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 under 14 are not allowed to enter the thermal baths in Budapest (some notable exceptions are the outdoor cold water summer pools in Palatinus Baths or Csillaghegy Baths).

Children Under 14 Years

Minimum age of entering the thermal pools in the Baths: 14 years of age.

Kindly note that only older teens, over 14 years old, are allowed to enter the hot water pools in the bath. Underage (0-14 year old kids) are, unfortunately, not allowed, not even under parental guidance.

Baths for Families

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.

Similarly, other thermal baths – lido complexes offer great fun for families with children and teens: Dagaly 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 – 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, 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’).

As a rule of thumb, kids under 14 are prohibited from using the thermal baths, while children over 14 can use the thermal baths for a limited time to avoid medical complications. Most teens and adults at Szechenyi Baths enjoy the outdoor whirlpool with its fun whirls, sweeping you off your feet in a circular motion. Saturday night parties cater for many students (over 18) and young (in the 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 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.