Shooting in Hungary
Amazing Baths of Budapest
Historical Bath Culture is a Must to Try After a Long Shoot Day
Last updated on June 15th, 2023
Last updated on June 15th, 2023
Budapest’s spa culture has a nearly 2 000 year old history, so Progressive finds it important to give you a little introduction of such a historical part of our culture. The city has the largest supply of thermal water amongst the capitals of the world as it gives home to more than a thousand hot springs and many spa facilities.
Today there are approximately 450 public baths in Hungary. The country has a very beneficial geographical location, which is why thermal water can be found in great quantities and quality in over 80% of Hungary's territory.
Budapest’s spa culture has a nearly 2 000 year old history, so Progressive finds it important to give you a little introduction of such a historical part of our culture. The city has the largest supply of thermal water amongst the capitals of the world as it gives home to more than a thousand hot springs and many spa facilities.
Today there are approximately 450 public baths in Hungary. The country has a very beneficial geographical location, which is why thermal water can be found in great quantities and quality in over 80% of Hungary's territory.
Just in the capital city, 70 million liters of water supply the spas everyday from more than a hundred different springs. During the 50s and the 60s, thermal water was even used for heating several buildings through the sewers and pipelines. In the 18th and 19th century, baths throughout the country became centers of social life.
The Romans were the first to take advantage of this amazing phenomenon approximately 1600 years ago when Hungary’s territory was still part of the Roman Empire, so as you can see a passion for spa culture and Hungarian history have been connected for a long time. The main manifestation of this statement is architecture: Hungarian spas feature Roman, Greek, and Turkish architectural elements. Because of their historical value, these baths are more than just baths: they are tourist attractions and national monuments.
The beautiful Art Nouveau style Gellért Baths has inspired countless artists, photographers and directors. In 2017, Gucci shot their summer collection’s commercial and Craig McDean shot Ryan Gosling for an editorial photoshoot for the GQ magazine. Even Hollywood super productions have been organized in the baths; in 2002 a scene for the film called I Spy was filmed here with Eddie Murphy.
In our spas and thermal baths many kinds of services are offered for healing purposes: They provide every type of balneal and physical therapy. Most thermal waters are great for treating arthritis or skin problems. Some of them can help with digestive diseases through a drinking therapy. Also, there are numerous spa hotels which offer large scale of services for the guests.
Budapest even has a bath museum where the ruins of a Roman-era, 2nd century bath can be seen.
One of the Rudas Bath’s most famous visitors was probably Arnold Schwarzenegger. The popular actor came to Hungary to act in the 1988 film Red Heat. They shot the film’s iconic bath scene in the Rudas.
Why should I visit a thermal bath?
The spas and the thermal baths of Hungary are famous for their uniqueness, their gorgeous, intricate architecture and their particular atmosphere.
Millions of people come here every year just to try the world famous thermal waters, making it one of the most important features of Hungarian tourism, so when you are visiting you should definitely give them a try.
As the thermal baths of Budapest are mainly famous for their medical waters and their architecture, the baths are usually full of elderly people. You might not find this atmosphere so inviting, but we would still suggest trying out one of our baths because they absolutely offer a very unique experience and we think that you shouldn’t miss out on this special activity.
We also suggest the many nighttime festivities that take place in them. The crazier parties usually take place in the spas like Széchenyi or Lukács bath, while the relaxing moonlight wellness take place in our historical termal baths like Rudas fürdő.
Alan Parker’s eye got caught on the Széchenyi Bath when he came to Hungary to shoot Evita. In one scene one can see the broken, ill Evita in a wheelchair in one of the Széchenyi Bath’s corridors.
In case you decide to visit one of Budapest’s thermal baths, Progressive Productions would like to suggest that you try either Széchenyi or Gellért bath.
