Dress Code in the Baths of Budapest

Is there a dress code of Budapest Baths? What should men and women wear?

Many, especially, first time visitors have no idea what they should wear at Budapest Spa Baths. The most frequent question is that whether nudity is allowed. Are speedos, swim trunks, bikinis are accepted? And what about massage therapies at the major Thermal Baths in Budapest, do you need to be nude for the massage?

As all of the major thermal Baths in Budapest are coed thermal spa complexes, visitors are expected to wear something in order to cover the most important essentials.  The pools, the baths, all the saunas, etc. are completely mixed at Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Kiraly Baths on every day (from Monday to Sunday, during opening hours) and there are no exceptions.

It is simple. Nobody can be naked at any of the public areas of the major thermal Baths of Budapest. The only place where nudity is allowed is the showers. However, on the corridors, outside, in the pools, in the saunas and steam rooms, you will have to wear your swim wear.

Rudas Baths is the only thermal bath in Budapest, which has men only and women only days on weekdays, when aprons are worn by many guests instead of traditional swimwear.

Women’s Swimwear at the Baths of Budapest

 

 

Women are supposed to wear decent swim wears. Minimum a proper bikini style swim wear, or a sporty tankini, shorts (with a top), or a one piece ladies swimsuit too, should you be a bit shy or you prefer more coverage (swim caps are mandatory in the swimming pool, but not in the other thermal pools).

If you want to cover more of your body, please wear something in the pools that still qualifies as a swim wear for waters.

At Szechenyi spa parties, known as Szecska sparties or SPArties, starting late night at 10 pm on summer Saturdays, guests often wear more revealing swim wears, such as tanga style bottoms, esigner thong swimsuits, G string thongs, tie side tanga bikini pants etc. Durinh daytimes, however, party style is not recommended, more daring ladies swim wear.

Men’s Swimwear at the Baths of Budapest

Men arre supposed to wear decent swim wears too. Minimum a speedo style swim wear, or a sporty pair of swim trunks, or shorts (with a top). For more coverage, try to get some wet suit or wet suit style T shirts or something that still qualifies as a swim wear for waters.

At Szechenyi spa parties Borat style thong swimsuits appear occasionally,  but most visitors wear either speedos or trunks. If are brave enough and have a more revealing men’s swimwear, expect to attract looks from the guests.

Children’s Swimwear at the Baths of Budapest

All the Thermal Baths of Budapest are more geared towards adults than children (please see our guide here: Can Children Go to the Thermal Baths of Budapest?), so here, we should rather talk about teens than children, as kids can use the pools if they are over 14 years old. In general, girls wear the same as women (the dress code is the same for both), while boys wear the same as men (again, the dress code is identical).

Other tips

Wear a hat on sunny days, the weather can be really hot in Budapest during summertime.Sun-tan cream: protect your skin. You will see, some local regulars usually wear a baseball cap or s sun hat to protect their heads from the beating sunshine on warm, shiny summer days. Should you be sensitive to the sun in general or are planning to soak longer in the water and the weather is nice, it might be a good idea to take a hat with you. Especially for children / teens.

Another thing that you will need is sun tan lotion,  sun protection. All the major baths in Budapest have open air pools fully in the sun, without any shades.

Talk to Your Massage Therapist. It is not entirely up to you whether you would like to be naked or covered in a swim wear during massage therapy. In the Baths of Budapest the massage therapies are always in a swim wear, but ladies can release the bikini strings if they wish. In general, we suggest talking to your masseuse in advance about your dressing preferences.

Please wear your swimwear for your massage.

About Baths Budapest

Baths Budapest: Budapest thermal bath reservation and bath guide. Medicinal pools, spas, hot spring baths, massage treatments and wellness.

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21 comments

  1. Can you wear swim shoes in the thermal baths?

    • Hello Dawn,

      Thank you for contacting us.
      Flip Flops/ Slippers are mandatory for health and safety reasons, however guests need to take them off when they are entering the pools. Please leave your slippers at the side of the pool.
      Swim shoes or beach shoes are only allowed if they are worn outside the pools, as if they were slippers (basically, soles pick up dirt on the paved areas and to avoid contamination, no beach shoes can go inside the water – hope this makes sense).

      For more information on what to take to the Baths please follow: https://szechenyibath.com/what-shall-i-take-with-me-to-szechenyi-baths-szechenyi-bath-faq/
      Have a great time in Budapest!

  2. My brother, sister, and I are traveling to Budapest in a few days – we want to go together. We are Muslims so we would like to wear Muslim swimwear. So it’s the same material a a normal swim suite (one piece / bakini / speedo) but just longer. Is it okay to wear that?

    • Dear Laila,
      Thank you for checking before the bath visit.
      Please kindly note that swimming suits covering the full body (e.g. burkini), or surfing suits are unfortunately not accepted in Szechenyi Baths due to government health regulations, which the baths need to observe. Thank you for your understanding and kind cooperation. Non-binary genders are kindly asked to follow men or women dress code to their liking.
      Please find more details on the link below:
      https://bathsbudapest.com/dress-code-in-the-baths-of-budapest

  3. Why have the baths become so prudish?

    Before 2012 when I first traveled to Hungary no one cared whether you’re naked or not. It’s a traditional style bath, it’s non-sexual. Part of the reason I like it is the feeling of freedom. Same with massage.

  4. So it is acceptable in all bath locations for men to wear swim shorts and a swim shirt?
    Someone told me that men couldn’t wear any shirts at all in some baths.

    • Dear Robert,
      in some baths (where there is a thermal bath and a lido complex), only sports gear swimming t-shirts are accepted but not regular streetwear ones.
      In traditional thermal baths, T-shirts are not accepted, only swimming trunks / briefs / board shorts.
      Have a lovely time in Budapest and enjoy your winter thermal bath visit!

  5. Hi I’m going in late November
    What would the dress code be for both men and women/what would be recommended?
    Also, how covid safe is everything?

  6. So in Rudas baths, It’s mandatory to wear a swimming cap in swimming pool but in thermal baths Im not obliged to wear one – correct?

  7. I am confused.
    “It is not entirely up to you whether you would like to be naked or covered in a swim wear during massage therapy. In the Baths of Budapest the massage therapies are always in a swim wear”

    so can you be naked for your massage, if you are a man and your massage therapist is a man?
    Thank you

    • Dear Mike,
      the official answer is no, please wear swimming trunks while enjoying the massage.
      If you prefer to stay without speedos, you might visit Rudas Baths on men only days (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays).
      Rudas Baths is the only thermal bath in Budapest, which has men only and women only days on weekdays when aprons are worn by many guests instead of traditional swimwear.

    • Can I wear shorts in Lukacs Thermal bath and a Sando? Thank you!!

  8. Meenakshi Sharma

    I want to know are full length swimming leggings allowed for women?

  9. Hi. I understand it is ok to wear a more revealing swimwear like a thong for man?
    ” If are brave enough and have a more revealing men’s swimwear”

    • Hello Kai,
      swimming thongs are unfortunately are against the dress code of thermal baths: we would suggest either bringing your own trunks, or hiring trunks at the rental facility of the baths.
      Have a great thermal experience in Budapest

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