Budapest: Thermal Baths, Ruin Pubs & Danube Magic

Budapest completely exceeded my expectations! I went in thinking it would be just another pretty European city, but what I found was a vibrant mix of history, culture, and some of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had while traveling.

Buda vs Pest: Two Cities in One

Buda Side: Hills & History The Castle District blew me away! Fisherman’s Bastion at sunrise was pure magic - definitely worth the early wake-up call. The views across the Danube to the Parliament building are absolutely iconic.

Pest Side: Urban Energy This is where the real action happens. The Great Market Hall, the pedestrian streets, and that incredible Parliament building that looks like something from a fairy tale.

Thermal Bath Adventures

Széchenyi Baths: The Main Event These outdoor thermal pools are legendary for a reason! Floating in 38°C water while it’s cold outside, playing chess with locals - it’s such a unique experience. I spent an entire afternoon here and could have stayed longer.

Rudas Baths: Ottoman Elegance This 16th-century Turkish bath felt like stepping back in time. The rooftop infinity pool with Danube views? Absolutely incredible for filming sunset shots.

Bath Etiquette Tips:

• Bring flip-flops (trust me!)
• Shower before entering pools
• Don’t be shy about the changing rooms
• Stay hydrated - those hot pools are no joke!

The Famous Ruin Pub Scene

Szimpla Kert: The Original This place is insane! Built in a crumbling building with bathtubs as seating, plants everywhere, and live music every night. I spent hours here just people-watching and filming the incredible atmosphere.

Instant-Fogas Complex Three floors of bars, clubs, and art spaces. Each room has a completely different vibe - from chill cocktail bars to underground dance floors.

Food Adventures

Goulash Hunt I tried goulash at five different places trying to find the “authentic” version. Verdict: they’re all delicious but completely different!

Central Market Hall The langos (fried flatbread) here changed my life. Topped with sour cream and cheese… I ate way too many of these.

Street Food Surprises Chimney cake (kürtőskalács) became my daily obsession. Watching them make it fresh is almost as good as eating it!

Danube River Magic

Evening River Cruise The Parliament building lit up at night is absolutely stunning. The golden hour footage I got from the boat made for some of my favorite vlog moments.

Chain Bridge Walk Walking across at different times of day gave me such different perspectives of the city. Each crossing revealed something new.

Behind the Scenes Chaos

What Didn’t Make the Vlog:

• I accidentally went to the wrong thermal bath on day one (rookie mistake!)
• My camera battery died during the most beautiful sunset at Fisherman’s Bastion
• I got lost in the Castle District maze for 2 hours
• The ruin pub scene is LOUD - had to re-record all my voice-overs

Budget Breakdown (4 Days)

• Accommodation: €25/night (amazing hostel in the Jewish Quarter)
• Food: €20/day (street food and local restaurants)
• Thermal baths: €35 total (day passes to 3 different baths)
• Activities & transport: €45
• Drinks: €60 (ruin pubs add up!)

Total: Around €285 for 4 incredible days

What Surprised Me Most

The contrast! One minute you’re in a centuries-old thermal bath, the next you’re in a completely bizarre ruin pub made from recycled junk. Budapest doesn’t fit into any category - it’s just uniquely itself.

Local Interactions

Hungarian people are incredibly warm once you break the ice. I had amazing conversations in the thermal baths (universal language: complaining about tourists while being tourists ourselves!).

Budapest Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October Getting Around: Public transport is excellent and cheap Language: Hungarian is… challenging. Learn “köszönöm” (thank you)! Currency: Hungarian Forint (not Euro!) Must-Try: Thermal baths at least twice - morning and evening are completely different vibes

Technical Setup

This vlog was challenging to film:

• Waterproof housing for thermal bath footage
• Low light challenges in ruin pubs
• Constantly changing between indoor/outdoor lighting
• Drone restrictions around Parliament area

Why Budapest Made My Top 3

• Unique experiences you can’t get anywhere else
• Incredible value for money
• Perfect mix of relaxation and nightlife
• Rich history that’s still very much alive
• Some of the friendliest people I’ve met

Watch the Full Budapest Vlog!

I captured so much more than I could include here! Watch the full Budapest thermal baths adventure! You’ll see the thermal bath footage, ruin pub adventures, and that incredible Parliament building time-lapse that took me 3 hours to set up!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel @bysaraofficial for more European city adventures!

Have you been to Budapest? Which thermal bath was your favorite? And seriously, how do you pronounce Hungarian words?! Drop your experiences in the comments!

Up next: Valencia adventures - paella, beaches, and probably getting lost again!