Step into a real "Roman Bath" experience—play chess in Budapest's thermal baths!

▲Inside a Budapest thermal bath pool.

Reported & photographed by You T-Ru / Budapest

If you’ve watched the movie *Thermae Romae*, enjoy the intense and unique bathhouse vibe, or have tried Japan’s nude hot springs, Budapest’s famous thermal baths are a must. The surreal yet vividly cinematic scenes—where people play chess, read, or swim—make it a must-visit for any traveler to Budapest.


▲Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest’s largest. (Photo / fromhttp://www.szechenyibath.hu/)
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As Europe’s “City of Spas,” Budapest boasts a uniquely mysterious vitality and charm. Its thermal baths date back over 2,000 years. COSMOS Taiwan’s main agent, Bigfoot Travel, notes that Roman-era Budapest already had a bathing culture, and after the 16th-century Turkish rule, the city alone had over 100 thermal baths. Hungary is thus one of Europe’s most renowned spa destinations.

Though Budapest’s nightscape is beautiful, many visitors may associate it with a faint melancholy. To witness the “vibrancy of Budapest,” the thermal baths are a prime example. Reporting in winter, most pools open at 6 AM, with some staying open until 4 AM on holidays and hosting light parties—completely unlike Japan’s quiet bath culture, instead offering a fantastical atmosphere.

Blending Roman and Turkish traditions, Budapest’s baths serve both leisure and therapeutic purposes, and soaking is also a key social activity—unlike Japan’s private bathing or medicinal “toji” retreats.Budapest’s baths often feature Roman or Turkish architectural spaces, and unlike nude bathing, most require swimsuits. Locals chat, laugh, play chess, and read, creating a uniquely Budapest scene.


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At 6 AM on a holiday morning, while most are still asleep, Budapest’s baths are already open. Rudas Thermal Bath in Buda is one such spot—a 15th-century Turkish bath with an octagonal main pool. Arriving at 7 AM, I rented a swimsuit and received an electronic wristband at the ticket counter before entering.

The changing area differs from Taiwan’s style—each person has a private cubicle for changing and storing bags, with entry tracked via the wristband. Small booths also count occupancy. Inside, the octagonal pool is already lively with locals gathering for weekend mornings, filled with chatter and steam—truly like stepping into a scene from *Thermae Romae*.


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Besides Rudas, Széchenyi Thermal Bath—another Budapest highlight—was built in 1913 by city council decree. Expanded and renovated, it now has over 10 pools. Though more touristy, its grand architecture, iconic status, massage and pool facilities, and the famous “chess-playing” scene make it popular.

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Rudas Thermal Bath Rudas Gyógyfürdő és Uszoda
Address: Döbrentei tér 9., 1013 Budapest
Hours: 6:00 – 19:00 (Night bathing 22:00 – 4:00 on Fri & Sat)

Széchenyi Thermal Bath Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő és Uszoda
Address: XIV. kerület Állatkerti körút 9-11., H-1146 Budapest
Hours: 6:00 – 22:00