The Gellert Hotel and Thermal Baths on the Buda side of the city sits at the base of Gellert Hill just off the Freedom Bridge. It is about $20 for the day to use the spa facilities which include an indoor pool, an outdoor pool with a wave machine, two thermal baths at different temperatures, a steam room and several saunas inside and outside by the pool. One can either go standard with a locker in the general changing room or opt for a small changing cabin which is locked. Both the lockers and cabins are opened and closed with an RFID bracelet which are issued at the entrance. Towels require an extra rental fee. The indoor pool requires one to wear a bathing cap which can be purchased inexpensively at the counter. Debbe an I spend several hours at the baths relaxing. It was busy but not too crowded considering it is the most well known of the half dozen thermal baths in the city.
Budapest has a long history known as the city of thermal spas which are reputed for their curative and calming effects. The original hot springs caves were discovered in the 13th century by the Knights of St. John and were used extensively by the Turks during their occupation of Hungary. For a history of this famous spa click here.
Budapest has a long history known as the city of thermal spas which are reputed for their curative and calming effects. The original hot springs caves were discovered in the 13th century by the Knights of St. John and were used extensively by the Turks during their occupation of Hungary. For a history of this famous spa click here.
Budapest has many bakeries and pastry cafes and we wanted to try somewhere fancy. For our first foray into the Hungarian sweet scene, we chose a 150 year old establishment called the Gerbeaud on Vorosmarty Square. One of Budapest’s most famous and ornately decorated coffeehouses, Café Gerbeaud has been satisfying the city’s sweets cravings since 1858. The traditional cake selection comes with slices of the café’s three most iconic cakes, including the Gerbeaud, layered with ground walnuts and apricot jam. It is a high-class confectioner and the prices reflect it. I chose a dessert palachinta (traditional thin crepes) with a walnut cream filling, a dollop of chocolate sauce on one end, vanilla ice cream and apricot ragout. Debbe feasted on almas retes (classical apple strudel) with cinnamon ice cream, vanilla sauce and whipped cream. Gerbeaud is one of the 10 best grand cafes in Budapest.
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