Two weeks in Budapest in September and October
September 6, 2015 1:04 PM Subscribe
We're going to Budapest! Help us have an amazing two weeks.
For the first time in a long time, my wife and I are going on holiday, spending two weeks in Budapest. We're flying from Edinburgh and spending the last few days of September and the first ten days of October in a self-catered flat in the Ujlipotvaros area of the city.
Naturally as a massive overplanner I've got most of the logistical/practical elements of the holiday sorted, like currency, transport, daily budgets and the big attractions we're planning to see (the Castle, several of the thermal baths, gorgeous coffee houses etc). I've also scoured the AskMe archives and worked up a pretty good list based on previous answers (although it's been a couple of years since the last in-depth one).
But we're spending two full weeks in and around the city, so we're looking for a few pointers on venues, restaurants, parks, baths museums and bars that might make for a really memorable trip.
We're particularly interested in recommendations for food and drink, and especially ruin pubs, but we're also big fans of coffee and sitting around reading books, as well as big outdoor spaces, cinemas, theatres and bookshops.
So, Hungarian MeFites or those who have visited Budapest for longer trips in the past - what are your hidden gems? What are the things you felt totally made your holiday? If you wanted to experience Budapest like a local would, where would you go and what would you see?
For the first time in a long time, my wife and I are going on holiday, spending two weeks in Budapest. We're flying from Edinburgh and spending the last few days of September and the first ten days of October in a self-catered flat in the Ujlipotvaros area of the city.
Naturally as a massive overplanner I've got most of the logistical/practical elements of the holiday sorted, like currency, transport, daily budgets and the big attractions we're planning to see (the Castle, several of the thermal baths, gorgeous coffee houses etc). I've also scoured the AskMe archives and worked up a pretty good list based on previous answers (although it's been a couple of years since the last in-depth one).
But we're spending two full weeks in and around the city, so we're looking for a few pointers on venues, restaurants, parks, baths museums and bars that might make for a really memorable trip.
We're particularly interested in recommendations for food and drink, and especially ruin pubs, but we're also big fans of coffee and sitting around reading books, as well as big outdoor spaces, cinemas, theatres and bookshops.
So, Hungarian MeFites or those who have visited Budapest for longer trips in the past - what are your hidden gems? What are the things you felt totally made your holiday? If you wanted to experience Budapest like a local would, where would you go and what would you see?
I very much enjoyed The Donut Library when I was visiting.
The two baths I went to were Széchenyi (huge, amazing, near the zoo and city park) and Rudas (small, very comfortable, the oldest).
Whatever you do, don't miss the statue of Columbo.
posted by cardioid at 2:45 PM on September 6, 2015
The two baths I went to were Széchenyi (huge, amazing, near the zoo and city park) and Rudas (small, very comfortable, the oldest).
Whatever you do, don't miss the statue of Columbo.
posted by cardioid at 2:45 PM on September 6, 2015
Cafe Calais, I'm pretty sure is what it's called. It's next to Opera house, is still one of my favorite restaurants. Also if you're into it, I recommend seeing an opera.
Also seconding baths. They're awesome. I also went to the one by the zoo, it's beautiful and they have a wide variety of pools/saunas.
posted by KernalM at 5:54 PM on September 6, 2015
Also seconding baths. They're awesome. I also went to the one by the zoo, it's beautiful and they have a wide variety of pools/saunas.
posted by KernalM at 5:54 PM on September 6, 2015
Even if you're not planning on renting a car, it might be worth it to hire one for a day and noodle around from Szentendre and the open-air museum nearby, up to Visigrad castle, and to Esztergom Castle and the Basilica. If you take the routes that run through the portion of Duna-Ipoly National Park south of the Danube (from Szentendre up to Visigrad, then from Esztergom back to Pomaz) it's quite pretty through the park and a nice break from the city.
posted by drlith at 7:33 PM on September 6, 2015
posted by drlith at 7:33 PM on September 6, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you all, plenty to chew on here.
Any recommendations for good Hungarian websites which might have a bit more info are also appreciated. I've found a couple called We Love Budapest and Budapest Local which seem pretty good and regularly updated, but if you have any others please let me know.
posted by Happy Dave at 11:17 PM on September 7, 2015
Any recommendations for good Hungarian websites which might have a bit more info are also appreciated. I've found a couple called We Love Budapest and Budapest Local which seem pretty good and regularly updated, but if you have any others please let me know.
posted by Happy Dave at 11:17 PM on September 7, 2015
Friend of a friend has lived in Budapest for a goodly while now and is responsible for the small but lovely site Mytown Budapest which is worth a look, especially if you're a bit of a foodie.
posted by drlith at 8:11 AM on September 8, 2015
posted by drlith at 8:11 AM on September 8, 2015
This place provided possibly the cheapest michelin starred meal I have ever had and it was delicious. Borkonyha wine kitchen
Also you should take advantage of being able to drink lots of Tokaji without breaking the bank. Same for foie gras if that floats your boat. Mangalica pork is native to Hungary which is gaining interest in international dining circles so I would seek that out as well.
posted by camerasforeyes at 11:24 PM on September 9, 2015
Also you should take advantage of being able to drink lots of Tokaji without breaking the bank. Same for foie gras if that floats your boat. Mangalica pork is native to Hungary which is gaining interest in international dining circles so I would seek that out as well.
posted by camerasforeyes at 11:24 PM on September 9, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
-The Children's Railway (Gyermekvasút)
-The Terror House (Terror Háza)
-Szentendre, a small town outside of Budapest
-The Acquincum Museum
-Hollókő (a small town in Northeastern Hungary that is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site)
posted by niagara_falling at 2:22 PM on September 6, 2015