Fodor's Expert Review Széchenyi Fürdő

Széchenyi Thermal Bath, the largest medicinal bathing complex in Europe, is housed in a beautiful neobaroque building in the middle of City Park. There are several thermal pools indoors as well as two outdoor pools, which remain open even in winter, when dense steam hangs thick over the hot water's surface. You can just barely make out the figures of elderly men, submerged shoulder deep, crowded around waterproof chessboards. To use the baths, you pay a standard price (unless you get a doctor's prescription, in which case it's free), plus a surcharge if you prefer having a private changing cabin instead of a locker. Facilities include an outdoor lap pool, Finnish and steam saunas, medical and leisure massage treatments, carbonated bath treatments, and other wellness treatments and wraps. A great way to sweat away last night's pálinka (fruit brandy).