Gellért Baths in Budapest Closed for Years-Long Renovation
The iconic Art Nouveau Gellért Thermal Baths in Budapest have closed for an extensive renovation that is expected to last several years.
Gellért Thermal Baths closure
Today (1 October 2025), the historic Gellért Thermal Baths in Budapest closed for a multi-year renovation of the facility.
The iconic Hungarian spa, renowned for its stunning Art Nouveau interior, has not been renovated since 1970, leading to some operational issues at the thermal baths.
Budapest Gyógyfürdői és Hévizei Zrt (BGYH), the municipal company that operates all seven Budapest thermal baths, plans to invest 20 billion Hungarian forints (approximately 51 million euro) in the renovation of the Gellért Baths.
In a press release, the company wrote that “after fifty years, due to the deteriorated basic infrastructure and the static problems that have arisen, a comprehensive renovation, architectural, mechanical and technological modernization [of the Gellért baths] is inevitable”.
BGYH explained that the “thermal water, steam, cleaning of pools and spaces according to regulations, and the use of various chemicals” had caused deterioration of “equipment, tools, all kinds of coverings and metal objects or surfaces, and even the building’s structure”, all of which will be addressed during the renovation of the Gellért Baths.
When will the Gellért Thermal Baths open again?
The exact date when the Gellért Thermal Baths will open to the public again is not yet known, although the renovation works are expected to be finished sometime in 2028.
In the meantime, both locals and visiting tourists are advised to use the other Budapest spas, such as the Széchenyi, Rudas, or Lukács thermal baths, or lesser-known options like the Dandár and Pesterzsébeti baths.
Travellers should be aware that other thermal baths are likely to be more crowded than usual due to the closure of the Gellért, especially when visiting at weekends.
Of all Budapest thermal baths, Széchenyi attracts the highest number of visitors each year, with the Gellért being the second most popular.
It is highly advisable to book your thermal bath ticket online in advance to guarantee entry, as all the Budapest baths have capacity limits.
Hotel renovation
The renovation of the Gellért Thermal Baths coincides with a major overhaul of the historic yet slightly worn Gellért Hotel, which is located within the same building.
BGYH noted that the noise and dust from the hotel renovation had already caused “difficulties in the daily operation of the bath and in providing adequate service to guests”, which was another key reason for deciding to renovate the thermal baths at the same time.
The Gellért Hotel was acquired in 2022 by BDPST Zrt, a Hungarian private equity firm whose main shareholder is István Tiborcz, the son-in-law of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Scheduled to reopen in 2027 as part of the Mandarin Oriental chain, the historic Budapest luxury hotel is targeting affluent Asian tourists, according to a new vision outlined by Ráhel Orbán, the daughter of Viktor Orbán and wife of István Tiborcz.
The Gellért Hotel and Thermal Baths, designed in the Art Nouveau style by Hungarian architects Ármin Hegedűs, Artúr Sebestyén, and Izidor Sterk, first opened in 1918 and has since welcomed many famous politicians and celebrities, including US President Richard Nixon, Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran, actress Jane Fonda, and other members of high society.
Another Budapest landmark, the city’s historic Keleti station, has reopened after being closed for a full month for renovations.
Conclusion
The Gellért Thermal Baths, one of Budapest’s most iconic spas, has closed its doors for an extensive renovation expected to last until 2028.
Visitors travelling to the Hungarian capital can explore one of the other Budapest thermal baths, such as Széchenyi and Rudas, while the Art Nouveau Gellért Baths remain closed.
