Care for a little history with your bath? Budapest is blessed with more than 100 natural hot springs, unique geologic features that were first exploited by the Roman colonizers nearly 2,000 years ago. Years later, during the Turkish occupation of Hungary, scores of opulent baths were built to take advantage of what many believed to be the life-giving properties of the abundant mineral water. Several of those baths survive to this day, and among the most impressive are the Király Baths (pictured). One of the most important Turkish monuments in Budapest, the baths boast an ornate, cupola-topped pool with strategically-placed skylights that make bathing in the 104-degree water a surreal experience. The Király Baths date back to 1565, when Arszlán Pasha ordered them built within the city walls, drawing water from the nearby Lukacs Bath. With several renovations over the ensuing centuries, including a 1796 reconstruction that added classical wings, it remains the best spot in the city to float in the warm waters and reflect on the country's tumultuous past. The baths are open six days a week - three for women and three for men - so be sure to check the schedule before heading over. Guests at the nearby Le Méridien Budapest might enjoy a dip in these magical waters.
[image via Budapest Tourism Office]
