Budapest, the capital of Hungary is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The people, the food, and the history make this central European country one of the most interesting places you can visit. Home to many historic castles, fortresses, and structures, there is no shortage of activities while staying in Budapest, including Sparty, an incredible Budapest Baths party experience you don’t want to miss.
Budapest is famous for its thermal spas, beer, and history. And Sparty is where you can mix all 3 of these marvelous things and enjoy a night of partying at Sparty Budapest.

About Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary which straddles the Danube River in Eastern Europe, with a population of over 1.7 million, Budapest is the most populated city in Hungary. The history of Budapest began in the 9th century when the Danube River acted as a boundary between the two towns of Buda and Pest. Then in 1873 the two towns unified becoming the incredible city we know today as Budapest.

Budapest may have an extensive history dating back as far as 1AD, but that’s not the only thing that draws in millions of tourists every year. Budapest entertains thousands of young people each year with its unique clubbing and party scene. Their Ruins bars are where your bucket list item of partying in a derelict warehouse can come to life. Budapest also plays host to a week-long festival once a year on the small island of Obudai.

However, the Hungarian shindig I shall be diving into today is the Budapest baths pool party which takes place every Saturday at the historic thermal baths in Budapest, known as ‘Sparty’. Every weekend the otherwise relaxing Hungarian baths turn into one of the biggest pool parties in Europe, coming to life with hordes of partiers mixed with dangerous amounts of alcohol. The Budapest baths party draws in hundreds of thousands of partiers each year, it’s a two-in-one swimming and clubbing experience!

About Sparty Budapest

When is Sparty?

Sparty is every Saturday from 10:30 pm until 3 am, which is plenty of time for you to grab a few long island ice teas and have a near-death experience in the whirlpool. Sparty costs anywhere between €45 to €75 per person (Lockers and drink vouchers are available with some tickets, which come with an added price.)

If you want more information on the Budapest baths party experience then visit the Sparty website here.

Sparty Budapest Location

In Autumn and Winter Sparty is held in the Lukacs Baths which sits on the western side of the Danube river, and in summer Sparty is held in the Szechenyi Baths, which sits on the eastern side of the river. And in spring the location all depends on the weather, so make sure you check out the budapest baths website with the locations during this time.

Sparty Budapest is hosted in two separate venues depending on the season and the weather. Lukacs and Szechenyi baths are both located in central Budapest so are both easy to get to if you’re staying in the central city, but they do sit on opposite sides of the Danube river.

Lukacs Baths have been the location of public baths since the 12^th century, the building that sits there today was opened in the 1880s with additional halls and rooms being added several decades later. Széchenyi Baths were opened in 1913 and cost around 3.9 million Austro-Hungarian Krone (a now dissolved currency). Each of the 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools in Széchenyi Baths vary in temperature and includes saunas and steam rooms.

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What to Expect at a Budapest Spa Party

Imagine a scene of Greek Gods bathing in a communal pool garnished with hand-crafted sculptures, Now tarnish this image with strobe lights and electronic dance music. And of course, remove the image of Greek Gods, because there is nothing ‘wholly’ about Sparty.
(Fricken’) Laser beams paint the venue with psychedelic colors, and music from the hip-hop, EDM, and funk genre blast through speakers pulling the whole venue from a relaxing bathing experience into a water-based dance party. Alcohol ranging from beers to deadly cocktail concoctions in jugs grace nearly every hand in the venue, and large geothermal heated pools top off the experience. A Budapest spa party can’t be missed.

What to Wear to Budapest Thermal Spas

A swimsuit is obviously required when visiting any Budapest baths, and a darker-colored or older pair of swimmers is also recommended. There is a risk of having your white or light-colored bikini turn yellow from vodka-infused chlorine pool water. And since it’s a party environment, I’m sure any style swimsuit is welcome, as long as you’re not naked. but if you decide to head to the baths during the day, only wear your family-appropriate swimwear.

Fast Facts for Sparty

How to Behave at Sparty

You are partying in historic Budapest baths which are over 100 years old. So be respectful of the venue and people around you; no touching or groping anyone of any sort, and that sort of behaviour will get you kicked out. Jumping and diving are not allowed at either of the pools. Shoulder rides are also a big no-no, so shoulder wrestling isn’t possible. The security is also wearing water-appropriate attire so don’t think you can ‘swim away’ from them. They’re Hungarian, they will find you.

Does Sparty have an Age Limit?

The Budapest baths spa party has an age restriction of 18 years and older only. There is no maximum age, but majority of party swimmers are 20-40 years old.

My Top Tip for Sparty

Sparty is a great time whether sober or not, I unfortunately made the mistake of drinking a long island iced tea after two other cocktails, usually this wouldn’t be enough for gravity to bring me closer to the tile floors in the bathroom. But as the pools are quite warm you tend to dehydrate faster which would subsequently make the alcohol affect you slightly faster. Take advantage of the free water stations dotted around the pools. For more information and ticket purchases head to their website

My Sparty Experience

​The original title for this post was going to be ‘How to Survive Sparty’. But that turned out to be somewhat contradictory since I wouldn’t consider my time at the Budapest thermal spas as a ‘survival experience’. Being almost dragged out of the venue and carried to bed by my roommates isn’t the ending to a night that I would aim for. But nonetheless, it’s a lesson of how you probably should treat your night.

The last clear memory I have of the Budapest baths party is joyfully swimming around the pool with all my friends forcing them to take a swig from my tall sippy cup of long island iced tea, the next three hours are scattered memories of what I can only describe as a montage almost fit for ‘The Hangover’ franchise

It was during my Eastern Road Contiki when I decided to party in the 105 year old pools at the Szechenyi Spa Baths.

We got to Sparty when the doors opened and were one of the first groups into the venue. Szechenyi has 3 outdoor pools to enjoy during Sparty, all varying in temperature from super warm to cool. A whirlpool is one of the many features at Szechenyi, along with plenty of statues to gawk at, and underwater jets to achieve the perfect back massage.
That’s all I can remember about the baths themselves. I blame the long island iced tea given to me by a lovely Norwegian man. No, my drink was not spiked, I had just made some poor life choices.

After waking up at 11 am still in my bikini, feeling humiliated after being told I had to be carried to bed as well as hearing that I nearly cracked my head open on the wet tiles; I had concluded that I had a bloody great night and I would do it all over again. Just maybe without excess alcohol.

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If partying in thermal spa pools isn’t your thing, then you can visit the baths during the day like a sane person. The Budapest thermal spas have more to offer than a night to remember but subsequently forget. Szechenyi Bath holds 18 pools where you can also get a massage, heat up in the saunas, work out in the gym, relax by the pools with a complimentary beer or wine, and you can taste the natural waters that supply the pools from over 1000 meters below the surface.

All in all, I had an amazing time at the Budapest baths; the music was great, the water temperature was perfect and the baths themselves were beautiful. It’s a well-run event with security quickly onto anyone who doesn’t play by the rules and there are no long queues for drinks. There are plenty of lockers to store your belongings and changing rooms are clean. I would visit again, but maybe this time I would do it at a more reasonable hour and experience everything that the baths have to offer.

Other Things to do in Budapest

If the Budapest baths spa party isn’t quite for you, then check out the list below of more subdued activities in Budapest. From everyday sightseeing so tasting incredible food in Budapest.

Fishermans Bastion

Fishermans Bastion is an extremely popular monument in Budapest which has panoramic views over Budapest and the Danube River. Located near Buda Castle, Fishermans Bastion began its construction in the 1700’s in Neo-Romanesque style, the rest of the castle was finished in 1902 and has been a world heritage site since the 80’s.

Fishermans Bastion is an incredible castle which is free to visit, there are very few other places where you can get similar views across Budapest, this is definitely one of my favourite locations in Budapest so make it one of your top priorities to visit.

Hidden Locations in Budapest

This list of 5 of the best hidden locations in Budapest is great to check out if you’re wanting to visit places that the locals enjoy. From visiting the popular Ruins Bars to enjoying a day of swimming on an island in the middle of the Danube river.

If the phrase “European Parties” gets your spine tingling, then check out my post on Tomorrowland;  one of the most famous and largest music festivals in the world.