ATTRACTIONS
Little sightseeing
ACTUAL EVENTS OF BUDAPEST
CITY OF SPAS
Shopping
Entertainment
LITTLE SIGHTSEEING
The most beautiful parts of the city – within a hand’s reach
From our hotel, you can get to historical downtown in a couple of minutes with metro no. 2 or bus no. 7, whose stops are right in front of the hotel. The Papp László Sports Arena and SYMA Event Center can both be found 1 metro station from the hotel. Városliget, with Heroes’ square and Széchenyi Bath house can be accessed through a short, pleasant walk. A couple of the several wonderful sights, to visit:
Eastern Railway Station
The several hundred years olf beautiful facade of the railway station building just next doors to our hotel houses the most bustling railway lines and station of Budapest. It is the starting point of four main railway lines. It is the terminal station of most domestic InterCity lines, and it is the most important international railway center in Hungary. The railway station can be accessed with the buses no. 7, trolley lines, the tram no. 24 and several bus lines. Train information
Heroes’ Square
The most renowned and perhaps most stunning square in Budapest. The gigantic square’s three main elements are the Kunsthalle, built in 1896, the Museum of Fine Arts built in eclectic style, and the Millenary Monument that connects and unites them. The square was built in 1986, for the millenary celebrations of the arrival of Hungarians to the Carpathian Basin, and the constructions were finished in 1929. This is when the monument of the unknown soldier—the monument of national heroes—was placed in its symbolic center, and this is when it received its name „Heroes’ Square.
Szépművészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts)
The collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, which offer insight into all periods of European Fine Arts, include artworks by world famous artists, the number of art objects is over one hundred thousand. The inventory of the museum is at the moment divided to six large collections: the Egyptian, Antique, Old Master Sculptures, the Old Master Paintings, the Modern Collection, and the Graphic Arts Collection. Its permanent and temporary exhibitions showcase the highest quality works from the collections. www.szepmuveszeti.hu
Art Gallery
The building was erected in 1896 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians to the Carpathian basin in 896. The historical building was restored to its wonderful, original condition a couple of years ago, and now, with its colorful mosaic and gilded decor, it is one of the most beautiful sights of the city. Kunsthalle Budapest is one of Hungary’s largest contemporary art exhibition spaces. The institute does not have its own collection, it hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events both at the national and international levels. www.mucsarnok.hu
CITY OF SPAS
Budapest is truly the city of spas, the only capital in Europe that houses so many thermal baths and thermal springs all over the city. In 1934 Budapest was officially ranked as a “City of Spas.” Today the baths are frequented by all generations thanks to the variety and unique atmoshpere of them. Let's see the most important ones!
Széchenyi Thermal Bath - the largest
Located in the spacious green City Park, this is the largest spa of the city, the first to open on the Pest side. Open each day from 6 am to 10 pm. The three outdoor pools are open throughout the year, including winter. Indoors there are over ten separate pools, and a whole host of medical treatments is also available.
Gellért Bath - the most elegant
With its immaculately preserved Art Nouveau interior, including colourful mosaics, marble columns, stained glass windows and statues, this is without doubt the most beautiful bathing complex in Budapest. Water temperatures: 26-38°C (79-100°F). Pools: open air wave pool, thermal pool and children’s pool, indoor swimming-effervescent pool and nine medicinal pools.
Rudas Bath - the Turkish bath experience
The Rudas Baths are not only superbly centrally placed – in the narrow strip of land between Gellért Hill and the River Danube – they are also an outstanding example of architecture dating from the Turkish period. The central feature is an octagonal pool over which light is thrown from a 30-foot diameter cupola, supported by eight pillars.
Lukács Bath- artists' favourite spa
The Lukács Baths are also in Buda and are also Turkish in origin, although they were only revived at the end of the nineteenth century. There is still something of an atmosphere of fin-de-siècle about the place, and all around the inner courtyard there are marble tablets recalling the thanks of patrons who were cured there. Since the 1950’s it has been regarded as a centre for intellectuals and artists.
- Shopping centers
Aréna PlazaOur hotel’s other „neighbor”, Arena Plaza is Hungary’s largest shopping center. The Plaza gained popularity with the introduction of new world brands, and its 23-room cinema, Hungary’s first IMAX 3D-cinema and several restaurants, cafés also lure visitors interested in shopping and entertainment. For more information:
www.arenaplaza.hu
Nowadays Budapest is once again becoming known to visitors as much for being a mecca for shoppers – a reputation which last held true a century ago – as for being a country that for half of that century had been held in the ruthless grip of Communism. Whilst from the 1950’s onwards there was never any shortage of basic foods, generations of locals and visitors alike were denied the finer things in life.
Nowadays there are two trends discernable amongst retailers in Budapest: “big is beautiful” and “small is beautiful.” Which is to say that there are now a host of huge shopping malls which have revolutionized people’s approach to shopping.
But perhaps surprisingly, the number of smaller outlets offering “luxury” goods and services has also mushroomed. There are now, for example, places where one can buy antique style building materials, where one can have pictures framed, or buy fine cheeses, pipes and tobacco, books from the time of Newton, bakelite records, Wagner manuscripts and antique clocks. Two elements of the Budapest shopping experience that really should not be missed out on are a visit to one of the market halls and a trip out to the Ecseri Flea Market. But then there is also much to be discovered by taking a walk down Falk Miksa utca. This Pest street, like certain areas in Paris and Rome, has become a centre for antique shops.
Central Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) (V. Vámház körút 1-3.) In olden times this most famous of market halls was connected to the River Danube by a tunnel so that goods could be directly offloaded from barges and taken inside to the stalls for sale. Upstairs is a stunning – although sometimes pricey – range of folk art inspired goods. Click here to see the short video of Central Market Hall!
Hold utca Market (V. Hold utca 13.) Like a jewel in the centre of Pest, quite close to the Parliament.
Rákóczi tér Market (VIII. Rákóczi tér 7-9.) More representative of everyday Budapest, rarely frequented by tourists.
Hunyadi tér Market (VI. Hunyadi tér) Dating from 1897, this is the only one that has not been renovated since the political changes in 1990. There is a good delicatessen.
Klauzál tér Market (VII. Klauzál tér) In the centre of the old Jewish Quarter.
Batthyány tér Market (I. Batthyány tér 5.) This, the only one in Buda, was lovingly restored in 2003. Upstairs are shops, a nice café and a fantastic view over one of the city’s finest squares and across the River Danube towards the Parliament.
Ecseri Flea Market (1194 Nagykőrösi út 156.)
A visit to this long-established traditional flea market is a great day out for both Hungarians and foreign visitors. It has since the middle of the nineteenth century been held in various locations, always slightly further out from the city centre. Since the 1960’s it has not even been on Ecseri út although it is still known by that name. Perhaps confusingly, it is also sometimes known as “Tangó.”
The market is over four acres big, and since nearly all of it is under cover it is still comfortable to visit and browse around in bad weather. Open: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday, 6 aa.m. – 3p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Serious bargain hunters will be found there first thing on a Saturday morning, before most tourists have even risen from their bed! Public transport: No. 54 bus from Boráros tér; average off-peak journey time 22 minutes.
Budapest Flea Market , outside the Petőfi Hall (1146 Zichy Mihály út 14.)
Saturdays and Sundays, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Here there are few genuine tradesmen, the majority of the several hundred vendors being ordinary people selling just bits and pieces for a few forints. Some are visibly very poor indeed, and thus a visit to the Market gives an insight into an aspect of Hungary most tourists do not see. Which is not to say that amongst the flotsam and jetsam there are not also sometimes some real bargains to be found. ( www.bolhapiac.com)
Pintér (V. Falk Miksa utca 10.) This is one of the most interesting premises on Falk Miksa utca. Behind its unassuming two-window frontage lies a 20,000 square foot Aladdin's Cave of furniture, paintings and chandeliers. ( www.pinterantik.hu)
Nagyházi Gallery (V. Budapest, Balaton utca 8., corner of Falk Miksa utca.) Another large antique shop specializing in furniture, paintings and folk hand-weavings, and also holding auctions. ( www.nagyhazi.hu)
Múzeum körút — Centre for antiquarian booksellers (V. Múzeum körút, from Astoria to Kálvin tér.) Over a dozen antiquarian booksellers stocking everything from second hand modern books to valuable rarities, including incunabula, manuscripts and postcards. Opening hours vary, but are usually from around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Tokaji Wine : It is a fact that only white grapes tend to be grown in the Tokaj region of northeastern Hungary. What might be less known is that this encompasses several different types of grape, leading to the production of a variety of fine but distinct white wines, ranging from dry to sweet. The most famous sweet wine from the region is the Tokaji “Aszú” dessert wine. The various qualities of it are graded from 3 to 6 puttonyos; the higher the grading the more expensive the price. The whole Tokaj area has seen a great deal of new investment in recent years, much of it by companies from France.
Unicum : This is a bitters sold in a distinctive round black bottle. Its origins are over two centuries old, and it is best drunk cold. Available in a range of sizes. ( www.unicum.hu)
Red paprika , in a cloth sachet: Although paprika itself is of American origin, the grinding of it is a particularly Hungarian invention. It is an absolutely essential ingredient in traditional Hungarian cooking.
Modern print of a 1930’s photograph : Several of the world’s historically most renowned photographers came from Hungary. But whilst they were making their names abroad, their lesser known contemporaries stayed behind. Now, beautiful prints of their photographs are available at very reasonable prices from the Mai Manó Ház bookshop (VI. Nagymező utca 20., www.maimano.hu,.)
Herend porcelain : The history of Herend porcelain goes back over two hundred years, and over that time the factory has produced some 12,000 different types of handmade objects and ornaments. The Herend shop in Budapest is at: VI. Andrássy út 16.
The Symphonic Poems of Franz Liszt : Liszt (1811-1886) was the founder of the Budapest Music Academy, and always regarded himself as staunchly Hungarian even though he did not actually spend that much time here. Amongst many fine modern recordings of his works are those by the Budapest Festival Orchestra under their founding conductor Iván Fischer. ( www.bfz.hu)
Coffee houses of Liszt Ferenc Square
Liszt Ferenc square known for its excellent cafés and restaurants is located by the axis of the city, Andrássy avenue. A short selection of its internationally renowned restaurants:
Karma Cafe and Restaurant www.karmabudapest.com
Buena Vista www.buena-vista.hu
Barokko Club and Lounge www.barokko.hu
Cafe Miro Grande www.cafemiro.hu
Budapest discotecs, clubs
Dokk Café - B7 - Kaméleon Club - Old Man's Music Pub - Symbol Budapest
Budapest pubs
Irish Cat Pub
Pub For Sale
Budapest Jazz Club
Morrison's
Fat Mo's
For more information visit: www.budapestagent.com/clubs-in-budapest-html
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