What’s the best place to visit in Europe? This is a question that is very difficult to answer because every traveler is so different. However, if there was one city in Europe that could be described as the best place to visit, it could very well be Budapest. Often called one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, the city of Budapest encompasses the banks of the Danube (dont miss the river cruises), the Buda Castle Quarter, Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, which is the second oldest railway in the world. Other highlights of this fascinating city include a total of 80 geothermal springs and the third largest Parliament building. While there are certainly many amazing places to see in Europe, here are some reasons why Budapest could be considered the best.
History
Another reason to rank Budapest at the top of a list of European destinations is its fascinating history. One example, Buda Castle, was declared part of the Budapest World Heritage Site in 1987 and is the castle of the Hungarian kings dating back to1265. Not nearly as old but just as impressive historically is The Metro 1, also known as the Millennium Underground Railway or M1, the oldest line of Budapest Metro and the third-oldest underground line in the world. The line was completed on May 2 1896, the year of the millennium (the thousandth anniversary of the arrival of the Magyars) and one of these original cars is preserved at the Seashore Trolley Museum.
River Cruises
The Danube River is more than just a waterway as it is considered one of the continent’s major geographical features. This magnificent river flows through Budapest on its way to the Black Sea and, since the river is easily navigable, Budapest has historically been a major commercial port as well as a frequent port for leisure river cruises. In fact, major river cruise lines such as
Viking River Cruises bring travelers in and out of Budapest every day. The Danube also divides the city of Budapest, with Buda on the hilly west bank and Pest covering the plain on the river’s eastern side. During daytime sightseeing cruises, you will see the two parts of the city and hear stories about the charming sights along the river. In the evening, you will be enchanted as sights are illuminated. A Danube river cruise let’s you discover the art, music and history of Budapest as well as the spectacular scenery along the river’s banks.
Art & Culture
The Hungarian National Museum, established during the same time period as the British Museum and the Louvre houses a permanent exhibition about Hungary’s history. Budapest is also home to one of the most opulent opera buildings in the world, The State Opera House, of which famed composer Gustav Mahler was the director from 1888-1891. A long-established annual cultural event involving top-class artists from all over the world, The Budapest Spring Festival features a program that includes performances of ballet, music, opera, theater, and folk dance.
Mineral Baths
References to healing waters on the site which was to become the Gellért Thermal Baths can be traced back to as early as the 13th century. This bath complex, built between 1912 and 1918 houses thermal baths, which are small pools containing water from Gellért hill’s mineral hot springs. The water contains calcium, magnesium, hydrocarbonate, alkalis, chloride, sulfate, and fluoride, all said to have healing properties. The complex also includes saunas and an outdoor swimming pool. Also in Budapest is The Széchenyi Medicinal Bath which is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Built in 1913, the baths’ water is supplied by two thermal springs
The importance of Budapest is difficult to quantify; more than two million people live in this capital city and industry, history, commerce and culture converge here. In short, Budapest is a city worthy of comparison with other great European capitals and therefore can certainly be described as the best place to visit in Europe.
Budapest is a dynamic city with something for everyone: music events, classic concerts, wine festivals, cultural exhibitions and much more. If you´re interested in Budapest as a travel destination but dont know when to go go this list with all major event and festivities might help you to decide when to visit Budapest.
Budapest Spring Festival
Last for 2 weeks in March-April, International classical music stars perform and give concerts.
World Music Day
Usually the last weekend of june. Jazz, rock, folk music events and open air concerts.
Bridge Festival
June – August. Lanchid is closed every weekend during the summer. The bridge becomes a long party area with arts & Crafts, food, drink, music and entertainment.
Sziget Festival
Prepare for 1 week of Woodstock in August! The largest music festival of Europe with many international top artists.
Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
On a weekend in August. Very popular international event with lots of tourist from all over the world.
St. Stephen’s Day
On the 20th August. Hungarys biggest celebration of the whole year with fireworks, street entertainment and the works. Great parties.
Budapest Parade
In the end of August. 100,000 line Andrássy út to watch a parade of floats, dancers and DJs and finish in Heroes Square and party into the night.
Jewish Summer Festival
A weekend of August displaying Jewish arts, performances, concerts, theatre and more.
Budapest Wine Festival
Two weeks in September. Wine producers presents their wines. Concerts, folk music and events at the Castle District and Vörösmarty tér.
Budapest Music Weeks
2 weeks September/October. The traditional opening of the classical season.
Budapest Autumn Festival
Usually in October. A great festival with perfomances, music, fine arts cinema, exhibitions and theatre.
Budapest Christmas Fair
26th November – 24th December. Started in 1999 and have become one of the biggest in Europe. Very popular international event at Vörösmarty Square. in the heart of Budapest.
The Hungarian formula 1 – 3968 metres track of pure excitement!
A formula 1 Grand Prix is in-itself a lifetime experience. Enjoying the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix 2008 in Budapest Hungary, one of Europe’s most beautiful and interesting cities will make it unforgettable! Here do you thing Sylvester Stallone went to prepare his car racing movie “Driven”? That’s right, he went to see the Hungarian formula1 in Budapest! One of the best advantages of Hungaroring, the Hungarian racing track near Mogyorod, 19 km outside of Budapest, is that it is located in a natural valley with approximately 80% of the racetrack visible.
The start of the Grand Prix in Budapest Hungary 2007
Ticket prices for the F1 GP
The price for the Hungarian Grand Prix 2008 ranges between 80 to 400 Euros. The most popular ticket-categories are:
Super Gold Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 380.00
Gold 3 Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 285.00
Silver 3 Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 257.00
Silver 3 Priority 2 (Sun.) EUR 238.00
Gen. Admission Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 99.00
Family (Wkd.) EUR 250.00
Buying tickets for the Grand Prix Formula One in Budapest 2008
Basically you have two choices, either you buy a whole Grand Prix travel package from international Grand Prix travel specialists like “Formulatours” or “Grandstand Motor Sports” (se links below) or just buy the Formula One tickets and the travel-tickets to Budapest separate.
Ordering F1 tickets online: the gpticketshop: (official Grand Prix ticket sales agency)
Budapest hotel booking online: Budapest hotel reservation & guide! Budapestguide.net offers online hotelbooking in cooperation with one of the biggest online hotelbooking serviceproviders: bookings.com
Getting to the Hungarian Formula 1
The Hungarian racing track is located near the village Mogyorod not far from Budapest (19 km) easily accessible by the HÉV, (short distance train) from Örs vezér Tér. Get of att “Szilasliget” station, from there you walk. It takes almost 30 minutes. If you have at ticket you can take one of the buses from the Arpad bridge (Pestside) that the Grand Prix provides.
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!
The nightlife and club-scene in Budapest is diverse and dynamic starting from traditional pubs and bars, secret courtyard parties and popular outdoor beer gardens to the coolest dance venues and the hottest stripclubs.
However the best (and safe) erotic nightclubs are not that easy to find. In Budapest, Hungary prostitution is legal and there are lots of bad porn and sexclubs owned by unscrupulous gangsters that systematically rip of tourists.
So if you do determine to take a bite of the forbidden fruit and visit a strip-club in Budapest be on the safe side and only visit erotic nightclubs that show the positive indications of a professional and safe nightclub (read the checklist below).
On this page we list the stripclubs in Budapest recommended by travel-guides and travel-agencies (2007). However, keep in mind that things can change very fast in this business so use your common sense and don’t take any chanceswhen visiting a stripclub in Budapest. The list below shows erotic stripclubs with a good reputation where they treat guests well.
Royal Palace Club At Royal Palace Club you can combine business with pleasure. This is a first-class club for businessmen’s needs. Located at Györi utca 16., XII. district. Close to MOM park. Web: http://royalpalaceclub.com/
E-Klubb An nightclub for the younger generation, with erotic dancers and shows. Very explicit and hedonistic! Plays mostly mainstream disco music. Located at Népligeti út 2. District X, (M3 Népliget station).
Web: http://www.e-klub.hu/
Kameleont club
A stylish erotic club with live music and colourful erotic programmes. Located at Lövöház utca 1-5, Mammut II. on the 4th floor. District II. Take metro 2 to Moszkva tér.
Web: http://www.kameleonmulato.hu/
Hello Bar
An elegant night club in the heart of the city. For businessmen and private groups. VII. Király u. 65., Budapest, Hungary.
Web: http://www.hallobar.hu/
4playlounge
A new nightclub with English and Canadian owners. 4Play Lounge offers all the luxurious trappings of a true Gentlemen’s Club, with a focus on first-class service.
Web: http://www.4playlounge.com/
How to avoid the bad stripclubs in Budapest
As in all major cities of the world there are bad places you should avoid. Budapest is no exception, there are erotic nightclubs in Budapest that systematically rip off tourists. These places take advantage of the fact that tourists seldom have time or means to do anything about it later on. Some tips on how to avoid bad erotic nightclubs:
do not visit any of the blacklisted erotic strip and nightclubs of Budapest (See list below)
do not take recommendation’s from taxi-drivers and people on the street
Always ask for the menu and prices before ordering anything at an erotic nightclub
don’t buy drinks for the girls (especially not knowing the price of their drinks)
make your own research on the net before visiting a stripclub, read what others think of it.
Blacklisted erotic nightclubs in Budapest
Strip-clubs in Budapest that got repeated complaints from tourists and blacklisted by the US government.
