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    13 Reasons Why You Should Go To Budapest Right Now

    Budapest, Best Pest.

    paulinafricke
    by paulinafricke

    Community Contributor

    1. 1 USD = 274.32 Hungarian Fornit.

    Via beckynaylor.co.uk

    Screw the euro, forget about the pound, it's all about the fornit.

    2. Ruin pubs FTW.

    Szimpla / Via idealista.com

    The ruin pub craze was started by Szimpla, a converted factory that mixes beer garden, modern art gallery, music venue and cinema all into one. Szimpla serves food and drinks all night, host farmers markets on sundays and concerts all week.

    Start at Szimpla, then refuel at the Karavan, a new food court where you can try the traditional Hungarian street food Lángos (aka deep fried cheesey bread). Then on to Ellato Kert to show off your pool game, and party til dawn at the kooky club Instant.

    Via welovebudapest.com
    Via budapest.no

    3. Let them eat... everything

    Via ruinpubs.com

    Hungarian food is delicious and so cheap. Heavy in pork, fried bread, sour cream and paprika, popular dishes include goulash, dumplings and strudel. Lunch specials around the city will get you two courses for about $3.

    Try: Puder, owned by local artists, they put on theatre and film exhibitions and serve up a delicious mix of Hungarian/Balkan/Italian food. When you're done wander down Raday st., a bustling thoroughfare filled with cozy bars and fancy restaurants.

    Via jetsettimes.com
    apartum.com

    4. Can you say spa day?

    bathsbudapest.com

    Sweat off that fried food at one of Budapest's famous thermal spring baths. The most famous baths are Széchenyi in City Park and Gellért Baths in Buda, but Rudas is also worth checking out. It's one of the few remaining traditional turkish baths and was built in the 1560's during the Ottoman Occupation, however woman are only allowed on Tuesday and weekends.

    If you're tiered of ruin pubs, there are also ridiculous bath parties held every weekend at various spas around the city.

    Via gellertspa.com
    Via tasteadventuretravel.com
    Via jetsettimes.com

    5. Shop til you drop.

    Via Flickr: catchlightsa

    Whether you like antiques, weird art, old books or super fashionable puppy purses Budapest has something for everyone.

    Check out: The Great Market Hall for souvenirs, Antik Bazar for ancient relics and Fűszerész for spices, it's hidden away a lovely courtyard off the main street. Stroll Múzeum krt for antique books and Rododendron Art & Design for fun prints.

    Via mybestaddressbook.com

    6. Get your beauty sleep... or not

    Via blog-pt.hostelbookers.com

    Want to party all night? Or are you more of a early to bed early to rise? Either way there are cheap, whimsical hostels to suit your needs. I spent four nights at Lavender Circus Hostel in a private room (with lofted bed and chair swing!) for less than $90. Or screw the budget and stay at the Four Seasons Gresham PALACE.

    Via hotelsandstyle.com

    7. Take a walk in the park.

    Via 500px.com

    Spend a day in City Park, pack a lunch and enter through Heroes' Square for the best view. In the summer you can rent a paddle boat and float by Vajdahunyad Castle. In the winter the lake freezes over for ice skating. Need more adventure? Stop by the Budapest Circus or Zoo for a truly unique experience.

    Via budapestdailyphoto.com
    Via crazysexyfuntraveler.com

    8. Brush up on your Hungarian history.

    Via Flickr: arsdecorativa

    Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, a stunning art nouveau building filled with Hungarian folk art and design. Take a guided tour of the Hungarian Parliament or immerse yourself in the horrors of the fascist and communist occupation at the House of Terror.

    Via hungary-tourist-guide.com

    9. Immerse yourself Hungarian cafe Culture.

    Via myportfolio.ucl.ac.uk

    Travel back to the Bell Epoque at the New York Cafe, the coffee may be expensive but the atmosphere is worth it. On a sunny day sit outside and enjoy a spiked lemonade at Gerloczy Cafe or relish in the art nouveau decor and delicious pastries of the Secessio Cafe.

    gerloczy.hu

    10. Find your church.

    Via artnarchitecturelove.tumblr.com

    The Matthias Church is one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen. It stands in the center of the Castle District and dates back to 1242. Inside you'll see intricate frescos, stained glass and the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art in the crypts.

    The Dohány Street Synagogue is the second largest synagogue in the world and includes a Jewish Museum, a cemetery for those who died in the neighboring ghetto, and the Raul Wallenberg Memorial Park that commemorates Hungarians who saved jews during the Holocaust and features a weeping willow sculpture by Imre Varga with the names of jews killed during the Holocaust on each leaf.

    Via decodedstuff.com
    Via fcit.usf.edu

    11. Explore the Castle District.

    Via 500px.com

    Walk up Castle Hill for great views of Buda Castle. Next, catch the changing of the guards at Sandor Palace, and continue through Trinity Square to Fisherman's Bastion. Climb to the top and enjoy the view with a hot cocoa at the terrace cafe. Last ride the funicular down for beautiful views of Pest. Don't miss the charming art gallery Kiskép, the owners are as lovely as the art.

    Via pinterest.com
    Via lifeissuchabeach.tumblr.com

    12. fairytale scenery.

    Via qisforquandie.com

    Burn off all the decadent cakes you ate on a hike up Gellert Hill. The hill offers beautiful views, colorful foliage and historic monuments, including the Cave Chruch, the reviled Citadell and the Statue of Liberty, the only remaining Soviet monument in the city center.

    Spend an afternoon on Margaret Island, a green oasis in the middle of the Danube. The island features rare plants, beautiful rose and japanese gardens and a small game reserve. Enjoy the musical fountain, go for a swim at Palatinus Beach, or take in a show at the outdoor theatre.

    Via aquincumhotel.com
    Via thecrowdedplanet.com

    13. Get your bridge on.

    Via johnmullenix.wordpress.com

    The Danube river runs through the city, splitting the Hilly Buda from the flat Pest, the bridges link the two together. The Liberty Bridge leads to Gellert, you can walk across it or ride the adorable yellow train, you can even sit on the bridge and take in the scenery if you like. The Chain Brdige leads to the Castle District and is prettiest at night.

    fineartamerica.com

    Brb, headed back to Budapest.

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