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Original poster

Budapest

31 replies

mildlymiffed · 20/10/2021 11:33

Off to Budapest on Friday.
6 nights. Me and my partner. Child free.

We've booked a couple of things, wine tasting and boat trip on Danube with dinner.

Any other recommendations? We're there for 6 nights so plenty of time! Including restaurants! Which spa baths you enjoyed- that type of thing. We like cafe and generally watching the world go by too- so any good ideas on that front also welcome!

I did search the forum already but posts are quite dated. Thank you!

OP posts:
frogslegs1 · 20/10/2021 11:44

The ruin bars, like everyone else we enjoyed Szimpla Kert! We also did a walking tour which was good. We went to the szechenyi spa, I don't know what it'll be like at this time of year as it was very hot and crowded when we went. There are plenty of jacuzzi pools and saunas inside. The underground system is cheap and easy to use to get to the spa.
We went to a great pizza place called Local Korner but it's not much more than a takeaway with a few tables in there, not a posh night out but delicious pizzas, you choose 5 toppings.
I would really recommend doing a walking tour on your first day there and then you get a feel for the city and where everything is. It's a fantastic city!

Tal45 · 20/10/2021 11:46

The baths with the chess table - Szechenyi - are fabulous. Although with six days I'd give Gellert a go too. Go to the central market (assuming it's open) and have langos (think that's right) sweet deep fried bread that you can choose loads of topping for (have lots!). Go for a stroll along the river past the parliament building when they are all lit up. Have a fab time x

Tal45 · 20/10/2021 11:47

*at night

Original poster
mildlymiffed · 20/10/2021 11:48

Amazing! Thanks for these! Really excited 😊 spa baths sound amazing. Such a welcome break after the last couple of years!

OP posts:
Fupoffyagrasshole · 20/10/2021 11:50

The baths !!! Oh gawd I’d love to be going 😂🙈

YetAnotherSpartacus · 20/10/2021 11:53

The statue park (Szoborpark) is really interesting.

You can also take a train to Esztergom and walk over the bridge to Slovakia.

You can take some longer cruises including to Szentendre.

Original poster
mildlymiffed · 20/10/2021 14:04

Thanks for these suggestions. Really hoping to make the most of the time away. Will ensure the statue museum is on the itinerary!

OP posts:
Isababybel · 20/10/2021 15:01

Oh i love Budapest!
Visit Fishermans Bastion definitely, it is beautiful.
I also rate the ruin bars and in particular remember Szimpla Kert as being a very good one (went back in 2014 so memory slightly hazy).
The zoo is amazing but will take up a large part of your day. I vaguely remember that Heroes square and the baths were near the zoo and we planned to see these but the zoo took too long.
I recommend getting a pass that lets you use the metro we found it excellent value for money and used it several times a day whilst still also walking a lot!
Enjoy!!

Isababybel · 20/10/2021 15:05

Oh this may also not be to your taste and not sure what the situation is due to covid but we saw a ballet at the state opera house which was incredible, the building is STUNNING and i remember it being so much cheaper than seeing a ballet here! Everyone in the audience was very dressed up and the ballet dancers were the best i have ever seen, it was just all round a lovely experience.

edwinbear · 20/10/2021 15:06

Margaret Island is beautiful, well worth a walk round.

Original poster
mildlymiffed · 20/10/2021 15:44

Fantastic! Thanks everyone! We're staying facing into Margaret island!

Loving the sound of this ruins bar... we will definitely be making our way there!!

OP posts:
EurghCobwebs · 20/10/2021 17:48

There's a restaurant&bar arcade strip and an actual game arcade: along Hollo Utca

There's a lovely cake spot: The Sweet by Vintage Garden

Four Seasons restaurant by the river was lovely for a meal and reasonably priced.

For afternoon tea/breakfast (BOOK IN ADVANCE!): New York Cafe

Best bar: Szimpla Kert

itssquidstella · 20/10/2021 17:54

Szimpla Kert is great. Go up the church tower - I think it's called St Stephen's.

viques · 20/10/2021 18:18

The Gellert spa is amazing, I was staying there so had direct access but you can go in and pay for a session. . The indoor swimming pool is beautiful , make sure you take your own hat, the ones they give you are not flattering. The hot pools, separate for men and women, are a real treat, you are expected to be naked, they do have “modesty aprons” but I abandoned mine because it felt silly. Great experience .

The food stalls above the food market are good value and delicious.

The zoo has the most amazing buildings and a very lax attitude to H and S, yes, do let your small child feed a bird with a beak that can crack open walnuts! I did like scratching the rhinos back though.

City transport is cheap and efficient, don’t be tempted to wing it though, they do regular spot checks and will fine you.

Parks are lovely, theDanube is impressive, the buildings are stunning. I went quite a few years ago , must be about 25 by now, just as they were getting a lot of EU funding coming through so I hope they have used some of it to clean off the graffiti, it was omnipresent. I am not sure I would be happy going with the current government , but it would be interesting to see if that attitude is in the general population. Hope you enjoy it, if nothing else you will come back with more paprika than you ever thought you needed. Grin

HelloCanYouHearMe · 20/10/2021 18:18

I did a walking tour when I went. It was a great way to understand more of the city history as well as getting to sight see.

I8toys · 20/10/2021 18:24

Definitely the ruin bars - there are many.

Hospital in the bunker
Parliament tour
House of terror

Wimpeyspread · 20/10/2021 18:27

Look out for the various bits of statuary in the streets - Columbo, Ronald Reagan, lots of others

DeviousLatte · 20/10/2021 18:50

Szechenyi Baths
Castle hill funicular
Gerbeaud cafe

viques · 20/10/2021 18:54

Just had a look at the Gellert website, they now have mixed bathing in all pools so everyone has to wear swim suits! Shame, it was a great feeling of freedom in the single sex pools. Glad I had the chance to do it.

wontsomebodythinkofthechildren · 20/10/2021 19:05

How are you travelling? I thought about booking a half term break to Budapest but the restrictions on travel from the uk by flight are so much harsher than most of Europe.... gutted as it looks amazing but have booked Berlin instead.

SheriffCallie · 20/10/2021 22:29

Bloody love Budapest!
Ruin bars
Baths-we’ve been to both Szechenyi and Gellert.
Fisherman’s Bastion
New York cafe
Street Food Karavan

And just generally walking about. We went with kids both time so other people could give better tips for nightlife.

bonfireheart · 21/10/2021 00:38

I love love love Budapest, you'll have the most amazing time OP!

Original poster
mildlymiffed · 21/10/2021 05:54

@wontsomebodythinkofthechildren

How are you travelling? I thought about booking a half term break to Budapest but the restrictions on travel from the uk by flight are so much harsher than most of Europe.... gutted as it looks amazing but have booked Berlin instead.
Unless I've missed something it hasn't been so onerous. Evidence of double jab (which can be electronic), and pcr test within 72 hours of travel (got tested and results are through!). Followed the advice on both the governments and easyJet's website!
OP posts:
dancerdog · 27/11/2021 15:26

Any other recommendations? We are going on 1st December. hoping that the Christmas market is open.

ilovesooty · 27/11/2021 15:29

The Museum of Torture is fascinating.

I went to the market most days, and the Opera House is stunning.