Budapest is a the capital of Hungary, an Eastern European country that used to be under Russian suppression. Budapest is a burgeoning city full of energy, which makes it a frequent and preferred destination for the backpacking youth. This post is going to explain why you should visit Budapest if you have not done so yet, and what you can do in the City if you have decided to visit.
Budapest is in Eastern Europe, and as such it is quite cheap based on Western European or American prices. For example you can get a full lunch with a soup, a main dish and a dessert for a low price of five bucks. You can travel across the city using the entire tube system with a ticket for a price of 1.5 dollars. You can get a room for a night for ten bucks. And that is a quite comfortable room, not some kind of serial killer motel. :)
The city can be reached by train, aeroplane or by boat. The city has four train stations, each one connects Hungary with different countries by rail. The railway system of the country is quite old, much of it was built in the 19th century. However the old age of the railway can be a positive as the railway company operates a steam-engine train, which you can actually drive. It is a blast to do so, I urge you to try it.
The country is famous for its culinary heritage. Hungary is the birthplace of many world-famous dishes. These include the fish soup, the chicken with paprika, the cottage cheese pasta, or the poppy seed pasta among others. These foods are a must to try if you ever go to Hungary. The centre of the city is full of traditional restaurants that offer these dishes, but you have to be careful, because some restaurants charge astronomical prices and make their living off of tourists who don't know the local customs. A good trick to avoid trouble is to ask for the menu before you take your seat, and then leave if they don't want to give you a menu. This would signal that the place is fishy and doesn't want you to see their prices. If you are looking for more information about Hungarian restaurants, you can visit the website of the Hungarian Hotels and Restaurants Association.
For travelling around the city the best way is to take the underground system. The underground line 1 or " the yellow line" as the Budapest people call it was the first underground built on the continent. The city is also the home of the most crowded tram line of the continent - tram 4 - which runs through the city centre. The tram line 2 starts off at the Parliament, and finishes in the southern parts of the city, and runs along the river Danube, which makes is one of the most beautiful tram lines in Europe.
The city is often used for shooting second world war and medieval films because the buildings left over form past eras. The inner city looks a lot like it did during the Great War, while the Western part of the city, Buda is the home to the caste, and the citadel, two stone buildings left over from the middle ages.
The city is also famous for its spas. These have healing powers, and are excellent for healing muscle and joint injuries.
Budapest is a truly beautiful city in the middle of the country. Its beautiful, yet diverse architecture, its rich culinary heritage, and interesting people make it a destination that all backpackers should see. If you are looking for more ideas on where to stay and what to visit in Budapest, you can check out this excellent travel guide.
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