With ca. 1.7 million inhabitants, Budapest has a different vibe from other big cities in Europe. Thermal baths, ruin bars, and weird and curious spots on the way.
Once the CO-CAPITAL OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE, Budapest emerged from the union of three cities: BUDA, ÓBUDA and PEST. After the union, the government decided to build a new representative parliament.
The HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING was designed by IMRE STEINDL in the neo-gothic style and opened in 1902. It has 691 rooms.
The center of the city, along the DANUBE RIVER, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle and classical, gothic, and neo-gothic architecture buildings.
CENTRAL MARKET HALL
Built in 1987 on an industrial iron structure, the market offers, in addition to fresh food, canteens and small restaurants with local cuisine. Try, for example LÁNGOS, a traditional Hungarian street food.
THERMAL BATHS
Budapest was built on top of natural hot springs, so its bathing tradition dates back to the Turkish occupation in the 16th century.
The city is the thermal bath capital of the world, so it’s going to be permanently on my list to visit.
They have dozens of baths/spas and during the summer, parties and events are also common in these places. SZECHENYI THERMAL BATH is the most famous one. This place is huge and offers you some nice “palatial” vibes. Go early in the morning; otherwise, you can get annoyed with so many people around.
RUIN BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
I'm normally an early bird when I'm traveling. I like enjoying the day and sleeping early, even because I'm not going to find a better nightlife than in Berlin. That said, Budapest's nightlife intrigued me, and I was more into going out. I truly enjoyed the RUIN BARS: abandoned and deserted buildings that were transformed into bars with some vintage furniture inside an old building or space. They have this decadent and cool atmosphere. One ruin bar I enjoyed was CSENDES LÉTTEREM near the HUNGARIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM.
JEWISH QUARTER
After the crimes of the Second World War, the JEWISH QUARTER is nowadays a very nice area with vibrant options in cafés, bars, restaurants, and clubs. Good spots are DOBRUMBA and MAZEL TOV for a tasty local meal, and SZIMPLA KERT, the first Ruin Bar. If you are there during the day, visit CAFÉ NEW YORK for some coffee and a piece of cake and the GREAT SYNAGOGUE to appreciate the beautiful architecture that pays tribute to the jews who were killed during WWII.
HOUSE OF TERROR
The Museum holds exhibitions about the time Budapest was dominated by fascist and communist regimes in the 20th century.
The picture above on the right is just a creepy doll store on the go.
The picture above on the right is just a creepy doll store on the go.