Szechenyi Baths Open at Christmas

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.

Dec 11: Early closure at 4pm. Last check in 2 pm.

• Dec 1-10 open 7 am to 8 pm (weekdays Mon-Thu); and 8 am to 8 pm (weekends Fri-Sun). Tickets, Massages, the Palm House Exclusive Package and the Beer Bath can be booked in advance
• Dec 11: open  7 am to 4 pm (last check in until 2pm, pools emptied by 3.30 pm). Tickets, Massages, the Palm House Exclusive Package and the Beer Bath can be booked in advance.
• Dec 12 – 23: open 7 am to 8 pm (weekdays Mon-Thu); and 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.
• Dec 24  (Christmas Eve holiday): opening hours from 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.
• Dec 25 (Christmas Day holiday): opening hours from 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 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 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 28: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 29: opening hours from 8 am to 8 pm
• Dec 30: opening hours from 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 8 am to 6 pm
• Jan 1 (New Year’s Day holiday): opening hours from 10 am to 8 pm
• Jan 2: opening hours from 7 am to 8 pm
• Jan 3 onwards: normal opening hours apply

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 are fully booked up online in Szechenyi Bath in Dec & Jan: 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 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.

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 Baths Christmas

Budapest Christmas Boat Tours

Budapest Christmas Concerts

Budapest Christmas Sights

Budapest Restaurants at Christmas

Budapest Christmas Opening Hours

Budapest Christmas with Kids