Bustling Budapest – True treasure tour – which embraces vestiges of the past and gives insight into the contemporary life in Budapest!
1) Do you want to get a glimpse of the 19oo,s? Then you should visit one of the coffee-houses in Budapest.
In good old days Budapest’s cafés were regular hangouts for the local politicians, writers, and artists. But, after two world wars and the communist era in Hungary, they were destroyed or closed. Now, many of these famous cafés have been restored to their original splendor. Just lean back and Relax for hours over a great cup of coffee and enjoy some delicious local hand-made pastries too at: Café Gerbeaud, BookCafé Párizsi Áruház, New York Café, Café Centrál, Művész Kávéház, and Café Gerlóczy
2) Try the Public Transportation for Sightseing. , it is easy and well-organized!
The BKK (www.bkv.hu/en) Budapest’s public transportation system, is incredible. You can get any place–from the Parliament to Heroes’ Square–on its extensive network that includes: Földalatti (subways), Villamos (yellow streetcar trams), Trollibusz (red trolleybuses), Autobus (blue buses), and Vizibusz (ferry boats), or Buda Castle Funicular, Zugliget Chair-lift etc… Be sure to buy a ticket or pass beforehand; there are ticket controllers on board. Or, get a Budapest Card (www.budapest-card.com/en) for 2 or 3 days of unlimited public transportation and other discounts. Budapest has 23 districts that are referred to by name and Roman numerals. The inner city Districts are: I-IX.
3) Explore the Former Jewish Quarter
An excellent walking tour with an introduction to the rich past of the historical Jewish quarter. Abundant highlights include Europe’s largest synagogue, Tree of Life Holocaust memorial, the Orthodox synagogue and other places of the Jewish and non-Jewish daily life in the most colourful part of the city. During this walk you will learn about the significant events happened before WWII and about the Holocaust history of Hungary. You will also learn about the culture of the most influential Jewish communities along with their lives, traditions, cuisine and music.
By day: visit the beautiful Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest in Europe; have a bite in a kosher restaurant, and view poignant memorials. By night: go on a “ruin” pubcrawl; several hot joints thrive in old, abandoned buildings. Begin at Szimpla Kert, the place that launched the trend.
4) Spend a Night at the Opera
It doesn’t matter if you’re an opera fan or not, it’s worth going to the Hungarian State Opera (Magyar Állami Operaház) for the experience. The building is beautiful, the opera stagings are often avant garde, and the prices are low. (discount same day Cheap tickets from $2 to $20). Get there early to admire the statues of famous composers, gold gilt, frescos, and painted ceilings. If you get bored, leave at intermission and head to Cafe Művész across the street or wander up and down lovely Andrássy Avenue.
5)There are two other things you absolutely must do: a) Go to one of Budapest’s famous baths such as Széchenyi and soak in the thermal waters (around $20, for the whole day; bring a bathing suit).
6) Ride around in a Trabant, an old communist car; once a joke, now super cool. Drive (or be driven) on a ruin-gastro pub-design shop tour or take a trip to Memento Park. Definitely splurge on this unique experience.
