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The hot, mineral rich waters come bubbling up from a network of underground caves running beneath Budapest, sprouting up out of various wells and hot springs into the city’s numerous thermal baths. But this same healing water also gushes out of taps in the city’s lesser-known ivócsarnokok (or 'drinking halls' in English.
While many people soak in the water and know of its potential benefits, most are unaware of the curative properties that come with drinking the thermal waters. Of course, not one tap fits all, since each drinking hall has its own unique spring with an individual mineral profile that caters to a different set of ailments and afflictions.
If you want to give this liquid treatment a go, here’s some information on three of the drinking halls in Budapest and what these magic fountains could do! Remember, it could be a good idea to check with your doctor first.
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Lukács Ivócsarnok
A waft of sulphureous fumes assault your nostrils when you open the door to this glass-covered hall lined with marble columns and stone topped tables with wooden benches, where locals knock back pint glasses containing the pungent hot water. There is an old fountain in the middle of the room, but since it ceased to function, it now sets the stage for art exhibitions. In the corner of the room, there is a sink behind a transparent sheet, where you can ask the attendant for a glass or even take some away in a big canister carrying litres of the water.
0.3 litres costs 30 HUF, 0.5 litres is 40 HUF and a litre will set you back 70 HUF.
The water that comes to the Lukács Drinking Hall is from the same source as the baths (but from a different, newer well). It’s rich in calcium, magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate, sulphate, chloride as well as sodium and fluoride ions. Drinking the recommended dose of 300ml to half a litre per day is said to help those with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer or hyperacidity, renal pelvis and chronic diseases of the urinary tract or chronic catarrh of the respiratory system. It's also a form of prevention and treatment for osteoporosis and diseases of the gallbladder. However, if you have heart or kidney weaknesses, it’s best you avoid gulping down the 32-35ºC sulphurous water.
You can find this water near the entrance to the bath-house.
Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm
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Rudas Ivócsarnok
Tucked in under Elizabeth Bridge, the ivócsarnok next to the Rudas Bath might not be so visible to tourists, but if you look you'll find a small tiled room with three springs. Today, this drinking hall is either empty or filled with the elderly seeking their daily cures. The traffic now is a fraction of what it was in the days when many flocked to the once outdoor fountain back in the early 20th century.
The Juventus spring, known as the Fountain of Youth for its supposed anti-ageing properties, also helps with hypertension and rheumatism. It spouts water that's 40-42ºC, which is slightly radioactive, and high mostly in calcium, sodium and magnesium, with concentrates of sulphate and chloride ions. This spring is also used to supply the historic Ottoman Rudas Bath next door.
The Attila Fountain is the warmest of the three, and also the most sulphureous, which means it smells of rotten eggs. It’s said to be excellent for the treatment of respiratory diseases, gastro enteritis, as well as a form of treatment for bladder, gall bladder and liver diseases.
Finally, the mildest of the three, with just a slight mineral accent, is the the Hungária spring, which supposedly helps nervous dyspepsia, renal pelvis pains and issues such as gastritis or gastric hypertrophy.
Find this drinking hall near the Rudas Bath itself, under Elizabeth Bridge.
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11am - 6pm, Tuesday, Thursday 7am - 2pm
Address: Buda end of Elizabeth Bridge
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Széchenyi Ivócsarnok
In a small pavilion next to the famous Széchenyi Bath, you can find a drinking hall where you can try the water from the hot, Széchenyi spring. The original source is 76ºC, so it’s recommended to cool the water before drinking it. The composition is high in hydrogen-carbonate, sulphates, nitrates, calcium and magnesium. It's said to help in the treatment of stomach issues, kidney stones, gout, gallbladder issues, gastric ulcers and even chronic respiratory catarrh.
This drinking hall is right near the Széchenyi Bath in City Park, but outside the bath complex on the same street.
Open: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm
