Rudas is the most authentically Ottoman of Budapest's surviving thermal baths. The original 16th-century domed hall, with its star-shaped skylight punching light down into the dark pool below, is one of the most atmospheric spaces in the city. The water comes from natural hot springs at the foot of Gellért Hill and stays at a steady 36°C.
The complex has expanded considerably beyond the historic dome: there are now a range of pools at different temperatures, steam rooms, a weekend nightclub programme, and a rooftop pool with views over the Danube. The traditional and the modern sit slightly awkwardly alongside each other, but the old section makes the visit worthwhile. Weekday mornings are the quietest time; weekends get busy, particularly the rooftop.