Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
7. Making a Splash - Pools and Baths
54 MAKING A SPLASH photographs of men playing chess in the pool during the winter with the steam rising all around. There are three pools: one for swimming, a thermal pool (38°C) and a large children’s pool (34°C). Caps are only compulsory in the swimming pool. Cabins are available and towels, etc. can be hired. There is a buffet and a separate restaurant in the building overlooking one of the pools. There is a sauna service with complete facilities — family cabins, etc. Csillaghegy Open-Air Baths [Csillaghegyi strandfürdő] This is one of the most attractive open-air baths in Budapest, set on a hillside with much grassy area and many pine trees. Being some way out, it is not often frequented by tourists, though it is very easy to reach on the HÉV electric railway from Batthyány tér. (3 Pusztakúti út; alight at the Csillaghegy station, cross the line, walk along the road away from the line a hundred metres or so and take the left turn at the crossing.) There are two main pools, one for swimming and playing, the other with lanes for swimming only. In the former swimming caps are not necessary, but are compulsory in the latter. Although Csillaghegy is mainly a summer spot, the latter pool is covered over in winter to make it an “indoor” pool. The water at Csillaghegy is well-known for being on the cold side, but on a hot day this is hardly noticeable. For children the “playing” main pool is best entered at the far, shallow end, away from the entrance. There is a fountain here, which (when working) spills extremely cold water on to you as you gingerly make your way in! The grounds stretch up the side of the hill and lead to two levels of grassy, sunbathing areas. The upper level has a small, shallow children’s pool. There are snack bars on both levels and drinks, etc. can also be obtained on the ground level from the hotel bar which backs onto the pool area. Wheelchair access is good, the main pools being on the same level as the entrance. Non-swimming spectators are allowed in and there are some seats by the main pools. Cabins are available.
