Description:
The Buda hills hide two natural treasures: first, several million litres of mineral water (the largest natural source of thermal water in the world) and second, an extensive system of geothermic caves. It is the products of these i.e. the thermal baths, drip-stone caves and wine cellars that make the city the unique destination it is. To discover Budapest above the astonishing man-made attractions, let this guide take you to the best bath houses, underground formations and wine-tastings of the city.
View Iternary mapDay Note:
Having arrived the night before and with that having tried the Hotel spa facilities, it's time to hit the Gellért Spa for a wake-up soak. Once revitalized and energized, make your way up the Castle Hill for some wine tasting at the oldest wine cellar of Budapest. With a bit of alcohol in your system, the Buda Castle Labyrinth, a section of the cave system under the Castle District made easily accessible for visitors, will seem all the more exciting. Try going...read more
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Royal Wine House and Wine Cellar Museum
Contact:
- +361 267-1100, +361 375-8810
- visit website
Location:
- Szent György tér
- Budapest,Pest megye
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Map
- user rating
Our Local Expert Says:
This cellar is a must see not just because Hungary is a wine country and it would be a sin not to taste some delicious local wine, but because it is the most extensive cellar system of Budapest with underground exhibitions and professional sommeliers serving the wine – a real treat!
Description:
Newly opened cellars from the Renaissance period await guest with an exhibition about wine culture in Hungary, with sections of cellars from different centuries, wax work figures and an opportunity to taste a selection of wines with the help of professional sommeliers. A palinka distillery exhibition can also be found, and again, tasting the products is an option!
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Gellért Hotel and Bath
Contact:
- +3614666166
- visit website
Location:
- Kelenhegyi Street 4
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Map
- user rating
Our Local Expert Says:
One of Budapest’s most beautiful historic spas, a Secessionist masterpiece!
Description:
The Gellért Bath as part of the Gellért Hotel is one of Budapest's most beautiful historic thermal spas, renovated to receive its present appearance in the early 20th century. It is considered a Secessionist masterpiece with its imposing exterior and elaborate mosaic and stain glass window decorated interior.
Located at the foot of the picturesque Gellért Hill, the bath house is fed by the springs coming to surface on the geological fault line running along the Buda embankment.
The entrance to the bath - open to hotel and non-hotel guests alike - can be found to the right of the main entrance. The main attraction is its main indoor pool, famous for its beautiful Secessionist design, marble columns and colourful mosaic. Several plunge pools of different temperatures can be found, as well as saunas and a steam bath. The sun terrace and outdoor wave pool have a gorgeous view of the Gellért Hill, and the first floor terrace of the Gellért Restaurant boasts a spectacular view of the city.
Summer pool parties are held on Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm in through July and August. -
Buda Castle Labyrinth
Contact:
- +36 1 212-0207
- visit website
Location:
- Uri utca, 9
- District I
- Budapest,Budapest1014
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Map
- user rating
Our Local Expert Says:
Discover what lies under the city! Having seen what there is beneath your feet will make walking about the Castle District and Buda hills all the more interesting.
Description:
This maze of tunnels (which literally goes on for miles) is located beneath Castle Hill. It contains huge, cavernous rooms, originally intended as cellars and bomb shelters. Some of the tunnels can be explored without a guide. One section even features reproductions of cave paintings from around Europe. There is also a café (a cup of tea is included in the ticket price) and an underground shop. Another great thing about these tunnels is that when it is scorching hot outside, it remains cool and airy down below. A flashlight (torch) might be adviseable, as several sections of the maze are almost pitch black.
Day Note:
Now for the tougher part: this caving tour is not just wondering about a labyrinth system like the day before, but real hard core crawling-on-all-fours caving. Warning: this is not for those prone to claustrophobia! Once back on the surface, it’s time for some wine to sooth those tangled nerves. And for the finale, it’s off to the larges spa of Central Europe, the Széchényi Thermal Bath.
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Grinzingi WineBar
Contact:
- +36 01 317 4624
Location:
- Veres Palne utca 10
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Map
- user rating
Our Local Expert Says:
Hit this wine bar if you’re after a memorable experience: here you’ll find a bizarre mix of alcoholics, tourists, and locals - all remarkably friendly. Plus, this is the place to get ridiculously cheap drinks a few steps away from the oh-so-famous Vaci Street!
Description:
When you think of a wine bar, you probably think of something a lot more classy than the Grinzingi. However, this is one of the more approachable wine bars in the city. To get a taste of the real Hungary beyond the theme bars, this is one to try. The wine's not bad either. Named incongruously after a district of Vienna, the Grinzingi is a smoky, seedy pub where everybody is welcome and everyone can feel at home. Winos, impoverished students, curious tourists and second grade gangsters all congregate in the Grinzingi at all times of the day. You can tell who are the criminals as they are the ones drinking coke. Everyone else drinks the unbelievably cheap and refreshingly good quality wine, which is drawn up from barrels beneath the counter in traditional borozo (wine bar) style by the super cool barman who holds court in an enclosed serving corral, a bit like in the Cheers comedy series.
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Széchényi Bath
Contact:
- +3613633210
- visit website
Location:
- Állatkerti krt. 11
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Map
- user rating
Our Local Expert Says:
The largest and most beautiful bath house of the city - no visit to Budapest is complete without a visit to Széchényi!
Description:
Though not the oldest thermal bath in the city, it is definitely the most beautiful! The pale yellow Neo Classicist building of the Széchényi Thermal Bath houses the largest spa of the city and of central Europe, though this will not be apparent from its exterior.
Once inside, an endless number of pools seem to unfold in a palace-like interior. Indoor and outdoor pools are filled with thermal water of varying temperatures and mineral content, all fed by two of the 123 thermal springs under Budapest. A swimming pool for those after some exercise, a wave pool for the kids, saunas and steam rooms plus a massage salon and a physiotherapy department can all be found in the complex.
Széchényi awaits guests with long opening hours between 6 am and 10 pm, so whether it'd be after a long day of sightseeing or a long night out, this is the place to relax!
Budapest
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Grand Hotel Margitsziget
Contact:
- 36 (0)1 889 4700 / 36 (0)1 889 4752 (Reservations)
- visit website
Location:
- Margitsziget, Zielinski Szilard setany
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Map
from $200- user rating
Our Local Expert Says:
Connoisseurs claim this hotel has the finest spa in the city; this is quite a claim in Budapest, as the city possesses more natural sources of water than any other capitol in the world! This hotel lies on a quiet and remarkably beautiful strip of Margret Island. Classy establishment, recommended.
Description:
This classic hotel has a wonderful location as it is set amidst the trees and greenery of peaceful Margaret Island. It has a delightful terrace for al fresco dining. Many rooms have a balcony and guests can also use the spa facilities at the neighboring Thermal Hotel. There is a bus that goes to the centre and the island itself is full of interesting walks; the Danube flows by about 50 meters away. The hotel is rated as a four-star establishment.
- Destination(s): Budapest
- Type: Active/Adventure,Best of...,Off the Beaten Path
- 2 DAYS
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