What is the dress code of Szechenyi Baths? What should men wear at the baths, and what are women expected to wear? One of the most frequently asked questions about Szechenyi Baths Budapest is what to wear.
Some of the first time visitors have no idea what they should wear, if anything, at Szechenyi Spa Baths: can you be nude? Should you be naked in the pools of Szechenyi Baths? Can you wear speedos or swim trunks at the spa facilities? Is a bikini OK, or should you wear a more complete one piece swim suit? What about massage therapies at Szechenyi Baths, do you need to be nude for the massage?
Let’s see the dress code of Szechenyi Baths:
Cover your Essentials, please
As Szechenyi Baths is a mixed thermal spa complex, visitors are expected to cover the most important essentials at all times, regardless of gender identification. All the pools, all the baths, all the saunas, etc. are completely co-educational at Szechenyi Baths on every day (from Monday to Sunday, during the opening hours). There are no exceptions.
The dress code is pretty simple about nudity: you cannot be naked at the public areas of Szechenyi Baths and Pool. The only place where you are allowed to wear nothing is the showers, the gender separated changing rooms at the lockers, the 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 (please see the pictogram for visual guidance).
Please also note that bath flip flops /slippers are required to be worn in the whole area of the bath. If you do not have your own, you can buy a pair in the entrance hall shop.
Women’s Swimwear at Szechenyi Baths
Women are kindly asked to wear decent swim wears. The bare minimum is the proper bikini style swim wear, but you can don a sporty tankini (swimsuit style), or a one piece ladies swimsuit too, if you prefer more coverage, or you are planning to do some laps in the open air swimming pool (swim caps are mandatory in the swimming pool, but not in the other 17 pools).
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.
Men’s Swimwear at Szechenyi Baths
Men are kindly asked to wear traditional western swim wears, i.e trunks or shorts. The bare minimum is the speedo style swim wear, but you can don a sporty pair of swim trunks, or shorts. It is not unusual to see men with hairy chests and backs at Szechenyi Baths, where daily more than 2000 guests visit the 17 pools from all over the world. Usually it is not an issue, please do not worry as humans and human skin come in all sizes and shapes. Swim caps are mandatory in the swimming pool only, but not in the other 17 pools of Szechenyi. Non-binary genders are kindly asked to follow men or women dress code to their liking.
Children’s Swimwear at Szechenyi Baths
As Szechenyi Baths is more geared towards adults than children (please see our guide here: Can Children Go to Szechenyi Baths?), we should rather talk about teens than children (kids can use the pools if they are over 14 years old). What teens like wearing these days, your adolescent daughter or son will know. But 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). Non-binary genders are kindly asked to follow men or women dress code to their liking.
Tips for your Swimwear at Szechenyi Baths
Wear a hat on sunny days
Some local regulars who spend several hours in the outdoor pools (killing time with playing chess, or just fooling around in the wave pool, or chatting around), usually wear a light colored baseball cap or some kind of sun hat to protect the top of their heads 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 might be a good idea to take a hat with you. Especially for children / teens.
Sun-tan cream: protect your skin
Another thing that you will need from June to September at the outdoor pools of Szechenyi Baths is sun tan lotion, sun protection. All three baths are in the open air and fully in the sun, no shades.
Talk to Your Massage Therapist
If you prefer to be naked or covered in a swim wear can be a crucial aspect of a massage therapy. In Szechenyi Baths 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.
RENTAL SERVICES NOT AVAILABLE – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL / SWIMWEAR/ SLIPPERS OR PURCHASE A TOWEL ON THE SPOT
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.
Related Info about Budapest Thermal Baths:
Gellert Spa Dress Code
why are burkinis not permitted in the baths?
They wont say the real answer my friend.
Thongs are allowed but not burkinis, probably they think it will cause drowning accidents ;)
Dear Michaela,
the bare minimum is the proper bikini style swim wear, but women can wear a sporty tankini, shorts (with a top), or a one piece ladies swimsuit too.
Please kindly note that swimming suits covering the full body (e.g. burkini) is unfortunately not accepted.
Please find all of the information on Dress Code in Szechenyi Spa on the following page:
https://szechenyibath.com/dress-code-at-szechenyi-baths-budapest/
Hello there,
Is long sleeve swim tee rush guard allowed for both men and women for sun protection?
https://www.swimoutlet.com/womens-rash-guards-swim-shirts-c9341/
The gentleman seems to be wearing one playing board game in your photo Swimwear tips in Szechenyi Baths – Samuela Lepori Photography
Thank you!
Hello Wei,
once it a while it happens that guests are informed about the swimwear policy / dress code of the baths, yet – at the guest’s own responsibility – they might be seen wearing long sleeve swimwear.
Please be aware that the staff may ask you to leave the premises and change into a different swim gear that complies with the policy. Although, in most cases, it is a sort of grey area in the policy.
We hope that you can make an informed decision based on the above.
Have a nice time at Szechenyi Spa Baths!
Hi, is a half sleeve shirt and knee length shorts allowed (all in swimming material)?
Hello Sarah,
recently only classic bikini or swimming costumes are allowed, as it is seen on the dress code picture. Thank you for your kind understanding.
Why is burkini not allowed? what’s wrong with it? there isn’t even a private pool to swim. It’s really racist!
If you are 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.
Hello,
My family and I will be traveling all the way from America to spend Christmas in Budapest. We were unaware of the strict dress codes in the baths and this is preventing us from booking time at the baths (the main reason we are coming to Budapest!) We would like to wear long sleeve swimsuits with swim capris (all are considered proper swimwear). We also looked into women’s only hours at the baths, but there are none before Christmas time. Can you please provide me with a proper reason why we cannot wear that attire at the baths? I am a professional swimmer here in America and I am allowed to wear that attire all the time. I would really like for my family to enjoy their time in Budapest.
Thank you,
Sana
Hi can you purchase swimsuits in the spa store?