After an eventful and exhausting year, we wanted to end 2022 with a small holiday trip to one of our favorite cities. Due to distance and price, we decided to travel to Budapest by train. In this post, we want to share with you some amazing places we visited during our time there.
Café New York
We couldn’t miss visiting the self-proclaimed “most beautiful café in the world,” Café New York. Located in the Pest side of the Danube River, this place transported us to the glorious 1920s with its astonishing architecture and excellent service. The breakfast we enjoyed there was undoubtedly the best we’ve ever had, both in terms of culinary delights and the wonderful atmosphere. The morning was enhanced by a talented pianist playing in the background, creating a relaxed ambiance even with a line of people waiting. We recommend going for an early breakfast to avoid long queues. The total cost for both of us was €45, which we believe is reasonable considering the unique atmosphere of this place.
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Budapest surprised us with its abundance of hot springs, being one of the regions with the highest density of hot springs worldwide. The city beautifully combines the influences of ancient Romans and Ottomans, known for their bathing cultures. Budapest boasts around 15 public thermal baths, some with centuries of history. We decided to visit the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which features two large outdoor pools and several smaller indoor pools. The pools’ temperatures vary, providing options from a cozy 40°C to a refreshing 20°C. As we visited during winter, the highlight for us was experiencing the 34°C and 38°C outdoor pools amidst freezing temperatures. Although we didn’t indulge in massages, they are available at the bath. The entry fee for a daily ticket on weekdays is €23, which might be considered slightly higher. Don’t forget to bring your own towel, swimwear, and bathing slippers to avoid any unexpected costs.
Szimpla Kert – Ruin Bars
After exploring the elegant parts of Budapest, we craved a more laid-back night out and instantly fell in love with the ruin bars in the Jewish quarter. This district, known as the party hub, offers a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, and everything else you need for your personal entertainment. In the early 2000s, abandoned factories and buildings were transformed into trendy and alternative bars, with Szimpla Kert being the most renowned. Stepping into this bar felt like going in on a whimsical journey through Wonderland. It comprises multiple bars serving a variety of beverages, unique rooms with captivating interior designs, and two dancefloors for live music and dancing. Szimpla Kert welcomes visitors seven days a week, starting from the early afternoon until 4 am, and there’s no entry fee or strict dress code.
Things to Avoid in Budapest
Although our trip to Budapest was incredible, there is one aspect we advise you to be cautious about—the Christmas market, particularly the food stalls. While the Christmas markets themselves have their charm, we found that the food quality didn’t match that of the average restaurants, and the prices were often inflated for tourists. Local residents tend to avoid eating there, and we recommend you do the same.
We hope you have a fantastic time exploring Budapest!
Laura & Philipp
