Budapest Spas Booming: Record-Breaking 2024 Tourism
Budapest Spas Enjoy Record-Breaking Year, New Discounts Planned
Budapest’s thermal baths experienced a record-breaking year in 2024, with significant increases in visitor numbers across most city-owned facilities. Széchenyi Spa led the pack, attracting nearly 1.4 million guests, far outpacing the second-most popular spa, Gellért Spa, which saw approximately 420,000 visitors.
Five other spas reported between 300,000 and 400,000 visitors: Lukács Spa (382,000), Paskál Spa (359,000), Palatinus Beach (337,000), Csillaghegy Beach Spa (320,000), and Rudas Spa (311,000). Pesterzsébet Spa welcomed 284,000 guests, while the smaller Dandár Spa saw 55,000 visitors. The city's two seasonal beaches, Római Spa and Pünkösdfürdő Spa, attracted 67,000 and 37,000 guests respectively. The increase in visitors is attributed to favorable summer weather conditions compared to previous years.
To further boost tourism and accessibility, the Budapest General Assembly approved new discount programs for residents. Budapest students will receive a 50% discount on monthly visits to historic spas like Gellért, Széchenyi, Rudas, and Lukács, and a 50% discount on weekly visits to other spas and beaches. They will also receive an 80% discount during the two hours before closing time. All Budapest residents will enjoy half-price access during the first and last two hours of the day starting this summer.
To improve the visitor experience, online appointment booking will be implemented at major spas to alleviate long queues. Rudas Spa is slated to launch this service in May. While specific pricing details for the new discount programs weren't provided, it's notable that at least one popular spa outside of Budapest, Sárvár Spa, is maintaining its prices from the previous year.
Budapest’s thermal baths experienced a record-breaking year in 2024, with significant increases in visitor numbers across most city-owned facilities. Széchenyi Spa led the pack, attracting nearly 1.4 million guests, far outpacing the second-most popular spa, Gellért Spa, which saw approximately 420,000 visitors.
Five other spas reported between 300,000 and 400,000 visitors: Lukács Spa (382,000), Paskál Spa (359,000), Palatinus Beach (337,000), Csillaghegy Beach Spa (320,000), and Rudas Spa (311,000). Pesterzsébet Spa welcomed 284,000 guests, while the smaller Dandár Spa saw 55,000 visitors. The city's two seasonal beaches, Római Spa and Pünkösdfürdő Spa, attracted 67,000 and 37,000 guests respectively. The increase in visitors is attributed to favorable summer weather conditions compared to previous years.
To further boost tourism and accessibility, the Budapest General Assembly approved new discount programs for residents. Budapest students will receive a 50% discount on monthly visits to historic spas like Gellért, Széchenyi, Rudas, and Lukács, and a 50% discount on weekly visits to other spas and beaches. They will also receive an 80% discount during the two hours before closing time. All Budapest residents will enjoy half-price access during the first and last two hours of the day starting this summer.
To improve the visitor experience, online appointment booking will be implemented at major spas to alleviate long queues. Rudas Spa is slated to launch this service in May. While specific pricing details for the new discount programs weren't provided, it's notable that at least one popular spa outside of Budapest, Sárvár Spa, is maintaining its prices from the previous year.
