Dent, Bob: Budapest for Children - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)
7. Making a Splash - Pools and Baths
MAKING A SPLASH 53 attractive, so it is more of a “swimming” and less of a “sunbathing” place, though it is very popular with young people. There is an exterior buffet with small terrace and another inside by the entrance. Swimming caps are compulsory “for long hair”. There are cabins, though divided into men’s and women’s section. Towels, etc. can be hired and there are hairdriers. The baths is named after the Hungarian winner of the 100 metres and the 1200 metres swimming races at the first modern Olympics held in Athens in 1896. Interestingly, Hajós designed the building, which, when it opened in the 1930s, was Hungary’s first indoor swimming pool. Szabadság Open-Air Baths [Szabadság strandfürdő] Near the Pest end of Árpád Bridge this is a huge open-air complex, though not quite so crowded as Palatínus, since it is not generally known by tourists and is some way out. (Entrance on Népfürdő u., bus no. 84 from Moszkva tér, or no. 133 from Lehel tér. In the summer you can take a boat along the river from near the Pest end of Margaret Bridge or any of the ferry stopping points farther south.) Set in extensive grounds with grass and trees, there are two main pools (50m and 25m), two thermal pools (one for children) and a large, shallow children’s pool into which there is a big slide. The main pools are open all year (!) as the water is warm, though the smaller one is covered over in winter. Caps are compulsory only in the swimming pools. Family cabins are available and there are kiosks for drinks and snacks scattered throughout the grounds. Hairdriers available. There is also a sauna and fitness centre. Wheelchair access is reasonably good. Széchenyi Baths [Széchenyi gyógyfürdő] Situated in the City Park in a large, currently dilapidated, neo-Baroque building (11 Állatkerti körút; “Széchenyi- fürdő” stop on the little underground). The unusual attraction here is that the water is so warm such that although the pools are open-air they are open all year round! This is the place where they take those
