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!
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!
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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,
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
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)
The Bavarian Corner just behind Blaha Lujza square (not far from New York Cafe) is a coasy and relaxed second-class restaurant serving international and German (sturdy dishes, lots of meat and potatoes) dishes at relatively low prices. An excellent choise for meeting with friends and startingpoint for the evening.
Normally we wouldn’t recommend a Bavarian restaurant in Budapest but this little “sörözö” (beerhouse) just happen to have a really good Hungarian plate you shouldnt miss! So if you want to try the Hungarian beers (they have a fair selection of german and international beers to) you definitely should try them with some traditional Hungarian delicacies (the Hungarian plate), which goes very well with the beers.
The Hungarian plate is big enough for two persons (not if they’re really hungry) to sit an chew on over the beer. It includes 4-5 different salamis and kolbász, strong and ordinary paprika, tomatoes, some cheese and bread. The plate is spicy, fresh and delicious! Hungarian delicacies at its best!
Tel: +36 1 268-0535
Pricerange: 1000-3000 Ft
Akacfa utca 7
Budapest , District VII,
In the center of Budapest at the Erszébet square you will find Gödör (the Pit), a very cool mix between underground music club, culture & exhibition-centre, and bar, where Hungarian and international bands and DJ:s (like Yonderboi) perform everything between etno-ambient-rap (you should have been there!) to jazz.
All the free concerts and activities draw crowds of very mixed style, young and old which creates a very friendly and open atmosphere. It is probably due to the different sections of the culture centre which makes it easy for almost everyone to feel comfortable. The different parts of Gödör Klub are:
the music scene with tables and chairs where you can sit and listen to the artists performing almost every night,
the bar and the dark cosy corner with games and other fun to “play” with your friends,
the exhibitions, mostly design, art, photography and architecture (often from university students). Just order a beer or drink in the bar and stroll around the exibition. Enjoy!
