DECEMBER 2002

We spent three days in Budapest, the capital. Budapest is a very nice, green and pleasant place to visit. It has great arts, monuments, cafes, music clubs and is host to a range of cultural events.

As soon as we arrive Budapest, we looked for a good place to stay and finally booked in at Marco Polo Hotel. Although this place calls itself a youth hostel, it is really more of a budget hotel. We noticed that the most of the guests were well-dressed Europeans, not backpackers. Given the central location, clean and modern rooms, and friendly staff (the hotel is run by a group of beautiful girls!), it appears to be a very good deal.

Gellert Hill (Citadella)

The Gellert Hill is 236m high and offers a beautiful panorama of the city and the river Danube. It is located on the Buda side of the river and can be reached by bus. However, we did not know that and we had to climb up this hill and it was really exhausting, but the view was incredible.

There are two famous spots at the top, St. Bishop’s Memorial and the Liberation Monument.

Chain Bridge 

The Chain Bridge is probably the most famous sight of Budapest. It was built in 1849 and it is the first permanent bridge connecting the two parts of the city – Buda and Pest. The stone lions at both ends are local favourites. It is a popular legend among the people that Janos Marschalko, the sculptor of the lions, committed suicide after it was discovered that he forgot to carve the lions’ tongues. What a mistake!

Gellert Spa and Turkish Baths

After climbing the hills of Citadella and walking around Budapest, our muscles were sore, tired and ready for a relaxing Turkish Bath.

There are many wonderful spas and thermal baths in Budapest, but the most beautiful one has to be the Gellert. I have to say that, unlike traditional Turkish Baths, Gellert is different in terms of bathing style, the pools and the dress code. 

There are several thermal pools with different water temperatures, a steam room, a sauna, cold water pool and a sun terrace.

At the entrance, you will be given a towel and what is called a “modesty cloth” like a 30cmX30cm apron. You can either put on this apron as most Hungarians and walk around in nude or keep your swimsuits and enjoy the spa like we did!

At Night

Budapest has a number of cafes, pubs, music clubs and discos around the city. First night we went to the famous Old Man’s Music Pub, one of the most outstanding and legendary pubs of Budapest. Second night, we were in Bahnhof Music Club which has a great venue, two dance floors, good music and fantastic dance shows. Both dance floors were packed (mostly locals), especially the one with beautiful dancers, cheap enough beers and friendly service behind the bar. I can’t remember how much we paid for the entrance but it was free for girls!

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