Veli Bej Baths: A Useful Guide To Budapest’s Hidden Gem For Couples
After living in Budapest, Caleb and I have been to all the thermal baths, and Veli Bej is Caleb’s favorite! He loved it the most because it’s 10/10 the most local and intimate feeling thermal bath in all of Budapest.
But, the first time we visited, we didn’t know how to “do” it. Like why were there lines? Why dont the changing room doors close? So, in this guide, we’re covering EVERYTHING you need to know before visiting so you can have the best experience at this authentic bath!
We think this Turkish bath in Budapest one of the best baths for couples because of its intimate vibe, but if you’re someone who just wants a peek at how locals live in the city, Veli Bej Baths is a hidden gem that you’ll love too!
Culture Craving Couple contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting us! You can see our disclosure policy.
Quick Navigation: 🚗 How To Get There // 🕰️ Best Time To Go // ❗ Basic Info // 🛀Amenities // 🚿 Walkthough // 💡 Tips
How To Get There
Like Lukacs baths, Irgalmasok Veli Bej bath (the official name) is near Margaret Bridge on the Buda side of the city. They’re only a 4-minute walk apart, so you could visit both in one day! ← You should because Lukacs is my personal favorite bath!
READ NEXT: GUIDE TO LUKACS THERMAL BATH
You can either walk 45 minutes from the city center like we did (to work off all the Hungarian food we’ve been eating, you know?) or take the #4 or #6 tram to “Margit Hid,” as the trams are a great way to get around. From there, walk towards the pest side and take the stairs that go under the bridge.
Then, turn left so the river is on your right side. Keep walking until you reach a large parking lot and a big white building with glass doors.
We accidentally entered through the cafe, which is fine, but you just have to find the entrance on your right side.
The Best Time to Visit
We think the best time to visit Veli Bej Bath is during the week, right at the opening, which is 3 pm in the afternoon. If you go on a weekend, they open earlier, and the best time is the morning. Like many thermal baths in Budapest, the evenings are the busiest.
The Basics To Know Before You Go
The Prices
There are different prices based on the day and time that you go:
On weekdays, it’s HUF 5,000 ($14) for a day ticket with a locker. On weekends, it is HUF 5 500 ($15.) During some seasons, though, the price does increase to HUF 5 500 for all tickets.
According to both Daily News Hungary and us, this is one the cheapest thermal baths in the city, so take advantage!
PRACTICAL TIP: This is the only bath that has a time limit to how long you can stay, which is 3 hours. If you overstay, you will receive HUF 28 per minute (just under $1).
Check out all the prices on their website here.
The Opening Hours
The baths are open daily from 3 pm until 9 pm on Monday to Friday and 6 am – 12 pm, and 3 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
They do close on many holidays as well, so check out the entire opening hour list here.
How To Buy Tickets
The ONLY way to get tickets is at the cash desk in the spa with HUF or a credit card. This is the only thermal bath in Budapest where you can’t get online tickets.
PRACTICAL TIP: Get there early! We got there when they opened at 3 and waited in line for 15 minutes. Luckily, we got in because they let 80 people in at a time. If it’s full, there will be a sign, and you will take a number and wait your turn like you do at a DMV. There is a cafe to wait in if this is your fate. (It’s way less ominous than that sounds, though!)
COUPLES TIP: While it might feel annoying that there is a people limit, this is why we think Veli Bej is one of the best thermal baths for couples in Budapest. Fewer people mean a more romantic, intimate vibe!
What To Bring
Don’t worry; there is no nudity allowed, so definitely pack a bathing suit when planning your trip to the capital. Also, make sure to pack a towel and flip-flops.
This is the only thermal bath that we went to where they actually RENT these items to you (as opposed to having to buy them outright), so that’s available to you if you’re like Caleb and somehow forget to pack a bathing suit to go to a thermal bath. 😏
How Long Do You Need At Veli Bej Baths?
We think that 2 hours is the ideal amount of time to visit Veli Bej thermal baths, although you can take up to 3 hours.
This gave us PLENTY of time to relax, but the baths here are small, and there aren’t as many amenities as others.
Locking Up Your Stuff
When you purchase your tickets at the entrance, you’ll be given a bracelet. This bracelet serves as your locker key, so keep it with you and don’t lose it!.
Basic lockers come with your ticket, and you will be assigned a specific locker number at the cash desk. There is no option to book a changing cabin like there is in other spas, such as the Gellert Thermal Bath or the famous Szecheyni Baths.
PRO TIP: the lockers are smaller compared to other thermal baths, so keep belongings to a minimum.
If you need to change inside the locker rooms, there are small changing cubicles you can use.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION: The way to lock the changing room doors is to fold the bench down. It’ll be folded up when you walk in, and it blocks the door, holding it closed, when you fold it down. So, don’t be concerned when you see no lock on the door!
Quick Amenities Overview
Indoor Pools
There are no outdoor pools at Veli Bej, and the whole complex is under a roof. Inside you’ll find one massive section designed like a Turkish thermal bath (which we can confirm as we’ve been to a bath in Turkey!) It has one large, octagon-shaped pool in the center with a water temperature of 36–38 °C or 97-100°F.
Around the main pool, there are 4 smaller pools with different water temperatures.
PRO TIP: Dip your toe in first! I assumed they were all hot pools and went into one way too speedily only to find out it was FREEZING cold. Not pleasant.
Spa Services
If you don’t want to hang out in the thermal bath area all day, you can also check out:
- Two steam baths
- A Finnish sauna
- An infra-red sauna
- A Jacuzzi
- Kneipp walk (walking barefoot in hot and cold water)
- A swimming pool
Most of these steam baths and saunas are behind the octagonal pool room. Just follow the main hallway around it, and you’ll find them easily!
COUPLES TIP: the jacuzzi is the smallest jacuzzi we’ve ever seen and fits like 4 people. If you get it for yourselves, it could be very romantic!
Massage
They also offer various massages but you can’t book appointments in advance, just at the cash desk when you visit for the day.
Exactly What You’ll Do From Start To End
Visting Veli Bej is a little different than other thermal baths around the city, so here’s how your visit will go down. We don’t want you to feel lost or confused!
First, buy your ticket at the cash desk for your bracelet and locker number. Then go to the co-ed changing area, which is behind the cash desk, to change and lock up your stuff.
Then you’ll take a shower in your specific gender shower and go into the bath through the door there. Walk down some stairs, and you’ll be in the main bath complex!
You can walk down the hall to the Turkish-looking entrance of the Octagonal pool or walk around the main room to get to the sauna area.
It’s the easiest thermal bath to navigate, in our opinion, and we went to all of them!
Now just RELAXXXX until you’re ready to leave – make sure not to go past 3 hours if you don’t want to pay more!
Tips for visiting
We want you to make the most of your time, so here are our top tips for visiting:
- Go during the week and get there before they open at 3. Since entrance is limited, you want to try to get in ASAP so you don’t possibly have to wait 3 hours.
- Be quiet. This was the quietest bath we went to, and people were really trying to relax.
- Waterproof cameras are helpful. We used our iPhones, and while there are a lot of ledges to put them, they’re right on the edge of the pools, which is kinda risky.
- Don’t be creepy taking photos. We felt creepy taking photos in all the baths in Budapest, but felt the CREEPIEST in this one with the more local vibe.
- Shower before bathing. This is required in all thermal baths in Budapest. Please follow the rules and keep them clean for everyone!
Now you know everything you need to know to visit Veli Bej in Budapest! Most tourists don’t visit this bath, which makes it a hidden gem that we know you will love! If you have any questions, just leave a comment and let us know.
Don’t miss some of the other baths around Budapest! Check out our ultimate thermal bath guide to see which are worth visiting.
Other Posts From Our Budapest Files:
