sign in sign up
<<
Home , Ferenciek tere, Hungaroring, Margaret Bridge, Margaret Island, Matthias Church, Memento Park

BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

FIREFLIES TRAVEL GUIDES

BUDAPEST

Budapest is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Both historical turbulence and a plethora of influences can be seen in the amazing mix of architecture, cuisine and culture. Close to the west, it is a realistic destination for short weekend breaks. It is also the ideal place for honeymoons or romantic getaways; the city is small enough to walk most of the sights and completely safe. Although Many tourist attraction have fees, there is a lot to be seen and absorbed just walking the streets, parks, markets and the peaceful Hills.

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 1 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Several pharmacies have 24-hour service numbers ESSENTIAL INFORMATION you can phone at any time, such as at Frankel Leo u. 22. +36 1 212 43 11

Mária Gyógyszertár 1139, Béke tér 11. +36 1 320 80 06

Royal Gyógyszertár 1073, Erzsébet krt. 58. +36 1 235 01 37

Uránia Gyógyszertár 1088, Rákóczi út 23. POST +36 1 338 4036

Post offices in Budapest are open Monday to Friday Széna-tér Patika-Fitotéka-Homeopátia from 8 am until 6 pm. 1015, Széna tér 1.

+36 1 225 78 30 The post office at Nyugati railway station has additional opening hours: Mon to Sat 7 am until 9 www.google.hu/maps/search/budapest+gy%C3%B pm. 3gyszert%C3%A1r/@47.4969975,19.0554775,14z/ data=!3m1!4b1 Mammut posta Lövház utca 2-6. DENTIST 1024 +36 1 802 62 64 SOS Dental Service 1061 Király u. 14. József krt. 37-39 +36 1 322 96 02 1428 +36 1 318 26 66 Prime Dental Clinic 1027, Margit krt. 2 Gönczy Pál u. 2 +36 1 786 77 28 1455 +36 1 217 68 86 Dental Center Relaxációs Klinika 1052, Párizsi u. 1 +36 1 421 72 96 +36 1 266 16 11 www.posta.hu/international www.google.hu/maps/place/Budapest+8+posta/@ Budapest Dental Esztétikai Fogászati Centrum 47.5008151,19.0279126,13z/data=!4m5!1m2!2m1! 1137, Szent István krt. 10. 1sposta+budapest!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0 +361 315 45 45 xe149a09c008d591a 1061 Király u. 14. PHARMACY +36 1 322 96 02 www.google.hu/maps/search/budapest+dental/@4 7.5022272,19.0500522,14z M2 Metro (red line) to Deak Tér

TELEPHONE

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 2 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Country code: +36 It is better to ask your hotel or restaurant to telephone for a taxi than to hail one on the street. Area code: 1 Only use licensed cars with yellow registration plates. The following companies are reliable: Within : 06 + area code City Taxi (English-speaking) ELECTRICITY +36 1 211 11 11

230V / 50Hz Fö Taxi +36 1 222 22 22 AIRPORT Rádió Taxi Budapest’s airport, Liszt Ferenc International +36 1 377 77 77 Airport, lies 16 km south-east of the city. The www.budapest.gotohungary.com/budapest-en/- airport minibus service is very convenient and has /article/arriving-to-budapest-getting-around- a fixed price for transport into the city. The budapest cheapest way is to take bus 200 E from the airport www.gotohungary.com/how-to-travel-to-hungary/- to the Köbánya- underground railway /article/plan-your-trip-getting-there-and-around- station, which takes approx. 20 minutes. You can driving purchase a metro ticket there and travel in to the city centre for a small amount, though it will take another 20 minutes or so. www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/plan-your-trip-getting-there-and-around- air-transport

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Budapest has an excellent public transport system. The same ticket is good for a single journey on any of the main types of transport: of underground railway, buses and trams. The Budapest card includes admission to over 60 museums and discounts for sightseeing, swimming, etc.

Budapest has three railway stations: Keleti, Nyugati and Deli, which are linked by the underground railway. The MAV railway company operates between the stations.

65+ EU citizens can get free transport with ID.

TAXI

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 3 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

1052 Budapest, Gerlóczy u. 1. CAFES +36 1 501 40 00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1339703/gerloczy-cafe 07.00-23.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/budapest-cafe-society Equidistant from Metro2 (red line) Astoria and Metro 3 (blue line)

SPINOZA CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT

Spinoza is a gem of a café/restaurant which even has a built in theatre. It is located deep in the Budapest has many lovely cafés, ranging from Jewish quarter of the city, quite a few minutes walk breakfast bars and stylish eateries to the most along Dob utca from either Astoria Metro station delicious confectionaries, (a sort of a cross on one side, or Teréz Körút, the inner city ring between a café and a bakery, with just a few seats). road, on the other. It is a laid-back place, with cool You are sure to find just the perfect type to fit your piano music in the evenings, and a klezmer band mood. Simply choose a cream cake and a coffee on Friday evenings. The food is very reasonably- and relax! priced, and a good mixture of international cuisine. CALIFORNIA COFFEE COMPANY While the menu does not include pork, it is not actually a kosher establishment. If you are on your way through the city and want 1074 Budapest, Dob u. 15. to grab a fast coffee these places are perfect and +36 1 413 74 88 fast. They offer free WiFi, different sandwiches, www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- cakes and lot more to eat, in addition to tea and /netaview/78036/spinoza-restaurant-theatre-and- cold drinks. This firm also has outlets by Kalvin tér, cafe Liszt Ferenc tér and St Stephen's . 11.00-23.00 1066 Budapest, Teréz krt 38. www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- www.californiacoffeeco.net/?lang=en /article/budapest-cafe-society 07.00-23.00 Metro2 (Red line) to Astoria stop, then 5 minutes www.facebook.com/CaliforniaCoffeeCompany?fref= walk ts 4-6 tram to HADIK CAFÉ

GERLÓCZY CAFÉ Hadik Café is a fixture on the main avenue and tram lines 18,19,46 and 47/49 from the green Gerlóczy Kávéház, as it is known in Hungarian, is a Liberty Bridge and Gellért Baths west into Buda. charming café with a large and pleasant terrace Although it is in a built up area, it fronts on a tiny area, in a distinctive wedge-shaped area formed by green park, which it uses to the maxiumum degree, the intersection of Gerlóczy and Vitkovics streets in as folks young and old sit outside and enjoy a little Budapest's 5th district. It is just far enough (3 people-waching. blocks) from Váci utca to be saved from complete tourist inundation, though it is very popular with locals in the busy banking and administration area of the 5th district. The statue in front of the café is that of Károly Kammermayer, the first mayor of the Budapest, combined from Buda, Pest and Obuda in 1873.

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 4 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

1111 Budapest, Bartók Béla út 36. 1073 Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 9-11. +36 1 279 02 90 +36 1 886 61 11 www.hadikkavehaz.blog.hu www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Mon-Sun: 9.00-23.00 /netaview/75985/new-york-cafe-and-restaurant www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- 09.00-24.00 /netaview/928131/hadik-cafe www.newyorkcafe.hu/bemutatkozas?lang=en Metro 4 to Móricz Zsigmond körtér, then 5 minutes 4/6 Tram or Metro 2 (red Line) to Blaha Lujza tér walk to Bartók Béla út AUGUSZT CONFECTIONERY GERBEAUD "Five generations of tradition, knowledge, quality." Gerbeaud is not only a café but also a rather This is the motto of the Auguszt Confectionery ( a important sight in Budapest. This is where the fancy cake-bakery which often but not always, has aristocracy went during the time of the Dual a few seats for a quick coffee and cake binge.) The Monarchy. The large halls have preserved their very first Auguszt Confectionery opened in 1870 in appearance to this day and you will feel Budapest. Now they have three shops in the capital transported back to a time of sumptuous delicacies city. in luxurious surroundings. Do go and take a look at 1053 Budapest, Kossuth L. u. 14-16. the cakes in the glass cases and choose whatever +36 1 337 63 79 takes your fancy, not forgetting a cup of coffee or a www.auguszt.hu/en steaming hot chocolate or cocoa (not the same Mon-Fri: 09.00-19.00, Sat: 11.00-18.00 here). We recommend the signature "Gerbeaud" www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- slice, a delicious multi-layered cake made of /netaview/79842/auguszt-cukraszda walnut and apricot jam, covered with thick Metro 2 (red line) to Kossuth Lajos tér chocolate. 1051 Budapest, Vörösmarty Tér 7. RUSZWURM +36 1 429 90 00 www.gerbeaud.hu Ruszwurm on Castle Hill, is the Buda side’s answer Café open every day: 9.00-21.00. Bistro open: to Gerbaud, still run by one of the country's 12.00-22.00 confectionary dynasties. The interior is very “Fin de www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- siècle”, with red velvet curtains, marble tables and /netaview/76262/gerbeaud-cukraszda beautiful Biedermeyer furniture. (It is quite Metro 1 (yellow line) Vörösmarty tér stop amazing really that this building was not destroyed www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- during WWII, as most of the district's buildings /netaview/76262/gerbeaud-cukraszda were reduced to rubble). Cream cakes, strudel or rétes are the order of the day here, washed down NEW YORK CAFÉ with coffee, hot chocolate or cocoa. 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság u. 7. This extravagant café is a wonder of marble and +36 1 375 52 84 brass, and really exudes the glory of grand times www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- past. It has come under the ownership of the /netaview/75650/russwurm-confectionery Boscolo Hotel Company, as it is attached to the 09.00-19.00 Boscolo Hotel Budapest (formerly the New York www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Palace) Have your wallet at the ready, as this is not /article/budapest-cafe-society the cheapest of places to stop in for a bite, but if Castle Bus 16 to Szentháromság tér one can appreciate the luxurious setting and the exquisite service, it is well worth it! CAFÉ FREI

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 5 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Café Frei serves coffee from around the various Mvész is one of the archetypal cafés where writers, coffee kitchens of the world. Thanks to the sights, philosophers and great minds would meet around sounds and the design you can feel yourself in the the end of the Century. This is no longer true county where your coffee bean began its life. nowadays, but the location is still hard to beat. It makes a great stop on a hike up Andrássy Avenue 1056 Budapest, Váci utca 74. to Heroes' Square, when coffee and a cream cake +36 30 241 76 44 could be just the thing to perk you up. It does get www.facebook.com/cafefreivaciutca?fref=ts very busy around lunchtime and the outdoor Mon-Fri: 08.00-20.00, Sat: 10.00-20.00, Sun: 10.00- seating is obviously in greta demand, but if you 19.00 can hook a wicker chair, then this is an unbeatable www.budapest.gotohungary.com/budapest-en/- place for a spot of Budapest people-watching. /netaview/1752703/cafe-frei Metro 1 (yellow line) to Vörösmarty tér 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 29. +36 1 343 35 44 CAT CAFÉ BUDAPEST www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/75659/muvesz-kavehaz-cukraszda The Cat Café is always busy and is quite unique for 08.00- 21.00 its 10 or so feline residents. They are slightly www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- removed from the food and drinks preparation /article/1549520/cafe-society area, but are ortherwise all over the place. If you Tram 4/6 or Metro 3 (Blue line) are a cat person, this is the place to enjoy a cappucinno and stroke your favourite moggy.. CENTRÁL CAFÉ 1065 Budapest Révay u. 3. "Respecting the traditions and being open to +36 20 617 33 01 novelty" This best describes Central Café outlook. www.catcafebudapest.hu We are proud of our ancestors and we know the every day: 10.00 - 22.00 challenges of today. www.facebook.com/CatCafeBudapest?fref=ts Rather than evoking the past Central says it aims Metro 1 (yellow line) to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út to revive the mentality that once made this place FRUSKA PICNIC &BISTRO one of the intellectual centres of Budapest. A large part of this "intellectual scenery", the delicate If you feel like basking in the sun and great views ambience, the delicious meals, the delightful of the , you should visit the Fruska Bistro desserts or refreshing drinks, the atmosphere is on the Kopaszi dam. It has a cool terrace offering created by the clientele themselves. They say that coffees, biers, wines and picnic snackes as well. all who drop in for a cup of coffee in the morning, for a lunch at noon, for a glass of wine before 1117 Budapest, Kopaszi gát 13. going to the theater, or for a light dinner after it or +36 70 433 23 38 perhaps participate in the creation of Central Café www.fruskabisztro.hu as part of its creative audience. Mon-Fri: 12.00-24.00, Sat-Sun: 10.00-24.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- 1053 Budapest, Károlyi Mihály utca 9. /netaview/1308763/fruska-picnic-bistro +36 1 266 21 10 tram 47 from Deák Ferenc tér to Újbuda-központ, www.centralkavehaz.hu/eng then change to bus 153 to Magyar tudósok körútja, Mon-Sun: 08.00-23.00 then 15 minutes walk www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/78408/central-cafe MVÉSZ CÁVÉHÁZ (ARTISTS' CAFÉ) Metro 2 (red line) to Astoria, then 5 minutes walk, or Metro 3 (blue line) to Ferenciek tere, then 5 minutes walk

CALLAS CAFÉ

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 6 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

The Callas Café was constructed in neo- rennaissance style in 1880. It opened as a café the year before the Opera did. In the early years of the 20th century it changed hands several times and was eventually the headquarters of a British bank between the wars. It was lovingly rennovated in 2006 by David Collins and is a truly elegent place to enjoy a drink before an opera performance, or coffee and a cake as a break from a stroll up Andrássy Avenue. A small musical ensemble performs here most evenings. 1067 Budapest, Andrássy út 20. +36 1 354 09 54 www.callascafe.hu/index_en.html 10.00-24.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1755033/callas-cafe M1 Yellow Metro to Opera.

SZAMOS GOURMET HOUSE

The Gourmet House is a confectionery, a café and chocolate factory, all under one roof. Quality is the most importance to the Szamos family, as it has a reputation for premium quality products. The Gourmet House is more than a typicall confitectionery, it also has daily menu, breakfast and a ’la carte selections as well. 1052 Budapest, Váci utca 1. +36 30 570 59 73 www.szamosmarcipan.hu/en/shops/view/38/Szam os+Gourmet+Palace Mon-Sun: 09.00-21.00 www.budapest.gotohungary.com/budapest-en/- /netaview/1752693/szamos-gourmet-house Metro 1 (yellow line) to Vörösmarty tér

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 7 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Budapest is famous for its baths, the hot water that DO &SEE flows from a hundred streams. The Széchenyi Bath is Budapest’s most famous outdoor swimming bath. This beautiful bath, in New Baroque style, is open all year round. The bathing chess players you have seen in pictures of Budapest spend their time here. 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti körút 11. +36 1 363 32 10 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/37366/szechenyi-thermal-bath Outdoor swimming pools: 06.00 to 22.00, Steam rooms and thermal pools: 06.00 to 19.00, Pump Budapest will keep you busy in all weather. There hall: 09.00 to 17.00 are great parks, walks and outdoor baths for the www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- good weather and a plethora of museums, lovely /article/winner-of-national-geographic-photo- restaurants and outdoor baths, across a range of contest-taken-at-szechenyi-thermal-baths- very different city quarters. There is no problem budapest finding things to do in Budapest, on the contrary- Metro 1 (yellow) line "Szécheny Fürd" stop you will struggle to find the time to do them all! Swimming ticket with changing cabin 5000HUF, 5200HUF at weekends (SZOBORPARK MÚZEUM) THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING Here you will find one of Budapest’s most remarkable attractions. When the proletarian The Hungarian Parliament Building is a landmark dictatorship’s enormous monuments and statues and a popular tourist sight. It is the largest were no longer politically correct – after 1989-90 building in Hungary and displays statues, pictures, – they were moved from their conspicuous frescoes, mosaics, stained glass and sculptures in locations in the centre to a suburb of Buda. abundance. 1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3. Here – in this “Communist theme park” – among +36 1 441 40 00 other things, is the gigantic statue of Lenin and www.parlament.hu/en/web/house-of-the-national- Cubist statues of Marx and Engels. assembly 1223 Budapest, corner of the Balatoni út and Mon-Fri: 08.00-18.00, Sat-Sun: 08.00-16.00 Szabadkai utca www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- +36 1 424 75 00 /netaview/40493/parliament www.mementopark.hu Metro 2 (red line) to Kossuth Lajos tér every day from 10.00 till dusk 2000 HUF: EU citizens (adults), 1000 HUF: EU www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- citizens students /netaview/42582/memento-park from “Kelenfold vasutallomas – Metro 4 – with (VÁROSLIGET) BUS No. 101 and 150 to Budateteny vasutallomas (Campona) 1500 HUF/ Adult, 1000 HUF/ Student

THE SZÉCHENYI BATHS

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 8 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

The City Park is a popular venue no matter the Hungary has suffered through not one, but two season; at spring there is a peaceful lake here terror regimes; the fascist and the Stalinist perfect to walk around or simply enjoy the sight of, regimes. This museum serves as a reminder of the as you have a picnic in the grass. The Vajdahunyad gruesome crimes committed during these hard castle lies in the background and enhances the times. gorgeous view even more. There is also the possibility to rent a paddle boat and spend some The fact is that the museum is housed in the very time on the lake. building that once was the headquarters of the ÁVH secret police. People were interrogated, In winter time the lake is transformed into an ice tortured and killed here, and so the memory of rink and people gather here to skate, eat and these victims live on. socialize. If you don't have skates with you can 1062 Budapest, Andrássy út 60 rent them. +36 1 374 26 00 Városliget www.terrorhaza.hu www.varosliget.info Open every day except Monday, Tue- Fri: 10.00- The main entrance is located at Heroes' Square 18.00 Trams No 74/75 to Zichy Géza utca www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1665383/andrassy-street-60.-budapest ST STEPHEN'S BASILICA (SZENT ISTVÁN Metro 1 (yellow line) to Vörösmarty utca BAZILIKA) 2000 HUF/ Adult

St. Stephen's Basilica is the largest church in BUDAPEST ZOO &BOTANICAL GARDEN Budapest and can hold up to 8,500 people inside. It is dedicated to Hungary's first king St Stephen Budapest Zoo &Botanical Garden is one of the and contains his mummified right hand, a much oldest zoos in the world, it opened in August, revered treasure. 1866. The zoo is located within Városliget Park in the city centre and holds a large number of Several impressive music take place here species, including insects, reptiles, birds and throughout the year. mammals. 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér 1. 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6-12. Guided tours in English +36 1 338 21 51 +36 1 273 49 00 www.bazilika.biz www.zoobudapest.com Mon-Fri: 09.00-17.00, Sat: 09.00-13.00, Sun: 13.00- Mon-Thu: 09.00-18.00, Fri-Sun: 09.00-19.00 17.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/44293/budapest-zoo-and-botanical- /netaview/45241/st.-stephen-s-basillica garden Metro 3 (Blue line) to Arany János Metro stop Metro1 (yellow line) to Széchenyi Fürd stop. It is Nominally free, though a donation of around 500 only a 2 minutes walk, or take Trolley 72 to HUF is "welcomed" "Állatkert" stop 2500 HUF/ Adult, 1800 HUF/ Children, 1900 HUF/ (TERROR HÁZA) Student

CHAIN BRIDGE (SZÉCHENYI LÁNCHÍD)

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 9 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

This iconic Budapest sight was the first of 1138 Budapest, Budapest's bridges, built in 1847 and was an www.margitsziget.info engineering marvel. The bridge was saved from Tram No 4 and 6 to Margaret Island destruction twice in the 1849 conficts, but was eventually put out of action in Word War II as a CASTLE OF BUDA huge battle raged across the city. Nowadays there is an annual festival called "the Summer on the The palace on Buda Hill contains several museums, Chain Bridge" - at this time only pedestrians are including the Ludwig Museum, the National allowed and there are exciting events happening Gallery and the Budapest Historical Museum. There on the weekends. are also narrow alleys and magnificent churches. 1051 Budapest, Lánchíd The walled Castle Hill (Várhegy) is a UNESCO www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- World Heritage site. This is actually a collection of /netaview/40608/lanchid-szechenyi-lanchid different sights to see, but many people simply www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- enjoy wandering the now-quiet streets of this /article/bridges-of-budapest once-bustling district, taking in the views and 105 bus to Clark Adam tér enjoying generously-priced refreshments, so do allow a good few hours. ANDRÁSSY AVENUE (ANDRÁSSY ÚT) 1014 Budapest, Fisherman's Bastion, Szentháromság tér 5. This is a famous boulevard dating back to the early +36 1 225 05 54 1870's that has been declared a World Heritage www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Site. Apart from being a good shopping street in /netaview/40595/castle-district the lower reaches, it is home to many grand old Open all the time - some fees apply to entering villas, mansions and embassies , as well as a and the upper platfrom of the number of sights like a Heroes' Square, the State Fisherman's Bastion. Opera House and an 8-sided square, if you will, www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- called Oktogon. The first and oldest Metro, the /article/walking-budapest-self-guided-tours yellow coloured M1 or "Millenium Metro" runs the Metro 2 (red line) to Széll Kálmán Tér, then take length of Andrássy Avenue, just under the surface the castle bus up the hill. of the roadway. 1062 Budapest, Andrássy út THE GREAT SYNAGOGUE (NAGY ZSINAGÓGA) www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/unesco-world-heritage-sites-banks-of- The Jewish quarter on the Pest side is one of the danube-andrassy largest in , the first Jewish settlers arrived in Public Street the 13th century in Budapest. This is where the www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A1ssy_%C3 Main Synagogue is located, the largest in the world %BAt outside of New York. There is a Jewish museum Metro 1 to Bajcsy Zsilinszky út or Heroes' Square beside the synagogue, not t confused with the separate Holocaust Museum far away in Páva St. MARGARET ISLAND (MARGITSZIGET) 1074 Budapest, Dohány u. 2-8. +36 70 533 56 96 Margaret Island is a great place for a cosy www.greatsynagogue.hu/gallery_syn.html#4 excursion, it is 2.5 km long and about 500 m wide. Sun-Thu 10.00-17.00, early closing on Fridays Several flowery landscape parks and medieval 15.30/16.30 ruins act as the perfect backdrop for a pleasant www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- day. Budapest Summer Festival takes place at /netaview/45694/dohany-street-synagogue grand amphitheaters at Margaret Island and Metro2 (Red line) to Astoria stop, then 5 minutes Városmajor Par in every summer. walk. 3500 HUF per adult

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 10 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Budapest, together with , is an international GREAT MARKET HALL (VÁSÁRCSÁRNOK) capital of opera. The beautiful State Opera, completed in 1884, is worth a visit even if you are This public market is known as a real slice of not interested in listening to opera. If you do like Hungarian daily life. Here you can see authentic opera, you must book in good time and be greengrocers, cheese merchants and butchers all prepared for a festive occasion. rubbing elbows in a wonderful cacophony of sounds and scents unlike anywhere else. 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 22. The Great Market Hall was built to replace the +36 1 814 71 00, +36 1 353 01 70 expansive outdoor markets in 1894, by architect www.opera.hu/?lan=en Samu Pecz, also known for the red brick reform Mo-Sat 11.00-17.00,Sun and national holidays church by the Buda riverside north of Batthány tér. from 16.00, or until the beginning of the The Market Hall's basement area houses the less- performance scenic fish stalls and supermarket, the ground floor www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- is the main area for all kinds of foodstuffs, and the /netaview/40421/hungarian-state-opera upper floor (check out the beautiful wrought-iron Metro 1 (yellow line) to Opera staircases) is home to souvenir stands and fast- [email protected] food joints, Hungarian-style. You must try some BIG BUS SIGHTSEEING TOUR deep-fried dough or Lángos. 1093 Budapest, Vámház krt 1-3. Big Bus gives 30% discount of the price for +36 1 366 33 00 Budapest Winter guests! www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- The Big Bus sightseeing tour is the perfect choise /article/marketplaces-of-budapest-more-budapest to explore the city. Mon: 06.00-17.00,Tue-Fri: 06.00-18.00,Sat: 06.00- 15.00, Closed on Sundays Every ticket includes: 48 hrs Hop-On Hop-Off at 27 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- stops, recorded commentary in 23 languages, /netaview/1385683/central-market-hall English live guided tour, free Night tour, free Nearest metro M4 (green) Fvám Tér, Trams No 47, Umlimited River Cruise on the Danube, free 49. walking tours on the Pest and Buda side, reward Free to enter booklet (vouchers for popular restaurants, cafés, bars and attractions) BUDA HILLS You are able to purchase tickets from our On a clear day you should take the tram or bus to Customer Service Centre (3 Andrássy Avenue, 6th Buda Hills, via the cog railway. Here you will find distr.) or from Big Bus uniformed staff on the street peace and calm high above the city, with a or on the bus. magnificent view from János-hegy. 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 3. At the same time make sure to visit some of the +36 (1) 235 00 78 caves that are open to the public. In the Pálvölgy www.budapestwinter.gotohungary.com/winter- cave, among other things, you can see the unique promotion/-/article/big-bus-sightseeing-tour dripstone figures ”The Elephant” and ”Crocodile”. www.eng.bigbustours.com/budapest/home.html The air in the caves is said to be good for Metro 1 (yellow line) to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út respiratory infections. Buda Hills

HUNGARIAN STATE OPERA

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 11 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

1093 Budapest, Vámház körút 1-3. DINING +36 30 740 87 65 www.fakanaletterem.hu Mon-Fri:10:00-17:00, Sat:10:00-14:00, Sunday: closed www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/74415/fakanal-restaurant M4 (green line) to Fvám tér

COSTES DOWNTOWN

The restaurant, which offers international cuisine with Hungarian influence, awaits guests with a laid-back, bistro-style atmosphere. Opened less Hungarian food is honest and despite today’s than a year ago in downtown Budapest, in Prestige influences from all over the world, the Hotel, Costes Downtown already received the are still preserving their traditions. Modern recognition of a Michelin-star just recently! is among the best in Europe and also very inexpensive. You will find most 1051 Budapest, Vigyázó Ferenc utca 5. restaurants, and the best ones, on the Pest side. +36 1 920 10 15 http://costesdowntown.hu/en MENZA Breakfast: 06.30-10.30 Lunch: 12.00-15.30 Dinner: 18.30-23.00 People go to Menza for the company rather than http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- for the food, which is quite conventional. The /netaview/1765403/costes-downtown restaurant is situated on Liszt Ferenc tér, one of 2 tram / 2, 15, 16, 105, 115, 216 bus to Széchenyi the best squares in Budapest to go to for having a István tér drink or two. Menza’s large flowered wallpaper and cloth lampshades create a cosy atmosphere. BARAKA 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 2. Baraka is located on the city's main boulevard, +36 1 413 14 82 within the Andrássy Hotel and is definitely worth a www.menzaetterem.hu/english.php visit. This restaurant offers gourmet food served in Mon-Sun: 10.00-00.00 a personal atmosphere. The chef mixes French and www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Asian influences, but does not neglect his /netaview/1341053/menza-restaurant-and-cafe Hungarian roots. 4-6 tram / 105 Bus to Oktogon 1051 Budapest, Dorottya utca 6. FAKANÁL +36 1 200 08 17 www.barakarestaurant.hu Anyone who wishes to taste traditional Hungarian Mon- Sat: 11:30-15:00,18:00-23:00 Sun: closed cuisine, should head to Fakanál, upstairs in the old www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- market hall. There, you can try several different /netaview/75827/baraka-restaurant buffet dishes to the sound of gypsy music. Metro 1 (yellow line) to Bajza utca, then 3 minutes walk

BORSSÓ BISTRO

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 12 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Borssó Bistro has a menu containing both traditional Hungarian cuisine and French food. The ONYX RESTAURANT dishes change with the season and you can usually find some special weekly offer. The Onyx restaurant strive to keep a high international standard and their lead words are For a special treat, come here for a "wine dinner" - quality and innovation. The Onyx Restaurant has a 6-8 course dinner enjoyed with carefully selected been rated 17 points by Gault Millau, and awarded wine that is presented by the wine makers, with one Michelin Star by the Michelin Guide. accompanied by live jazz music. 1051 Budapest Vörösmarty tér 7-8. 1053 Budapest, Királyi Pál u. 14. +36 30 508 06 22 +36 1 789 09 75 www.onyxrestaurant.hu www.borsso.hu Tue- Fri: 12.00-14.00, 18.30-23.00 Sat: 18.30-23.00 Mon: closed, Tue: 18.00-23.00 Wed-Sun: 12.00- (last order 21.30 pm) 23.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/borkonyha-or-winekitchen-wins-michelin- /netaview/1627063/borsso-restaurant star 4-6 tram to Harminckettesek tere M1 Yellow Metro to Vörösmarty tér

BOCK BISZTRÓ BORKONYHA WINEKITCHEN

Bock Bisztró was created by a well renowned chef Borkonyha Winekitchen is a mix of a contemporary and a skilled sommelier. The result is a restaurant family restaurant and a French bistro, though the offering Hungarian cuisine with an international chef Ákos Sárközi often includes Spanish and twist, accompanied by an extensive wine list. The Italian specialities on the menu. A huge part of menu also has some Spanish tapas. their concept is their extensive wine list which includes 200 different wines, most of them 1073 Budapest, Erzsébet körút 43-49. Hungarian. This was the third Hungarian restaurant +36 1 321 03 40 to win a Michelin star, so quality is high. www.bockbisztro.hu Mon-Sat: 12:00-24:00 Sun: closed 1051 Budapest, Sas u. 3. www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- +36 1 266 08 35 /netaview/1308113/bock-bistro-pest www.borkonyha.hu/?lang=eng 4-6 tram to Király street 12.00-14.00 and 18.00-23.30 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- KLASSZ /netaview/1309783/borkonyha-restaurant Metro 1,2 or 3 to Deák Ferenc tér, then cross Klassz has about 130 different wines to choose Elisabeth Park and walk along Sas utca from, and it is undeniably important to choose a nice wine when the food is so exquisite. You can GERLÓCZY CAFÉ have foie gras, mangalica pork and lamb knuckle, to name but a few. At this exclusive restaurant, there is an unusual system that basically means that no-one can reserve a table, so get there early! 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 41. www.klasszbistro.hu/index.php?lang=en Mon- Sat: 11.30-23.00 Sun: 11.30-23.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1310183/klassz-winebar-and-restaurant Metro 1 (yellow line) to Oktogon

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 13 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Gerlóczy Kávéház, as it is known in Hungarian, is a 1126 Budapest, Kiss János Alt. u. 38. charming café with a large and pleasant terrace +36 1 225 19 69 area, in a distinctive wedge-shaped area formed by www.arcadebistro.eu the intersection of Gerlóczy and Vitkovics streets in Mon-Sat: lunch: 12:00-15:30, dinner: 18:30-23:00 Budapest's 5th district. It is just far enough (3 Sun: closed blocks) from Váci utca to be saved from complete www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- tourist inundation, though it is very popular with /netaview/78427/arcade-bistro locals in the busy banking and administration area 105 bus to Nagy Jen utca of the 5th district. The statue in front of the café is that of Károly Kammermayer, the first mayor of the TANTI RESTAURANT Budapest, combined from Buda, Pest and Obuda in 1873. This modern simply-decorated reataurant has only 1052 Budapest, Gerlóczy u. 1. been in operation since September 2014, but has +36 1 501 40 00 already won international acclaim in an incredibly www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- short amout of time, landing a Michelin star (only /netaview/1339703/gerloczy-cafe the fourth to do so in Budapest) (though to be fair 07.00-23.00 Chef István Pesti has done the rounds, and worked www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- at numerous big-name restaurants around town /article/budapest-cafe-society before opening this masterpiece of simplicity. Equidistant from Metro2 (red line) Astoria and Tanti is named after a dear aunt, and like a fussy Metro 3 (blue line) Ferenciek Tere aunt, is quite strict about mealtimes. Dinner is served from 6pm until midnight, though lunch is SPINOZA CAFÉ AND RESTAURANT also offered from noon until 3pm. 1124 Budapest, Apor Vilmos tér 11-12. Spinoza is situated in the heart of the old Jewish +36 20 243 15 65 quarter of Pest. It's a restaurant, a café and a www.tanti.hu theatre under one roof. It is perfect for organising Mon- Sat: 12.00-15.00 and 18.00-23.00 company meetings, confrences, press-conferences, www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- book presentations, team-building events and /article/winds-of-change-hungarian-gastronomy- trainings. today 1074 Budapest, Dob u. 15. M2 (Red) metro line to Széll Kálmán Square, then www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Tram 59 uphill to Ápor Vilmos tér /netaview/78036/spinoza-restaurant-theatre-and- cafe 11.00-23.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/budapest-cafe-society M2 (red line) to Astoria, or 47/49 tram to Astoria

ARCADE

One of the best restaurants on the Buda side is Arcade, with the same founder as the Café Kör. The owners have chosen a somewhat more luxurious style here, both in the menus and the decor, and serve modern Hungarian cuisine with influences from and .

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 14 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

This artistic bar was originally opened in 2005 in BARS &NIGHTLIFE Tzoltó (Fireman) Street. It has kept the name, thoug the location has shifted to a disused elementary school and its sizeable courtyard. It is an artist collective, studio and exhibition space, aimed at providing a relaxed communal space fopr like-minded creative idividuals. It is also a popular bar, and nightclub, but an odd one full of artistic- types, who drift down from the studios upstairs.

With its artisitic crew, there is no shortage of unique decor, even though the place covers a huge 5300 square metre area, which makes it fun to explore of an evening. There are scores of musical Budapest has all kinds of nightlife, from smoky events, book-readings, clothes swaps, and regular beer halls to Bohemian artists’ clubs and expensive sessions, such as informal Hungarian lessons for champagne bars. Recent years have seen the rise foreigners every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and of the ruin bars, a curious phenomenon where Friday. derelict buildings are given a new lease of life as bars, nightclubs and restaurants, complete with 1060 Budapest, Heged u. 3. quirky decor and a very laid-back atmosphere. +36 1 708 25 99 www.tuzrakter.hu ELLÁTÓ KERT until 02.00 M1 Yellow Metro to Oktogon. Located one block In the Summer, Ellátó kert is a great open air place south of Liszt Ferenc Tér for cyclists, strollers and all to enjoy the agenuine Free to enter ruin-pub atmosphere in the very heart of the 7th District, the "drinking district". SPOON An enclosed version has now been constructed (by the bar's staff and locals actually). This warm bar Spoon is a good choice if you want to enjoy a long awaits you with gates open wide, discounted beer drink and the view across the Danube. It is a large on Fridays and a coolatmosphere all year round. ship anchored by the Pest quay, with a café, popular bar and sushi restaurant. While this in not 1075 Budapest, Kazinczy u. 48. a cheap place, the unusual location, setting and +36 20 527 30 18 outstanding views make it well worthwhile. www.facebook.com/ellato.kert/about 17.00-02.00 (04.00 on Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat) 1051 Budapest, Vigadó tér 3 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- +36 1 411 09 33 /article/1549520/boozing-and-dancing-the-night- www.spoonrestaurants.hu away 12.00-24.00 M2 (Red) metro line to Astoria or Blaha Lujza tér... www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Free to enter /netaview/1163053/spoon-restaurant-and-event- boat TZRAKTÉR M1 Yellow Metro to Vörösmarty tér, then walk west to the dock

ALCATRAZ

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 15 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Alcatraz Music Club &Restaurant has a unique A38 is a floating pleasure palace. As the trendy interior that transports you to the American prison ship contains several bars and dance floors, there island of Alcatraz. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and is generally something for everybody. The name is Sunday evening means live jazz music and the actually Artemovs in full, and the 38 derives from waiters wear striped overalls. the year 1938, when this stone carrier was built. It no longer moves, but is easily found Near the 1072 Budapest, Nyár u. 1. Petöfi bridge on the Buda side of the Danube. +36 1 413 11 52 www.alcatraz.hu 1117 Budapest, Petfi híd budai hídf 06.00-17.00 +36 1 46 43 940 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- www.a38.hu/en /netaview/75902/alcatraz-music-pub 11.00-23.00(restaurant) Metro 2 (red line) to Blaha Lujza tér www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1696913/a38-ship KUPLUNG 4-6 tram to Petöfi Híd, budai hídf

Kuplung is the Hungarian word for clutch, and this SZODA BAR BUDAPEST bar is indeed situated in a former workshop. It's one of the archetypal ruin bars, and is still going This well-known and unusual bar has reams of strong- with lots of mini-concerts from local bands. cartoons on the ceiling and row upon row of guess-what behind the bar. Yes the soda bottle it 1068 Budapest, Király u. 46. was named for are out in force and sode-related +36 20 391 43 42 drinks, like the inimitable Hungarian Fröccs (a www.kuplungbp.tumblr.com white wine soda spritzer) are very popular and 15.00-02.00 (16.00-05.00 on Friday and Saturday) quite excellent here. www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1587273 1075 Budapest, Wesselényi u. 18. M1 Yellow Metro to Opera. Located two blocks +36 1 461 00 07 East of Anrdrassy Avenue www.szoda.com 17.00- 03.00 GRANDIO BAR www.facebook.com/szodabar?fref=ts M2 (Red) metro line to Astoria or Blaha Lujza tér This bar is heavily connected with a city hostel of walk north and trun on to Wesselényi utca, then the same name. It is party place, so be prepared for walk along to number 18. lots of tipsy teenagers, "Jaeger trains", Karaoke, Free to enter beer pong and so on. There is a large garden though and this provides some welcome SZIMPLA KERT opportunities for chilling out. You have heard anything about Budapest's Ruin 1072 Budapest, Nagy Diófa u. 8. bars, then the name Szimpla Kert has probably +36 20 497 15 58 already arisen. It is the first and the best known. It www.budapestpartyhostels.com/pages/index.php? created the archetype of the busy-but -relaxed bar page=gr&cont=zero in the heart of downtown Budapest, by making use 11.00-03.00 of a building that might have otherwise remained www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- unused. With mismatched furniture, wacky decor, /netaview/1584953/grandio-bar cheap beer and a loyal regular crowd, this place M2 (Red) metro line to Astoria or Blaha Lujza soared in popularity and spawned a host of similar Square.. operations that became the ruin bars. A38 Szimpla is still going stong in Kazinczy Street, now with an excellent farmers' market held on the weekends, a café and sister bars in berlin and Vác.

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 16 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

1075 Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14. +36 20 261 86 69 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/1586923/szimpla-garden 12.00-16.00 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/1549520/best-ruinpubs-in-budapest M2 (Red) metro line to Astoria or Blaha Lujza tér...

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 17 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

The spectacular location of will host EVENTS the biggest wine festival of Hungary on 8-11 September, where hundreds of winemakers have the chance to introduce themselves and their products to the public. Besides tasting excellent wines we can also enjoy culinary adventures, and also a wide selection of programmes like concerts.Lectures of Wine University also offer a great possiblity to widen our knowledge of the field. 1011 Budapest, Budai vár +36 1 203 85 07 http://www.aborfesztival.hu/en/home_1 10.00-24.00 FESTIVAL OF FOLK ARTS (MESTERSÉGEK http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- ÜNNEPE) /article/best-of-budapest-2016-from-july-to- december Weaving, beading, woodcarving or making Bus 16 from Deák Ferenc tér / Bus 16, 16A and 116 kürtskalács (chimney cake): these traditional crafts from Széll Kálmán tér / Funicular from Clark Ádám can all be witnessed ion 18-21 August in Buda tér Castle, where a traditional fair showcases the best http://www.aborfesztival.hu/en/information_2 examples and most experienced representatives of living folk arts and traditions of Hungary. Their 2016 products can be witnessed and brought, and the Looking for a place to feel free? A place where event will also offer a wide selection of various music comes from multiple stages? A place where programmes. If you are fond of folk art and fun is much more then you expect? These mottos traditional crafts, don't miss this occasiont! More all fit perfect to Sziget Festival of Budapest! Held info coming soon. at Óbuda Hajógyári Sziget in the Northern part of Budapest, Castle District, Szent György square Budapest between 10-17 August 2016, and voted +36 1 214 31 47 to be The Best European Major Festival title at the http://mestersegekunnepe.hu/english/ in January 2012, Sziget 10.00 am-11.00 pm offers a really unique spectrum of music &other http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- cultural events. /article/best-of-budapest-2016-from-july-to- Budapest, Hajógyári sziget (Hajógyári Island) december +36 1 372 06 50 Bus nr. 16, 16A and 116 from Deák Ferenc Sq and http://szigetfestival.com/ Széll Kálmán Sq. or the reserved bus specially for 0-24 this event nr. 216 from the underground station http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- Deák Ferenc Sq to get to the Castle. Visitors can /article/best-of-budapest-2016-from-july-to- also use the Funicular form Clark Ádám Sq. december http://mestersegekunnepe.hu/english/ticket- HÉV Suburban railway H5 to Filatorigát information/ http://szigetfestival.com/tickets/category/entry- BUDAPEST WINE FESTIVAL ticket RED BULL AIR RACE

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 18 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

This year Budapest will be again part of the Red Bull Air Race calendar, the iconic Chain Bridge BUDAPEST SUMMER FESTIVAL featuring the event! As the city is one of the most beautiful capitals of the world, no wonder that the Almost impossible to list the wide range of raqce track above the Danube, between Elizabeth programmes offered by this Festival between 1 and Margaret Bridges, in downtown Budapest is June-31 August! Opening concerts by the also a real spectacle! The race of the pilots is Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Stacey always spot by a huge crowd, and this year won't Kent Jazz , Virtuosi Celebration, opera be an exception. concerts – just some of the highlights. Open-air theater of Városmajor and Margaret Island (the Budapest, above the Danube latter around the recently renovated spectacular http://www.redbullairrace.com/en_HU/event/buda Water Tower) will host the events, and you can join pest-2016 these programmes with a pleasant dinner or 10:00-18:00 maybe a boat trip to Margaret Island. http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/best-of-budapest-2016-from-july-to- 1138 Budapest, Margitsziget Nagyszínpad december +36 1 340 41 96 http://www.gpticketshop.com/en/redbullairrace/re http://eng.szabadter.hu/ d-bull-air-race-budapest/tickets.html Monday 12.00-18.00, from Tuesday to Friday 10.00-18.00 GOURMET FESTIVAL http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/best-of-budapest-2016-from-january-to- Selection of the best Hungarian restaurants all in june one place! A unique possiblity to try the delicacies Bus 26, 226 of the best of Hungarian gastronomy, Gourmet At the Szabad Tér Ticket Office (1065 Budapest, Festival at Millenáris Budapest offers an exquisite Nagymez utca 68., Tel. 06-1/301-0147, Mon-Fri, culinary experience. We can meet Michelin-star 9.00-17.00) From May at the offices of Margaret restaurants as well as artisan cheese-, wine- and Island and Városmajor Open-Air Stage. Online at chocolate-makers, confectionaries and also www.szabadter.hu website gourmet food shops. FORMULA-1 ***2016 is a very important year in Hungarian gastronomy, as Bocouse d'Or Europe will be held , just outside Budapest, from 1986 in May in Budapest! 2016 is also officialy The Year hosts one of the biggest events of in of Gastro Adventures, organised by Hungarian the world. Roaring of engines, enthusiastic crowd Tourism Ltd.*** and the inevitable shower of champagne for the winner: experience the unmistakable Formula 1 1024 Budapest, Kis Rókus utca 16-20. feeling in the summer between 22-24 July in +36 1 920 06 33 Hungary! Qualifying races, the main race and also www.sziget.hu/gourmetfestival pit walks can be experienced in the middle of July Thursday 5pm – 11pm, Friday – Sunday 12pm – 2016. 11pm http://.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- 2146 Mogyoród, Versenypálya 0222/2/3/6 /article/gastro-adventures-2016-website-has- +36 28 44 44 44, +36 1 266 2040 launched http://hungaroring.hu/en/dest 5 minutes walk from Széll Kálmán Square: by tram: http://gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- 4, 6, 17, 56, 56A, 59, 61; by bus: 5, 16, 16A, 21, 21A, /article/best-of-budapest-2016-from-july-to- 22, 39, 91, 116, 128, 129, 139, 149, 155, 156 by december metro: line 2 (red) / 5 minutes walk from Széna HÉV to Mogyoród from rs vezér Square Square: by tram: 4, 6, 17

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 19 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

1013 Budapest, Döbrentei tér 9. SPAS AND THERMAL BATHS +36 1 356 10 10 www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /netaview/37347/rudas-medicinal-spa-and- swimming-pool Basic open hours 06.00-20.00 for all guests, special hours for steam rooms include unisex saturday and sunday, women-only Tuesdays and Men only all other days. Unisex night time bathing on Fridays &Saturdays 22.00-04.00 www.spa.gotohungary.com/en_GB/health-tourism/- /article/budapest-spas-rudas-a-renewed-spa-with- a-view-in-budapest Hungary is famous for its thermal waters. The thin Nearest metro M4 (green) Gellért tér (5 mins walk) crust of the carpathian Basin means that mineral- Trams 18,19, buses: 5, 7, 8, 86,112 rich warm water bubbles up almost all over the thermal ticket + locker 3100HUF (3400 HUF at country. The capital Budapest has a great many to weekends) choose from, you can soak in modern elegance one day and the next day travel back to the victorian SZÉCHENYI THERMAL BATHS age or visit the Turkish baths of the middle ages, Széchenyi Medicinal Spa is one of Europe’s largest all within Budapest! bathing complexes. Located in the Városliget (City RUDAS THERMAL BATHS Park), it is Pest's first medicinal bath. Széchenyi already operated as an artesian bath as early as The famous Rudas Thermal Baths, perfectly 1881, and a public bath for men and women and located on the Buda side of the Danube, in the open-air pools were added in 1927. shadow of Gellért Hill and the Elisabeth Bridge. 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11. +36 1 363 32 10 This bath dates back to 1550, and though not www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- obvious from outside, there are still some beautiful /netaview/37366/szechenyi-thermal-bath original Turkish features including a dim central Outdoor swimming pools: 06.00 to 22.00, Steam dome and octagonal baths, surrounded by 4 pools, rooms and thermal pools: 06.00 to 19.00, Pump each with a different temperature. At the southern hall: 09.00 to 17.00 end is a station where people can purchase bottles www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- of the thermal water, which is drunk for its curative /article/winner-of-national-geographic-photo- properties. Don’t drink the bathwater, obviously! contest-taken-at-szechenyi-thermal-baths- budapest In 2014 a new wellness section opened at The Metro 1 (yellow) line "Szécheny Fürd" stop Rudas Thermal Baths. Daily ticket with locker usage: 4500Ft /Person (weekdays), 4700 HUF /Person (weekends)

VELI BEJ BATH

The history of the Veli bej Bath goes back to the Ottoman times. The buliding was reopened for the public in 2012. The bath provides 5 various Turkish pools, saunas, steam-cell, hidroxeur and tangentor bath, Kneipp-basin, pool and wellness facilities.

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 20 BUDAPEST TRAVEL GUIDE

Through the summer months, the Cinetrip spa 1023 Budapest, Árpád fejedelem útja 7. Parties or "Sparties" are held in the historic +36 1 438 86 41 Széchenyi Thermal Baths in the Varosliget City www.facebook.com/pages/Irgalmasok-Veli-Bej- Park. From late night until early morning, guys and F%C3%BCrd%C5%91je/177646718953777?sk=wall girls will be dancing the night away in the warm 06.00-12.00,15.00-21.00 waters of the baths, well-fueled by a full bar and www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- plentiful snacks. A great atmosphere is ensured by /netaview/1558333/veli-bej-bath smoke, lights and of course great music in the form tram 4-6 to Margit sziget, Budai hídf, then 6 of live dj sets. minutes walk Tickets for 3 hour: 2800 HUF 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11. +36 1 363 32 10 LUKÁCS BATHS www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- /article/thermal-bath-parties-this-summer- Szent Lukács or St Luke's Baths is an imposing cinetrip-budapest building visible from the Danube, just north of 21.30-03.00 on the Buda Side. This was www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- originally one of the most elegant and /netaview/37366/szechenyi-thermal-bath sophisticated baths, built on a site that was earlier Metro 1 (yellow) line "Szécheny Fürd" stop the domain of the Turkish Vizier, Pasa Mustafa. You Approx 40 Euros (if booked in advance online) will find a great wealth of opportunities inside and out, including 5 main pools and a plethora of GELLÉRT THERMAL BATHS smaller Kneipp pools, plunge pools, saunas and even a salt cave. The Gellért Thermal Baths are housed just behind the imposing Gellért Hotel near the Lukács Baths are also the winter home for the Liberty Bridge in Budapest. There are a range of hedonistic nighttime spa parties know as Cinetrip pools of different temperatures, both inside and Parties. (In the summer, Cinetrip Parties are held at out, including the iconic sliding-roofed main pool, Széchenyi Thermal baths.) the external wave pool and many sauna and steam rooms. 1023 Budapest, Frankel Leó u. 25-29. +36 1 326 16 95 1111 Budapest, Szent Gellért tér 1. www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- +36 1 466 61 66 /netaview/37374/szent-lukacs-thermal-bath www.gotohungary.com/about-hungary/- 06.00-22.00 /netaview/510831/szent-gellert-medicinal-spa- www.budapestwinter.gotohungary.com/lukacs- and-swimming-pool bath 06.00-20.00 (Not close to Metro system) Buses 6, 60 and 86, www.budapestwinter.gotohungary.com/gellert- tramways 4, 6 and 17 and by suburban train HÉV baths o­n the line to Szentendre-Békásmegyer, "Margit Nearest metro M4 (green) Gellért tér. Also trams Bridge" stop 18,19, 47, 49 and buses 7, 7A, 86 Swimming and changing cabin 3500 HUF 5300 HUF swimming ticket and cabin usage. (5500 (3600HUF at weekends) HUF weekends)

CINETRIP SZECSKA SPARTY (SUMMER POOL PARTY)

DESTINATION: BUDAPEST 21