Budapest trip - where to go!

[si_xsi]

Hi Guys,

Bit of a weird post but....

I'm off with the Girlfriend in a few weeks time for 3 nights - it was a bit of a random last minute deal on groupon, but heard its cheap, good beer, nice city.

So has anyone been and recommend any key places to see, eat, drink. We are both in late 20's and don't want to end up like the tourists in the film Hostel !!

cheers

[si_xsi]

Edit - being the idiot i am i've just seen theres a travel and holiday section on forums so if PH would like to move this feel free!

[MantaMike]

One of my favourite bars in the whole world is in Budapest, Szimpla. it takes a bit of finding as it way too cool to have a sign outside the door, but it is a great place you can even sit in a Trabant whilst having a beer.



http://www.szimpla.hu/budapest/home

[BusaMK]

If the weather is good there are a selection of heated outdoor pools in the middle of lots of cultivated gardens on the large island on the Danube, it's well worth it.

North of the river is full of museums and architecture to explore too. Bars wise south of the river can recommend aquarium, and not far away is a wine bar which isn't particularly expensive too. If you find some free wifi you can always cache google maps on your phone and use GPS to show you where you are in the city without using any data roaming - quite handy as south of the river it's easy to get lost.

[si_xsi]

thanks guys - loving the suggestions, plenty for me to look into and sounds just up our street. I've heard there are plenty of bars down by the river and the architecture is supposed to be pretty impresive.

[CypherP]

MantaMike said:

One of my favourite bars in the whole world is in Budapest, Szimpla. it takes a bit of finding as it way too cool to have a sign outside the door, but it is a great place you can even sit in a Trabant whilst having a beer.



http://www.szimpla.hu/budapest/home

Definitely the best bar I found whilst out there last month. A great atmosphere and totally different to anywhere else I've been. If you want a slightly different night out as well, have a wander over the bridge to the Buda side, where you will find a large ship that has been converted to a nightclub. The ship is called A38 and can be seen on the opposite side of the Danube from the Pest side, just after Astoria.

http://www.worldsbestbars.com/hungary/budapest/a38

[Oi U]

If you going over to the Buda area, consider Museum of Military History (Hadtorteneti Muzeum).

[CypherP]

Adding to the above, if you mention A38 to most taxi drivers, they will know where to go and it shouldn't cost you more than a few quid from anywhere in the city.

Talking of taxis, they are A LOT cheaper than here, and if using them, best rates are with Fotaxi. When you arrive at Budapest airport, turn left out of the arrivals building and you'll see a little building with a kiosk window. Tell them which hotel to take you to, and they will print you a receipt that you give to the driver with the price already stated. Just means you don't get shafted by some of the 'tourist hunter' taxi drivers.

Likewise when booking one from your hotel (if needed), get them to quote you the price and it won't differ when you get the other end.

Other things to do: Margaret Park is easily reachable via the under or overground trams, as well as Buda Castle.

Budapest Bazilika (massive church) is worth a visit, especially to climb the 300-something stairs to the viewing area right on top. 500HUF to take the stairs up (knackering but well worth a look inside the huge bell tower and a 360 degree view of the city (great for photos).

If you want any further info, let me know as I had a great guide (work colleague) while I was there and can recommend some great eating places too!

[si_xsi]

perfect - transport, daytime activities and bars looking good.

What about food? No doubt there will be some hungarian goulash on offer and other assorted eastern european fodder.

FYI the deal was dirt cheap, 3 nights bed (no breckie) supposedly 4 star hotel 1km from centre, including flights for £115 each all in with easy jet from Gatwick.

Obviously there will be airport parking, food and drink and taxi's but even so, quite reasonable

[Oi U]

If you have time and the weather is good, you could try:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_Park

[Viper_Larry]

Have you been yet?

[si_xsi]

not yet mate, off in a few days time, cant wait!

[sly fox]

An curveball recommendation-
Budapest is a 90 minute drive by relatively cheap taxi to Vienna... Lots to do there for a day, then you have done two capital cities in your trip.

[badgerade]

si_xsi said:

not yet mate, off in a few days time, cant wait!

Off there in Feb - looking forward to the post trip report!

[si_xsi]

badgerade said:

Off there in Feb - looking forward to the post trip report!

Well thanks to all who posted suggestions, had a great trip, except for our taxi driver crashing on the way back to budapest airport...but thats another story

i will try to summarise key points:

- Szimpla bar is wicked - a must see, very chilled, great ambience, lighting, music
- 25 mins taxi from airport
- currency bit of a bugger to convert, roughly £1 = 350 hungarian font (HUF)
- Chirstmas markets cool
- Nice Goulash (careful spell check)
- Went to spa on buda side which was pretty crap, if ytou go bring your own towel!
- Buda side quieter, more for architecture.
- boat trip was cheap and nice seeing the buildings from the water - 2200 huf each for 1 hr, cold mind
Their houses of pariiament is very impressive
- lots of homeless looking through bins
- try and get accomodation in the centre if possible, we were about 10 min tube ride away and 10 min walk to tube stop from hotel, which was fine but got bit tiresome when you did it twice each way per day.
- Public transp[ort is cheap, roughly £2 per way for any tube and on some of the trams we didn't pay at all - not sure if we were supposed to
- we ate out at Brass and Base, Spoon (boat converted into restaurant)and local market food was nice.
- Beer great
- Wanted to go to the soviet terror museum but it was closed (mondays) on the day we planned.
- taxi's vary, best agree price in advance, we got one 5 minutes one night and it was 3500 huf and next day 10 minute ride 2750 huf
- nice gardens / parks, imagine be better in the summer / autumn.
- the tube, buses and underground escalators are from 1970s and look very tired compared to ours but thats a nice change in a way - they keep repairing things rather than replace.
- saw some very rare cars as again they just keep reparing old ones.

[BlackCup]

Thanks for the above mate, I'm on all the groupon travelzoo KGB deal things too and Budapest is on the list. Done Prague and Paris this year, have Bruges booked for January and Budapest will be the next one so its good to have some pointers!
Matt

[si_xsi]

No worries, I actually preferred Prague (went in January and it had snowed and it was minus 8c)and thought the people there were more friendly than budapest.

Also done Bruges (in the summer)and that was awsome too prob dont need more than 2 nights there though. Got the tunnel and drove to that one, bit of a road trip and stocked up on nice food and booze in Calais on way back!

enjoy!