Nov 26th, 2007 | Activities & things to do, Baths and Spas, Wellness & health | No Comments
Bathing in Budapest
The bathing culture of Budapest started with the Romans who built the first baths over the many hot springs of Pannonia. In modern Hungary bathing has become an everyday activity for the locals and thousands of tourists every year. The “modern” baths of Budapest with their refreshing and healing water have become a refuge for weary souls looking for some relaxing times and revitalizing treatments for both body and soul. The myths about the complicated Hungarian bathing procedures should not discourage you from having this unique experience. Mainly the problem is with English. Older Hungarians cant speak it! But that not a problem if you know how it works!
Gearing up!
This is what you’ll need at the thermal baths of Budapest:
- a bag,
- a towel,
- some money, (to eat and drink, bathroom),
- shower gel,
- a cap (or rent it at the bath) some baths require it for some of the pools,
- a pair of slippers to stay away from feet infections.
Tickets & Fees
The entry fees to the Budapest thermal baths cost usually between 1000-3000 ft (4-12 Euros) Gellert and Szécsény thermal baths being the most expensive. This is the price for entrance to the pools and thermal baths of the facility. If you want massage, water therapies or other treatments you have to pay extra for it and you’ll have an extra ticket you’ll have to show the masseur. Here’s how the entrance fee works:
- you pay the fee as if your gonna spend the whole day at the bath.
- if you leave within 2 hours you get back a larger amount (say 400 ft).
- if you leave within 3 hours you get back a lesser amount (say 200 ft).
- if you spend more than 3 hours you get back 0.
The furdöneni & báci (the bathaunt & uncle) - the keymasters of the baths
This is the really tricy part. The biggest question is why the keymasters exist at all? But we wont dive into the Communist and Taylorist theories of work organization here. The important thing for you to know is that you will depend on them if you choose a locker or cabin, and you probably will. If you want them to look after you stuff and want good service you tip them in advance (at least 200 ft but not more than 500). And here’s how it works:
- show them your ticket and they find you a locker and open it for you. At some baths you will get an own key and the keymaster doublelocks the cabin with his key.
- after you’ve changed you go to them and they’ll understand your ready and close the locker/ cabin for you.
- when you want something from the locker or want to go home you find your keymaster to open your locker/ cabin.
- If you didn’t tip them in advance and you want a smile before you leave now´s the time, they’ll expect it.
Rules and common courtesy
- You have to take a shower and wash yourself with soap before entering the baths and pools.
- Be quiet and act calmly! Don’t run speaking loudly or jump into the water.
- At some baths swimming caps are mandatory. As how it works at the ticket desk.
Tips
- Be careful with the steambaths they can be very hot!
- Don’t plan anything advanced physical stuff afterwards.
- The ticket booth close one hour before the baths close.
Thats it! Now your well prepared to visit a traditional Hungarian bath and have a unforgettable relaxing and refreshing experience. Enjoy!
Related: The Turkish Baths of Budapest
Nov 25th, 2007 | Budapest nightlife, Budapest weather, Hungarian drinks | No Comments
Without a doubt Budapest have one of the best party-scenes among both the central European and Western cities. So if your looking for a good party time with friends you´ve found the right city: Budapest! Budapestguide.net gives you 5 undeniable reasons why:
1. The diverse selection of Budapest entertainment & partys-cene
One of the things that make Budapest such a great party town is that no-mater what kind of entertainment you like chances are you’ll find it in Budapest! The nightscene in Budapest changes constantly with new party concepts, marketing parties from big companies, erotic parties from men’s magazines, international dj:s playing in the clubs, classic nightclub cabarets, not to mention all the pretty girls of Budapest. Budapest nightlife offer you:
1. Drinking in Budapest - how low can you go?
The danger of hangover is high when partying in Budapest since alcohol are still (2007) really cheap in Hungary. Shopping at the local market or grocery store you can buy the local beer (Dreher is really good) for 250 Forints, (1 Euro). Supermarkets have descent selections and Wines start at 800 ft (less than 4 Euros) and 1 liter Royal Vodka for 2500 Forints (10 Euros).
At Budapest bars, discos and clubs beers cost around 500 Forints (4 Euros) and drinks from 1100 (Cuba Libre) to 1800 (4-7 Euros)
3. Getting around - just walk or take a cab!
The distances between the clubs, bars and music pubs are another of the great advantages of Budapest. The city isn’t small but many of the bars, clubs and cafes are close by at walking distances. The main hot spots in Budapest where many interesting party-places are closeby are:
- Liszt Ferenc tér
- Oktogon
- Ráday utca and
- Nyugati
When you need to take a longer ride, especially in the evening and nighttime when public transportation are limited, taxi is still cheap in Budapest. It is also quick and comfortable when you have a limited time in Budapest. A taxi ride within the central parts of Pest and nearby areas of Buda costs about 1500 - 2000 Forints (6-8 Euros). We think its worth saving the time and energy! Just make sure to use Budapest trusted taxi companies listed on our site. The alternative is to find a hotel in the central parts of Budapest.
4. The Weather in Budapest
The warm and comfortable weather makes Hungary a great destination for a Budapest city holiday or weekend vacation. Hungary has a continental climate with around 2000 sun hours in a year which is considerable more than many of the other European City’s. Budapest have long warm summers and even the springs and autumns are relatively warm around 10-15 °C. Budapest weather is simply ideal a large part of the year.
The warmest months are July and August with temperatures around 30 °C. Which means there are lots of great outdoor parties (Zöld Pardon, Simpla Kert, Buddha Beach) and entertainment in Budapest from spring to autumn .
5. The beautiful girls of Budapest
The beauty of Hungarian women is well known. Just walk down any major street in Budapest a hot summer-day and you’ll realize that the saying about the sexy girls of Budapest isn’t a myth. Just take a look at the dazzling Hungarian- American female stars like:
Believe it or not but Budapest nightlife and party scene is packed with hot Hungarian girls just as good looking as these stars. Try nightclubs and music clubs like: Old Mans Music Pub, Club 7 or Alcatraz, all of them within walking distance. Other great music clubs with dazzling Hungarian chicks are Morrisons Music Pub, and Fat Mo´s.
Just watch out for those undercover callgirls and escort babe´s flirting with tourists, not just at the erotic nightclubs and stripclubs. Since prostitution are legal in Budapest the sex and porn industry is huge in Budapest, which of course effects the nightscene of Budapest. Good girl hunting and party on duds!
Nov 20th, 2007 | Baths and Spas, Wellness & health | No Comments
The bathing culture of Budapest is ancient. It started with the Romans who built the first baths over the hot springs on the harsh lands of Pannonia. After the Roman occupation the Turks invaded Hungary in the early middleages and brought with them their bathing traditions and knowledge that are still present in the ever popular Turkish baths of Budapest.
All of the Turkish baths are located on the Budaside of the city and are fairly easy to reach. However a Budapest taxi (use one of the listed taxis) will take you there from the center of Budapest for approx 8-9 Euros. Even tough all of the baths have original architecture left from the Turkish occupation (from 16th and 17th century) not all are that well preserved. The Lukách bath for example have not so much left of the original architecture. However the outdoor pools are very nice in green surroundings.
The best Turkish baths in Budapest for tourists looking for interesting sights and experiances are probably the Kiraly and Rudas Thermal Baths with their inspiring and exciting buildings. Beside the beautiful architecture these baths have managed to keep a historic touch and atmosphere, an experience you will carry with you a long time for sure!
Király Bath
Location: fö u. 84 (Budaside)
Tram: 4,6 to Budapside of Margret bridge. Metro: Batthany tér. Buss: 60, 86
Open for Ladies: Mon, Wed, Fri 07.00 a.m. - 06.00 p.m.
Open for Gentlemen: Tue, Thu, Sat 09.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m.
Entrance fees: with cabin 1300 for 2 hours.
Observe: Popular place on the gay scene in Budapest!!
Rudas Bath
Location: Döbrentei tér 9. (Budapeside) at the foot of the Buda bridgehead of the Elizabeth bridge.Trams: 18, 19. Buses 5, 7, 8 and 86.
Open for Ladies: Tue 06.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m. Sat - Sun 09.00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.
Open for Gentlemen: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, 06.00 a.m. - 08.00 p.m. Sat 09.00 a.m. - 05.00 p.m.
Entrance fees: with cabin 2200 refund if shorter than 2 hours.
Observe: Popular place on the gay scene in Budapest!!
Rác Bath (closed due to reconstruction 2007)
Location: Hadnagy utca 8-10 (Budaside)
Tram: 18. Buss: 5, 8, 78
Open for Ladies:
Open for Gentlemen:
Entrance fees:
Lukács Bath (under construction to q1 2008)
Location: Frankl Leo ut 25-29 (Budaside)
Tram: 4,6 to Budapside of Margret bridge. Metro: Batthany tér. Buss: 60, 86
Open: Mon-Fri 06.00 a.m. - 07.00 p.m. Sat-Sun 06.00 - 05.00
Entrance fees: Cabin 1900, refund 400ft if less than 2 hours visit.
This is probbably the least interesting of the baths since it have very litte remainings left from the original architecture.
Observe: Under construction until first quarter of 2008!
Read more about spa hotels in Budapest
Further info:
www.budapestinfo.hu | www.spasbudapest.com
Nov 8th, 2007 | Budapest photos, Sights of Budapest | No Comments
Beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder but Budapest is considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. Since Budapest got through the second world war relatively undamaged relative other central European cities there are many old interesting buildings, churches, monuments and other beautiful sights to explore. But as they say: a picture says more than 1000 words and if your still not convinced of the Beauty of Budapest we have gathered some nice photos from early summer in Budapest this year (2007-04-17). Enjoy!
One of the most spectacular sight are the view over the Danube river from the heights of the Buda hills (for example from the Fisherman’s Bastien) where you can see whole Pest. A beautiful sight you shouldn’t miss. Other beautiful sights of Budapest include:
- monuments like Heroes square, the castle district, Gellert hill,
- buildings like the Parliament, the Basilica and Matthias Church,
- streets like Andrassy Avenue and Vaci Street,
- the historic and beautiful bridges of Budapest (Árpád Bridge, Erzsébet Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Margaret Bridge, Pet?fi Bridge, Széchenyi Chain Bridge),
- the charming parks (like Szent Istvan in the xiii district) and of course Margret Island
Nov 2nd, 2007 | Baths and Spas, Hotels in Budapest, Wellness & health | No Comments
Budapest is famous for its wonderful thermal baths and spa institutions. It is hard to think of something more relaxing than a cople of hours in one of Budapest many classic baths like Szécsény or hotell Gellért. Budapest is called “city of spas” since 1930 when it won an international award for its many beautiful thermal baths. Since then the bath houses and spa hotels of Budapest has only increased as the spa weekend travels to Budapest and Hungary is getting more and more popular every year.
Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget
This elegant spa hotel located in the center of the lovely Margitsziget on the Danube between Buda and Pest have a modern medical center with different treatment programs, beauty and massage services. The Hotel have 267 rooms. Health Spa Resort Margitsziget was the first of the luxury hotels built on Margret island in the beautiful surroundings.
Book Health Spa Resort Margitsziget (with Booking.com)
Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget
Grand Hotel Margitsziget is also located in the beautiful surroundings of the Margitsziget park, right next to Health Spa Resort Margitsziget. The hotels are connected through a corridor from Grand Hotel Margitsziget to Spa Resort Margitsziget sharing the spa center. This is a hotel in classical style blending historical atmosphere with modern comfort. The hotel have 164 rooms.
Book Grand Hotel Margitsziget (with Booking.com)
Danubius Health Spa Resort Helia Hotel
Health Spa Resort Helia Hotel is a 4-star hotel built in Scandinavian style, located on the Budaside of the city on the embankment of the river Danube, facing beautiful Margaret Island.
Book Health Spa Resort Helia Hotel (with Booking.com)
Danubius Hotel Gellért
Gellért Hotel, holding the world-famous Gellért Spa, is almost a symbol for Budapest and the good life. The hotel and its spa, built in art nouveau style, opened in 1918. The hotel is located on the Budaside on the banks of the Danube facing the beautiful freedom (Szabadság) bridge and the city centre, a ten minute over the bridge.
Danubius Hotel Gellért (with Booking.com)
To se a lager selection of Budapest hotels and offers visit our Budapest hotel reservation page
More info about hotell Gellert at: http://www.gellertbath.com/
