Central Hungary People & Culture

i just came back from Budapest, it was a school trip, for 5 days and i liked it. i liked the architecture there, the termal baths were amazing, some things were really cheap o_O, but sometimes they tried to make us pay in euros to try to fool us, i saw that they try to do it a lot of times, but apart from this fact, i think i liked the city.i loved the night travel on the Duna. it was weird to see how many people there in during every nights there, even when is not friday-saturday.I was in the Atlantic Hotel, in Pest, and it was nice. Well, i don't think is nice if you go by yourself, since is full of italian groups of students.

Budapest is wonderful place. If you are looking for peaceful spots - got to Margaret's Sziget (read: Siget = Island), worth seeing is Japanese and Rose Garden The most famous Street in Budapest is Vaci Utca - you can find there masterpieces of human originality and individuality, in the evenings - the street is bursting with life - be careful of being invited to clubs by their doormen - looking at least devilishly ;) You absolutely must see this carnival of people's variety (DragQueens, Lesbians, Gays, street actors) If you are looking for rest - go to Szechenyi Furdo (Baths)!! Amazing hot water pools in 19th century yard... magnificient!! Budapest, however, in my opinion is very dirty and unpleasant at Underground Stations - but you cannot miss going the oldest in Europe Yellow Line Metro!

Budapest! I love this city, and I spent the whole day wandering around the city by foot!! Walking from Buda to Pest area was a nice experience because I could see closely the daily life of the people, the fresh market colored with spices, the amazing construction of the parliament building, and also the legendary river, the Danube. I admired the Magyars, that is how they called the people of Hungary, because they still preserve their culture and history.
It seems that they are serious in tourism business. When I was there in 2004, I arrived in Budapest train station, there at the entrance was a group of a people that were ready to drive me to my hostel, and it was for free. First I was suspicious but then other tourists were joining us.
Budapest is also the best place for shopping. Everything is cheap, and you can fine locals as well as branded items.

When you arrive at Budapest airport and start looking for a means to get into the city, most people will recommand you the minibus services that go by the va rious hotels and hostels. Though it is relatively easy to get there by bus and metro too. It's ridiculously cheap and doesn't e ven take al that much longer. From either terminalk 1 or 2 there runs a bus nr 200 to the Köbánya-Kispest metro terminal. From there you can get just about anywhere within minutes. Tickets can be bought at various kiosks and vending machines at the bus stop.

Have been there very long time ago, but still remember that people weren't very friendly

Budapest! I love this city, and I spent the whole day wandering around the city by foot!! Walking from Buda to Pest area was a nice experience because I could see closely the daily life of the people, the fresh market colored with spices, the amazing construction of the parliament building, and also the legendary river, the Danube. I admired the Magyars, that is how they called the people of Hungary, because they still preserve their culture and history.
It seems that they are serious in tourism business. When I was there in 2004, I arrived in Budapest train station, there at the entrance was a group of a people that were ready to drive me to my hostel, and it was for free. First I was suspicious but then other tourists were joining us.
Budapest is also the best place for shopping. Everything is cheap, and you can fine locals as well as branded items.

Let's be realistic; when traveling through Eastern Europe, we (Americans and/or Blacks) must be very careful. After the dismantle of Communist Russia many Eastern European countries went into chaos and many are not familiar with Blacks (be especially careful if you are a woman). Though, I find that many Eastern Europeans have similar issues as Blacks do; the culture and color still matters. Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Romania, Czech, Slovakia, Poland, East Germany, Austria continues to recover.

Go to the opera in Budapest!!!!!

Join the Free Budapest Walking Tours and experience Budapest through the eyes of the insiders, learn about history, society, architecture and culture. Things are told by someone who has experienced it. Guides are not just read about they are talking about in a textbook and tours are more than showing the sights and famous places but help to get a real feel of what Budapest really is and what Hungarians are actually like.

The Free Jewish Quarter and the Best Pubs Walking Tour shows not only the religious traditions of the Hungarian Jews but the mutuality with the Hungarian history and evolution. It covers the history of the largest synagogue in Europe, leads through the cemetery and the memorial garden, 3 other precious places of worship and the hidden Jewish symbols of the neighborhood such as the last Ritual Bath in Budapest and a cool Kosher Pizzeria. The Jewish Quarter is also famous for the authentic ruined pubs and cultural centers which are the top meeting points for locals and foreigners too.

Go to the Sziget festival! It's one of the biggest festival in europe with over 50 places to listen to music!
http://www.sziget.hu/fesztival

The Jazz Garden: very nice food and good jazz music

Very beautiful city, worth visiting!Unfortunately, I don't find it too much interesting, so 5 days are enought for visiting all interesting places.Exception is Sziget Festival.Great organisation, music, people, and worth staying 7 days on festival for sure!:)

Sziget Festival is a big great music Festival in Budapest

Impressive nightlife! Interesting places with different kind of music and strange atmosphere and interior. You don't want to see the sun at all.

A most wonderful city, the Pearl of the Danube! Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks, are great, one being mountainous with castles and old mansions, and the other being low with parks, restaurants and nightlife. It is a true spa-city, one of the main attractions being the thermal baths. Make sure you visit the Szecsenyi Baths: old beautiful building (newly renovated), healing water with lots of minerals and micro-elements and fountains/waves/jakuzzi for fun! Can be visited around the year as the water is warm/hot, so you won't freeze even in winter in the open-air pools. Bliss!
Gellert Baths (in Gellert hotel): probably the most expensive baths located in a fancy hotel on Buda side with a pool on the roof. It has separate sections for men and women for those who consider it fun :)
Underground: the yellow line ("Foldalatti") is over 100 y.o. and is the oldest on the continent! It is 11 stops long and runs through the centre of the city on Pest side. There are 2 more longer lines (looking exactly like trains in Moscow!), and a 4th is being constructed now.
Hungarian cuisine is famous for gulyas, paprika and halaszle (fish soup), which I recommend trying in small family-owned restaurants you will find all over the place.
And after a dinner, take a walk in the night city: take Szecsenyi Chain Bridge to cross the Danube from Pest to Buda or back And as you are walking at night, you can see many lights glittering in the sky - they are in Buda hills calling you up to enjoy the panorama of the night city. Go up the Gellert hill and enjoy the purple -pink colors of the city when it is waking up in the morning...

I spent 3 years there and keep coming back. I love the city and hope you will enjoy it, too.

The Castle at Visegrad is very good and the views down amazing. Good commentary in many languages will help you through the exhibits and evoke the Medieval air of the place. There is a pathway up the hill if you don't have a car, it may be tricky to find. Turn right on the dirtpath once you pass the lower castle and walk a bit further past on the cobbled road. It is a good hike up if you are moderately fit.

An island on the river Donau, between Buda and Pest. A perfect picnic park, having a relaxed day. In the city park there's rare and protected plants, beautiful flowers, a rose garden. Lovely to sit on the grass under the shade of a tree and read a book. If you're into sports there's a good track, and Budapest's largest water park etc.

Szimpla!! It's a bar, small restaurant and an open-air cinema. You can also lend a bike there.

Simpla, in VII district. It's a bar, they have sth to eat, and an open-air cinema in summer. And a bike rental. Great pleace.

Une des perles de l'Europe de l'est.
Les bains publics sont superbes je vous interdit d'aller a Budapest sans y faire un tour se serai trop dommage.
Le palais ou siège le parlement est aussi très intéressant on le voie en passant dans sur les quais du Danube.
Pour les fan de musique en tous genres, l'été, une festival a lieu sur une île au milieu de Budapest (au milieu du Danube) le sziget est un petit peut le woostock de l'Europe.
Un musée de statues de l'ex URSS peut aussi intéressés certains d'entre vous.

Unfortunately don't remember much from my trip there, apart from the fact that the restaurant Gundls was amazing, especially its famous pancakes!

Situated on the Danube Bend, Szentendre makes a great day trip from Budapest. A haven for painters sculptors, wander its cobbled streets visit one of its many galleries.

Try a chicken burger as you dine with the ghouls in the Darkness restaurant off St Istvans

A most wonderful city, the Pearl of the Danube! Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks, are great, one being mountainous with castles and old mansions, and the other being low with parks, restaurants and nightlife. It is a true spa-city, one of the main attractions being the thermal baths. Make sure you visit the Szecsenyi Baths: old beautiful building (newly renovated), healing water with lots of minerals and micro-elements and fountains/waves/jakuzzi for fun! Can be visited around the year as the water is warm/hot, so you won't freeze even in winter in the open-air pools. Bliss!
Gellert Baths (in Gellert hotel): probably the most expensive baths located in a fancy hotel on Buda side with a pool on the roof. It has separate sections for men and women for those who consider it fun :)
Underground: the yellow line ("Foldalatti") is over 100 y.o. and is the oldest on the continent! It is 11 stops long and runs through the centre of the city on Pest side. There are 2 more longer lines (looking exactly like trains in Moscow!), and a 4th is being constructed now.
Hungarian cuisine is famous for gulyas, paprika and halaszle (fish soup), which I recommend trying in small family-owned restaurants you will find all over the place.
And after a dinner, take a walk in the night city: take Szecsenyi Chain Bridge to cross the Danube from Pest to Buda or back And as you are walking at night, you can see many lights glittering in the sky - they are in Buda hills calling you up to enjoy the panorama of the night city. Go up the Gellert hill and enjoy the purple -pink colors of the city when it is waking up in the morning...

I spent 3 years there and keep coming back. I love the city and hope you will enjoy it, too.

A strange mix of middle European, Soviet and American influences. You see a grey concrete government building that belongs in the east next to a Macdonalds.

No guidebook has insider stories written by people who actually lived in the Communism and experienced it. During the Free Communist Walking Tour history politics, ideology, economy, mentality, suppress of the Communist decades are explained, along with the chronology of the key events, brainwash process, social conditions, human rights, secret agens and cult of the party bosses behind the Iron Curtain. Sights of this interactive adventure include the 1956 uprising areas, the bronze bullet memorial, the flag with the hole and the eternal flame, the secret entrance of a military bunker, the last Communist memorial in the inner city and other symbols of "Soviet friendship". The tour ends at a typical Communist building where the most interesting relics of the "good old times" can be seen and touched too, such as Communist propaganda board games, propaganda posters and postcards, school report books, employer books, party membership book, pioneer membership book, the famous red and blue passports, some Communist high tech items and many more.