The better half and me are heading to Budapest in a couple of weeks for four days and I'm looking for any inspiration on things to do. Looked at a fair few sites with the usual must see places but looking for anything that may not be on these or things that shouldn't be missed.
Any pointers appreciated 👍
No idea why that quote is there
That’s a relief. From the thread title I was afraid Trump had started bombing there too.
No travel tips but interested to follow the suggestions.
we did it a few years back now and probably going to be in the minority here but didnt particularly enjoy the experience. went to the thermal baths but the changing room had a dirty nappy in it, and i dont particularly like the food over there either. all that fatty meat, dumplings etc. of course you can eat any type of food you want over there but we always try to 'eat local'.
i think the only place i can really recommend is szimpla kert, one of those ruin bars, really quirky. oh and the architecture is pretty stunning in places too.
sorry i cant be more positive, some of my mates love it and i can see why, just didnt do it for us. its a me problem tho 🙂
Saw the Turkish Detective on BBC and reckoned it looked a good place to visit from an architectural point. Haven't been yet.
The national art gallery in the castle near the top of the funicular is pretty good.
You can take in all of the election propaganda, it has a real Soviet feel at the moment.
Szimpla kert for drinks and Karavan for food - right near each other. The big market hall is worth a visit. Went on a 'mature' stag doo some years back and we ate at a top restaurant on the first night and a fancy burger place the second (the burgers are shown cooking on a big screen). We did tonnes of walking !
Only down side, especially as a group of men, was constantly being asked if we want drugs or women. One occasion this happened in the middle of the afternoon. It was bad enough that we sent the 'brides' father back to the hotel in a taxi rather than let him walk alone (it was only a few blocks away).
Thanks for the replies, I'll go look up karavan as I don't think I've found that one
i think the only place i can really recommend is szimpla kert, one of those ruin bars, really quirky. oh and the architecture is pretty stunning in places too.
Concur. We had n enjoyable few days there - nice boutique hotel near Fisherman's Bastion, hard not to - but I wouldn't go back. The ruin bars are the main thing that stick in the mind.
Looks an amazing place and would love to visit but feel I cannot at this time, due to their laws on LGBTQ+ rights that I hold very dear. Same as i won't visit some other Eastern European, ME countries or the US at the moment.
Even that's mixed because the population doesn't necessarily refelct the Gov, and their Pride marches although declared illegal are huge - but by their laws my son would not be recognized as a person and for supporting his treatment as an adolescent I would be a criminal in Hungary, and that doesn't fit with my conscience.
That’s a relief. From the thread title I was afraid Trump had started bombing there too.
Unlikely atm as he has a massive bromance with their prime minister!
We went about 7 or 8 years ago. Loved the architecture and ruin bars. The "hospital in the rock" museum was excellent too. It has lots of WW2 history (Hungary was part of the Axis) and also an intact cold war Warsaw Pact nuclear shelter which was fascinating. The "terror museum" was worth a visit but very grim and sobering. We found the thermal baths were a bit meh.
It's an interesting city to visit with lots of history but I wouldn't go back under their current authoritarian, pro Russian government. Hopefully that dilemma will be removed at the ballot box in April.
This has been my dilemma about going back with the political powers. I will at some point as it is a fascinating city. Think Krakow is top of my list currently.
If you are going on a weekend it can be kind of grim, there were drunk stag-dooers on our flight out, and then back, in the same clothes as on the way out, one of them had to be carried onto the plane.
I'd suggest go week days if you can!
It's a beautiful city, our best bits were the river bars (ice-cream vans serving beers) with a DJ and loads of people out by the river. Then also going for cocktails at the Gresham (I think it was), fancy hotel in town and seeing an interesting looking group who turned out to be the cast of the film Spy having an evening in the bar.
we sent the 'brides' father back to the hotel in a taxi rather than let him walk alone (it was only a few blocks away).
Its 24 yrs since I was there - and taxi's felt scarier than the streets then - both the driving and the distinct possibility you were about to get robbed/ripped off! The architecture and history was interesting (if thats your thing) but the nightlife felt pretty seedy back then - two of our group went into a "pub" which turned out to be more of a strip club / brothel which as as one of them was gay was definitely not their intention... they tried to leave without ordering anything and were told they had to pay about £100 each. They refused and the bouncer called the police who had a conversation in Hungarian and then said pay them or we will arrest you!
My wife is Hungarian, so I've been to Budapest a few times.
Margit Sziget is worth a visit if you have an afternoon spare. Its an island in the Danube, with parks, a big outdoor pool and thermal baths, and a few bars and restaurants. Its just a nice chill place to spend an afternoon, especially if the weather is nice.
You could also visit the House of Music, its set in a really nice park full of interesting outdoor art, and you can take the ancient little subway to Hero's Square, which is also fun, to get there.
Its a great city to just wander around to be honest, I've always felt very safe there. Yes Orban is a bit of a dick, but thats a view that's also pretty popular with most people in Budapest too.
Margit island is on our list of things to visit/do and will look into the house of music.
Again thanks for the replies