Budapest, the city of baths

One of the most famous elements of this culture preceded even the most ancient of empires: Budapest’s abundant geothermal waters. Home to over 80 hot springs, Budapest has been a center for water recreation since it was settled by the Celtics. In the first century A.D., the Ancient Romans built the area’s first bath houses, and nearly 15 centuries later, the Ottomans built new baths for recreational and medicinal purposes. Today, these Turkish baths have evolved into an expansive network of spas, many resembling water parks, equipped with slides and wave pools. Locals visit weekly, donning their swimsuits and congregating in the pools to relax, socialize and even play chess. Young and old visit the waters for their healing properties, and swear by its rejuvenating effects. Local doctors even prescribe spa treatments with waters of certain temperatures and mineral compositions for various ailments.