefully across the river below. Later, in the steamy Turkish baths, I moved between mineral pools ranging from cool 28°C dips to near-scalding 42°C soaks. It was both invigorating and restorative.

That night, I met a friend for dinner in the Jewish Quarter. Afterward, we peeked into some of Budapest’s famous ruin pubs—abandoned buildings transformed into eclectic bars decorated with mismatched furniture, graffiti, and quirky art. The atmosphere was energetic and youthful, but after a quick look around, we agreed we might be a little too old for that particular scene.

Final Impressions

Budapest charmed me in many ways: its efficient public transit, public art, the friendliness of English-speaking locals, and of course, its thermal baths, which lived up to their reputation as a must-do experience. The downsides? Heavy, meat-based meals that didn’t quite suit the summer heat, and a lack of air conditioning that made the heat wave feel relentless.

Still, three days here gave me the perfect balance of culture, relaxation, and discovery. From dancing with strangers in the streets to soaking in centuries-old baths, Budapest left me with memories as warm as its thermal waters.