On the way to Lithuania, we stopped in Budapest to say hi to Ieva’s cousin Džiugas, who has been living there for 3 years. He took us around some of the highlights and also cool places he discovered. Budapest is very grandiose: large avenues, high ceilings, gold decorations – all reminders of an imperial past.
We also spent an afternoon at the Gellert Baths, soaking in warm thermal water. The setting is really unique and we had lots of fun in the various pools, saunas, steam rooms, and even artificial waves. We had previously been at Széchenyi Baths which look like a palace in a park and where the setting is even more impressive. Both recommended in case you visit Budapest!
In the evenings, we had two literally opposite experiences. One was a posh evening at the New York Cafe, which used to be one of the top establishment and intellectual spots at the beginning of the 20th century (and now is mostly a tourist trap, but a pretty impressive one hehe). And the second evening we went to a very cool underground spot on the A38 ship, which hosts up to 3 live music events each evening. We were able to listen and dance boogie-woogie, blues with a Hungarian crooner and then dj/electro, all within a 3 hour slot. Diverse and very laid back crowd, we loved it!
Overall this city is an amazing weekend getaway, we were here for the second time and enjoyed it just as much. You should go if you haven’t been yet 🙂