Budapest in April and...

[kpc]

In April 2016, I'm thinking of going to Budapest for a work conference, and I will be in Budapest for about 5 days...I intend to take about a week's leave after and do some travelling. Is there enough interesting things to see / do in Budapest / around Hungary, or should I head off to some nearby places eg Croatia, Romania, Slovakia? I have never been to any of these places before (have been to Czech Republic and Austria before so don't want to go there). Any thoughts from the well travelled AFFers? Where are you Oneworldplus2? Interested in natural attractions, beautiful scenic places, less so museums and castles! Thanks in advance!

 

[kpc]

anyone....?

 

[Fifa]

I'll also be interested in the responses kpc...
We are planning on spending Christmas 2016 in Budapest and would then like to visit some nearby cities by train before flying to Norway to do an 11 night voyage on Hurtigruten to see the southern lights.

 

[burmans]

Personally I could easily spend 5 days in Budapest, along with Prague my favourite Easter European city and I did spend 5 days last year, albeit in Summer.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Perhaps some cycling along the Danube or the path that continues past Budapest. We spent 9 days cycling last year in April and loved it. A great mix of sights, foods and life more as the locals live it.

We even spent Anzac day visiting a concentration camp which is something I think everyone should do at least once.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Perhaps some cycling along the Danube or the path that continues past Budapest. We spent 9 days cycling last year in April and loved it. A great mix of sights, foods and life more as the locals live it.

We even spent Anzac day visiting a concentration camp which is something I think everyone should do at least once.

You can do trips from just a day to however long you like...

 

[burmans]

You can do trips from just a day to however long you like...

Yes, you can get to Bratislava in about 3 hours, for me an unexpected surprise!

 

[amaroo]

The place must have changed in the 20 years since we were there.

Expensive, angry and unpleasant are my memories.

 

[Isochronous]

I found the Poles friendlier, but Hungary is a country with amazing history and things are very affordable. Even with their 27% VAT I bought Hugo Boss stuff there at 1/3 of the price charged in Australia

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes, you can get to Bratislava in about 3 hours, for me an unexpected surprise!

EV6 The Rivers Route - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And anywhere from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Coast. I have done two sections of it now and enjoyed both tremendously.

EuroVelo 6 (EV6), named The Rivers Route, is a EuroVelo long-distance cycling route running 3,653 km (2,270 mi) along the courses of some of Europe's major rivers — much of the Loire, some of the Saône, a short section of the upper Rhine and almost the entire length of Europe’s second longest river, the Danube — all the way from the Atlantic coast of France to the city of Constanța on the Black Sea.
All in all, the EV6 passes through 10 countries from Saint-Nazaire in France at the mouth of the River Loire, eastward along Loire to the River Saône, across the border to Switzerland and then along the Rhine to Lake Constance, north into Germany, then down the River Danube through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania to the Danube Delta, before heading south to end at the city of Constanța on the Black Sea.
The EV6 includes the Danube Bike Path, the most popular holiday cycle route in Europe.[SUP][1][/SUP] This section stretches from Donaueschingen to Passau in Germany, through Austria to Vienna, and continues on to Bratislava in Slovakia, before continuing on towards the Danube Delta.[SUP][2][/SUP]

 

[JohnM]

I went to Hungary a couple of years ago for about a week or so.

Spent a couple of days in Budapest, then rented a car and headed E to Eger, the famed 'Bulls Blood' wine town, the further E to Tokaj, the famous desert wine town, then SW to Pecs, a beautiful town in another very good wine region. (You've probably picked up a common thread here...).

Nothing especially unique like my more favoured destinations of Africa and S America, but I just like getting out and about into the provincial areas and exploring the agriculture and natural scenery. It was enjoyable to me but YMMV.

 

[burmans]

The place must have changed in the 20 years since we were there.

Expensive, angry and unpleasant are my memories.

My first visit to Eastern Europe was under communist rule too and this was pretty much my experience also. Yes, things have definitely changed and in this case for the better in all those matters you mention!

 

[seanpodge]

Budapest is wonderful. I went there and Prague a couple of years ago. Budapest won easily. Highly recommend the tour of Hungarian parliament. There are also plenty of museums, particularly about the communist era. There is actually a park that has some of the old statues from that time which is pretty impressive. I'd also recommend taking a ride on line one of the metro. It's like a time machine and is actually a UNESCO world heritage site. The food is great too.

 

[Isochronous]

Budapest is wonderful. I went there and Prague a couple of years ago. Budapest won easily. Highly recommend the tour of Hungarian parliament. There are also plenty of museums, particularly about the communist era. There is actually a park that has some of the old statues from that time which is pretty impressive. I'd also recommend taking a ride on line one of the metro. It's like a time machine and is actually a UNESCO world heritage site. The food is great too.

The most hilarious thing about statue park I noticed when taking the bus from the nearest metro station was just as you see the park in front of you, you pass a sign which marks the Budapest city limits. I liked the symbolism - banishing the symbols of communism to just outside Budapest.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry, I missed this thread up to now. I loved western Hungary long the Danube and covered a bit of it in this trip report (not sure what's happened to the pics, sorry). I love both scenery and history, so it might be a bit biased towards Cathedrals for what you are after. Probably not enough to sustain a week as well.

I found one of the best wine restaurants ever in the centre of Budapest - Klassz, on Andrassy ut (street). That's a few years ago, so I hope it hasn't changed much. The counter was a plank put across a bunch of wine barrels . There is a lot to see in Budapest - you have to get some historical buildings in! Great views from the Castle; the Parliament building still has bullet holes in from the revolution ...

Taxi drivers are particularly manic ...

But if you want beautiful, scenic places, hand you have 'done' Austria and the Czech Republic, then I would recommend Romania, and in particular Transylvania. Easy to get to from Budapest. I flew to Sibiu from Vienna on Australian Airlines. Romania part of that trip report here. Again, sorry, the pics have gone. But the Carpathian Mountains are spectacular - and you will still squeeze some ancient castles and fortresses in! (Dracula's castle is OK, but many more are better). Again, fantastic wine place in Brasov - Terroirs That trip was also history focussed, but it included the scenery as a by-product. if you want to go scenery, there is it in abundance. I did a tour in a car, and it was really terrific. Costs a bit more, but you get so much more out of it, especially the convenience on not worrying where/how to park and how to dodge the maniac who's coming at you from the other way! if you are interested, PM me and I'll give you the name, and the driver/guide, who I couldn't praise enough for commentary, knowledge and driving.

Croatia of course gives you the Dalmatian Coast, which is spectacular, but mainly from the water. I drove down the coast and the road is awful and you don't get to appreciate the coast as it should be. plus I think its too long for the time you have.

Slovenia is called 'Switzerland in miniature'. Its the eastern end of the Alps and again, spectacular, but very compact. Look up Lake Bled. A drive from Budapest down to Zagreb and then up to Slovenia might be an idea if you don't want Romania.

 

[RB]

We also enjoyed Romania & tacked on Bulgaria when we were there in 2008. Also another positive vote for Lake Bled-great walking spots & good pubs. We also rely on public transport & had no problems on either of those trips.
When we visited Budapest we also had a look at the Tatras of Slovakia- looks like April is ok for there too!

 

[Alanslegal]

We went to Budapest a few years back when it was winter and we enjoyed spending our day at the Szechenyi Baths; the water was nice and warm and outside was freezing with snow

Szechenyi Bath

 

[medhead]

Had a few days there many years ago. So no really tips as such.

we stayed in the Victoria hotel Budapest Hotel: Hotel Victoria Budapest **** Hungary - Hotel Budapest

Which had an amazing outlook, not 5 star but the staff were very friendly. We got a room with this view (hope this links to the correct picture) Victoria Gallery

If the picture works, the island is St Margit's Island. that was good for an exploration.

Went for a walking explore of the fisherman's bastion, castle hill, and the palace turned national art galley. Also climbed up Gellert Hill and had a look. Checked out the chapel built into a cave. The Gellert hotel right there is supposed to be famous for spas.

However, our spa visit was over in City Park at this place. Széchenyi Gyógyfürd A very scenic old palace turned into the spa. Don't go onto the roof, unless you want a surprise.
I found an aviation and space museum that was right out of the cold war in City Park. I think this was it: Magyar M The kind of throw back to the communist era of greatness (when you'd otherwise think it was a complete ####hole) was fascinating. Plus, of course, the aircraft. I found this place from the Budapest card, which was great value 10 years ago. Free public transport.

Also went to the Grudel Hotel for a cake. www.grudel.hu

We also did the children's railway and cog railway, for a bit of train spotting. Children's railway is almost completely operated by school children. Fun trying to buy tickets speaking english from a 13 year old who only has hungarian.