Budapest is an unexpectedly big and surprisingly beautiful city.

Although the major tourist attractions are in Pest (on the eastern part of the Danube), Buda (on the other side of the river) hides a lot of charming treasures. In addition to the Hill and the Castle, this area of Budapest offers unusual places to visit and activities to do. I have discovered, tested, and noted down some of them. ?

So, let’s find out 4 unusual things to do in Buda.

 

1. Drink thermal water

Among the things to do in Buda, this is definitely the most unusual. Although everyone knows the famous thermal baths of Budapest, not everyone knows that only if drunk the thermal waters give the maximum of their beneficial properties. Or rather, tourists don’t know it, but Budapest citizens are fully aware of this fact. There is a place, at the foot of Mount Gellért, where locals go with empty cans or bottles and fill them with a warm and smelly water! ?

 

 

Seriously, drinking thermal water is a very common practice in Budapest, and you should try it at least once. Beyond the nauseating smell (I know, it’s difficult to imagine being able to drink thermal water, but it’s actually much simpler than it seems), the benefits are huge and, anyway, it’s an experience that you will unlikely do in another city.

Let’s go to the point. The place I’m talking about is called Rudas Ivocsarnok, is located just at the end of the Elizabeth bridge (on the Buda side, of course) and is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 am to 2 pm.

You can take your empty bottle and fill it with one of the three thermal water types available. Or you can ask for a glass to drink on the spot (in this case do not to get ahead of yourself: ask for the smaller glass).

Prices are very low: 40 Ft for a glass of 0.30 l (0.15 Euro), 60 Ft for 0.5 l (0.20 Euro) and 90 Ft for 1 l (0.30 Euro).

 

 

 

2. USE THE PUBLIC BOATS TO MOVE AROUND

Yes, you got it right. There is no need to pay big money for a boat trip on the Danube. You can do it paying a bus ticket price. Of course, you will not have welcome champagne, but it’s still worth it.

There are three boat lines available for public transport (D11, D12 and D14) and they make several stops both on the Buda and the Pest banks. If you want more information, you should visit the official BKK website and download the map of public boat lines.

 

 

3. VISIT THE CAVE CHURCH

Whether you are religious or not, I strongly suggest you to visit this place, which is truly unique and very, very suggestive. Both for the surrounding landscape, with Gellért Hill overlooking the Danube’s water, both for the interior of the church, entirely carved into the rock, both for its ancient history.

 

 

The church is open from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm, and you need to buy a 600 Ft ticket (2 Euros) to visit it. If you are interested in attending a Mass, you can enter for free on these hours:

  • weekdays at 8.30  am, 5 pm and 8 pm.
  • public holidays 8.30am , 11 am, 5 pm and 8 pm.

 

 

4. TAKE THE FUNICULAR

The Budapest Castle Hill Funicular (Budavári Sikló) is the second of its kind in the world. It was built in 1870 following the Lyon model, its main purpose was to provide faster and easier access to the Castle Theatre and ministries situated in the Buda Castle area, which could not be reached by any other means of public transport.

 

 

The funicular is currently used as a particular and vintage way to reach Buda Hill. Taking the funicular is a must if you don’t want to climb the staircase up to the Castle, or if you want to enjoy a breathtaking view on the move. For more information about the funicular you can visit the official website.

 

 

The Budapest funicular is open every day from 7.30 am to 10 pm, the one-way ticket costs 1200 Ft (about 4 Euro), and the return ticket costs1800 Ft (6 Euro).

 

Buda is a very fascinating area of the city and, probably, the one that struck me the most. It’s such a pity that not everyone can appreciate its beauty.

I’ll give you an extra advice. To fully enjoy the charm of Buda, go there for an evening stroll: from Pest, cross the Chain Bridge and run along the Danube up to the Parliament building. You will see how magic this area of the city is.

And if you’re looking for a hotel to stay in Buda, read the post about art’otel budapest.

 

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Chi è l'autore

A writer by profession, a traveler for passion (and vice versa), I love to explore new places and immerse myself in different cultures, bringing my southern spirit around the world.