Tourists all over the world are enticed to visit Budapest in order to personally indulge themselves in this thermal bathing culture. Tourists and locals alike would spend time in thermal baths for medicinal, therapeutic, or recreational purposes. After a long day of work or tour within the city, they will definitely find themselves soaked in one of those open hot pools or prestigious and elegant hot baths in hotels.

Two famous thermal baths in Budapest are the Hotel Gellert’s bath and the Szechenyi bath.  The latter is always overcrowded everyday – even during the winter season. Gellert bath is a natural mud pit and is well-known for its medicinal and healing properties. Some of the popular features in Gellert are the covered and open-air swimming pool with artificial waves.

Since hot springs are easily available in Budapest, other public and affordable pools had sprouted in the city to cater for the needs of the natives and the tourists.

Excluding the spa and thermal baths in Ramada Plaza, Thermal Hotel Margitsziget, and Corinthia hotel, there are around 15 public thermal baths in Budapest. These include Ruda’s Bath and Palatinus Bath in Margaret Island.

Young tourists will mostly be hooked on some other spas that are placed inside theme parks and hotels because of their special features for children, such as the wave pools, water chutes, and whirlpools. Professionals and businessmen in tours will definitely have a relaxing and soothing weekend in spas and baths that have green fields in it where one can just relax, sunbathe, read his favorite paper or magazine, or perhaps do sports.

Aside from its recreational and thermal spas, Budapest is also known for its medicinal baths. This tourist attraction has made Budapest a must-visit tourist spot in the world. These medicinal baths used the thermal springs which have been used by the Romans since the 2^nd century.

These thermal springs have a temperature that varies between 21°C and 78°C and produces up to seventy mega-liters of water a day. The dissolved minerals and salt in these waters coming from one hundred eighteen different sources, which could either be natural springs or bores, have made them suitable and preferable for treating and curing hundreds of illnesses that range from circulatory problems to joint and muscle damage, rheumatic diseases, and blood-related problems.

Hungary’s medicinal waters are effective for locomotor disorder treatment. Some are even particularly efficacious in the treatment of gynecological and dermatological disorders. Moreover, some even form part of a drinking cure for renal and metabolic conditions, as well as stomach complaints.

Several of these medicinal baths and spas have been built along the banks of the Danube River. These are the Ruda’s, Kiraly, Csaszar and Rac baths. These spas are open all days of the week.  Some of the amenities and features they offer are tub and thermal bath, sauna, dental shower, and indoor swimming pool.

Most of these baths provided other services and facilities such as therapeutic massage, mudpack treatments, and physiotherapy exercises. Within the spa and baths are water fountains and wells that provide spring and medicinal water.

Below are the most popular medicinal spas and baths in Budapest:

·         Széchenyi Baths
·         Gellért Baths
·         Rudas Baths
·         Király Baths
·         Lukács Baths
·         Császár Baths
·         Csillaghegy Baths
·         Dagály Baths
·         Dandár Baths
·         Pesterzsébet Salt Baths
·         Újpest Baths

If one decides to come to Budapest, he should plan to go to Budapest’s baths to take a swim, soak in the tub, sit in the whirlpool, or just enjoy the silence. The relaxing and soothing ambience of the spa and bath is ideal to release all the stress and worries of a weary and tired body.

The Duna (Danube) river splits Budapest city into two: Buda and Pest. Buda is situated in the west side of the river bank while Pest is located on the east side, which covers the modern commercial core of the city. As such, Budapest deserves its dub as the Pearl of the Danube.

Great attractions await tourists who wander and want to kill time in the city. Among those popular attractions are summarized and categorized below according to the situated location where they belong.

Buda

• Castle Hill – This landmark is positioned in the western bank of the Danube River. Known as Várhegy in Hungarian, its medieval structure provides breathtaking views of the Danube River when you are its highest point. It has been said that it is in this place that Budapest was founded.

• Buda Royal Palace – It is Castle Hill’s most prominent feature, which is a historical castle where the Hungarian Kings of Budapest lived. It is sometimes called the Royal Castle or the Royal Palace. The Buda Castle is located in the southern tip of the Castle Hill.

• Fisherman’s Bastion – Tourists will have an excellent view of the city from this site. This spot is strategically located near the Castle Hill where you can have a good look at the city as well as the two bridges, Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge. This is also where the Mathias Church is located. It is a nice place to look at the Hungary’s Parliament building and the Academy of Sciences. This is called the Fisherman Bastion because most of the settlers, here are fishermen. This neo-Gothic and Roman Style structure was built as a fortress for any attacks.

• Gellért Hill and the Citadella – It has an overlooking view of the landscaped realms of the entire Budapest. It towers over the other natural and man-made buildings near it at the height of over 239 MASL. It is basically made of a mineral that constitutes calcium magnesium carbonate and has similar appearance to a sedimentary rock. The fascinating view at the top of the hill is the Danube River itself, the whole Buda, the Parliament building, and the Buda Castle.

Pest

• Parliament – This is the notable landmark of Hungary and a popular destination in Budapest. It is one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings and the seat of Hungary’s National Assembly.

• St István Basilica – This is an ecclesiastic basilica in Budapest, which is named in honor of the first Hungarian king, King Stephen (975-1038). Built in a neo-Renaissance-Classicist style, it is considered as Hungary’s second most important church and the largest in Budapest. This is known as St. Stephen’s Basilica as this is where the mummified right hand of first Christian ruler of Hungary is kept.

• The Great Synagogue – This is one of Budapest’s distinguishing landmarks. It is the second largest synagogue in the world and is also known as the Dohany Synagogue.

• Andrássy út – It is one of the most beautiful and the biggest street of Budapest. It starts in Erzsebet ter and ends in Varosliget.  This is also called the Andrassy Avenue.

• Városliget – This is Hungary City’s park. It also has a zoo in here.

• · Vajdahunyad Castle – This is a castle in City Park. It was built in 1896 for the Hungarian millennium.

The Danube

• Elizabeth Bridge – It is the second newest bridge in Budapest and was named after Queen Elizabeth. It is known as the longest suspension bridge in the world.

• The Chain Bridge – This is one of Budapest’s famous landmarks. This is the magnificent chain that connects Buda and Pest over the Danube River.

• Margaret Island – This is originally known as the Rabbit Island located in the middle of the Danube River.

To fully make the one’s tour pleasurable, these essential know-how’s must be remembered to escape the hassles and irritating sarcasms:

• Visa Information

Citizens of those countries who were part of the Schengen agreement are allowed to enter Hungary possessing just an identification card. They are allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days, granting that the purpose of the visit is anything but not related to work and/or business. These countries include: Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Portugal, Poland, Malta, Luxemburg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Italy, Holland, Greece, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Belgium, and Austria.

Citizens of European countries, except Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia-Montenegro, Russia, and Albania, do not require visas to enter the territory of Hungary. Those countries outside Europe who are similarly not required visas are: Venezuela, Uruguay, USA, Singapore, Salvador, Paraguay, Panama, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, Macao, Republic of Korea, Japan, Israel, Hong Kong, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Chile, Canada, Brunei, Brazil, Bolivia, Australia, and Argentina. However, a passport is strictly required.

• Customs Regulations

Passengers who are entering or leaving the European Union and carries 10,000 or more euros or equivalent in different currencies or any readily cashable securities of equivalent total value should declare them to the customs’ authority. However, further verification and declaration rules on cash transactions in certain member states of the European Union are applied.

• Embassies

Most of the foreign states have an embassy or a consulate in Budapest. An “embassy district” in Budapest is located near the Heroes’ Square where 15+ embassies are being housed. Some of them are fortified with security zone built around them. Those countries that don’t have consulates mostly maintain representations in nearby Vienna.

• Getting Around

Getting around in Budapest can be easy; whether in a public transportation, taxi or even in one’s own car.

Public Transportation

Budapest’s public transportation systems include buses, trolley buses, trams, underground trains (Metro), and above-ground suburban trains (HÉV). Passes should be bought before boarding since they cannot be bought from the driver, except of course on night bus networks.

Ticket types for buses, trams, and trolley buses vary, such as: 2-day family ticket (valid for maximum of 2 adults and 2 children below 18), 3-day unlimited travel card, 7-day unlimited travel card, and etc. Tickets for the Metro are exclusive and can be bought solely for its use.

Buses, trams, and trolley buses are available daily from 4:30 A.M. until 11:00 P.M. The Metro services passengers in frequencies from 15 minutes late in the evening to every two minutes during peak hours.

Taxi

Cabs in Budapest are labeled with “Taxi”, and are often accompanied by the company’s name or logo. These cabs have yellow registration plates, which distinguish them from the regular car plates. The taxi meters are equipped with a receipt-printing feature which prints the fare charge and the driver’s identification.

The fare is composed of the basic fee, per kilometer charging, and the waiting fee. Tipping the driver with 10 percent of the full fare is customary if there is satisfaction with the rendered service.

Car

Documents such as driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and “Green Card” for environment compliance must be carried all the time if one wishes to drive around in Budapest.

• Budapest Card

Introduced in 1997, this card offers its holder limitless possibilities, which include: unlimited travel on public transportation; discounted or free entrance fees to museums and several other sights; discounted tours of up to 50 percent; discounted price on tickets for cultural and folklore programs;  restaurant and spa discounts; car rentals and sport facilities discounts; and travel insurance. This card is made available in most places of Budapest including main metro ticket offices, travel agencies, hotels and airports, and tourist information bureaus. The card is valid for 48 or 72 hours for one adult and one child of up to 14 years of age.

Aside from its very rich historical significance in Europe’s history, the city offers a satisfying view of its many architectures enough to attract and satisfy tourist – includes baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and secessionist building architecture.

The City tourism industry attracts 20 million visitors every year. Considered as a tourist gem, the city is famously known for its wealth of history and world heritage sites. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Only this year, Budapest ranked as the most livable city among Central and Eastern Europe cities with regards to quality of life. In 2008, the city ranked third (3^rd) out of 65 cities on MasterCard’s Emerging Markets index.

Here are some tips for better City navigation and transportation.

• If you travel by plane, be sure to double check your arrival and departure terminal, some terminals are 10 to 12 minutes ride apart, and it saves time knowing the correct terminal.
• Get a map, encircle the places you want to see and create a schedule. Ask locals for direction and suggestion, they are ready to help and guide you.
• Wait for a taxi at the designated taxi stands to get a fare rate, and pay only upon arriving at your aimed location – it is intended to get rid of  unjustified fare hikes on taxis. Do not entertain bids from drivers waiting around the station entrance.
• A minibus service is a better transportation mode during your visit, especially if you are traveling alone. It collects passenger with same route and cheaper.
• If you decide to take the train, don’t expect too much. Their facilities are very limited, difficult to access for people with disabilities and not so clean toilets.
• Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. There are many landmarks like the Royal Castle or Citadella castle to help you find your way. The Danube River itself is the best reference point in orienting yourself.
• Many Budapest’s highlights are easy to approach walking. More pedestrian zones are added yearly and car drivers tend to respect pedestrians. Walking will save you a money and more possibility of good views along the way.
• Wear appropriate clothes, especially shoes on travel. Do not wear high-heeled shoes as there are many stone pavements in the city.
• Secure the latest transportation guidebooks and maps – preferably edited after September 2008. Transportation system and routes were changed and modified.

Although Budapest is a peaceful city and crime rate is relatively low in comparison to other European cities, don’t let your vigilance down. Always be safe while on Budapest. Here are some tips for your safety.

• Pick pocketing is the most common incident for a tourist. The important rule is never wear a backpack or purse on your back. Always put your wallet or money on the front pockets.
• Don’t show off your money and wear flashy jewelries, it will attract robbers.
• Don’t walk alone at night on districts 8^th and 9^th or Danko, Magdolna and Lujza streets – it is not particularly dangerous but these areas are shady or deserted.
• Keep a low profile or avoid public night transportation on weekends, you may come across aggressive drunk youngsters since it is a peak socializing time on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Eat only where locals eat and drink where locals go. It is compulsory in Hungary to put the menu cards outside the entrance of restaurants, if it is not the case do not enter.
• Exchange currencies in banks, they usually offer better rates and safer.
• Do not participate in Street gambling, they often lure tourist, and you may lose your money on tricks they played.
• Be sure to check your change, all 1,000ft notes should contain vertical silver strips; otherwise they are already invalid or fake.

In a historical note, Budapest became the capital of Hungary only in 1361. It was King Bela IV of Hungary that ordered the construction of his royal palace on the top of the hill of Buda and reinforcing the stone walls surrounding the city.

The city has a temperate and transitional climate – it is mixed of the mild snowy weather of trans-Danubian, the almost sub-Mediterranean weather of the south, the variable continental climate of the flat open Great Plain to the east.

The City boasts of its growing tourism industry. It attracts 20 million visitors on a yearly basis. It is widely looked upon as one belonging to the most stunning and beautiful cities found in Europe. Home to many declared heritage sites of the world that includes the Danube banks, the Buda Castle, the Andrassy Avenue, Millennium Underground Railway  .– Europe’s second oldest, and the Heroes’ Square. It also offers other highlights, which include its 80 hot springs, its large synagogue – world’s second largest, the parliament building – worlds third largest and previously the largest, and the world’s largest thermal water cave system.

Recently, this year, Budapest ranked as the most livable city among the Central and Eastern European cities in terms of quality of life and ranked the 3^rd out of 65 cities on MasterCard’s Emerging Markets index of 2008.

At first glance, Budapest is an architectural gem. The baroque, neoclassical, eclectic and secessionist building and architecture are enough to satisfy one’s appetite.

The Parliament House visit is a comprehensive tour for Budapest sightseeing for a tourist who wants to learn some historical value before leaving Budapest or as an Introduction before the tour on the city. The Parliament House is the largest building in Hungary and home to the Holy Hungarian Crown. The tour introduces you to its Neo-Gothic architecture, splendid session halls, the impressive central staircase and the wonderful Great Vaulted Hall. Along the tour, a guide is giving some historical backgrounds and commentary. The Parliament Building was once the largest in the world with 691 rooms and staircases that stretches a total of 12 miles.

Budapest is fortunate to have many of the world’s finest Turkish baths. Budapest’s baths boast of its unique and hedonistic bathing experience and original Ottoman architecture. Baths consist of wonderfully colored glass windows and copulas and amazingly shaped octagonal pools. Baths recently offered massage with expert masseurs who happily can rearrange your limbs and muscles in a way that is impossible to think. Budapest also boast of its hot springs and bath, relaxing and splashing on Budapest baths is considered as the most worthwhile activity in the city according to Tourist and locals alike.

Another tourist attraction and offering are the Danube River cruise – considered the highlight of any trip to Hungary. Danube River is considered the longest in the entire European Union and Europe’s second largest after Volga. Danube River’s crosses ten European countries like Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Slovakia and Serbia. The Danube Bike trail is a Bicycle trail along the River also attracts tourists.

Furthermore, an indispensable offering of the city is its traditional restaurants in the hills of Buda. The Restaurants offer a three-course meal dinner followed by the typical Hungarian music and folkloric dance show. The Hill also provided a magnificent view of the illuminated city at night.

Nightlife is hot in Budapest, Many bars and restaurants offer excellent but affordable food and wine in abundance. In recent years, Budapest has taken the role of a party town in the region. In warmer months, outdoor entertainment areas are in abundance with party makers both tourist and locals.

Budapest is a place to see, rich in history, scenic beauty and marvelous attractions. It guarantees a vacation that is worthwhile and satisfying.

So here are the top 6 things you need to remember when traveling for the first time:

1. Research. The best thing you can do, and perhaps the number one advice any travel expert will give you, is to do some research before your scheduled trip. Thanks to the Internet, gathering the most important info about any place is very easy and can be done within the comforts of your own home. Know about the place you are visiting and about its people and their culture. Check out its climate, the available accommodations, the different tourist spots, the various local events, the modes of transportation, and the do’s and don’ts. If you are already familiar with the local laws and customs of your travel destination, make sure you respect them when you are already there. When going to a foreign country, it would also help if you know some of the basic local words and phrases – like words used for greeting and for asking essential questions.

2. Travel Insurance. Traveling abroad can be exciting and full of adventures, but sometimes things could go wrong, and you might find yourself faced with an emergency situation. You can prepare yourself for the unforeseen by taking out a travel insurance. An appropriate insurance for travel covers medical evaluation, hospital treatment, and other activities like adventure sports.

3. Copies of Important Documents. Make several copies of important documents and information like your passport, insurance policy, travelers’ checks, driving license, credit cards (or credit card numbers), visas, and other identification cards. It is best if you have informed loved ones and friends at home about your travel and your itinerary and leave copies of these documents to them. Make sure you carry original documents and photocopies in separate places or separate bags, just for security purposes. It would also be wise if you carry a list of important contact numbers with you at all times: like the phone numbers of family members at home, the phone number of your travel agency, and perhaps even a contact number of your home country’s embassy.

4. Travel and Health Advice. Before leaving, check your destination’s latest travel advice. You can do this by subscribing to free e-mail notification, which you will get every time there’s a travel advice update. You also need to check with health or medical professionals for information regarding the recommended vaccinations and other precautions (against malaria, for instance) that are necessary when visiting your country or city of choice. And don’t forget to check overseas laws on traveling with pills and medicines.

5. Safety, Safety, Safety. When you have already arrived at your destination, always keep in mind some basic rules of safety. These rules include leaving valuables in the safe of the hotel or lodge you’re staying; dressing conservatively and not drawing attention to yourself; avoiding any flashy jewelry; not carrying large amounts of cash; sticking to the main roads and avoiding narrow alleys and poorly lit streets; choosing accommodations and transportation providers with care; not disclosing travel plans and itinerary with strangers; and knowing the laws about exchanging money. The best safety precaution, however, is to never travel alone.

6. Passports and Visas. Traveling overseas may require a valid passport. Make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned date of return. Some countries will refuse your entry upon arrival while some airlines also won’t allow you to board if your passport doesn’t meet this requirement. So confirm the requirements’ way ahead of time. Moreover, check if you will require visas for the country or countries you intend to visit. Always note that visas do not always guarantee entry.

These tips will ensure that you enjoy your vacation or trip to the fullest, and that you remain safe while you are away from home. The most important thing to remember when traveling, however, is to always trust your instincts.