LivingTheSeasideDream
Well-known member
I’m heading over to Budapest in mid December for a couple of days, does anyone have any recommendations? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Budapest Recommendations.
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Curryman
Well-known member
Some wonderful sights in Budapest, particularly around the castle and cathedral area. However for a drink, or to eat, get off the beaten track. away from the tourist areas, try the back streets, some great bars, and cafes down them that the locals use. language could be a problem in some of them, but with perseverance, smiles, and hand signals you can usually get what you want. Yes that as well, so I'm told. There are also some great eateries towards the Keleti Railway Station. Also, watch the traffic as they seem to do as they please, particularly after dark, speedwise and obeying traffic lights wise.
TowerPower2022
Well-known member
Take a BIG coat, that’s my only advice
poolseasider
Well-known member
Don't forget my present. 
LivingTheSeasideDream
Well-known member
A sleeve of lambert and butler from the duty free heading your way father.Don't forget my present.
poolseasider
Well-known member
Brilliant I stopped smoking in 1997.
TwelveAngryMen
Well-known member
Personally I would stay in Pest
Trams are a great way to get about and the wines are superb
Fantastic city though I went in the summer so there was a real cafe bar vibe which I liked
Trams are a great way to get about and the wines are superb
Fantastic city though I went in the summer so there was a real cafe bar vibe which I liked
glasshalffull
Well-known member
Try the ruin bars!
BFCAleman
Well-known member
It may be getting too chilly by then … but this was an interesting trip out of the city. It’s a small railway up into the hills , manned completely by school children . You can get a chair lift back down from the top through the woods with excellent views .
gyermekvasut.hu
Home - Children's Railway, Budapest - Children's Railway, Budapest
The Budapest Children's Railway is run by elementary school children. Our railway operates all year, there are many sights nearby.
gyermekvasut.hu
Tangerine Lasher
Well-known member
Agree with others. It’s seriously cold in December. Take big coat, hat etc.
Allmodcons
Well-known member
I went last week!
Unfortunately the Chain Bridge is closed for repairs as is the tramway up to the castle so you have to go round the houses to get to the castle side.
We were based in the old town of Pest, there are some great ruin bars and I highly recommend a visit to Mozel Tov - great food and cocktails all reasonably priced.
If you can afford it there is a fantastic Michelin restaurant called Laurel - not cheap but an incredible experience if you appreciate fine dining.
There is a sky bar called Leo which you need to book but has fantastic views over the city.
A trip to the Parliament building is a must see, but you need to book early in the morning to guarantee admission.
Am sure you will love it.
Unfortunately the Chain Bridge is closed for repairs as is the tramway up to the castle so you have to go round the houses to get to the castle side.
We were based in the old town of Pest, there are some great ruin bars and I highly recommend a visit to Mozel Tov - great food and cocktails all reasonably priced.
If you can afford it there is a fantastic Michelin restaurant called Laurel - not cheap but an incredible experience if you appreciate fine dining.
There is a sky bar called Leo which you need to book but has fantastic views over the city.
A trip to the Parliament building is a must see, but you need to book early in the morning to guarantee admission.
Am sure you will love it.
TowerPower2022
Well-known member
Went in February a few years back and it was -10, not sure why I was surprised.
If you want a very good burger visit Deep Burger also
TangerineMike
Well-known member
I went there a few weeks ago for work, had never been but was impressed, lovely city. No particular advice, although if you’re looking for somewhere to stay, I’d recommend the wonderfully named Hotel Mystery, but have fun!
lythamite
Well-known member
Day pass on a tour bus hop on off is a good start, Ruin bars a must my favorite is Szimpla Kert (www.offbeatbudapest.com -Top ten, good for food)
Soulbrother
Well-known member
The "For sale Pub" serves great food and is an Icon. Go to the hot spring baths, the zoo is fabulous with big hitters and very cheap. Just outside the city is a park full of old soviet statues
straightatthewall
Well-known member
Definitely go to one of the hot springs baths. The one near the main park is very good.
I’d second the point of getting tickets on the hop on/hop off bus. It’s a good way to see a lot of the city on day 1 and then go and spend more time at specific places later on.
There’s loads of food choice and you can eat at some basic local places or some really high end restaurants, with loads in between. Just depends how much you’re willing to pay.
I think you’ll have a great time
I’d second the point of getting tickets on the hop on/hop off bus. It’s a good way to see a lot of the city on day 1 and then go and spend more time at specific places later on.
There’s loads of food choice and you can eat at some basic local places or some really high end restaurants, with loads in between. Just depends how much you’re willing to pay.
I think you’ll have a great time
FlytoKavala
Well-known member
Shoes on the Danube Bank. Memorial to the conflicts of war.
Tangerinetiltingatwindmil
Well-known member
Boscoli hotel is a great place to stay.
Went with jet 2 they do weekend city breaks.
Went with jet 2 they do weekend city breaks.
razorwire
Well-known member
Budapest is probably my favourite European city - we went for the first time a few years back and loved it so much we ended up going 3 times in a year! Absolutely tonnes to do from family friendly stuff to the ruin bars and it's still all relatively cheap too which is a big bonus. Despite having been a few times now I still feel there's loads left to do there as well, and will certainly be back again soon.
Not one for December but the RedJet boat trips are amazing- high speed 360 degree spins and other nonsenses like sudden nosedives into the water, it's like no other boat trip I've ever been on, full-on crazy stunt action. You will get SOAKED though so it obviously only runs in warmer months.
The pinball museum is a must if you have any interest in pinball at all - hundreds of machines (and some other types of games) all on freeplay, covering the very first machines up until recent stuff.
We hired a car last trip to see a bit more of Hungary, and stayed at a friends apartment in Balatonfoldvar and had great fun exploring Lake Balaton. Really nice to see a different side of the country but again that's one for another warmer visit.
Public transport is brilliant, cheap and easy. From the airport there's a shuttle bus (100) which you pay separately for. For general travel you can get individual tickets valid on the metro/buses/trolly buses or a 3 or 7 day pass. If you go for individual tickets remember you have to validate it in a machine or you might get a big fine (this catches loads of people out and yes, we did see people getting fined for it). getting around is really easy and everyone speaks English and is really helpful.
Various bits we've done on visits:
- Szechenyi Bath (http://www.szechenyibath.com/)
- Vajdahunyad Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajdahunyad_Castle)
- City Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Park_(Budapest)) - Szechenyi Bath & Vajdahunyad Castle is in the City Park behind Heroes Square
- Heroes Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes'_Square_(Budapest))
- The House of Terror Museum (http://www.terrorhaza.hu/) - the Museum is on Andrássy Avenue
- Andrássy Avenue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrássy_út)
- Deák Ferenc Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deák_Ferenc_tér) - Andrássy Avenue goes into Deák Ferenc Square
- Margaret Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Island)
- Parliament + Crown (http://www.mkogy.hu/angol/eng/tajekoztato.htm)
- Chain Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_Bridge_(Budapest))
- St. Stephen's Basilica (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen's_Basilica)
- Buda Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buda_Castle)
- Fisherman's Bastion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman's_Bastion)
- Matthias Church (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Church)
- Vörösmarty Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vörösmarty_Square)
- Váci Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Váci_Street)
- Great Market Hall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Market_Hall_(Budapest))
- Citadella (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadella)
- Gellért Hill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gellért_Hill)
- Organic Farmers Market - (http://bit.ly/oApP9x)
There's loads of great food options to suit all budgets. To be honest I wasn't that impressed with Mazel Tov, a restaurant everyone else raves about but we thought was mediocre on our only visit - maybe we got it on a bad day as the food in the Hummus Bar round the corner on Kazinczy was genuinely better and a lot cheaper.
For ruin bars, Szimpla Kert is the original, on Kazinczy Street, and although it's mainly full of backpackers and tourists now it's still a magic place. About 10 minutes away is Instant, which is even bigger with 6 different bars/dancefloors, again well worth a visit. Also on Kazinczy Street is Ellato Kert, another ruin bar but this one is all open air (so wrap up warm). There's loads of good places here, just stumble around. For great yet cheap sandwiches and soup then Bors GasztroBar is just down from Szimpla.
The only rubbish things I've seen have been thanks to English tourists and stag dos I'm afraid to say. Our Hungarian friend tells me that we don't have a great rep there, and after seeing some idiot with his trousers down waving his little chap whilst having a wee on a war memorial last time I can see why.
On a football related note this is a good read about some of the incredible football stadiums:
www.theguardian.com
Not one for December but the RedJet boat trips are amazing- high speed 360 degree spins and other nonsenses like sudden nosedives into the water, it's like no other boat trip I've ever been on, full-on crazy stunt action. You will get SOAKED though so it obviously only runs in warmer months.
The pinball museum is a must if you have any interest in pinball at all - hundreds of machines (and some other types of games) all on freeplay, covering the very first machines up until recent stuff.
We hired a car last trip to see a bit more of Hungary, and stayed at a friends apartment in Balatonfoldvar and had great fun exploring Lake Balaton. Really nice to see a different side of the country but again that's one for another warmer visit.
Public transport is brilliant, cheap and easy. From the airport there's a shuttle bus (100) which you pay separately for. For general travel you can get individual tickets valid on the metro/buses/trolly buses or a 3 or 7 day pass. If you go for individual tickets remember you have to validate it in a machine or you might get a big fine (this catches loads of people out and yes, we did see people getting fined for it). getting around is really easy and everyone speaks English and is really helpful.
Various bits we've done on visits:
- Szechenyi Bath (http://www.szechenyibath.com/)
- Vajdahunyad Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajdahunyad_Castle)
- City Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Park_(Budapest)) - Szechenyi Bath & Vajdahunyad Castle is in the City Park behind Heroes Square
- Heroes Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes'_Square_(Budapest))
- The House of Terror Museum (http://www.terrorhaza.hu/) - the Museum is on Andrássy Avenue
- Andrássy Avenue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrássy_út)
- Deák Ferenc Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deák_Ferenc_tér) - Andrássy Avenue goes into Deák Ferenc Square
- Margaret Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Island)
- Parliament + Crown (http://www.mkogy.hu/angol/eng/tajekoztato.htm)
- Chain Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_Bridge_(Budapest))
- St. Stephen's Basilica (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen's_Basilica)
- Buda Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buda_Castle)
- Fisherman's Bastion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman's_Bastion)
- Matthias Church (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Church)
- Vörösmarty Square (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vörösmarty_Square)
- Váci Street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Váci_Street)
- Great Market Hall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Market_Hall_(Budapest))
- Citadella (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadella)
- Gellért Hill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gellért_Hill)
- Organic Farmers Market - (http://bit.ly/oApP9x)
There's loads of great food options to suit all budgets. To be honest I wasn't that impressed with Mazel Tov, a restaurant everyone else raves about but we thought was mediocre on our only visit - maybe we got it on a bad day as the food in the Hummus Bar round the corner on Kazinczy was genuinely better and a lot cheaper.
For ruin bars, Szimpla Kert is the original, on Kazinczy Street, and although it's mainly full of backpackers and tourists now it's still a magic place. About 10 minutes away is Instant, which is even bigger with 6 different bars/dancefloors, again well worth a visit. Also on Kazinczy Street is Ellato Kert, another ruin bar but this one is all open air (so wrap up warm). There's loads of good places here, just stumble around. For great yet cheap sandwiches and soup then Bors GasztroBar is just down from Szimpla.
The only rubbish things I've seen have been thanks to English tourists and stag dos I'm afraid to say. Our Hungarian friend tells me that we don't have a great rep there, and after seeing some idiot with his trousers down waving his little chap whilst having a wee on a war memorial last time I can see why.
On a football related note this is a good read about some of the incredible football stadiums:
Viktor Orbán’s reckless football obsession
The long read: The Hungarian prime minister has been lavishing public money on his favourite sport for years. Could it prove to be his undoing?
www.theguardian.com