Can Children Go to Szechenyi Baths – Szechenyi Bath FAQ

One of the most frequently asked questions about Szechenyi Spa Baths is whether children (teens, kids, toddlers, babies) can go to Szechenyi Baths. Children  3 – 13 years of age are only allowed to use two of the outdoor pools in Szechenyi Bath, but they are not allowed to enter the rest of the pools in the baths.

There are no bath slides in Szechenyi Bath, but there are plenty elsewhere in other baths in Budapest, like Palatinus on Margaret Island (as in the photo).

Generally speaking, the more famous thermal baths in Budapest are not child focussed (some notable exceptions are the lovely bathing complexes of Palatinus Baths, Dagaly Baths or Csillaghegy Baths, which are absolutely family friendly and receive large numbers of families over the summer months, especially on hot, 30+ degrees Celsius days).

Children Under 14 Years

Minimum age of entering the 15 indoor thermal pools in Szechenyi Bath: 14 years of age. Swimming pool: can be used with parental supervision for able swimmers under 14 (it is the standard adult lap pool in the open air). Also, the whirlpool (temperature of approx. 33 degrees Celsius) outdoor can be used under 14 year olds, with a parent continuously supervising the kid.

Kindly note that only older teens, over 14 years old, are allowed to enter the hot water thermal pools in Szechenyi Bath. Underage (0-14 year old kids) are, unfortunately, not allowed, not even with a parent. If the pool master notices such an incident, guests will be asked to leave the pools.

• one is the larger swimming pool (approx. 26 degrees C, cap is compulsory, used for lap swimming, with no fun water elements featured), with approx. depth up to 160 cm.
• while the other is the pool with a whirlpool (approx. 32-34 degrees), approx depth is 110 cm.

Code of Conduct

Families are kindly asked to contribute to the positive  and relaxing vibe of thermal baths by respecting the calmness the spa aims for, as the bath complex is mostly visited by adults, young adults and the elderly who wish to quietly relax. Running, shouting, jumping, letting off steam with noise etc. are not accepted behaviour in Szechenyi Bath, accordingly. Please make sure that upon choosing Szechenyi Bath, you are confident that the children can follow an adult level code of conduct that may seem more rigid from a child’s perspective than a family friendly bath’s.

Baths for Families: Child-friendly Baths & Pools in Budapest

In 1913, when Szechenyi Bath was opened, the whole bath complex was, and is still aimed at adult bathers, so we recommend families with children visiting one of the several family friendly thermal baths / lidos and aqua parks in the city of Budapest, which is very welcoming and a great experience for most families with younger and more mature children.

Palatinus Bath & Lido is a great alternative: although it is mostly known as an open air lido in central Budapest, Palatinus on Margaret Island has been extended with indoor pools (adult thermal and kid pool), which makes the bath a great option all year round, even during the colder winter months (Nov – Dec – Jan – Feb). Palatinus is the best perhaps in the summer, but is still enjoyable with younger kids in the colder season. The thermal waters are cooled down in several pools, which were specifically designed for younger kids and more mature teens. Slides, shallow play pools, hip deep kid pools, and lots of other fun (including a playground) show that Palatinus is ideal for families.

Ready to book your tickets in Palatinus Bath?

Similarly, other thermal baths – lido complexes offer great fun for families with children and teens: Dagaly Bath & Lido close to Arpad Bridge (north of Margaret Island), Paskal Baths and Lido, Csillaghegy Baths and Lido are very popular alternatives.

Aqua World is a water theme park in Budapest with slides, chutes etc. – north of the city, approx. 1 hour ride from the city centre. Ideal for younger and older teenagers (there is even a surf class for beginners), great with toddlers and babies, superb for grown ups.

Many of the family centred Budapest pool parks (lidos) are within easy reach of the city center, and have lots of fun pools designed specifically for children, plus there are various baths with thermal water for parents too.

So you can enjoy the famous natural spring waters of Budapest without a compromise. Palatinus, Dagaly, Paskal, Csillaghegyi, Aqua World are also much loved by locals as the pools are surrounded by grassy, bushy green areas where you can play volleyball, throw frisbee, the children can run around, etc.

While we think of Szechenyi Spa Baths as a truly fun place from an adult point of view, the baths, saunas, and pools have been primarily designed for mature men and women, and of course, in its sectioned off spa department, for patients who have been prescribed aqua therapy, balneotherapy, etc. for some kind of medical condition (hospital patients are treated in the special pools, which can only be used by hospital patients – in our Szechenyi Spa Baths map indicated with green colour, saying ‘Hospital Pool’).

Most teens and adults at Szechenyi Baths enjoy the outdoor whirlpool with its fun whirls, sweeping you off your feet in a circular motion.

18+ Young adults with no upper age limit can enjoy the Saturday night parties that attract mostly 18 – 30, the young (at heart) adults. The fun is there, just not geared for kids.

If you were planning to take your young children to Szechenyi Baths we are sorry about the inconvenience and would encourage you and the children to find out about more child friendly bathing options in Budapest, including Palatinus Bath, Csillaghegyi Bath, Dagaly Bath, Paskal Bath, Lupa Beach or AquaWorld water theme park offering family bathing / spa experience for younger children and parents in the city of Budapest.

Please check the price list for Szechenyi Spa Baths.

Kindly note that the management of Szechenyi Baths reserves the right to change the policy regarding children.

If you are interested in sweet water natural lakes, we suggest visiting Lake Balaton (approx. a 2 hour drive from Budapest city), which is the largest lake in the Central Eastern European region. The lake is surrounded by villages and towns, a large variety of accommodation, open air lidos, a fully modernised cycling path, hundreds of family friendly activities and places and even international summer camps for children and teens.

Last updated: Oct 1, 2024