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Budapest Journals

One Week In Budapest

A May 2003 trip to Budapest by drumzspace

Buda Castle Photo - Royal Palace (Buda Castle), Budapest, Hungary More Photos
Quote: One week alone in Budapest, Hungary, with no itinerary, knowledge of the language, or contacts. What's a tourist to do?
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One Week In Budapest Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Quote:
The castle on the hill in Buda. The Great Market Hall. Restaurant hopping on Raday U and at the Oktagon. The Palace of Fine Arts.Quick Tips: Use the subway as much as possible (Budapest is HUGE) and ALWAYS pay. Don't try to skimp and save the US.50 fare and "ride black" because they will most likely catch you (except on the yellow line). Best Way To Get Around: The subway and taxis are both good. The subway is very cheap and has a respectable reach, but don't hesitate to bargain with a taxi driver if you want to get off the beaten path. Walking can get you places, but it's a big city and the traffic can be a little treacherous (I was almost hit twice crossing a street IN A CRO...Read More

Hotel Sissi Best of IgoUgo

Hotel

Quote:
This modern hotel has clean, spacious rooms with a friendly staff. The hotel caters a little more to the business traveler than the tourist, although all the normal tourist activities and services can be booked and arranged from the front desk. As is to be expected in Central Europe, there is no air conditioning (but each room has a fan). With the exception of the construction going on across the street while I was there, Sissi is on a very quiet, safe street, located only two blocks away from the blue line of the metro, so you can be right downtown in a matter of 10 minutes. I would stay there again.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 8, 2003

Hotel Sissi
Angyal u. 33
Budapest, Hungary 1094

Soul Cafe Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
The best meal I've had east of Paris. A wonderfully pleasant staff serving up adequate portions of Hungarian fare with a decidedly continental twist. Everything from the appetizers to desserts (with the wine list in between) was spectacular. Unfortunately, their web site is down right now, but they do have a menu and directions online: http://www.soulcafe.hu/

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 8, 2003

Soul Cafe
Raday U
Budapest, Hungary

Central Market Hall/Great Market Hall Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Great Market Hall"

Quote:
A great European market that has yet to become overrun by touristy wares. The ground floor of this massive building holds numerous meat, vegetable, fruit, cheese, bread, and wine stands, all with locals waiting in line to purchase ingredients for their family meals. The upstairs area has artisan stands, food stalls, and a sit down buffet restaurant (which is a bit pricey given what you're eating and what you pay elsewhere). You can easily spend an hour wandering around, immersed in the smells and sounds of this authentic Hungarian market.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 8, 2003

Central Market Hall/Great Market Hall
Fovam Ter, Ix Kerulet
Budapest, Hungary

Royal Palace (Buda Castle) Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Buda Castle"

Buda Castle Photo - Royal Palace (Buda Castle), Budapest, Hungary
Quote:
There are no less than 10 museums in the castle complex...everything ranging from the standard "royal castle history" museum to a telephone museum, a museum of public transportation, and a musical instrument museum. Of them all, the most comprehensive (and overwhelming) is the military museum. European history and military buffs will easily be able to spend half a day in this, which has everything from historical documents to a comprehensive uniform display throughout Hungary's modern history. It's a bit much for anyone not a fanatic, though still VERY impressive.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 8, 2003

Royal Palace (Buda Castle)
Castle Hill
Budapest, Hungary 1014

Memento Statue Park Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Szoborpark - Statue Park"

Statue 1 Photo - Memento Statue Park, Budapest, Hungary
Quote:
Not really a "museum", per se, but a collection of the Soviet/Communist statues that once dotted Budapest. Since the fall of the iron curtain they have thankfully been preserved and relocated to a fairly remote field just outside of Budapest. Although lacking in much detail or information about the statues and what they meant in their Hungarian context, the park still provides a truly unique experience to visitors. Please note: for this solo traveler, it was a bit of a task to get there. After taking the tram to the south of Buda, one must take a bus, which entails purchasing a ticket from non-English speaking people. Which means one must try to speak Hungarian. Which means giving one's sel...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 8, 2003

Memento Statue Park
Bathori utca, 22
Budapest, Hungary 1054
+36 1 424 7500

For Sale Pub Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
One of the most interesting expat-friendly pubs I've experienced. On busy nights a *reservation* is required if you want a table, believe it or not.

The theme is a strange old West (complete with peanut shells on the floor) meets expat business card orgy on the ceiling. Live music most nights.

Right across the street from the big Market. Not to be missed.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 8, 2003

For Sale Pub
Vamhaz korut, 2
Budapest, Hungary 1053
+36 1 267 0276

About the Writer

drumzspace

drumzspace
Napa, California

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