Is Szechenyi Baths open at Christmas? In the last 10 years, it has been, so it will be open this year too. Szechenyi Bath Christmas opening hours are slightly different from the normal Szechenyi Bath opening hours. But, most important of all, you can celebrate your Christmas in Budapest at Szechenyi Baths! Most of the 18 pools and other thermal services are open on the days of Christmas (Dec 25 and 26), and of course, during the Advent period.
Christmas Opening Hours in Baths
Advent and Christmas opening hours at Szechenyi Spa Baths, and further Budapest baths will be as follows. Please allow at least 3 hours for a relaxing stay. The following hours are approximate hours, not finalised yet.
- Dec 1-23 open approx. 7 am to 8 pm (weekdays Mon-Thu); and approx. 8 am to 8 pm (weekends Fri-Sun). Tickets, Massages, the Palm House Exclusive Package and the Beer Bath can be booked in advance. The rest of the major thermal baths in Budapest like Gellert Spa, Rudas Bath, etc. also welcome visitors and there is usually less crowd. The Széchenyi Bath is open until 4 pm on Dec 3, 2024.
- Booking for the festive period (Dec 23 – Jan 7) is expected to open from mid or late November. Kindly check back approx. 1 month before your planned date of visit when the days open in the booking calendar for the period Dec 23 – Jan 7.
- Dec 24 (Christmas Eve holiday): opening hours from approx. 8 am to 2 pm (all the facilities in Szechenyi Baths). The rest of the major thermal baths in Budapest like Gellert Spa, Rudas Bath, etc. are normally also open from 8 am to 2 pm. The booking calendar opens 1 month before the date. Kindly check back later to make an advance reservation.
- Dec 25 (Christmas Day holiday): opening hours from approx. 10 am to 8 pm. Similarly to Szechenyi Bath, from 10 am to 6 pm on December 25 other Budapest baths are also open: Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths, Gellert Bath.
- Dec 26 (Boxing Day holiday): opening hours from approx. 8 am to 8 pm. Further thermal baths in Budapest will also be open on Dec 26: from approx. 8 or 10 am to 6 pm on December 25 other Budapest baths are also open: Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths, Gellert Bath.
- Dec 27: opening hours from approx. 8 am to 8 pm
- Dec 28: opening hours from approx. 8 am to 8 pm
- Dec 29: opening hours from approx. 8 am to 8 pm
- Dec 30: opening hours from approx. 8 am to 8 pm, reopening at 9.30 pm for the pre NYE Bath Party
- Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve): opening hours from approx. 8 am to 6 pm
- Jan 1 (New Year’s Day holiday): opening hours from approx. 10 am to 8 pm
- Jan 2: opening hours from approx. 7 am to 8 pm
- Jan 3 onwards: normal opening hours apply usually
Note: the entry price on festive days (such as the Christmas and New Year period) requires the slightly pricier festive rate tickets.
Are Tickets Sold Out on your preferred Date?
Several Days will be fully booked up online in Szechenyi Bath in Dec & Jan (festive booking is open 30 days before the date normally): Why not try Rudas Bath for a blissful relaxation? Bathe & Dine packages are still pre-bookable for December & January. Rudas Bath & Bistro Booking. Pre-booking recommended as Rudas Bistro overviews the River Danube and the Bath is very popular. Rudas boasts over 10 pools, 20m swimming pool, rooftop pool with river view, several thermal pools, including a 16th century Turkish octagonal pool.
Bathe & Dine with Rudas Spa Entry and 3 Course Lunch or Dinner: €85 per Person, a superb festive treat you deserve during a crispy cold winter holiday.
Christmas Guide in Budapest
Budapest December 24 – Dec 24 is a semi bank holiday for Hungarians: please note that public transport and city life usually quiets down by mid-afternoon (by about 2-3 pm). Budapest Metro usually runs until 4 pm, then the metros are replaced with buses on the routes of the metro lines. Shops usually also close by 2-3pm, so last-minute shoppers who will run around to find some gifts will have to finish their Christmas gift chase by 2 pm to get home with the precious ‘loot’. Most Hungarian families celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, so you will find that most attractions close earlier or are closed all day on this festive day.
Dec 24: The booking calendar opens 1 month before the date. Kindly check back later to make an advance reservation.
Ideas for what to do during the Christmas days in Budapest:
Dec 24 Budapest Activities: Christmas Eve events, concerts, tours, cruises, walks, masses
Dec 25 Budapest Activities: Christmas Day events, concerts, tours, cruises, walks, masses
Dec 26 Budapest Activities: Boxing Day events, concerts, tours, cruises, walks
Dec 30 Budapest Winter Party in Szechenyi Baths: the pre- New Year Bath Party is traditionally on December 30, organised by Cinetrip, the Sparty is an international greatest hit among party goers
There is a wonderful Budapest Christmas Market, one on Vorosmarty Square, and there is another Christmas market, which is right in front of the majestic St Stephen’s Basilica – both in the city centre of Budapest.
December 24 is the traditional Christmas Gift day for the majority in Hungary, when families visit each other, come together to sing around the Christmas tree, have a festive dinner of fish soup, Beigli (a Hungarian cake with walnut and poppy seed, etc.,) and give each other Christmas gifts). In fact, Dec 24 is the most festive day in Hungary, so Szechenyi Baths personnel is also celebrating on this most cherished day of love, hence the reason for the short opening hours.
As for the rest of the city, please note that other attractions also have more limited opening times and the public transport has less frequent options, e.g. the metros usually stop running at about 3-4 pm replaced by buses on the same routes on Dec 24, the first day of Christmas in Hungary. So if you are planning to use the M1 metro / yellow line underground to or from Szechenyi Bath you will be fine until 2-3 pm but then you will need to use the buses that replace the metros along the metro lines (and run infrequently).
More ideas for Budapest Christmas:
Budapest Restaurants at Christmas
Hi,
How can I book tickets for the days of Christmas?
I tried booking online, but from the 24 it is not possible (there are no tickets available).
Thanks,
Gal
Hello Gal,
for the festive season, online tickets are not available on our website. You can buy entries upon arrival.I am sorry that I could not be more helpful at this moment. Have a nice Christmas Holiday in Budapest!
Hello,
Will you be open between 27th to 30th December as I can’t seem to find tickets?
If you are, what are your opening hours on those days?
Thanks!
Hello Kayleigh,
online FastTrack tickets are not available for the Festive Period. Tickets are available on the spot only. Please find more details on the link below:
https://szechenyibath.com/szechenyi-bath-christmas/
hello are you open on january 1st? where can i buy tickets please and what are the times?
Dear Jane,
Unfortunately, there will be no fast track entries or cabins (changing cubicles) sold during the upcoming Winter Holiday Season (between Dec 24, 2019 – Jan 7, 2020) based on a managerial decision. Please note that the baths will be open, however, we kindly suggest that you go there early because tickets/massages will be sold on the spot on the first-come-first-served basis.
Festive guides recommended during the month of Dec:
Budapest Christmas ideas, activities, programs and events
New Year Budapest things to do
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Are there lockers large enough for a full side suitcase?
Otherwise is there anywhere to store luggage? We are arriving directly from the airportt.
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for contacting us.
The size of the locker is 120x30x65 cm (1200 x 300 x 650 mm), so only smaller bags will fit in it.
A cabin ,however, is like a small changing room and it is used for changing as well as storing belongings. The size of the cabin can easily hold a standard suitcase or a backpacker style bigger backpack.
Have a lovely time in Budapest!
Hi when can I book for 26th December 2024
Hello Gary,
Thank you for contacting us.
We have sent you an email about bookings for the Christmas period.