Get Nude in the Turkish Baths

Q: During a visit to Budapest, I would like to experience the famous Turkish baths. Could you please recommend a traditional spa where an out-of-form, middle-aged businesman would feel comfortable. - Edgar Rees

A: As long as you feel comfortable being nude, no-one will pay you any attention. The baths are used by people of all ages and sizes. If you are concerned about being naked with women around, choose one of the baths that has men-only and women-only days. One of the most beautiful complexes is the Gellert Baths. Built in 1918, it was extended in 1927 to include a wave pool, and an effervescent bath was added in 1934. It also has nine medicinal pools and a thermal pool. The immaculate Art Nouveau interior, with colourful mosaics and stained glass windows, give it a magical atmposphere. Another historic spa is the Kiraly Thermal Baths. These date from 1565, but were renovated and revamped in 1796. The buildings are considered one of the city's most historic Turkish monuments. The octagonal main pool is surrounded by a number of smaller pools, steam rooms and saunas. Temperatures in the pools ranges from 26-40 degrees. One of the segregated spas (with certain days allocated for women) is the Rudas Medicinal Baths. Its central feature is an octagonal pool over which light is thrown from a 30-foot diameter cupola, supported by eight pillars. There are five other smaller pools (with temperatures from 16 to 42 degrees Celsius), three saunas and two steam rooms. Finally, if you have any qualms about your comfort zone in the baths, you can try the Széchenyi Baths. Set in the Varosliget park, these baths are housed in a grand old building very popular with families during summer. The outdoor unisex pool has a friendly atmosphere, with old men playing chess and other lazing around. (21/11/10)