On my journey to experience every bath in Budapest, I visited the Lukács Bath, known for its local and authentic atmosphere. It attracts fewer tourists and is frequented by locals, including artists, intellectuals, and senior citizens. In this article, I will explain why the Lukács Bath is worth a visit, despite being less known than the Széchenyi Bath or Gellért Bath in Budapest.
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What You Need to Know About Lukács Bath in Budapest
Flanked by tall buildings, Lukács Bath offers an intimate atmosphere steeped in rich history. It is smaller and more cosy compared to other baths, so I decided not to take my phone inside. That’s why you won’t see any photos of me in my swimsuit this time. Here, you come to truly relax, much like a local would.
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Unlock the best of Budapest with the Budapest Card and enjoy free public transportation, access to the best museums, and relaxation at the famous Lukács Thermal Bath.
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Regulars at Lukács Bath flock to its mineral-rich thermal waters, which are well-known for helping with rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pain. While I’m not an expert and can’t vouch for these claims, I did feel quite well after spending half a day there!
Outside, you can find gratitude plaques from those who have found healing. They’re in Hungarian, but you can try translating some of them if interested.
A Bit of History
In the 12th century, knights of the Order of Saint John settled in the area, providing healing for the sick. It was followed by the Orders of Rhodes and Malta, who constructed monasteries and baths nearby.
The oldest part of Lukács Bath is a watermill from the 16th century, integrated into a thermal lake during the Ottoman occupation. In 1884, Jewish-Hungarian businessman Fülöp Palotay purchased the bath and transformed it into a major complex within the Hungarian Kingdom by adding a spa hotel and a modern hydrotherapy department.
In 1946 the Lukács Bath was nationalised, and the National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy took over parts of it. It still operates there today, and in 1979 established the first department providing complex thermal bath facilities that functioned as a daytime hospital.
The Lukács Bath’s open-air pools were modernised in 1999. Today, while still connected to the hospital, Lukács Bath invites everyone to enjoy unique experiences in Budapest, including massages and Beer Spa.
Lukacs Bath: Thermal Pools and Saunas
Lukács Bath features thermal pools with temperatures ranging from 32°C to 40°C. You can visit Lukács Bath to enjoy the healing properties of the water or relax in the leisure pools, perfect for swimming enthusiasts like me.
In addition to the pools, the spa complex offers a variety of saunas, including classic steam saunas and salt crystal saunas. For a more personalised experience, you can also book a massage or try out the Beer Spa.
Thermal Pools
Inside Lukacs Bath are many thermal pools with varying temperatures, ranging from 32°C to 40°C. These pools are the heart of the bath, as the mineral-rich thermal waters provide relief for rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pain.
Additionally, in the thermal pools area, there are two fountains where you can drink the warm medicinal water, which is known for aiding digestion. I found this to be true because, during my trip, I felt really good despite indulging in everything, from fried lángos to various spicy dishes!
Leisure Pools
Outside, there are two swimming pools with a temperature of around 22°C, open all year round. You can swim there with your swim cap. The pools are large enough for swimming even if many people are inside, and I loved swimming there!
Saunas
The Lukács Bath ticket includes access to a steam sauna and a Finnish sauna. You can also purchase an optional ticket for Sauna World, which features additional sauna options such as an infrared sauna, salt crystal sauna, aroma steam room, and naturist sauna. If you enjoy saunas, it’s definitely worth adding Sauna World to your entry ticket.
Massages
To complement your thermal bath, you can book a massage. Prices start at around €30, depending on your choice. You’ll get your massage in one of the rooms before the thermal pools.
Options at Lukács Bath include an aroma massage with warm oil and a gentle touch, a Swedish massage with vigorous strokes, a facial and décolleté massage using nourishing warm candle oil, and more.
Beer Spa
Within the Lukács Bath, you’ll find the Lukács Beer Spa. It features nine tubs where you can immerse for 45 minutes in dry beer ingredients mixed with thermal water. During your spa session, you can also enjoy unlimited beer from the tap beside your tub.
Apparently, the combination of thermal water and beer ingredients works wonders for your skin and hair. While I am not inspired by the idea of bathing in beer and consuming alcohol before soaking in hot thermal water, it is a very popular activity among tourists. You can also find a beer spa at the Széchenyi Bath.
Practical Information for Visiting the Lukács Bath
Lukács Bath is one of Budapest’s historic thermal baths, offering a relaxing experience with mineral-rich waters and various wellness facilities. Before your visit, it’s helpful to know what to bring, locker arrangements, opening hours, and ticket prices. Here’s everything you need to ensure a smooth and enjoyable spa day.
What to Bring
When packing for a day at the Lukács Bath, bring your swimwear, towels, flip-flops, shampoo, etc. If you plan to swim in the outdoor leisure pools, consider bringing a swimming cap and goggles.
At the Lukács Bath, there’s no need to bring your water bottle, as you can drink from the fountains in the thermal area. Apparently, you can significantly benefit from drinking this mineral-rich warm water!
Lockers
To keep your personal belongings safe, on-site lockers are available for your use. Upon arrival, you will receive an electronic plastic bracelet you should always keep on your wrist.
This bracelet allows you to open and close your locker as often as needed. It’s the same kind of plastic bracelet that you’ll find in any bath in Budapest.
Opening Hours
The Lukács Bath is open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please note that all pools and pool areas must be left 20 minutes before closing.
Sauna World opens at 2 pm on weekdays. On weekends and public holidays, it’s accessible throughout the entire opening hours.
Admission Fee
Full-day tickets for Lukács Bath cost HUF 5,100 for adults on weekdays and HUF 5,500 on weekends. You also have the option to purchase an afternoon ticket starting from HUF 3,600.
Access to Sauna World requires an additional ticket, priced at HUF 1,300 on top of the regular entry fee.
If you have the Budapest Card, you can enter for free (excluding Sauna World). Read my article to discover how much you can save with the Budapest Card.
How to Get to the Lukacs Bath
To reach the Lukács Bath from the centre of Budapest, take bus number 9, direction Óbuda. For the best route from your location, check Google Maps. You can find more information about public transport in my article about how to get around Budapest.
Lukács Bath (Szt. Lukács Gyógyfürdő)
Budapest, Frankel Leo ut 25-29, 1023
Where to stay in Budapest
Budapest offers a wide range of beautiful hotels to choose from. Hampton By Hilton Budapest City Centre (here my review) is located in the heart of Budapest, just 600 metres from St. Stephen’s Basilica. They offer a delicious breakfast and have a restaurant and a bar on-site. For those looking for a hotel with unique and stunning decor, Stories Boutique Hotel is a 4-star property situated 500 meters away from the Hungarian State Opera. They have a restaurant on-site that serves à la carte, a continental or vegetarian breakfast. If you prefer an aparthotel, Zoya Luxury Residence is an excellent option with units with a coffee machine, a dishwasher, a microwave and parking space.
Visiting the Lukács Bath, you can immerse yourself in Budapest’s local culture while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of its thermal waters. Unlike its more touristy counterparts, Lukács offers a more authentic atmosphere where you can unwind and relax. Share in the comments your experience with Budapest’s baths and which are your favourites.
