While upgraded Palatinus – Budapest’s first alfresco public baths – has been open year-round since it expanded indoors, the outside lido area is accessible only during the summer months. Thanks to a recent makeover, this open-air recreation space now offers enhanced services, including a new water playground for kids and upgraded workout facilities. These changes don’t affect the park’s musical multimedia slide and wave pool, two of the bath’s most popular attractions.
Found in District XIV, Paskál might not be the most easily accessible pool complex when visiting from downtown, but its diverse collection of facilities for swimming, diving and melting muscles makes it a rewarding destination to visit. To complete the sundry sites, a new hot-water poolwith a chess table will be available from May 15th.
On the last Saturday of May, Csillaghegyi Baths will begin hosting visitors for the sun-splashed months. Encircled by sylvan scenes, Buda’s biggest pool zone is considered one of the city’s most romantic hotspots for dipping. Ongoing developments might detract somewhat from this intimate charm, but the recent expansion – set to be concluded this summer – should turn this fabled facility into a truly contemporary aqua park. A newly built six-story building will house a modern pool suitable for swimming and water-polo competitions, a training pool, a separate area for a spa, a panoramic restaurant and a sizeable space for family entertainment.
Meanwhile, northern Buda’s Római Baths – filled by a spring-water source utilized since the Roman Age – gets buzzing again on May 27th. On the following Saturday, sun-seeking crowds can start making a splash at the vintage Pünkösdfürdő pools in the Óbuda District.
To eliminate cash circulation for refreshments and services available onsite at these pool parks, a new payment system is being introduced. With this feature, guests can settle their purchases of food, drinks and beach accessories by using special top-up cards or their own bank cards.
Many upcoming initiatives make summer months even more vibrant around the Budapest baths, including the countrywide Strandok Éjszakája (Night of Pool Parks) event inviting public pools to stay open late into the night. According to current plans, this nocturnal attraction will take place on July 27th, when the Hungarian capital joins the activity with extended opening hours at the Palatinus Baths.
As for the admission, full-price tickets to the Budapest pool complexes range from 1,800 to 3,100 forints this season. However, before the new spa area is available for public use, Csillaghegyi Baths sell passes for just 1,000 forints on weekdays and for 1,200 forints at weekends.
