Gellért Baths Budapest are the most photogenic Art Nouveau spa in Europe — and as of late 2025, they are closed for a complete €51 million renovation lasting until 2028. This guide is the definitive 2026 update on Gellért Baths Budapest: the renovation timeline, what’s planned, what to expect when they reopen, and the best alternative thermal baths to visit while Gellért Baths Budapest are out of service.

If you’re planning a Budapest trip and were hoping to visit Gellért Baths Budapest, this article will answer the urgent question first: Yes, they are closed, and they will remain closed until 2028. We then walk through the full history, the Art Nouveau interiors that will be restored, the renovation plans, and which thermal bath you should visit instead.

Current Status: Gellért Baths Budapest Closed Until 2028

• Closure date: 1 October 2025.
• Planned reopening: 2028 (specific date TBD).
• Renovation cost: Approximately €51 million.
• What’s being renovated: Full interior restoration; new wellness wing; new panoramic sauna; complete technical infrastructure overhaul.
• Architect: Hungarian firm 3h Architecture (3h Építésziroda).

A Brief History of Gellért Baths Budapest

The thermal springs at the foot of Gellért Hill were used by the Ottomans, who built basic baths on the site in the 16th century. The current Art Nouveau (Secession) building was constructed between 1912 and 1918, designed by Ármin Hegedűs, Artúr Sebestyén, and Izidor Sterk. From the start, Gellért Baths Budapest were inseparable from the Hotel Gellért — a single complex combining luxury accommodation with public thermal bathing.

The complex survived multiple historical periods relatively intact: WWII bombing (with damage), Soviet-era state ownership (with neglect), and 21st-century commercialization (with mixed renovations). The 2025-2028 renovation is the most comprehensive intervention since the building opened.

For broader bath-culture context, see our pillar Budapest thermal baths guide.

Art Nouveau Architecture at Gellért Baths Budapest

The defining feature of Gellért Baths Budapest is the spectacular main bath hall — a barrel-vaulted glass roof, gallery balconies, marble columns, and Zsolnay ceramic tilework. Other interior highlights of the closed-but-iconic Gellért Baths Budapest include:

• Stained glass windows by Sándor Nagy.
• Zsolnay ceramic mosaics across walls, columns, and pool linings — the same Pécs porcelain factory that made the Matthias Church roof tiles.
• The lion-head fountains at each end of the central hall.
• The wave pool (Hullámfürdő) — Hungary’s first wave pool, opened 1927.
• The thermal pool — surrounded by colonnades under a smaller dome.

The 2025-2028 Renovation Plan

The €51 million renovation of Gellért Baths Budapest is the most comprehensive in the building’s history. Architectural firm 3h has presented detailed plans:

• Full Art Nouveau restoration — the main hall, glass roof, mosaics, stained glass, and Zsolnay ceramics will all be restored to original condition.
• New panoramic sauna — a rooftop sauna with views over the Danube, modeled loosely on the Rudas rooftop pool concept.
• Expanded wellness wing — additional treatment rooms, a new fitness area, and modernized changing rooms.
• Complete infrastructure overhaul — new water filtration, heating, plumbing, electrical, and accessibility upgrades.
• Hotel Gellért integration — the spa’s link to the hotel will be reimagined; the hotel itself is also being renovated.

Works are set to begin in earnest in 2026 (some preparatory work happened in late 2025). The 2028 reopening is the official target; based on similar Hungarian heritage projects, expect a 2028-2029 actual reopening window.

Best Alternatives While Gellért Baths Budapest Are Closed

Until Gellért Baths Budapest reopen, here’s where to go for similar experiences:

For grand architecture: Széchenyi Baths

The yellow neo-Baroque palace and Europe’s largest thermal complex. Less Art Nouveau than Gellért Baths Budapest but equally photogenic. See our Széchenyi Baths Budapest guide.

For atmospheric Ottoman spa + a view: Rudas Baths

The 16th-century domed pool plus a 38°C rooftop hot tub overlooking the Danube. Smaller and more atmospheric than Gellért Baths Budapest. See our Rudas Baths Budapest guide.

For local authenticity: Lukács Baths

Where Budapesters actually go. Half the price, no tourists, the experience of Gellért Baths Budapest minus the architecture. See our Lukács Baths Budapest guide.

For Ottoman authenticity: Király Baths

Smaller than Gellért Baths Budapest, but historically rich (16th century) and intimate. See our Király Baths Budapest guide.

For comparison: Which to choose?

See our Budapest bath comparison guide for a side-by-side breakdown of all the alternatives to Gellért Baths Budapest.

Visiting the Exterior of Gellért Baths Budapest in 2026

While the interiors of Gellért Baths Budapest are closed, you can still walk past the exterior — the building itself is an Art Nouveau landmark visible from Liberty Bridge and the Pest embankment. The Hotel Gellért lobby occasionally opens for visitors during cultural events; check the official site for updates.

Gellért Hill behind the building remains open year-round, and the hike up to the Citadella delivers some of the city’s best free views of the river — a satisfying replacement activity. See our Budapest landmarks guide for context.

Practical Info Around Gellért Baths Budapest

Where exactly are Gellért Baths Budapest located?

Kelenhegyi út 4, District XI (the Buda end of Liberty Bridge). The building is at the foot of Gellért Hill, directly opposite the Great Market Hall on the Pest side.

How do I get to Gellért Baths Budapest?

• By tram: 47, 49, or 56 to Szent Gellért tér.
• By metro: M4 to Szent Gellért tér.
• By bus: 7, 8E, 109, 133E.
• Walking: Cross Liberty Bridge from the Pest side.

Will Gellért Baths Budapest reopen in 2028?

2028 is the official target. Hungarian heritage renovation projects of this scale frequently slip 6-12 months. Plan a 2028-2029 visit window if Gellért Baths Budapest is your priority.

Can I tour the Hotel Gellért during the renovation?

The hotel is also undergoing renovation as part of the same project. The hotel lobby may open occasionally for cultural events; the Spa Hotel itself is closed.

For the official renovation announcements and updates on Gellért Baths Budapest, see the official Gellért Bath website and the Hungary Today renovation feature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gellért Baths Budapest

Are Gellért Baths Budapest open in 2026?

No. Gellért Baths Budapest closed on 1 October 2025 for a complete €51 million renovation that will last until 2028. The interior, pools, and main hall are all closed; only the building’s exterior remains visible from the street.

When will Gellért Baths Budapest reopen?

The official target is 2028. Based on similar Hungarian heritage projects, expect a 2028-2029 reopening window.

Why are Gellért Baths Budapest closed?

Gellért Baths Budapest are closed for a complete restoration of the Art Nouveau interiors, addition of a new wellness wing and rooftop sauna, and a full technical infrastructure overhaul. The building hasn’t had a comprehensive renovation since opening in 1918.

What can I do instead of visiting Gellért Baths Budapest?

The best alternatives are Rudas Baths Budapest (Ottoman dome plus rooftop view), Széchenyi Baths Budapest (Europe’s largest), and Lukács Baths Budapest (locals’ favorite). See our individual guides for each.

Is the Hotel Gellért also closed?

Yes — the Hotel Gellért is part of the same renovation project and is also closed during the works.

Can I see Gellért Baths Budapest from outside?

Yes. The Art Nouveau exterior of Gellért Baths Budapest is fully visible from Liberty Bridge, the Pest embankment, and the Buda riverside. Many travelers still photograph it for the architecture even with the interiors closed.

What was Gellért Baths Budapest known for?

Gellért Baths Budapest were famous for the Art Nouveau main hall (glass roof, marble columns, Zsolnay ceramic tiles), the wave pool (Hungary’s first), the stained glass windows, and the integration with the historic Hotel Gellért — all elements being preserved or restored in the renovation.