Budapest is often called the City of Spas, and with good reason — the city sits on a network of natural hot springs that have been enjoyed since Roman times. Among all the baths, none are quite as legendary as Gellért Baths. With their stunning Art Nouveau architecture, turquoise pools, and steamy atmosphere, they’ve been a favourite of locals and travellers alike for more than a century. If you’re looking for updates on the Gellért Baths renovation, here’s everything you need to know.
Sadly, this Budapest icon is about to close for a while. Starting October 1st, 2025, Gellért Baths will shut their doors for a major 3-year renovation.
Gellért Baths: A Jewel of Art Nouveau
The Gellért Baths first opened in 1918 as part of the famous Gellért Hotel. The design is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau: elegant columns, colorful mosaics, stained glass windows, and a grand central pool that looks more like a cathedral of water than a spa.
Over the decades, the baths have become a symbol of Budapest itself — a place where locals go to relax, heal, and socialise, and where visitors from all over the world come to experience something uniquely Hungarian.
Why the Renovation?
After more than 100 years of almost continuous use, the Gellért Baths are in need of some love. The upcoming renovation will restore the building’s historic beauty while also updating the facilities to meet modern standards.
It’s never easy to say goodbye, even temporarily, but this pause will ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the magic of Gellért.
My Last Visit
Knowing the closure was coming, I decided to take one last dip. Stepping into the grand central hall, with its soaring columns and sparkling turquoise water, felt more emotional than I expected. The air was thick with steam, the light streaming in through the stained glass, and the water just as soothing as always.
Floating there, I thought about how many people have swum in this very pool since 1918. It felt like being part of history.
One Last Chance
If you’re in Budapest right now, there’s still one final opportunity: Gellért Baths will be open until September 30th, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a last soak in this historic treasure before it closes until 2028.
Farewell for Now
It will be strange not to have Gellért Baths as part of Budapest’s daily life for the next three years. But I’m excited to see how the renovation will bring new life to this beloved spa.
Until then, Budapest still has plenty of other baths to enjoy — from the grand Széchenyi Baths to the atmospheric Rudas Baths. But for me, nothing compares to Gellért.
💙 Have you ever been to Gellért Baths? Will you miss it during its renovation?
