Dress Code in the Baths of Budapest

What is the dress code of Budapest Baths? What should guests wear at the baths? Are there any men/ women specific expectations to wear? Is gender neutral swimwear accepted at the baths? How about long sleeved garments? One of the most frequently asked questions about Thermal Baths in Budapest is what to wear.

Some of the first time visitors have no idea what they should wear, if anything, at Budapest Spa Baths: can you be nude? Should you be naked in the pools of Budapest Baths? Can you wear speedos or burkinis at the bath facilities? Is a bikini OK, or should you wear a more traditional bathing suit? What about massage therapies at Budapest Baths, can you / will you be nude for a massage treatment?

Let’s see the dress code of Budapest Baths:

Cover your Essentials, please

As Budapest Baths are mostly mixed thermal spa complexes, (with the exception of Rudas Baths on certain weekdays), visitors are expected to cover the most important essentials at all times, regardless of gender identification. All the pools, baths, saunas, salt caves, beer baths etc. are co-ed at Budapest Baths on every day (from Monday to Sunday, during the opening hours, except Rudas on certain days). In Szechenyi Bath or Gellert Spa or Lukacs Baths, there are no exceptions.

The dress code is simple about nudity: you cannot be naked at the public areas of the Baths and Pool. The only place where you are allowed to wear nothing is the showers, the gender separated changing rooms at the lockers or inside the changing cubicles called cabins (private changing rooms). In contrast, on the corridors, outside, in the pools, in the saunas and steam rooms, visitors are required to wear acceptable swim wear.

Swimwear needs to be clean, freshly washed and bathers need to take a shower before entering the pools.

Skin / Health Conditions

Please note that guests with contagious (skin) diseases cannot visit the baths. If you have fever, cough, etc. please refrain from passing the disease on by avoiding public areas. More specifically, open wounds, skin lesions, sores e.g. ulcers, or inflamed eyes, mouth, nose, or ear discharge, communicable diseases or any type of plaster, bandage, adhesive tape, or similar on the body is not allowed for bath guests to avoid any health problems.

Footwear & Caps

Please note that swim caps are mandatory in the swimming pools only (one larger outdoor pool in Szechenyi Bath, one larger lap pool in Gellert Bath etc.), but not in the other pools; in thermal pools you will not need a cap. If you plan to swim laps in the outdoor central swimming pool, you will need a hat.
Please also note that bath flip flops /slippers are compulsory / required to be worn in the whole area of the bath for good hygiene. If you do not have your own, you can buy a pair in the entrance hall shop (subject to availability).

In short: No thongs, no micro piece swimwear, no overly exposing swimwear is permitted. All swimwear in pools must be of swim grade materials.

Women’s Swimwear

Women are kindly asked to wear decent swimwear that is either gender neutral or European style female swimwear covering the essentials. The bare minimum is the proper bikini style swimwear (no micro suits), but you can wear any type that has been specially designed for swimming and is made of swimwear material. The following swimwear styles are accepted: gender neutral swimwear, one piece swimsuit, bikini, tankini, trikini, unikini and burkini. Swim shorts are also allowed matched with an upper body swimwear (e.g. bikini top or tankini). Long sleeve and long leg (knee length of ankle length) swimwear is also allowed per the Budapest Spas regulation. Note: the Spa reserves the right to change the regulation without advance notice.

Men’s Swimwear

Men are kindly asked to wear gender neutral or traditional European style male swimwear, i.e. trunks or shorts, but bodysuit is also allowed as long as the material is made of swimwear fabric. The bare minimum is the speedo style swimwear,

but you can don a sporty pair of knee length swim trunks, or shorts paired with a swimming top. If you wish to cover your upper body for any reason, it is an option as long as the material of the top / rash guard is made of swimming fabric.

That said, it is not unusual to see men with hairy chests and backs at Szechenyi Baths, where daily more than 2000 guests visit the 18 pools from all over the world. Usually it is not an issue, please do not feel apprehensive about body features as humans and human skin come in all sizes and shapes. However, during the hot summer days you may consider protecting your skin with a long sleeve or short sleeve sunscreen T-shirt (not a normal T shirt but a specifically swimming one). Not out of shame but out of health considerations.

Non-Binary Swimwear

Non-binary or gender neutral guests can follow the dress code that is most consistent with the gender identity while covering the essentials of external sexual anatomy. As long as the material is made of swimwear fabric and covers the bodily essentials, in line with the bath dress code regulations, it should be fine (e.g. a bodysuit or tankini with shorts etc.) Female breasts should be covered at all times (except in areas where nude is allowed) as topless is not an allowed option in case of female sexual anatomy.

Tips for your Swimwear at Budapest Baths

Some frequent visitors who spend extended hours in the outdoor pools often wear a light colored cap or white brimmed sun hat to protect the top of their heads and napes from the beating sunshine on warm, shiny summer days. If you are sensitive to the sun in general or are planning to soak longer in the water and the weather is nice, it will be a great idea to take a hat with you, with a wider brim or neck protection.

Kindly note that the gentleman wearing a white T-shirt in the photo (in Szechenyi Bath) was asked to leave the bath as wearing non swimwear items, such as a T-shirt is not allowed inside Budapest thermal bath pools. Swimming fabric type of tops are allowed (e.g. bodysuit, tankini, etc.) If your skin is sensitive please be proactive and bring a rash guard to protect your skin from sunburn while respecting the dress code of Budapest thermal baths.

Sun Protection at Budapest Baths

From May to October you will need sunscreen in Budapest, i.e.  sun protection with higher UV factors (minimum SPF 30 for adults, 50+ for teens and more sensitive skins) to protect your skin at the outdoor pools of Szechenyi, Gellert or Lukacs Baths. The outdoor baths are not only in the open air but are most of them completely exposed to the sun, no shades offered in the pool waters but having shades by the pool areas. Please make sure to give yourself a peace of mind by bringing your skin protection from melanoma and other skin diseases caused by sun exposure. The bath shop may have some lotions / creams but it is best to be prepared (subject to availability). Pharmacies and general stores offer a wide range of sunscreen creams, gels, lotions in Budapest.

If you are planning to arrive at Budapest Bath during the hottest part of the day (11 am – 4 pm) , it is best to bring long sleeve swimwear with UVA and UVB screen to be on the safe side.

Dress Code during  Massage

If you prefer to be naked or covered in a swim wear can be a crucial aspect of a massage therapy. In Budapest Baths the massage therapies are always in swimwear, 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. Book your massage in advance to avoid having to wait hours for the popular massage therapies in our world famous thermal bath.

Swimwear Rental at Budapest Bath

Swimwear RENTAL SERVICES NOT AVAILABLE – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL / SWIMWEAR/ SLIPPERS OR PURCHASE A TOWEL / SWIMWEAR / FLIP FLOPS ON THE SPOT (IF ANY AVAILABLE).  THE EXCEPTION IS THE EXCLUSIVE PALM HOUSE (DAYSPALM Szechenyi Bath) PACKAGE WHERE TOWEL & BATH ROBE ARE INCLUDED (NO SWIMWEAR).

If you have not brought your own swimwear to Budapest, please do not worry. There are multiple sports outlets, major departments stores and fashion stores  in Budapest selling swimwear of all kinds. Stores have a try-on policy asking you to keep your underwear on when trying on a swimwear in store (the swimwear itself is often protected with a a sanitary sticker on the crotch area to ensure no bare genitals meet the fabric during the try-on).

While Budapest thermal baths have a bath essentials store on the spot, certain sizes or styles may not be in stock on the day of your visit. Please avoid any disappointment and be well prepared with a swimwear you like and fit you when coming to the baths. It will make a difference.

Related Info about Budapest Thermal Baths:
Gellert Spa Dress Code

Note: the Spa reserves the right to change the regulation without advance notice.

Last updated: May 27, 2024