Studying abroad in Europe has some major advantages- namely that every country is teeny tiny so once your'e actually on the continent getting around is a (semi)breeze. Since I've been fortunate to spend months living in Europe, I've hopped around quite a bit, but this past weekend may well have been one of my favorite traveling experiences to date.
After already acquiring a fondness for eastern european countries after a weekend trip to Prague 2 years ago, I've been wanting to go to Budapest as I had never heard anything but positive feedback from fellow student travelers. I mean, there's warm baths, some of the worlds best Christmas markets, and very cheap alcohol. Whats not to like?!
And lemme tell you friends, it did NOT DISAPPOINT. Beautiful to the point of looking like a storybook, there was nothing that I disliked about the city during my short time there. The perfect mixture of quaint old eastern european and new modernized hipness, there was absolutely something to do every minute that I was there. I really wish I was better at pulling the all nighter thing but I didn't want to torture my travel companions with an angsty little hothead (me.)
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| Me, not torturing Claire. |
Even with no all nighters pulled, we managed to explore the ruin bars, spend a day in the baths, dance to baltic DJs, and I managed to eat all the vegan food I could get my hands on. Overall a successful trip, and one I would totally repeat.
Arriving Friday evening, we had a quick dinner and then headed straight out to the Christmas market to partake in some hot mulled wine (my favorite) and grab a few snacks. The best part about traveling in countries like Hungary is the currency. If your'e a poor college student but want to feel like a baller for once, try to avoid high exchange rates and opt for exploring countries that art as stereotypically glam. (Obvious maybe, but a good idea to keep in your back pocket.) The christmas market was full of yummy treats (I even found a vegan fried potato stick thing!) and walking around in the cold air with the lights and smells was Mariah Carey Christmas album magical. Not to mention- the cutest crafts which make great gift ideas!
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| Little porcelain flowers! They'll never die :) |
Later that night we went out for a few drinks at the ruin bar Szimpla which was RAD. I'm really into the whole found decor thing, and I love bars that have lots of nooks and crannies to explore and get lost in. Two stories, Szimpla had a multitude of rooms ranging from a wine bar, a dance floor, and an outdoor patio with a bratwurst bar. Something to keep everyone happy if you ask me! (also- $1 beers!!!)
We stayed at The Hive party hostel which proved itself to be clean and organized with a nice bar providing more cheap drinks- although I'm pretty sure most people were up there for the mega babe bartenders. Your room key even locks your locker so you don't have to bring a lock!
My favorite part of the experience by far was the baths. Debating between the two top choices of the Széchenyi and the Gellért we decided to check out Gellért as it's known for having more indoor thermal baths, suitable for our whiny-too cold-california bods.
I felt very covered and modest in my high-waisted bottoms, as the general population of elderly Hungarian men opted for speedos. (The experience was most definitely a confidence booster) Coming out to be about $17, the experience is quite a steal as you get an all day pass, a changing room with showers and blow driers, saunas and steam rooms, and the ability to float around in a plethora of mosaic thermal baths until you're too wrinkly to function. If you're brave (or the devil) there's even a sauna that rings in at 195 degrees fahrenheit that I promptly exited after 2 minutes. My friends even got 30 minute massages for $15 extra! (I was to much of a cheap asshole to partake and spent my time getting stared at by strange men, lovely.)
The rest of the time was spent strolling, eating, and drinking a little more. (What else do you expect from college students?) Budapest has great options of quick cheap restaurants with a variety of styles if you're not into traditional Hungarian fare. The bridges are beautiful, and its really interesting to take a look at the differences between the old and new side of the river. The public transportation is super easy ~metros and trams~ so theres no obstacles in getting around!
My finial advice? GO to frikin Budapest it'll be awesome, get a bath pass n soak with some old men, stop and have coffee at cute cafes and listen to British tourists accents, meander through the Christmas markets drinking delicious hot wine (and if you're feeling crazy some hot prune vodka), and definitely check out the ruin bars- a great place to meet fellow travelers and dance off some of that aforementioned prune vodka.
I still feel like theres so much more to see, so for now its not a goodbye, its a see you later to Budapest.
Búscú!
Options for vegan dining in Budapest:
Hummus Bar for awesome falafel with all the fixings
Pad Thai Wok bar for a box of customized noodles for about $6
Funky Pho - Super cute with veggie options
Pasta Bar - Exactly what the name says, lots of options and cheap!
