Budapest

Boom said:

Charlton hombres,

Booked a long weekend in Budapest in February for me and the missus. Staying in district vii.

Am aware of he tourist attractions so I'm looking for some good boozers/ clubs and restaurants to go to.

Any recommendations?

Yes don't go. It's a stinking flea ridden cess pit of a place......

Seriously, it's a great place. I really enjoyed it when I went a few years ago. Can't remember the names of any of the places we ate though.

The 'ruin' bars have a good atmosphere

Anyone seen the film the hotel grand Budapest?

Have been to Budapest once (to see the F1 Grand Prix) some years ago. Avoid the central square - can't remember its name - for eating/drinking. Good for sightseeing but prices are extortionate. Walk 500 metres further out and prices plummet. Like any tourist area in any city I guess.

GreenWithEnvy said:

The 'ruin' bars have a good atmosphere

Agree. The best one I can remember is szimpla.

Amigo Bar - rock n roll baby...

sorry some of those have been mentioned above - i started writing that post at 9.40 and only just got around to finishing it!

Get yourself a travel pass for the buses and trams. Really cheap and makes it easier to get around. Old trams are fantastic.

Good time to be going. The exchange rate hit 410 forints to the pound today. Was 298 'the last time I was there!

as suzisausage says a visit to a spa is a must.
i think the one she linked is the one we went to (it has chess boards in one of the pools). thought it would be a bit too touristy and wouldnt be my thing but really enjoyed it.
as well as the outdoor pools there are probably more than a dozen indoor pools at different temperatures from ice baths to steam rooms containing all kinds of minerals etc. the sulphur smell is a little off putting but ok once you get used to it.
didnt think much of the small 'zoo' on magarit island.

Hello,

I've just returned from a a few nights in Budapest with my wife, parents and brother and his GF, to celebrate my dad's 60th and brothers 30th's this year.

As I used this thread and several others to plan my trip, I thought it's only fair I give a summary myself for future travellers.

In summary, I have been fortunate enough to have visited a significant number of European cities and I think this would be very close, if not top of the tree.

Nice weather helps and we were graced with 4 days of cloudless skies and 30+ degree temperatures.

We ate in the following restaurants (both recommended on here) and both were superb for different reasons:

Dunacorso restaurant - Special for the amazing backdrop of Buda Castle, plus live Hungarian music and lovely service and food. Similar to English prices but worth it.

Lancelot's - Medieval themed restaurant and a meat lovers paradise. Huge platters and huge beer and eating with ones hands is encouraged. Photo of our incredible platter for 4 below:

Our other meal was on a dinner cruise up the Danube - again highly recommended more for the cruise than the food per-se, but the food (buffet style) was still fine - https://www.viator.com/tours/Budapest/Budapest-Danube-River-Dinner-Cruise/d499-5808DINNER

Activities:

Can highly recommend this Segway tour of the City:

https://uk.viator.com/tours/Budapest/Budapest-Segway-Sightseeing-Tour/d499-2336SEG/important-info

None of the 6 of us had used one before, so were mildly apprehensive (esp Mum and Dad) but a training session gets you comfortable and away you go. We paid for the two hour down-town tour, but incredibly ended up with 3 hours for no extra cost. It was just us 6 and the young guide was fantastic (knowledgeable, passionate, great English and enthusiastic) and it's probably one of the best things i've ever done.

Likewise the thermal spa's at széchenyi spa including a beer spa:

https://thermalbeerspa.com/

The all-in package get you 45mins in the beer spa, plus access to the normal thermal spa (20+ pools indoor and outdoor) for as long as you want, plus changing cabins. It was clean, well organised and excellent fun and relaxing.

Other than that, we just wondered, took in the other tourist sights, ate and drank in this beautiful city.

Oh and a shout out to the ruin bars too which were great fun.

On the last day, we visited the amazing Margaret's island (in the middle of the Danube - http://greatruns.com/budapest-hungary-margaret-island/). What a fantastic family friendly oasis it was. Immaculately kept, free, nice restaurants and bars, nice walks and gardens, a mini-zoo, an impressive singing and dancing fountain, another huge thermal outdoor pool. Loved it and was the perfect chilled end to the trip.

This City suits a couples break, family or even a stag or hen, as it has something for everyone. We all absolutely loved it!

North Lower Neil said:

That platter is crazy!

That's why you'll rarely see a Hungarian who looks like he is in need of a good dinner - my stamp is evidence enough of that!

North Lower Neil said:

That platter is crazy!

It was insane - under all the meat was copious amounts of potato and veg. I think you'd need 4 eating machine units to polish that off, esp when you've got 2-pint ceramic pots of beer to accompany it.

The meat was 'fall of the bone' quality too, which was the most surprising bit. It contained - 1/2 a chicken, pork knuckle, Chicken and chorizo skewers, beef tenderloin strips, duck, lamb, goose, Pike, Boiled potatoes, Jacket Potatoes, Potato Rosati's, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Corn on the Cob, Mushrooms, Blood Oranges.