Budapest what to do for tourists. Tips for Budapest. Free excursions in Budapest

A country where the heritage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire coexists with ruin bars, a European sense of purpose is complemented by a Balkan openness, and cozy peaceful Buda merges with a bustling and wealthy Pest, forming beautiful city on the Danube - Budapest. Majestic and democratic - Hungary is just that. Why is it worth taking a swimsuit to this country without the sea and why is goulash not at all the dish you think of? Look for answers in the material prepared Traveling. by together with the specialists of the tour operator "Mouzenidis Travel".

Seasoned travelers who have once visited Hungary have a fierce debate over two issues. First: which city is more beautiful - Prague or Budapest. And most often Budapest wins. Second: which part of Budapest is better - Pest or still Buda. The two old towns, separated by the Danube, merged quite recently - a little less than 150 years ago. But these lands were seen by the ancient Romans - it was the Romans who laid the stones at the base of the very first baths, discovering in these places thermal springs... As history has shown, the Romans had an excellent instinct - today in Hungary it is known about more than one and a half thousand thermal springs, local medicinal waters lakes Heviz, the resorts of Hajduszoboszlo, Miskolc-Tapolca, Zalakaros, Tapolca, Sarvar, tourists from all over the world fly, and Hungary has firmly taken its place on the tourist Olympus as one of the best health resorts in Europe.

But one and a half thousand sources may seem like a joke in comparison with almost four thousand castles, very different, not similar to one another: the neo-Gothic Brunswik located at the foot of the Köseg Alps, the century-old Vaidahunyad ... Plan on your trip to visit at least five Hungarian fortresses - and together with with them you will see that lovely provincial Hungary, which can be missed behind the stunning views of Parliament from the boat on the Danube River, behind the museums and old streets of Budapest.

WHAT IT IS WORTH KNOWING BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

There is a myth that it is difficult to find with Hungarians mutual language... But its appearance can be explained not by the closed nature of people, but by the language barrier - the Hungarian language is reputed to be one of the most difficult to learn, while not all residents of this country speak English. Although recently the situation has been changing for the better - every fifth person speaks English. And if your new acquaintance speaks well in a foreign language, then you can be sure that already at the second meeting he will invite you to visit, he will be open and sociable. Hungarians value everything related to family, they are loyal and reliable. If they began to tell you about their family and show you photos, it means that they trust you and are allowed into a close circle.

Hungarians cannot be called easy-going, and yet they will support you in your ideas, will gladly join you and take you to their favorite bathhouse or ruin bar.

Points to remember: smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages in Hungary is prohibited on the street, in public places, including restaurants - for this you will face an impressive fine.

HOW TO GET TO HUNGARY

There is a direct flight of the Belavia airline between Minsk and Budapest. The flight operates three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. Travel time is 1 hour 45 minutes.

VISA TO HUNGARY

To visit Hungary, Belarusians need to apply for a Schengen visa. There will be no difficulties in obtaining it - the Embassy of Hungary is located in Minsk at st. Platonova, 1B, visa processing is also handled by the Hungarian Visa Center at st. Railway, 33.

7 things to do in Budapest:

1. Take a ride on tram number 2 along the Danube embankment, which is under the protection of UNESCO, and get off at the stop near the largest building in Hungary - the Parliament, built in the neo-Gothic style on the model of Westminster Palace),

2. Walk along Andrassy Avenue, appreciating its Art Nouveau architecture, and then dive into any courtyard and see another Budapest,

3. Play chess with retirees in the open pool of the Szechenyi baths. And then visit the baths "Rudas", "Kirai", "Lukach" and choose your favorite,

4. Visit Szimpla - one of the most popular ruin bars in Budapest, which turns into a farmers' market every Saturday morning,

5. Look into Memento Park, where, after the departure of the Soviet regime, all city monuments were moved, reminiscent of this historical period,

6. Take a blanket, sandwiches and climb Gellert Hill for the best view of Budapest,

7. Visit the Budapest Zoo - one of the oldest zoos in Europe.

SHOPPING AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE IN HUNGARY

Hungary is not a perfect country to go shopping in. If you are in Hungary - go to the market! Best of all - to the Central Market of Budapest, which contains "three in one": historical value as an architectural landmark, a market with all kinds of shops and shops on the first floor and a cafe on the second. Be sure to go up to the second floor for lunch - here you will be treated to dishes prepared from fresh ingredients just brought in by farmers. Yes, the very ones who sell their products on the first floor.

What should you buy in Hungary?

• rosemary oil,
• foie gras (Hungary has the right to produce this delicacy on a par with France using a special technology),
• paprika,
• Tokay,
• palinka fruit vodka,
• figurines from marzipan,
• herbal balm "Unicum",
• khalash lace,
• Rubik's cube (a symbolic souvenir, because the Rubik's cube was invented in Hungary!).

If the markets do not satisfy your thirst for shopping, then you can go to shopping centers Budapest - West And City Center (over 500 boutiques!), Mamut (over 700 boutiques!) Or Arkad (over 700 boutiques!).

The national currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). Currency should be changed at special exchange offices. There is a small commission charged for the operation.

HUNGARY KITCHEN

Hungarian cuisine is spicy, hearty, with rich flavors and aromas. The favorite spice of Hungarian housewives is paprika - a sweetish seasoning of red pepper with a noticeable bitterness. The hostesses generously add it to lecho, paprikash, halasele soup (vaguely reminiscent of fish soup) and, of course, goulash.

Hungarian goulash is a byword among tourists, especially from post-Soviet countries. After all, many of us are used to the fact that goulash is meat with gravy. But Hungarian goulash - remember! - this is soup and only soup. And you shouldn't ask the waiter - whether he served you the dish. Another dish that is amazingly prepared in Hungary is trout. It is grown here, in the mountain lakes of Hungary.

Gundel is considered one of the most famous restaurants in Budapest, but be sure that you will be treated to excellent authentic cuisine in almost any Hungarian charm.

The best fast food snack while walking through castles and museums will be langos - a flatbread with different fillings, more often with cheese. Try it different types in different places and choose your favorite. But they say that the owner of Retro Bufe cooks langos conscientiously near the Basilica of St. Stephen.

No dinner in Hungary is complete without wine from the Eger or Tokaj valleys. It is Tokay wine Louis XIV, a well-known connoisseur of this noble drink, called it "the king of wines and the wine of kings." But do not deny yourself the pleasure of tasting Badacchoni Riesling or Surkebarat, Keknyelu or Ottonell Mushkotai, take a bottle of Medina or Cabarnet Frank with you. It is best to taste and buy wines directly from the vineyards - wine tours in Hungary are especially popular.

For sweets, treat yourself to chestnut mass with cream, and if you want something more classic, then take a slice of Dabos cake, a retesh roll or just a strudel - the legacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, amazingly embodied in a slice of apple pie.

HUNGARY CITIES AND RESORTS GUIDE

Budapest

The only European resort capital, city of baths and ruin bars - Budapest at first sight makes tourists fall in love with it. In this he is helped by the majestic building of Parliament, the Basilica of St. Stephen, where you should definitely climb to the observation deck, the 200-year-old Chain Bridge, Royal Palace and the Fisherman's Bastion. A control shot straight to the heart - a night boat trip on the Danube, when the capital is reflected in the waters with all the lights, appearing before your amazed gaze in its very grandeur.

A special place in Budapest, in its very heart, is Margaret Island. Here are located not only luxurious hotel complexes with thermal waters, but also a park of almost a nature reserve, where you can safely walk, enjoying the silence, desertion and beauty of nature. If you are fond of long city walks, then you should choose one of the budget hotels in the center of Budapest.

• City Hotel Atlas 3 *, breakfasts - from 420 EUR,
• Kings Hotel 3 *, breakfasts - from 425 EUR,
• City Hotel Ring 3 *, breakfasts - from 425 EUR,
• City Hotel Matyas 3 *, breakfasts - from 455 EUR *.

BUDAPEST HOTELS

Choosing a hotel in Budapest, decide on your plans - do you want fun evenings among the crowd of tourists or quiet walks near the mountains and forests, in the fresh air? In the first case, you should choose accommodation in Pest, in the second - in Buda. In addition, hotels in Budapest can be divided into two categories: thermal and non-thermal complex.

Promotion from the Mouzenidis Travel company!

Sightseeing tour of Budapest as a gift when booking accommodation in the following hotels (program "Eureka! Epochs and Treasures of Budapest"):

• Hungaria Hotel City Center 4 *, breakfasts - from 470 EUR,
• Benczur 3 *, breakfasts - from 488 EUR,
• Ibis Heroes Square 3 *, breakfasts - from 492 EUR,
• Danubius HSR Helia 4 * (with a health-improving and wellness complex), breakfasts - from 540 EUR,
• Mercure Budapest City Center 4 *, breakfasts - from 565 EUR,
• Dabubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget 4 * (Europe's best health and wellness center with its own thermal spring), breakfasts - from 565 EUR *.

If you wish, you can order additional excursions and create an excursion program along your unique route - the specialists of Mouzenidis Travel will help you with this.

Heviz

Heviz is a lake with healing water, around which resort area, a small European town with clean streets and a measured rhythm of life. The water in Heviz warms up to +38 degrees in summer, and up to +22 in winter. There is no greater pleasure than on a frosty day from warm water to watch the steam swirling above its surface and snowflakes that do not have time to reach the lake, melting in the air.

Thanks to underground springs the water in the lake is completely renewed in two days and there are practically no such ailments that it is not able to heal.

• Palace Hotel Heviz 4 *, breakfasts - from 665 EUR,
• Hunguest Hotel Panorama 3 *, breakfasts + dinners - from 740 EUR,
• Danubius Health Spa Resort Heviz 4 *

* tour cost per person when staying in a double room, 6 nights / 7 days, flight included

Balaton

Balaton is the largest in Central Europe freshwater lake, the shores of which are "overgrown" with small cozy resorts: Tapolca, Santod, Keszthely, Siofok, Fonyod ... In some of them there are sanatoriums with mineral springs. Thanks to this, rest on Balaton can be combined with health improvement. That is why Europeans love this resort lake so much - large families come here on vacation.

In summer, Balaton perfectly replaces the sea, which is not in Hungary: the southern coast is equipped with sun loungers, those who wish to play beach volleyball, swim, sunbathe.

Hajduszoboszlo

One of the most popular resort centers in Hungary - Hajduszoboszló won such love thanks to the warm healing water that rises from a depth of 1100 meters. You can safely go here with your children - the resort has the largest water park in Hungary.

In addition, the city hosts musical and gastronomic festivals, there are a lot of attractions, and very close to national park"Hortobad steppe".

• Hunguest Hotel Hoforras 3 *, breakfasts + dinners - from 507 EUR,
• Silver Hotel 4 * +, breakfasts + dinners - from 615 EUR,
• Hunguest Hotel Apollо 4 *, breakfasts + dinners - from 695 EUR,
• Aqua – Sol Hotel 4 *, breakfasts + dinners - from 825 EUR *.

* tour cost per person when staying in a double room, 6 nights / 7 days, flight included.

ENTERTAINMENT IN HUNGARY

When the warm waters of the baths have been tasted by you, your favorite wine has been chosen, the castles have been examined, there will still be a lot of everything in Hungary that can interest you. The country several years ago loudly declared itself as an international festival Sziget - today musical youth from all over the world flock to it. Every year Hungary grows with interesting events - be it a gastronomic holiday or an art festival. But after a few days in the capital, you will definitely want something else, so it is worthwhile to include in your route a visit to the Danube Bend - a place where the river abruptly changes its direction, along the banks there are such picturesque towns as Esztergom, Szentendre or Vysehrad. And without visiting the vineyards of the Tokaj Valley, consider that you have not been to Hungary at all and have not tasted its best gifts.

For decades, Budapest has attracted tourists from all over Europe. It is a paradise for the independent traveler - old, budget and diverse. All you have to do is overcome the urge to trust the tour operator, sit down at the keyboard and start your own search for accommodation and cheap tickets.

Independent rest is associated with the charm of freedom of choice - no imposed programs, excursions of the same type and unpleasant neighbors on the bus. You wander through the unknown streets of a foreign city and feel its pulse. Of course, you have to pay for the pleasure. We will help to reduce the cost of a trip to the Hungarian capital as much as possible.

Travel planning - step by step instructions

Any independent journey begins with a plan. You will need to take a number of simple steps:

1. Decide on the date of the trip.
2. Draw up a cost estimate.
3. Purchase tickets (train, plane or bus).
4. Book accommodation.
5. Solve the issue with health insurance.
6. Apply for Schengen.
7. Hit the road.

Most of our compatriots strive to get to Hungary in the summer. This is understandable - an overview of the sights of Budapest can be combined with a vacation on the coast of Lake Balaton. However, if you are not attracted to yachts and thermal springs, you can go in the off-season. This will make your vacation cheaper.

Air tickets can be ordered via Aviasales.com - the most cheap option(round trip, no connections) will cost about 170 euros for Muscovites and 220 for St. Petersburg residents. The flight can be replaced by a train ride, but then you have to talk to funny Hungarian border guards. Below we will consider all transfer options.

And what about the sights of Budapest? Many have heard of the famous Hungarian baths, Fortress Hill and countless museums. Someone will remember the Danube embankment and national gallery... Some of these places are completely free to explore.

Attractions worth visiting

The easiest way to see many historical sites “for free” is to go to Andrássy Avenue. This street is listed as a UNESCO heritage site, which is a kind of quality mark. Here key places brochures to look at:

• Oktogon Square;
• Museum of Terror;
• Puppet Theatre;
• Franz Liszt Square;
• Armenian Catholic Church;
• Postal Museum.

Perhaps the main attraction of Budapest is the Danube. Seven most beautiful islets are located within the city limits, the most popular of which is Margaret. The infrastructure of the island includes:

• Botanical Garden;
• cafes and restaurants;
• Fitness Centre;
• bathhouse Palatius;
• zoo;
• summer theater.

Budapest Bridges - Another Free Point cultural program... There are a lot of bridges in the Hungarian capital, but most of them are automobile bridges.

Tip: The Liberty Bridge is one of the key attractions in Budapest. Include it on your must-see list.

The Gellert Baths deserve special attention. From a distance, this hydropathic establishment looks like a modernist palace - four chic tiers, decorated with stucco and covered with a dome. Stained glass windows, marble columns, leather sofas, fountains and bronze statues are everywhere. For 20 euros you can buy a towel and slippers, but it is better to save money and bring these attributes with you. Do not forget the hat, as it costs 2-3 euros.

Bath address: H-1118 Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4 (near the Freedom Bridge). You can get there by trams 47, 18, 49 and 19. The price of pleasure is 13-15 euros.

Advice: if you become a guest of the hotel where the bathing house is located, you can go to Gellert as much as you like and not pay for the visit.

1. Parliament building. This building is hard not to notice - it rises above the Danube with its stone mass, beautifully illuminated in the evening. The architecture is somewhat reminiscent of the Gothic buildings of London - just as majestic and monumental. Parliament address: Kossuth Lajos ter, 1-3. You can inspect the building from the outside as much as you like, but if you want to see the interior decoration, you have to pay and join one of the excursion groups.
2. Fortress Quarter. This historical site located in the Buda region, rising on a low mountain. Block address: Szent Gyö rgy t r 2, Magyarorsz g. Within the quarter are the Ludwig Museum, the National Library and the Gallery. Be sure to take a look at the Plague Column on the Holy Trinity Square. Another landmark is located near the Matthias Cathedral. architectural structure- Fisherman's Bastion.
3. Museum of Terror. Opponents of the fascist regime were once tortured in this building. The former prison has turned into a rather original museum. The address of the institution: Andrassy utca, 60. You will have to pay 2000 forints for the entrance, but if you want to take pictures of the exhibits, prepare another 600.
4. Szechenyi Chain Bridge. This is one of the brightest symbols of Budapest, the pride of the Hungarian people. Walking across the bridge (completely free), you will see the figures of lions and the coat of arms of Hungary. At night, beautiful lighting turns on and a magnificent view of the Danube embankments opens up. You can get to the bridge by buses 105, 16 and 86, or by taking trams 2, 19, 41.
5. Buda Labyrinth. A very strange place worth visiting with some extra money in your pocket. In fact, these are catacombs, stretching 1200 meters underground. Now this place has been turned into a museum zone; educational excursions and wine tastings are organized here. Address: Úri utca 9 (next to the Szentháromság square). An adult ticket to the Catacombs costs 2,000 forints, a child ticket costs 600 (if the baby is less than six years old).

Tip: focus on architectural monuments - they can be viewed from the outside for free. Include bridges and islands in the program, take a walk along the embankment. There will be enough impressions without extra financial costs.

The financial issue - the main points of the budget

Now we have to calculate the budget for the upcoming trip and find out what we can save on. The points will be unequal - if, for example, you pay 35 euros for the Schengen, then living in the Hungarian capital will draw out the bulk of your savings. Estimated Savings Points:

• transfer;
• choice of housing;
• way of eating;
• payment for excursions;
• public transport passes.

The first expenses await you at home - this is the consular fee for obtaining a visa and medical insurance. In the first case, it is impossible to save money - a visa is a visa. In the second case, the question is dual. You will have to take out insurance to submit documents to the visa department. There is no point in buying expensive insurance, especially if you are traveling for a couple of days. Average insurance costs about 150 rubles / day. In this case, the insured amount will be 50 thousand euros.

Advice: do not take cheap insurance with coverage of 10-30 thousand. A couple of dollars overpayment is nothing compared to expensive European medicine. Some operations (for example, someone broke his leg) cost tens of thousands of euros.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Budapest. Let's consider them in turn:

• Airplane. Round-trip flights cost an average of 370 euros (for two). It is best to fly from Moscow in economy class, then you will pay 3,500 rubles for a seat, which is a little less than 50 euros. From St. Petersburg - almost twice as expensive. If we take Moscow as a starting point, then it is quite possible to fly in the fall for 50-70 euros. By taking advantage of the connecting options (via Brussels), you can extend the flight up to 48 hours and reduce costs up to 30 euros per flight. It will be much faster to fly through Belgrade, while maintaining a democratic price. In general, the August rush subsides by autumn and there is a significant drop in flight prices.
• A train. There are 2,100 kilometers between Moscow and Budapest. It is quite possible to overcome them by train. There is a direct option and connection in Ukraine. The trip will take about 36 hours. The final destination is Keleti railway station, located in the central part of Budapest. Good way save money - change to another train in Ukraine (Chop station), but in the light of recent events, it is not worth doing. The first class will cost 107-174 euros, the second 70-120. Not the best option compared to flying.
• Bus. From Moscow, you can go directly or with transfers in Zhitomir, Kaunas, Bialystok. The direct bus costs 130-230 euros. True, you will go faster than the train.
• Own car. This travel method has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are obvious - the romance of the road, comparative budget, savings on car rental and public transport. Cons - registration of a heap of papers, toll highways and wild European fines for the slightest offense. A liter of gasoline costs an average of 1.2 euros. Considering the distance to Budapest and fuel consumption, calculate the total yourself.

Where to live inexpensively

There is enough in Budapest - here you can find three-star hotels, hostels, and apartments. If you want and have extra money, you can settle in the castle. We are not going to be chic, so we will look for cheaper ones. This is where the time factor comes into play.

The level of comfort in mini-hotels and respectable hotel complexes roughly comparable. At the same time, mini-hotels have a number of undeniable advantages:

• good service;
• low prices;
• home atmosphere;
• restful life.

You will also like the hostels - high-quality service, competent planning, accommodation in the center (this reduces the cost of sightseeing). Daily rent costs 30-40 euros - for this money you get a fully equipped apartment plus free Internet. Hostel accommodation is even cheaper.

Advice: it is better to rent an apartment for a long term - it comes out cheaper. When arriving for a couple of days or a week, pay attention to hostels and mini-hotels.

The joy of a tourist - delicious and inexpensive food

• Hungarian kyurtoshkalach - 147 rubles;
• a glass of wine - 220;
• herbal tea - 147;
• ice cream - 60-70;
• strudel - 147.

Looking into an inexpensive tavern, you can taste meat and rice for 130-180 rubles, chicken and rice for 105-145 or duck with the same side dish for 150-210. The following drinks are served in pubs:

• coffee - 47;
• tequila - 69;
• tea - 61;
• gin - 51;
• Coca-Cola - 69;
• beer - starting from 96 rubles.

If you look into the Arena plaza or any other large shopping center, you will find food courts there. A salad with water will empty your wallet for 170 rubles, Turkish dishes - for 180-200. KFC prices are stiffer - 150-240 per serving. Mac Chicken and Big Mac will cost about 220 rubles. Kebab - 245. You can have breakfast in the cafe for 220 rubles. Tourist restaurants are incomparably more expensive:

• snacks - from 367;
• main dishes - 540-600;
• soups - 230-250.

Tip: Eat in kebabs, Swedish restaurants, grills and pubs, and do not neglect street eateries. Adhering to these recommendations, you can live very well, spending 15-20 euros per day.

The Hungarians themselves eat in canteens (they are called Etkezde). Next to the Central European University, there is a canteen called "Kisharang" - they serve delicious food for a penny. Langos fried tortillas are sold on literally every corner - a great example of Hungarian street food.

Other expenses

Here we include expenses for transport, excursions and souvenirs. This article is easily corrected, since you can walk, not pay the guides and refuse to buy trinkets. The transport picture in Budapest is as follows:

• taxi - 110 rubles for landing, 69 - per kilometer;
• single passage (any type of transport) - 86;
• daily pass - 404;
• weekly pass - 1213;
• transfer ticket - 130;
• a pack of tickets (10 pieces) - 735.

Car rental in Hungary is expensive and does not cover transportation costs. It makes sense to go to a rental point only in one case, if you are going to travel outside the city. As for the excursions, you can put about 100 euros on them - this is quite enough for a productive trip. And here are the prices for local souvenirs:

• Hungarian salami - 250 rubles;
• Tokay wines - from 370;
• balsam "Unicum" - from 550;
• Palinka - from 300;
• Rubik's Cube - from 100;
• marzipan sweets - 150-200.

We calculate the total budget

Now we will present for your consideration two options for a ten-day trip. In the first case, we are talking about an average trip per person:

• round-trip air tickets - 185 euros;
• food - 150;
• accommodation - 250;
• insurance - 30;
• visa - 35;
• transportation costs - 50;
• purchases - 250;
• attractions (excursions and tickets to museums) - 50.

An amount of one thousand euros pops up. Let's see if it is possible to reduce this estimate by saving on everything in a row:

• insurance and visa - 65 (necessary evil);
• air tickets - 100-140 ( connecting flight, Economy class);
• accommodation - 20 (per day), 200 for ten days;
• food - 150-200 (we don't save much here);
• transportation costs (we give preference to walking, occasionally we take the metro and funiculars) - 25;
• purchases - 100 (we cut it to the limit);
• attractions are free only.

We receive a minimum amount of 490 euros! Agree, this option looks much nicer. If we add internet costs and mobile communication, a maximum of 500-510 euros will be released. Thus, for a thousand you can relax for two, pump up your legs, improve your health and get a lot of unforgettable impressions! Follow our articles - we will save together and develop strategic plans for the budgetary conquest of Europe!

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, formed in 1873 by the merger of three ancient cities - Buda, Obuda and Pest, located along the banks of the Danube. Buda and Obuda, spread out on the western bank of the river, captivate with the atmosphere of old streets and an abundance of historical monuments. Pest occupying east coast The Danube delights with its magnificent beauty of architecture and the scope of the avenues. Budapest is the only capital city-resort in Europe with healing thermal springs. When planning to visit this stunning city, it is better to plan your route in advance. Our guide will tell you what to see in Budapest in 5 days on your own, so that the trip will be captured by a vivid event in the photo and in memory.

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The route of the first day will be the longest and longest. It will take about 5-6 hours. It is better to combine hiking with travel by public transport in order to periodically relax, enjoying the view of the city from the window of the bus or tram. Therefore, buy your travel tickets in advance. The beginning of an independent voyage is the Erzsébet tér square, the end point is the Széchenyi square. Let's talk about what you will see along the way.

Erzsebet Square

Erzsebet Square is one of the most beautiful squares in the center with buildings from the 18-19th centuries, capable of competing in beauty with palaces. The square will surprise you with a memorial to Michael Jackson and a fountain with a transparent bottom. Looking into the park with the Ferris wheel towering above it, you will see the Danube fountain with female figures representing the Danube tributaries: the Tisu, Drava and Sava rivers, crowned with a statue of Neptune. Then, taking bus number 16, go to Széll Kálmán tér (final stop), where you get on tram number 59 or 61, following from the Danube.

Get off at stop 3, Városmajor, in the direction of the circular hotel Budapest, where you have to cross the tram lines to reach the rack railway. From there, take train 60 and continue to the final station of Gyermekvasút. This is an old road that was laid through the picturesque hills in 1874. After exiting the train, proceed to the Children's Railway, from where continue to the Jánoshegy stop, overlooking the Elizabeth Lookout.

Elizabeth Lookout Tower

Following the sign Erzsebet Kilato, you climb the mountain to a multi-tiered observation tower, which looks like a cake. On each tier, where they climb spiral staircase have their own observation deck... With her highest point located at an altitude of 527 meters offers a breathtaking view of the Buda Hills, the green valley and the delightful Parliament, which can be enjoyed free of charge from 8.00 to 20.00. After descending from the tower, head towards the cable car.

Libego cable car

The cable car stretches for 1040 meters with a height difference of 262 meters. It is an open suspended cradle moving at a speed of 4 km per hour. To use it, you need to buy a ticket for 1000 HUF. You have to get into the cradle and go on the go with the help of the staff serving them. The descent takes place smoothly, admiring the beautiful views, sailing over the rooftops, courtyards and between trees. It takes no more than 15 minutes.

The cable car starts working at any time of the year from 10:00, in the summer until 19:00, and in the winter until 16:00, in the fall and spring until 17:00. Going down, go to the stop of the bus number 291, which you pass five stops, getting off at Budagyöngye, where you change to tram number 61, which goes towards the round hotel "Budapest". Get off at Széll Kálmán, the second stop after the hotel, and walk to Buda Castle.

Buda Castle

A narrow medieval street leads to the 14th century St. Matthias Catholic Church, built in a pompous late Gothic style. It is a large three-nave temple, part of the Buda Fortress complex, with the main entrance overlooking Holy Trinity Square. On the north side of the main facade, the church is bordered by the tower of King Bel, and on the opposite side is the Fisherman's Bastion. The Church of St. Matthias stands out for its multiple side chapels with an openwork decor of the facades and an 80-meter bell tower.

The territory of the fortress, which has become an open-air museum, is free of charge. The wards charge a fee, which should be checked on the spot. View the interior from 9.00 to 17.00, on weekdays, on Saturdays until 13.00, and on Sundays from 13.00 to 17.00.

During the reconstruction of the 19th century, fragments of ancient Roman buildings that were included in Aquincum were discovered on the territory of the fortress. The most significant attraction of the fortress is Buda Castle, which is one of the sites under the protection of UNESCO. The castle-fortress was built in the 13th century and served as the residence of the Hungarian kings for many years. On the castle hill, don't go past the Royal Palace.

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace became a decoration of the right bank of the Danube. The building, built at the beginning of the 20th century, appears in the grace of the Baroque style. It is impossible not to admire the baroque dome, ornamental gate with the mythical bird Turul, clutching a sword in its claws, which conquered its homeland for the Hungarians. The palace decor is impressive with sculptural compositions and luxurious fountains.

Inspired by the legend of the love of King Matiyash and the girl Ilonka, the fountain in the courtyard depicting their figures brings happiness to lovers. Today the Royal Palace - Cultural Center including an art gallery, national library and the Museum of the History of Budapest. It can be viewed from October to March every day, except Mondays, from 10.00 - 18.00, and in the summer until 19.30 for 42 €.

Funicular

From the Royal Palace we go to the platform with the Shiklo funicular, built at the initiative of the son of Count Széchenyi in 1870 and reconstructed at the end of the last century. It works from 7.30 am to 10.00 pm. After purchasing a ticket for 1200 HUF, get into a 19-century-style trailer with three split-level cabins. There are 2 registered carriages on the funicular - Gellert and Margit.

The funicular travels 95 meters in 90 seconds, and you find yourself on bottom station- Adam Clark Square with the Kilometer Zero monument. There is a staircase next to the funicular for those wishing to walk this path.

Szechenyi bridge

Leaving the funicular, we find ourselves next to the Szechenyi chain suspension bridge, which connected Buda with Pest in 1849 - Adam Clark Square with Roosevelt Square. The bridge was built thanks to the famous politician Count Szechenyi, who put a lot of effort into the construction and Money, and therefore named after him. They call him chain because of a large number thick chains supporting the 375-meter bridge.

The picturesque suspension bridge has become the hallmark of Budapest, decorating all of it travel guides... On both sides, the bridge towers are decorated with the coats of arms of Hungary and sculptures of smiling lions. The historical bridge is covered with legends, according to which it is worth making a wish, crossing it to the other side or sailing under it on a boat - the wish will come true. Come to the bridge at dusk when the bridge is mesmerizingly illuminated by numerous chain lamps and floodlights on the bridge pillars.

Szechenyi Square

After crossing the bridge, you will come out to Széchenyi Square, where the magnificent Art Nouveau building - the Gresham Palace - is striking. The architecture is striking, combining whimsical towers with spiers, graceful bay windows, columns and arches into one whole. A hand reaches out to capture the facade with floral patterns and numerous sculptures on the pediment and the forged entrance gate with walking peacocks.

Today the palace houses luxurious hotel rooms Four seasons Hotel Budapest. Two monuments on the square are of interest - the Hungarian thinker Ferenc Deak in the south and the politician Istvan Szechenyi in the north.

2nd day

We suggest starting the excursion of the second day in Pest from the Szent István tér square, and end with a walk through the historic Lipotváros quarter. We will outline the main attractions of the route in the order of their visit.

Basilica of St. Stephen

On the Szent István tér square, attention will be drawn to the building of St. Stephen's Basilica - the largest cathedral in the Hungarian capital. Built in the form of a Latin cross in the neoclassical style, the temple rises 96 meters above the city. It is available to watch it inside on Monday-Friday from 9.00 to 17.00, on Saturday from 9.00 to 13.00, Sunday from 13.00 to 17.00.

It is worth at least a few minutes to walk into the basilica to enjoy the beauty of the interior, with elaborate mosaics and marble columns. Here you can climb to the dome, where there is an observation deck, and take a bird's-eye view of the entire Pest with your gaze and a camera lens. You can climb to the site from 10.00 to 16.30 in winter and until 18.30 in summer for 1.7 €. No buildings are allowed above the temple in the center of the capital.

Andrássy Avenue

Andrássy Avenue begins from St. Stephen's Square, nicknamed for its scale and picturesque Champs Elysees... It makes an enthusiastic impression with buildings and mansions built by eminent architects in the guise of a pseudo-historical style. Walking along the avenue, you will enjoy the view of the Opera City Park Varoshligeto Theater, erected in the neo-Renaissance style with baroque details and 16 statues of famous composers on the facade; the French Renaissance of the Drechsler Palace, which housed the Institute of Ballet.

Turning onto Nagymöse Street, considered the local Broadway, you will see a gallery of unusual sculptures and traces of famous Hungarian artists on the asphalt. The street is literally dotted with stylish cafes, theaters and a pretty piece of Paris - its Moulin Rouge. From here you can walk to the city park or take the Kodály körönd metro line on line 1 and after 2 stops get off at the Hősök tere station.

Varoshliget city park

Leaving the metro, find yourself on Heroes' Square with two semicircular colonnades dedicated to the heroes of Hungary, where between the columns are located bronze sculptures of the rulers of Hungary in the IX-XIV centuries from the Arpad dynasty. The towering column in the center is crowned with the figure of the Archangel Michael. Behind the colonnade originates the Varoshliget City Park, which is a huge complex with picturesque landscapes, attractions and attractions. The following are especially popular for tourists:

• castle complex Vaindahunyand, built for the 1000th anniversary of Hungary. It combines 21 fragments of the architectural masterpieces of Hungary in a variety of styles: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Next to the castle-pavilion you will see interesting monument chronicler Anonymous
• Széchenyi Bath - a luxurious 19th century building and the largest sauna and health complex in Europe with thermal and ordinary pools filled with mineral water
• zoo, where 3 thousand different animals live in conditions close to their natural habitat and enclosures, fenced with glass
• Museum of Transport, established in 1896. It contains all the samples of transport from the 19th century. It will be interesting to get acquainted with real train cars of the past years, a collection of BMW models, with models of sailing ships and steamers of the past centuries
• an eight-meter hourglass set to commemorate the country's entry into the European Union

Leaving the park, head to the trolleybus stop number 70, and drive towards the Parliament until the final stop.

Lipotvaros

The historic quarter of Pest-Lipotvaros is an unusually beautiful area with a lot of places of interest. Start your sightseeing tour at Lajos Kossuth Square, where the neo-Gothic Parliament Building, recognized as the largest and most beautiful in Europe, stands out. 40 million pieces of bricks and 40 kg of gold were used for its construction. The entire history of the state is presented on the parliamentary facade with 88 statues of Hungarian kings, famous political and military figures.

In addition to the Parliament, the Ethnographic Museum is of interest on the square, open for visits from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, there are many historical monuments. Next, walk to Freedom Square - decorated with luxurious historical mansions, where your attention will be drawn by the building of the Hungarian State Treasury. From here, return to the Erzsébet tér to continue along the Pest Quay after a short rest.

Pest embankment

The central embankment of Budapest - Dunakorzo stretches in Pest between the Chain Bridge and the Elisabeth Bridge. It looks like a wide cobbled street for walking, with cast-iron benches, trees and flowering flower beds. From here, there are beautiful views of the Buda Castle, the two-tower Church of St. Anne and the Royal Palace. There are many monuments on the embankment, but one of them - representing 60 stone pairs of shoes, placed near the water's edge: belonging to people of different ages and professions does not leave anyone indifferent.

This is a monument to Jews killed in World War II, who were stripped of their shoes before death. Tram lines with fencing are laid along the rest of the coast. After walking along the embankment to the bridge, take tram number 2, after passing to the Margaret Bridge, change to another tram number 2 and reach the Fővám tér stop, which is practically under the Freedom Bridge. From it you will enter Buda on foot across the bridge.

Mount Gellert

Going down to the Danube, Mount Gellert, representing a pile of dolomite, 235 meters high is one of the symbols of the city. It houses the buildings of the famous baths, the memorial of St. Gelert, the Citadel and the Freedom Monument. In the picturesque area of ​​the mountain, you will find many sites for photographing the views of Pest and the bridges over the Danube. The name of the mountain is due to the personality of the Catholic Saint Gerard, who died from imprisonment in a barrel thrown from the mountain.

You will see a monument to him on the slope of the mountain. Having climbed to the top of the mountain with the Citadel of the 19th century, intended for observing the city, you can examine it from the inside for 3600HUF by visiting the Military Museum located within its walls. It is open from 9.00 to 20.00 (May 1-September 30) and from 9.00 to 17.00 (October 1-April 30). Near the Citadel, the Freedom Monument rises 14 meters in the form of a woman's figure with a palm branch in her hand raised up and allegorical sculptures of the struggle between good and an evil spirit near her feet. Going down the path, you will come out to the Erzsebet bridge, and walk to the stop of trams 19 and 41.

Buda embankment

Take a tram ride along the Buda embankment, admiring the beauty of the historic buildings along its coast. The tram line, fenced with railings, runs along the upper level of the two-level embankment. Below - pedestrian part paved with granite chips and not protected from water. There are no monuments, cafes and shops on the Buda embankment, there are only benches for rest. Get off at the stop near the Margaret Bridge.

Margaret bridge

The Margaret Bridge was built in 1876. Its peculiarity was the connection of two shores with a small Danube island, which stretches for 0.5 km in width and stretches for 2.5 km. A walk across the bridge with a visit to the island delivers a lot of impressions. After passing the first half of the bridge on the left side in front of the road to the island, cross it along the pedestrian crossing to the opposite side to admire the magnificent views of the Parliament and Buda Castle.

Continue on to St. Stephen's boulevard, built at the end of the 19th century beautiful houses in the style of Austro-Hungarian Art Nouveau. Passing the Comedy Theater, the road will lead to the West Station Square.

Western station

The building of the western station - Nyugati, built in 1877 according to the project of the "Eiffel" company, is considered the most beautiful station in Europe. You will be convinced of this by going around it from all sides. From the pedestrian green square of the Eiffel Nyugati with graceful façade décor, huge windows, a cascade of lawns and fountains in front of the entrance. evokes an association with a palace. Its main façade overlooking the Grand Boulevard delights with imperial turrets that surround a glass landing above the platforms on both sides.

Go inside the station to see the ancient interior of the hall with ticket offices, other halls, impressive with ancient frescoes and stained glass windows. In the south wing, you will see the most beautiful McDonald's in the world. Today, the station serves for the departure and arrival of suburban trains and for the sale of tickets for international trains departing from Keleti East Station.

Day 3

The third day in the Hungarian capital will continue with acquaintance with the sights of the left bank in Pest. The route runs from Vereshmarty Square to Vaci Street. On the way, you will meet many places of interest, worthy of attention and capture on photos and videos.

Vereshmarty Square

Start at Vereshmarty Square, surrounded by elegant old buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries and beautiful new houses. The square is named after the famous poet Mihai Vörösmarty, whose marble monument stands in its center. The figure of the poet, standing on a pedestal, is depicted as reading his creation "The Call" to the people. A fountain with streaming jets of water from the mouth of lions and unusually beautiful lanterns attract attention on the square.

Stop by a famous old pastry shop to sample traditional Hungarian desserts in a pristine setting, with damask wallpaper, antique artist paintings and elegant tables with wicker chairs. After seeing the beauty of Vereshmarty, head to Deák Ferenc tér - a nice place and transport interchange.

Deak Ferec Square

This is the largest square in Budapest named after the 19th century politician Ferenc Dick. First of all, it is notable for the location of the old Lutheran church, built on the foundations of the 17th century. The neoclassical building is decorated with a pair of Roman columns in front of the entrance, and the facades from the courtyard with bronze reliefs. A bell tower rises above the temple and a chapel dating back to 1829 stands nearby. Right on the square is the second neoclassical cathedral, consecrated in honor of St. Stephen.

Another historical building - the Anker Palace, 53 meters high, looks colorful in the architecture of an eclectic style. The baroque building that belongs to the Budapest government attracts attention. In its courtyard you can see an exhibition of medieval sculptures. Then it is convenient to walk to Servit Square.

St. Anne's Church

The decoration of the Servite Square is the snow-white Church of St. Anne, built in 1732 in the Baroque style. Today it appears in an eclectic façade redesigned in 1878, which does not diminish it. artistic value... The church was built by the order of the Servites, which means servants of Mary. On its facade, of interest are the columns of Mary, statues located in niches, openwork rose windows and elements of elaborate decor. A graceful bell tower rises above the temple. Its interior features elaborate altars with unique icons and a statue of Pope John XXIII.

Former Turkish Bank Building

Another attraction of Servite Square, which stands out for the luxury of Hungarian Art Nouveau, is the building of the former Turkish Bank, built in 1906. It will be remembered for the amazing mosaic fresco on the pediment called "Glory to Hungary", decorated with bas-reliefs of jellyfish below. The mosaic depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by two angels, towering over the people awaiting her blessing.

The facade also looks bright thanks to large arched windows with balconies, bright mosaics on the portico. From here, walk past the yellow and red Baroque City Council building to the Great Synagogue.

Great Synagogue

The main synagogue of Budapest, built in the middle of the 19th century, is a popular tourist attraction. It was designed in Byzantine style architecture with the addition of oriental motifs to the design of the facade and interior. The interior of the synagogue will remind you of a Catholic church with rows of benches, stands on the sides and an ambo for preaching sermons.

Leaving the Synagogue, look into its courtyard, which has become a memorial park to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. In memory of them, a metal weeping willow is installed, where the name of a murdered Hungarian Jew is engraved on each leaf. You can visit the Synagogue from 10.00 to 18.00 for 2250 HUF, but subject to availability tourist card"Budapest" - 2000 HUF.

Galleries "Parisian Dvor"

Moving from the Great Synagogue in the direction of Karoli Avenue, you will find yourself in a picturesque corner of Budapest - Ferenciek tere. It is decorated with the Franciscan Church and the arcade of the shopping arcade, called the "Parisian Court". You will see covered galleries that colorfully combine Venetian Gothic, Renaissance and Art Nouveau style. If you look closely, you will see the relief bees on the walls, which are considered a symbol of thrift in Hungary.

After wandering through the shopping arcade, open on weekdays from 10.00 to 21.00, then be guided by two Art Nouveau buildings with towers facing each other, walk to the Belvaros parish church - the oldest in Budapest, then return to Karoli Avenue and walk to Edyethem Square where the university church stands.

University church

The structure of the university church is a true example of the classical baroque. The one-nave temple was built by monks of the Pavlikan Order in 1742, and 30 years later it was crowned with a tower. The church is distinguished by a high facade with columns, completed with a tympanic niche. The niche is decorated with sculptural figures of Saints Anthony and Paul, separated by the emblem of the Pavlikian order. The church porch conquers with skillful wood carving.

The walls of the hall are decorated with marble pilasters, the ceiling was painted in the 18th century by the famous Johann Bergl frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Behind the main altar, old sculptures of saints deserve attention. It is interesting to see the ancient pulpit, the choir fence and many items made by the monks of the order with their own hands. You can see the church interior from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 16.30.

Hungarian National Museum

Don't pass by the Hungarian national museum, which presents the history and art of Hungary from the founding of the state until the end of the 90s of the last century. You will walk to it from the square to the Museum Street. It is housed in a beautiful historic building dating back to 1802. The basis of its exposition was the collection donated to the city by Count Ferenc Cacheni, which included coins, books and manuscripts of the politician.

For 2 centuries, the museum has been replenished with historical artifacts and art objects. Paying 1600 HUF admission, you will feel awe at the sight of the clavichord leaning against the brilliant hand of Mozart, the harp of Marie Antoinette and the grand pianos that Beethoven and Liszt created. The portrait gallery will introduce portraits of the kings and princes of the Arpad dynasty. Museum ticket offices are open from 10.00 to 17.00 daily, except Mondays, when the museum is closed.

Central market

From the museum, move on to the Central Market located on Wofam Square. The market deserves a visit not only for the abundance of fruits, vegetables, famous Hungarian meats, smoked bacon, sausages and paprika. The steel building of the central market, covered with a multi-colored roof, is a real architectural masterpiece late 19th century. You will receive a huge aesthetic pleasure from the view of the facade, completed with turrets and openwork windows.

The market opens at 6 am, working on Mondays until 5 pm, from Tuesday to Friday until 6 pm, and on Saturday until 2 pm. It will seem strange to you that on Sunday the market is a day off! Before shopping, to compare prices and assortment, go to the supermarket located in the basement of the market.

Vaci street

Leaving the Central Market, go straight to the pedestrian Vaci street, dotted on both sides with expensive restaurants and cafes, antique and souvenir shops, fashion boutiques. Carried away by looking at colorful shop windows, do not pass by historical monument 19th century - House of Tonet at number 11, notable architectural style modern. Its façade, decorated with bright mosaics, is delightful. We end the 3rd day of the excursion around Budapest with a promenade along the picturesque Váci street.

4th day

This day can be devoted to resting from historical and cultural attractions. Nature lovers can visit unique caves and enjoy communicating with animals. For those wishing to improve their health, the best European baths are open, of which there are many in Budapest. We hope that the information provided here will help you to do best choice how to spend your fourth day in the Hungarian capital.

Palveldi cave

In the thickness of the Buda Hills, the Palveldi stalagmite cave, discovered in 1904, stretches for almost 30 kilometers in a network of tunnels. You can go through it with multilevel labyrinths from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 16.00. Formed millions of years ago by the action of thermal springs, the underground kingdom is permeated with healing air. Here you will see corridors teeming with drip stones, the "Theater Hall" of the cave will surprise you with a hanging stalagmite in the shape of a "Damocles sword", according to legend, falling on unfaithful spouses.

There is an underground zoo with figures of elephants, crocodiles and exotic animals, a hall of fairy tales with guessed characters. When going to the cave, keep in mind that the excursion is suitable for tourists with good physical shape and not for obese people because of the narrow corridors in some places. A ticket to the cave costs 1400 HUF, the tour is guided and lasts up to 1 hour. You can get to the cave by bus # 65, from Kolosy Square, get off at the 5th stop.

Margaret Island

Margaret Island, stretching on the Danube between the Arpad and Margaret bridges for 2.5 km and a width of up to 0.5 km, is a protected area with a beautiful arboretum, where mineral thermal springs flow. Two high-profile hotels located within the island are part of the balneological complex with modern equipment. Wonderful landscapes of the park with a Japanese garden, multicolored alpine slides, fresh fountains, scent of rose gardens, Palantinus beach is a great place for relaxation.

The island is equipped with tennis courts, swimming pools, children's paddling pools. There is leisure time for every age. Tourists interested in history can walk through the ruins of a 13th century monastery, see the chapel of St. Michael, the singing well of Bodor and monuments to famous people of Hungary. It is a great pleasure to ride a boat from the island to the center of Budapest.

Zoo

The Budapest Zoo is located in the picturesque Varosliget City Park in the center of Budapest. It has become one of the most visited sights of the capital. At the entrance to the zoo, they give out a map with a diagram of the location of animal species and indicate the time of their feeding. In the landscapes of the zoo, where about 1500 plant species grow, there are many beautiful buildings and sculptures created by Hungarian designers. Among this splendor, 3 thousand different species of animals are kept in glass enclosures and corners close to their natural habitat.

In specially designated contact points, you can touch the animals and feed them, it will be a pleasure to visit the Butterfly House, the palm pavilion and the oceanarium. In summer, opening at 9.00, the zoo is open from Monday to Thursday until 18.00, from Friday to Sunday until 19.00. In winter until 16.00, in March until 17.00, April and October until 17.30, in September until 18.00. A standard adult ticket costs 3000 HUF.

Szechenyi Baths

The Széchenyi Baths, dating from 1909, are considered the largest bath complex in Budapest and Europe. Externally, the building of the bathhouse is comparable to luxurious palace... Its luxury is not inferior to the interior of 11 internal baths with mineral water from + 18⁰C to + 40⁰C - healing, soothing and seething. They are complemented by several indoor and outdoor pools. One of them is the “surprise” pool. In it you will experience the effects of a vortex flow, water bubbles and jet massage with healing water at + 34⁰С.

In the Széchenyi bathing pool, you can play a game of chess while sitting in the pool, steam in light, aromatic and Finnish saunas, take health and beauty sessions in the wellness center and SPA. Bath accessories are available for rent here. Together with entrance ticket, at a cost of about 14 € on weekdays and 15 € on weekends, visitors are given a bracelet that serves as the key to the locker at the same time. Changing rooms for men and women are located separately.

The Szechenyi Baths are open seven days a week from 6.00 to 22.00 - outdoor pools, until 19.00 - thermal pools, steam rooms and saunas. You can just get there by metro (yellow line) or trolleybus no. 72 (station and stop Széchenyi fürdő).

Bath Gelert

The building of the Gellert spa bath, built in 1918, looks like a luxurious palace in Art Nouveau architecture, not a hydropathic establishment, and delights in the richness of the interior. At the entrance to the hall, the beauty of the stained-glass windows, illustrating the plots of the epic, is stunning. Marble columns, bronze sculptures, leather sofas and pretty fountains exuding healing waters create a luxurious setting. The Gelert Bath has 13 pools with mineral water of different temperatures, of which 10 are indoor.

Men and women in the thermal pools bathe separately, so you can stay in them without a bathing suit. If you want to swim in the open air in the wave pool or do water aerobics, bring a swimsuit, and you can rent slippers and a towel. The Gelert complex, together with a luxury hotel, decorates the right bank of the Danube - Buda.

It is easy to get here by trams: no. 19, 47, 18 and 49 and by buses no. 7A, 7 and 86. Tourists staying at the hotel can visit the bathhouse free of charge. For other visitors, the price of a ticket with a booth is from 5600 HUF to 5800 HUF for 3 hours of bathing. You can feel the bliss of relaxation in the thermal waters from 6 am to 8 pm.

Bath Lukac

There are 5 swimming pools in the Lukac Baths, heated from + 22⁰C to + 40 ° C and one entertainment pool with water from + 33⁰C to + 35 ° C with geysers and a whirlpool. There is 1 swimming pool equipped with spine stretching devices and 2 outdoor swimming pools with a comfortable temperature of + 26 ° C. The healing water in the pools is rich in calcium, fluoride, sodium, magnesium and various microelements.

The wellness section in the hammam, saunas, ice plunge pool and the salt room give a pleasant lightness to the body. In the outdoor pools, romantic lighting turns on in the evenings, and on Saturdays, incendiary discos are held. Soak up the thermal waters in the afternoon with a cabin rental from 3500 HUF on weekdays and up to 3700 HUF on weekends. Holders of the Budapest Card use the bathhouse free of charge during the day. Massages and mud treatments are available for an additional fee.

The opening hours of the pools are from 6.00 to 22.00. Opening hours of the drinking pavilion from 11.00 to 18.00. You can get to the Lukach baths by trams No. 4, 6, 17 and 19 and walk 5 minutes or by buses No. 91, 191, 291 to Margaret Island.

Bath Rudas

The Rudas Bath attracts attention with its architecture, expressed by an abundance of Turkish motives. Its “highlight” is the octagonal pool, called the “green pillar bath”, after the color of one of the eight multi-colored columns supporting the 10-meter-high dome. In the drinking pavilion, experience the taste of water from the Juventus, Hungaria and Attila mineral springs, from which you will take relaxing baths.

The visit to the Rudas Baths starts at 8.30 and ends 1 hour before closing at 20.00. On Monday, Wednesday-Friday, only men swim. On Tuesday, the entire bathhouse is given to women. On Saturdays and Sundays, women and men visit the bathhouse together.

A package ticket that includes wellness, thermal and swimming pools will cost HUF 5,000 during the day and HUF 500 more at night. A visit in the morning before 12.00 costs 2800 HUF, in the afternoon with a thermal pool and a cabin - 3500 HUF. Travel to the baths by buses 7, 8E, 108E, 110, 112, 907 and 973 and trams - 17, 19, 41, 56 and 56A.

Kirai Bath

Royal Turkish Baths - Kirai, built in the 16th century by the Turks, can be recognized by the roofs resembling mushroom caps. Visitors experience the fairytale atmosphere of the baths, enhanced by overhanging ceilings and intimate light. V large hall with a round pool covered with a dome, there are usually not many people, therefore, in an atmosphere of silence, it is possible to plunge into a state of nirvana lying in warm water with light steam emanating from it.

Thermal water in the royal bath comes from the springs of the Lukas bath through the water supply, so there is no difference in the composition of the mineral water. A ticket here costs 2600 HUF with a booth. There is no division into women and men, except for the changing rooms, everyone swims together. Baths are open from 9.00 to 21.00, and the ticket office closes at 20.00.

It is not difficult to get here: from the Batthyany ter metro you have to go in the direction of the Margaret Island. Taking trams 4, 6, get off at the “Margit hit” stop and walk along street Fő towards the castle. By the way, they are named royal by the name of one of the owners - Koening, which translates as king.

Dangar Bath

The Dandar bath was built in 1930 on a small street in the area of ​​the nearby Petofi Bridge. Dangar was built as a folk bath. This institution remains to this day, given that the prices for services here are democratic. The cheapest ticket in the evening is 1100 HUF, and the standard ticket is 1450 HUF. A separate ticket is sold for each type of pool in the bath.

The infrastructure of the health resort does not lag behind its more famous relatives. Inside there are spacious baths, showers and a comfortable sauna, a steam bath and a cold pool, two indoor and outdoor pools with a temperature of + 36⁰C - + 38⁰C.

The bath has its own well with carbon dioxide, hydrocarbonate-calcium water with a high fluorine content. You need to go to the bathing house by tram number 2 to the Haller street stop and walk a little, focusing on the Zwack - Unicum factory, which produces the famous Hungarian liqueur. The bath is open from Monday to Friday from 6.00 to 20.00, Saturday and Sunday until 14.00.

Evening walk through the city center and its bars

Twilight will descend only in Budapest, the doors of museums and temples are closed. Then the way opens into the world of the bewitching beauty of the night streets, bars with the originality of interiors, intoxicating drinks and the atmosphere reigning in them. When the stars are lit in the sky, you can fully experience the spirit of Budapest. On an evening walk, you will be imbued with the energy of St. Stephen's Cathedral, seen from a different angle and light.

On the chain bridge, breathtakingly illuminated, you will learn a lot about the historical districts of Buda and Pest, enjoy the panorama of the Danube, admire the glowing building of the world's most beautiful Parliament and feel the aura of Freedom Square. We suggest completing the excursion program in a hike through the ruin bars, which will appeal not only to alcohol lovers.

You will be amazed by the interiors and décor of ruin bars with a pig-shaped disco ball, a shell-shaped bar counter and many cool details. After visiting 5 of these establishments, you will learn about the origins of the ruin-bar culture, get acquainted with their architecture, courtyards, chat with the local public and taste signature cocktails. The excursion takes the form of a fascinating walking tour for 1-10 people, costing 25 € per person. But pay for drinks separately!

Day 5

The last day of your stay in Budapest, having gone through the obligatory program on your own, traditionally included in numerous tours to the sights of the Hungarian capital, I would like to end with a bright final chord. At the end of our voyage, we will offer several interesting places and entertainment so that you can choose what you like.

Eger and Miskolctapolca

A trip to Europe's only unique bathhouse in Miskolctapolc, located in the bosom of a cave surrounded by a beech forest, will become an unforgettable event in life. Having received a two-hour pleasure (from 11.00 to 13.00) in the thermal pool with beautifully illuminated + 30⁰C water with hydromassage, then having rest in the stalactite hall, you will go on a two-hour sightseeing excursion to Eger.

In this picturesque city, imbued with a medieval atmosphere emanating from baroque buildings, you will see all the sights and admire the architecture of the old minaret. Further, the path will lead to the Valley of Beauties, where, in an original Hungarian tavern, you will be treated to dishes national cuisine, and in one of the wine cellars, enjoy a tasting of Eger wine, feel the taste of the famous "Bull's Blood" made from 6 varieties of grapes.

This exciting group tour lasts 12 hours and costs 78 € per person.

Lake Balaton and thermal baths Heviz

A trip to Lake Balaton with a visit to the thermal baths of Heviz will be an opportunity in a group excursion from Budapest, lasting 11 hours. In it you will visit ancient cities, admire lakes recognized as natural monuments, improve your health in thermal and mineral springs... On the way to Lake Balaton, stop at Tihany Abbey - the burial place of King Andras I. When you arrive in Balatonfured, get acquainted with largest resort on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, the healing springs of which, curing diseases of the internal organs, have been famous since the times of the Roman Empire.

From here, the path will lead to the ancient city of Keszthely, where you will see one of the largest Hungarian estates - the Festetics Palace. At the end, bathe in the greatest thermal lake Heviz, which has a beneficial effect on joint diseases, osteochondrosis, blood circulation and potency. Don't forget to bring your swimwear. A bathing ticket costs 8 €. The tour will cost 78 € per person. This price includes lunch with wine and admission to the abbey.

Trip to Vienna

From Budapest, you can go on a group excursion to Vienna. The excursion route begins from the main boulevard of the Austrian capital - Ringstrasse, with the sights located on it: the Parliament, built in the antique style, the City Hall, known throughout the world Vienna Opera... After enjoying the architecture of secular buildings, walk to the Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral - the architectural masterpiece and symbol of Vienna.

After inspection historic center you will be invited to the Belvedere art complex, which consists of 2 parts: the Upper Belvedere and the Lower. In the 7 rooms of the Upper Belvedere, there is an art collection of Austrian art, which, if desired, can be viewed after the tour. In the Lower Belvedere, admire the picturesque garden that previously surrounded the palace.

Next, you will see the Hovburg imperial residence with 19 palaces, a church with a chapel and the library of Charles IV, where you will focus on exploring the Hofburg treasury. At the end of the excursion, there will be free time to walk and look into the famous Viennese cafe "Sacher", famous for chocolate desserts baked according to an old recipe. The price of the excursion, which is 78 € per person, includes: transport, guide and dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Szentendre - Visegrad - Esztergom

A necklace of ancient towns is scattered along the bend of the Danube. They keep fragments of the history of the times of the rule of the Romans and Turks, castles of the Middle Ages, churches that crowned the tops of hills and mountains. The richest Hungarian history is concentrated in the cities of Szentendre, Visegrad and Esztergom, which offers to visit individual excursion for 1-4 people.

You will be offered three options to choose from: just a trip to Szentendre (3-3.5 hours for 150 €); a trip to Visegrad and Szentendre (4-4.5 hours for 180 €) or an 8 hour trip to Szentendre, Visegrad, Esztergom for 250 €.

Pannonhalma Abbey

The second largest abbey in the world, Pannohalma Abbey is one of the protected sites of the world cultural heritage UNESCO. The monastery estates occupy the 282-meter-high hill of St. Martin. The emergence of the monastery at this place goes back to the distant 996. On a car tour, you will be briefly told the history of the name of the hill, which, according to legend, became the birthplace of St. Martin of Tours. You will visit the basilica, crypt, see the library of the abbey, taste delicious wines - products of the monastery winery.

At the abbey you can buy chocolates made by monks, wine, lavender oil and soap. At the end of your trip, dine at the panoramic Viator restaurant overlooking the magnificent local landscapes. Car excursion, lasting 8 hours, is designed for 1-7 people. Regardless of the number of people, its price is 250 €, which includes: the way from the hotel in Budapest to Pannonhalma and back, escort of a driver who speaks Russian; payment for renting a business class car, toll roads and parking lots. In addition, you will have to pay 8 € for visiting the abbey, for wine tasting and lunch.

What and how can you save

It is pleasant to spend less money on any trip, leaving it for other needs and pleasures. We will recommend several options on how to save money in Budapest.

Using these tips, knowing the real prices and the payment algorithm, you will not spend a lot of money without denying yourself anything.

(1 estimates, average: 3,00 out of 5)

This will be my last article on Budapest. At least in this publication cycle. A good friend of mine asked me to write reviews in this format more often, talking about my personal impressions and presenting the pros and cons of some conditional city X. This time, as you know, we will talk about the capital of Hungary. And I actually have something to tell about this place. I liked Budapest, but it also has a lot of its own special shortcomings. Rubbish, homeless people, square architecture ... This article will focus on two different facets of one city; about how I saw Budapest personally, and how you will see it if you also come to the capital of Hungary.

Ready for a little trash article? Then go ahead and sing!

Pros. It's beautiful in Budapest.

I've already written about this in several different articles. But for objectivity, this review should also have begun with these words. It's beautiful in Budapest. I constantly compared him to Vienna, and Tanya talked about Paris. In short, if you like Parisian-stylized and Vienna-like architecture, Budapest is just a great option for you. Everything here is twice as cheap as in Austria. Well, plus - this is not such a tourist pop, like all these pink-ecstatic aspirations about Paris.

Budapest - like. Budapest is cool. Here, even in some of the gateways, there are some beautiful statues.

Minuses. Square architecture.

The center of Budapest is just fire (in fact, I wrote about this in the previous paragraph). Imperial grandeur and all. But in addition to the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there was also its own local Soviet Union, the era of socialism, and with it the era of square houses.

Many of them have survived to this day and in their original ugly form stand right in the center of the city. Well, look.

On the one hand, there is a beautiful basilica, and on the other, some kind of square Khrushchev (well, or what was the name of the local chairman of the Communist Party among the Hungarians)?

Or here (view from Gellert Hill next to the Freedom Bridge). Why not Zhitomir or Togliatti?

The coolest contrast I saw next to the Fisherman's Bastion. You look from one side - and in front of you is the Danube, Parliament and the Hungarian "Paris-Vienna".

You look from the other - and ahead is already "Tolyate-Zhitomir".

Budapest is a city of contrasts. Like the Diamond Hand.

Pros. Everyone in Budapest speaks good English.

At least they understand and try to hum something in response. Yes, of course, now someone will definitely write in the comments that in Hungary everyone speaks exclusively Hungarian. But personally, I had no problems with this in Budapest. Someone spoke better, someone worse ... But I "had enough for life." It was especially nice when someone from the Hungarians added the word "sir" to me. You feel like Sir Alex Fergusson. Well, or Elton John at worst. In general, I really respect both of them.

Pros. Hungarian.

He is insanely incomprehensible, but insanely funny in places. For example, a street in Hungarian is “utca” (I know that “utca” is correct, but I still called it “duck”). Add to this the Groby hypermarket and the Alkotas tram that ran right next to our house, and you know what I'm talking about.

Yes, I know that I am pronouncing most of these words incorrectly. But I like it better. I hope the Hungarians will not be offended by me. Their language made me laugh in places.

Pros. It's cheap in Budapest.

If in Bratislava (the capital is also not the most expensive country) we paid 30 euros for two iron beds in a hostel, then in Budapest for 27 we rented a simply gorgeous apartment overlooking the Danube and Hungarian parliament... Lunch in a Chinese cafe cost us about 2-3 euros. A bottle of Hungarian beer could be bought for about 0.5 euros.

I cannot say that everything in Hungary is cheaper than here in Belarus. No ... But if our countries had bordered borders, we would have stably drove everything to the Hungarians for shopping. Overseas shopping is one of the types of national fun in the Republic of Belarus.

Minuses. Hungary has serious problems with bank cards.

Now I will reveal a secret ... I quite rarely change or cash out money abroad. I have a small amount in euros in a special envelope, but in general abroad I usually pay by cards. It's comfortable. On many cards, I also have some kind of small cash back and all sorts of "best exchange rate" buns. Of course, I love cash too. But often it is just stressful to run around the city and look for forints or, for example, Ukrainian hryvnias in banks. So ... I repeat: abroad I usually pay with cards. And usually there are no problems with this. But Hungary in this regard has become an unpleasant exception to the rule for me. Well, yes ... Of course ... If you wish, you can find several places where cards are accepted in Budapest. But in general, signs with the inscription "Only cash, only forints" are found here with amazing regularity. Really ... On the first day I thought that I would be left without lunch at all! I run from stall to stall at the station, and there they don't accept cards everywhere - neither in a Turkish kebab, nor in a Hungarian bakery, nor in some "pseudo-Italian" pizzeria.

We went to the bar to watch the World Cup final - there is also cash. Let's go get some ice cream - cash only. In Belarus, cards are accepted in every eatery - even in the Soyuzpechat stall, even in the old Ptushka store. And here no. You feel like in that parody of Eagle and Reshka, when the presenters arrived in some remote village and he lived like a king with $ 100, and she spent the night with a gold card on the street, since no one was in that very village accepted cards. Stone Age, honestly. I'm just indignant.

Minuses. Hungary has serious problems with bank cards. Part two.

Now a few words about fees at ATMs. When an unpleasant tension was revealed with the cards, I began to withdraw money from ATMs. In the first of them there was some very small commission, but in the center of the city at ATMs of the Euronet system, the process of cashing out funds turned into a form of robbery.

You withdraw 2000 forints and pay another 920 in the form of bank commission. It's okay in general! This is almost 50% of the commission !!! I have not seen such horrors since the release of "Astral".

Pros. Comprehensible transport system.

That's right ... Hello Munich, where we were in January this year. In general, the devil will break his leg. Short trips, long trips, zones, rings, S-bahn, U-bahn, group tickets, singles; tickets that need to be punched and impenetrable tickets in which you need to enter your names with a pen !!! This is a simple guard!

In Hungary, everything is simple and straightforward. There are regular tickets for one trip, there are tickets for a day, where you yourself can choose the activation time. The same coupons are valid for metro and ground transport. Well done! For tourists, this is a really important little thing.

Minuses. It's dirty in Budapest.

Danube embankment as a dining room for the poor. There is a tomato lying around. There is a half-eaten sandwich. In the subway passages some cardboard boxes are scattered. At the same time, in five days in Budapest, I met only one cleaner.

The apogee of all this was the case when we were sitting by the embankment, and some gypsy (or maybe a Syrian refugee) walked along the embankment and suddenly threw a chair into the river. In Minsk, it would have been closed for 15 days. Nothing here. The gypsies passed and laughed. Throw like Le Bron James.

Minuses. There are many homeless people in Budapest.

I know that there are many of them European cities enough. But this article is about Budapest. Therefore, we will leave all other EU cities behind the scenes.

So ... As I said, there are a lot of homeless people in Budapest. There are so many that you can even print them on magnets. However, they do not even hide. Someone is sleeping under the bridge, someone is in the subway crossing, someone is right on the street ...

At the same time, unlike the CIS countries, no one drives them here. They can sit quietly right in the center or sleep somewhere on a bench near the Danube. In general, I usually try to remain correct, but I’ll say it bluntly: they annoyed me. He airs his socks on the branches of trees, and the stench is on the floor of the street. Sometimes I noticed them after the fact. And so only by the smell he determined that the truth was somewhere nearby.

An acquaintance of mine who lives in Budapest told me that some time ago homeless people were forbidden to beg. But a holy place is never empty. Therefore, now they began to formalize begging as ... a flash mob.

Someone sits with a fishing rod, someone with a soft toy.

I repeat again: I don't know how the locals or the Budapest police treat these guys. But in my eyes it is still a minus for the city.

Pros. A sea of ​​creativity.

I already wrote about resourceful homeless people with fishing rods ... Now we will develop the topic. Some cool creative features are found everywhere in Budapest. For example, I really liked these sad emoticons on the buses going to the depot.

And this bear, armed to the teeth, is in one of the local antiques stores.

How do you like these painted benches with eyes? Sweetheart!

About Miley Cyrus, who flaunted on the announcement of the beginning of renovation work in the house, I already wrote in an article about our Budapest apartment. But this is a masterpiece. And the masterpiece can be shown again.

So admire. It's just fire!

Minuses. There are many tourists in Budapest.

Of course, this is not Florence, where on the Ponte Vecchio bridge there was simply nowhere for an apple to fall, and we walked one after another like penguins. But in some places in Budapest, the number of tourists still seemed to me to be off scale. In the area of ​​the Fisherman's Bastion, they were just everywhere. On the Gellert Hill and next to the Monument "Shoes on the Embankment" there was a similar picture. Someone took pictures, someone took pictures, someone took excursions.

I repeat, Budapest is, of course, still far from the top tourist cities in this regard. But the trends are outlined. In the square next to the Hungarian parliament, I never got a good picture. And I tried ... And more than once.

Minuses. Dear Balaton.

In general, even before this trip, I immediately marked myself two points on the map of Hungary - Budapest (as the capital) and Balaton (as a lake, which should have heroically saved me from the July heat). It turned out very quickly to find housing in the Hungarian capital (I already wrote about our apartment in Hungary). But Balaton ... Here the prices were simply ruthless.

I don’t know, maybe there is, of course, not always such a situation, but on the days of our own trip, a more or less normal apartment in Siofok cost 100 euros per night. So it's already easier to go to Croatia to splash. Their president is a very cool lady.

Pros. "Eurotour" bundles.

Balaton is expensive, but in general you can get out of Budapest without any difficulties. The capital of Hungary is located very well and it is just a stone's throw from other interesting points of Europe. Vienna is close. Bratislava is close. Slovenia and Croatia (where there are mountains and the sea) are also very close. Therefore, if you decide to arrange a tour of Europe for yourself, Budapest will be an excellent starting point for you.

Bonus. Dogs.

Literally two months before the trip to Hungary, Tanya and I were in Turkey - in Istanbul, which has long been tacitly considered a city of cats. Remember, I still photographed them there from various angles?

So ... What am I leading to? Budapest in this regard is its complete opposite. The capital of Hungary belongs to the dogs. They are everywhere here: in parks, in squares, along the Danube embankment and near the most famous sights of the city.

I love dogs. Therefore, in Hungary, I have already photographed them from various angles. I think this will be a great final chord for this little review. Well, look ... Isn't that cute?

Good luck to all! And good travels to everyone!

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, a beautiful city. The first time we visited here was passing, or even flying - during a long air transfer, instead of hanging around at the airport, we decided to drive to the city. Despite the darkness (it was night), shovels, shabby subway cars, gloomy, ugly dressed people, I already knew that I would come back here. So I liked that piece of the city that I saw. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to visit here again, I did not hesitate for a second. How to organize a trip to Budapest on your own? The main questions: renting accommodation in Budapest, I consider visas and tickets, but here I will tell you directly about the city: how to change money, get from the airport, move around the city, where to go, what to see, what to bring home from here, and so on.

Money in Budapest

In the center of Budapest, in the triangle between the Deák Ferenc tér, Ferenciek tere and Astoria metro stations, there are a lot of exchangers. We changed money near the Astoria metro station on Károly körút street. The course is about the same everywhere, somewhere better, somewhere worse. There may be a commission in the exchanger. Better to ask how many forints you will receive for your amount in euros or dollars on hand. Where the rate is better, there you will exchange it. Upon exchange, you will be given a certificate. Do not throw it away before you leave: you will need it if you have forints that you could not spend and want to exchange them back for dollars or euros. No currency will be sold to you without this piece of paper.

Just in case - do not try to change money from someone on the street with hands, in Hungary it is illegal, but for you it can result in a divorce for your hard-earned money.

Transport in Budapest

A spoon of tar. Tickets are not cheap here. Fare (2014):
Single trip - HUF 350 (about 60 rubles)
Single ticket when purchased from the driver - HUF 450
Single ticket with connecting - HUF 530
Single short metro ticket - HUF 300
10 single tickets in a booklet - HUF 3,000
Day pass - HUF 1 650
Travel pass for 3 days - HUF 4 150
7-day pass - HUF 4,950
Group pass for a day up to 5 people - HUF 3 300
Budapest card 24 hours - HUF 3 900
Budapest card 72 hours - HUF 7 900

Tickets for children are required from 6 years old. All tickets are valid for any type of transport, metro, bus, tram, cogwheel, electric trains within the city. You won't be able to save on travel costs: Budapest has very strict control, inspectors can be found anywhere at any time. Penalty for ticketless travel will be 8000 forints. Therefore, if you plan to actively use public transport, it makes a lot of sense to buy a travel card for the required number of days.

I must say right away that we practically did not use transport, only we got there from the airport and took the metro to the station. Since the central part of the city is relatively small, we walked everywhere - it was pleasant and useful, and the economy was not bad. By the way, compared to public transport, there is a fairly affordable taxi here. We drove back to the airport just on it. The cost of the trip from the very center, Rakoczi ut. before entering the terminal was about 6800 forints (approximately 23 euros or 1130 rubles). Conveniently, in a taxi, cards are accepted for payment, although you should be interested in the availability of such an opportunity in advance. I paid 3000 with the remaining out of work forints, and paid the rest by card, very convenient.


How can you get to or from Budapest airport by public transport? The itinerary will differ depending on whether you are driving during the day or at night. Let's say you've just arrived in Budapest and want to get to the city center. I recommend buying the required number of single tickets with a transfer for 530 forints right at the airport. They are sold at the exit level of Terminal 2B, at the tourist information kiosk to the left of the car rental windows. Conveniently, you can pay with a plastic card. The big minus is that they do not work at night. Therefore, "late" travelers will have to withdraw some cash from an ATM and buy tickets from the driver in the bus, already at 450 forints per ticket.

If you are traveling during the day (hours from 5:00 to 22:30), then leave the terminal and take bus 200E. Stop between terminals 2A and 2B. Go to the salon and punch your ticket in a special device. If the ticket is a connecting ticket, stamp it on one side only. If you don't understand, ask for help, they will prompt you. Take this bus to the Kőbányа-Kispest stop and change on it to the metro station of the same name. For the bus, this is the final stop, so don't worry, you won't miss it. Well, by metro you are already going to the desired station.

At night (from 23:00 to 4:00) the route will be slightly different. You can also buy a ticket at the airport, or withdraw cash, and take bus 900 at the same stop to the Bajcsy-Zsilinszky stop (ninth from the airport), and there you change to bus 950 or 950A, which go through the city center (near the Deák Ferenc tér ). Or on the same 900 bus, take 17 stops to Dél-pesti autóbuszgarázs, and from there get to the center by bus 914. At night, buses may not stop everywhere, if in doubt, ask the driver about your stop. To get from the city center to the airport, respectively, we do the opposite. : o) The only thing is that you need to stock up on tickets with a transfer in advance, especially if you are traveling at night, otherwise you simply cannot buy them anywhere, you will have to take expensive one-time tickets from the driver.

Why? It's about comfort. In the departure area there are absolutely wonderful soft sofas (see the photo above), on which you can sleep peacefully and even sleep well. True, in order not to freeze, you need to choose a place where the air conditioner does not siphon, there are such. There is a toilet nearby, everything is very clean and comfortable. And you can say no people, because there are no night flights from the airport either, I don't know for what reason, and the entrance to this zone is completely closed at night. Therefore, if you miss the transition and leave through customs, then you will no longer be able to get to the departure area until morning. And in the common room there are cold iron benches, where you can only freeze your ass. The only possible inconvenience of the departure area: since everything is closed, all the cafes inside are also closed, so you won't be able to eat and drink. Although I managed to find one working on the second floor, it was true that I had to wait 20 minutes for the seller to appear. So, if possible, stock up on food and drink in advance.

Food prices

Very democratic. We did not buy much in supermarkets, since we were in Budapest for a short time, but we still took something: cheese, bread, milk, yogurt, fruits. Here are a couple of checks from local spars:




3000 forints is about 550 rubles. By the way, no one will hand over change less than 5 forints to you, the smallest coin, as I said, is 5 forints. Apart from the food, of course, we also paid attention to the local wine Tokaji Aszu (how delicious it is, mmm!). In addition to Aszu, there is also Tokaji Szamorodni, as I found out from my own experience, it can be either sweet, similar to Aszu, or not. Therefore, I recommend that you carefully study the label before buying. The price per bottle fluctuates around 1000 forints (~ 170 rubles) for a bottle of Tokaji Szamorodni, and from 3700 (~ 620 rubles) to XXXXX forints for Tokaji Aszu (the most expensive bottle I have seen cost about 40,000 forints, which is about 6700 rubles) ...

Where to eat in Budapest

What to try

Let's move smoothly from the question "where?" to the question "what?" : o) Well, the very first thing is, of course, goulash, a thick, fatty soup-chowder. Moreover, this must be done more than once: in each place, goulash is prepared a little in its own way and is also served differently, in a tureen, in a plate, in a kettle, in a bread pot.


Another kind of Hungarian traditional food is Halasle fish soup. Personally, I was able to find it only in one place, and in terms of filling it differed little from the goulash sold there. Fish instead of meat and a slightly different set of vegetables.


Delicious, although I'm not sure if the soup was classic.
Hungarian cuisine is quite heavy and fatty. They are very fond of butter and fat here. A lot of all kinds of meat and side dishes familiar to us. From the "snack" dishes, I wanted to try the local flatbread with sour cream and cheese - langos. I've read that in Budapest they are sold right on the streets almost at every step. Fig two .. I barely found this cake in one of the restaurants.

Maybe because of the previous “heroic” searches, it didn't impress me anymore. Nice, but nothing special. But another sweet street dish, kyurteskalach, can really be found on the street, though only in the very tourist area Vaci utca streets.


As I later found out, in Prague a similar thing is called trdelnik. However, the Hungarian version, in comparison with the Czech one, is simply huge (twice as much), but it costs less. It's hard to eat it in one face, we dealt with it together with some difficulty.
Also from sweets I highly recommend the local cake "Somloy galuska" shomloy dumplings. Huge, tasty, sweet, but not cloying. It will fit even after a hearty dinner.


But another famous Hungarian sweet, pancakes A la Gundel, I did not like at all. Although we may have eaten them in the wrong place, I don’t know.


The bottom line: ordinary pancakes stuffed with nuts, raisins and something else are poured with liquid chocolate. Then they pour it over with alcohol and set it on fire. As it burns out there, you can eat. Very luscious, plus a bad taste of alcohol, no ... I couldn't eat it. I mastered the filling, but not the rest. But you try it if you want, suddenly you will like it. At least for the fire show. :O)
Also highly recommend the local Tokaji (Aszu) wines! However, more about them in the section "What to bring with you from Budapest."

Budapest what to see

Or stumble upon something creepy:

In general, the city has a lot of entertainment, an underground labyrinth, beautiful parks, a zoo, and - a local feature - healing baths with thermal water. Unfortunately, we didn't get anywhere from this, we just didn't have time. There will be something to visit next time. :O)

What to bring from Budapest

Peculiarities

Out of the unpleasant. The city has a fantastic number of homeless people in Europe. People clearly live on the street - they sleep in the passages, eat, beg, and next to the police - they do not pay any attention to them. If they catch your eye, they may come up to communicate, clearly with the aim of begging for something. The truth is, realizing that you do not speak Hungarian, they immediately fall behind. It's a little annoying at first. Well, in general, looking at other people's misfortunes is not very pleasant.

It is also very felt that the city and its inhabitants suffered greatly during the Second World War. Despite the restored houses and facades, restored bridges and palaces, pain clearly lives in the hearts of people. The city has many monuments and memorials dedicated to the crimes of fascism and the fight against it. For example, this memorial touched us to the core:

It is located next to the Parliament building. Jews were driven here during the war, shot, and their bodies thrown into the water. Among the shoes there are also children's boots .. Also, walking around the city, you can stumble upon meetings that are clearly dedicated to the memories of the war. What they say is, of course, incomprehensible, but photographs, newspaper clippings, and wreaths are very eloquent. Personally, for some reason, this resonated very strongly with me, if you think about it - despite the impressive time that has passed since that time, I am only the second post-war generation.

Despite such a sad note in the end, it is really very cool here. People, although gloomy and much more tense than the same Spaniards or Italians, are open and welcoming when communicating. I myself would love to come here again for a longer time.

I hope my small overview of travel arrangements in Budapest on your own will be useful to you. I wish you a wonderful stay in this wonderful city!

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