Escaping Heat: Thermal Baths And Restaurants Of Budapest

by Sophie She

Escaping Heat: Thermal Baths And Restaurants Of Budapest

28 May 2024

The Sandy Times Editorial team is glad to present another episode of HEP — Heat Escape Plans. In this piece, we will explore Budapest, the home city of the world-renowned Sziget Music Festival. But first, if you don’t know what Sziget is — here is the article.

Also, don’t forget to check out the other episodes in our HEPs — London, Limassol, Paris (the last one is not a HEP, but you will love this guide).

How to get?

Honestly, describing the journey to Budapest is as pleasurable as staying there. Thanks to Wizz Air, you can catch a flight to Budapest almost any day of the week from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) for as cheap as 300–400 AED (one way).

If you would like a bit more comfort in your life, Emirates offers flights from DXB to BUD, but this will cost you up to 3k AED.

Where to stay?

There are 23 neighbourhoods in Budapest, but not all of them are suitable for comfortable living. It is important to know not only the street but also the number of the neighbourhood, which is indicated by a Roman numeral. In Budapest, there may be streets with the same name in different neighbourhoods. There are plenty of stories about tourists arriving at the wrong address.

The main thing to remember is that there are two parts — Buda and Pest, and in the middle, you have a small sort of island called Margitsziget. And so, you want to live in Pest, because this is where the city life is. Buda, on the other hand, would be a great place for a retirement. Well, okay, most of the historical attractions and great thermal baths (must visit) Rudas and Gellert are in Buda, so we will give it that.

Best areas in Pest are — V, VI and VII — they are all very central and are surrounded by the main social places like the ruin-bar Szimpla Kert (definitely a must visit). But for safety reasons, we do not recommend choosing accommodation near Keleti pályaudvar (District VIII) and Nyugati pályaudvar (District VI) railway stations.

You can find plenty of options for any price range on Booking.com and Airbnb.

What to explore?

Historical stops

The first place to go in Budapest is the Danube river’s embankment, which is protected by UNESCO. And you know, if something is protected by UNESCO, it must be bloody beautiful.

Danube river’s embankment complex is where you will find what you have seen on Instagram and tourist websites:

— The majestic Parliament building (Kossuth tér, 1–3)

— The "Shoes on the Danube Embankment"

— Buda Castle with its quarter (Szent György tér 2) — also check out the Hungarian National Gallery, while you are there

— The Fisherman's Bastion (Hess Andras Square, 1–3). Here you will find a gorgeous view of the city, and St. Matthias Church (Szentharomsag ter, 2). But God forbid you will have a bite there — honestly, the view is great and you can savour a cup of coffee, but don’t waste your money on food there. If you are starving — better go to 21 Magyar Vendéglő, a Michelin-recommended spot that serves traditional Hungarian dishes with a modern twist.

Instagram: @21hungariankitchen

Must note here: when you are in Buda — be prepared that it is very cavernous, with some of the caves accessible (entrance at Szépvölgyi út, 162). Uniforms and equipment are provided on-site; just wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

And many of the caves under Buda Hill were converted into cellars and wine cellars as they became inhabited, which formed a 10-kilometre network of underground galleries, some of which had wells with clean water coming straight from the spring. To see how it was possible — visit the Hospital in the Rock Museum (Lovas street 4/C), which houses medical instruments, communication devices, photographs and documents, and stands historical dioramas.

Another must-mention would be the Saint Istvan Basilica, located in Pest (Szent István tér 1, 1051), where you may find gorgeous interiors and many lovely cafes nearby. Take a walk in the area and just enjoy the surroundings.

Photo: Efrem Efre

Viewpoints and more

Another best view of the city is from Gellért Hill. While you are climbing, check out the church carved into the mountain (Gellérthegyi Barlang) and the Gellért Hotel (Szent Gellért tér, 1), which was mentioned above, as a home to one of the most famous baths in Budapest (again, the Gellért Baths). At the very top of the hill is the former Motherland, from which all Soviet attributes were removed after the fall of the Iron Curtain and then renamed the Statue of Liberty.

Source: gellertbath.hu

Another view spot is the Elisabeth Lookout Tower (Erzsébet-kilátó) on Mount Janos, the highest point in Budapest. The Neo-Romanesque tower was built in 1910 and named in honour of Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi). The height of the tower is 23.5 metres and a spiral staircase of 100 steps leads up to the observation deck. The observation deck offers a magnificent panorama of the city.

Museums

— The Museum of Fine Arts (Dózsa György út 41) offers a rich exposition with a special crown jewel — the collection of Spanish artists, the largest outside Spain.

— The House of Terror (Andrássy út 60) is located on the lovely Andrássy street, which you should definitely wander around; the museum shows the dark side of Hungarian history. The exposition explores life under two totalitarian regimes: first fascist and then communist. The building where the museum is located was the headquarters of the Hungarian Fascist Party. After the Second World War, it was home to the Hungarian KGB, the State Security Directorate. Prison cells have been preserved in the basement, and you will have a chance to see them with your own eyes.

— HAB Hungarian Art and Business (Andrássy út 1062) — a cultural centre that focuses on Hungarian contemporary art, which is also home to a cute coffee shop and bookstore. Before visiting, check the event calendar on the website.

— Robert Capa Centre for Contemporary Photography (Nagymező út 8, 1065). The exhibition is dedicated to the life and work of Robert Capa, the iconic war correspondent and one of the founders of the Magnum Agency. The exhibition covers all of the photographer's major series of works and provides a thorough historical context.

Thermal Baths

As mentioned already, we will still provide you with a list of where you can enjoy a natural spa, which is so rare on this planet.

— Szechenyi (Állatkerti körút, 9-11). Colourful interiors from 1909, 18 indoor and outdoor pools, 14 saunas, Jacuzzis and lots of tourists. Across the road from baths you will see the fairytale Vajdahunyad Castle (Varosliget Park). It was originally built of planks and papier-mâché for the 1896 exhibition and included 21 key elements of Hungarian castles. A perfect place to stroll in silence and meditate while looking out over the water.

— (Once again) The Gellert Baths is another popular spot that is located in the legendary Gellert Hotel, which has been in operation for almost a century. Here you will soak in warm water surrounded by luxurious interiors with mosaics, fountains and sculptures.

— (And again) Rudas Bathhouse (Döbrentei tér, 9), the editorial team’s favourite, because it has a rooftop jacuzzi that offers sumptuous views of the Danube and Mount Gellert. It has mixed days on weekends, with Tuesdays being ladies' day and the rest of the days being men's.

Where to eat?

— Dobrumba (Dob u. 5, 1074) — the concept of the place combines Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Caucasian dishes: from Spain, Morocco and Lebanon to Georgia and Armenia. The restaurant is located in the Jewish Quarter and has a nice ‘ruin’ interior.

Instagram: @dobrumba

— Pingrumba (Széll Kálmán tér 6, 1024) — sister restaurant of Dobrumba, which serves a fusion of Egyptian and Indian cuisine.

— For Sale Pub (Vámház krt. 2, 1053). Located in the very cute part of the town, the place became popular thanks to a litre of goulash for €3. After the pandemic, the price tag has gone up, but the food is still excellent, and the atmosphere has not changed — hay on the floor, and on each table there is a free basket of peanuts, the husks of which you can throw on the floor.

— Essência (Sas u. 17, 1051) — lovely Portuguese Michelin place.

— WAFU — Japanese Izakaya (Kazinczy u. 3, 1075) for a true ramen, some sushi and a couple of appetisers on the menu.

— Smashy Burger (Baross u 4, 1085) is a tiny spot where you can grab a juicy burger to go. There are only two types of cheeseburgers and one frites, but you won't need anything else.

Instagram: @smashybudapest

by Sophie She