Budapest

What is Budapest like?

This city has always attached great importance to attractive appearance, so it appears hospitable and friendly right at first sight. In a single glimpse the visitor can appreciate the famous panorama, part of the World Heritage, with Parliament, the imposing Royal Castle, the Fishermen’s Bastion, the impressive Danube Embankment in the heart of the city and the splendid bridges spanning the Danube. On ordinary workdays the city shows another face. While your are getting ready for the marathon run or set out to explore Buda, Pest is opening its shutters and the pedestrian streets are beginning to bustle with life in the morning. Many people say that Budapest is a city whose most striking feature is the charm of the buildings, and at the same time this is a real city of culture as a truly European city.

What to see?

There are a lot of things to see and do in Budapest all year around. You will be able to see the World Heritage panorama during the race and you can visit the famous sights after the run. Don’t miss the: Parliament, Royal Castle, Fishermen’s Bastion, Danube Embankment, Chain Bridge, Opera House etc. It is always sparkling, especially when illuminated in the evenings. (Special illumination only until midnight)

Former Franz Joseph Bridge, now Szabadság híd (means freedom) is often part of the running course:

 

 

 

Margaret (Margit) Bridge is also visible during your run.

Check out its historical pics.
Built between 1872 and 1876 by Ernest Goüin (France).

 

 

 

 

The Chain Bridge was designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark, it was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Hungary, opened in 1849.

It is anchored on the Pest side of the river to Széchenyi (formerly Roosevelt) Square, adjacent to the Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and on the Buda side to Adam Clark Square, near the Zero Kilometre Stone and the lower end of the Castle Hill Funicular, leading to Buda Castle.

 

Budapest is the only capital city in the world that is rich in thermal waters with healing qualities. Thanks to a unique geological feature, Budapest ‘sits’ on over 100 thermal springs that feed the city’s famous bathhouses. Budapest is also one of the few places where you can experience traditional Turkish baths dating back to 16th and 17th centuries. There is nothing to compare to the feeling having a healing bath after your long run. Come and experience it!

SZÉCHENYI BATH
One of the largest bathing complexes in Europe,the premier medical bath of Pest- Its thermal springs were discovered in 1879; they are the deepest and hottest ( 74 – 75 C. ) thermal wells in the capital. The neo – Baroque baths were built in 1913, the swimming pool in 1927. The open – air sections with their pleasantly warm waters are equally popular in winter.

RUDAS BATH
The centrepiece of the bath today, the Turkish bath, was built in 1550 in the period of the Turkish occupation of Hungary. Some of the Turkish-period features are still used today: the octagonal pool, the four small corner pools,each with water of a different temperature, and the characteristic Turkish dome. In its drinking hall, the water of the springs Hungária, Attila and Juventus can be consumed for the purposes of a drinking cure. Rudas is open at night every

GELLÉRT BATH
One of most popular baths for tourists visiting Budapest. The medical spring here was already famed in the 13th century. The Gellért Thermal Bath and Hotel, was built in a secession style, opened its gates in 1918 and was expanded in 1927 by the wave-bath and in 1934 by the effervescent bath. The spa is decorated with a wealth of original Art Nouveau furnishings,
artistic mosaics, stained glass windows and sculptures.

KIRÁLY BATH
The construction of this Bath was begun by Arslan, the Pasha of Buda in 1565 . Following the reoccupation of Buda from the Turks, the Bath was acquired in 1796 by the König family. They rebuilt it to its current form, combining the old with the new, and preserving its monumental character, found even in the name of the Bath. Stemming from the name of the family, it
translates from Hungarian (Király=King=König).

LUKÁCS BATH
In the 12th century, knights of the order of Saint John engaging in curing the sick settled in the area of today’s Lukács Bath, and built their monasteries baths as well. In the 19th and 20th century people wishing to be healed came here
from all over the world. Following their successful healing cure, they placed marble tablets on the wall of the Bath’s courtyard to express their gratitude. Lukács was renewed in 2012, and now it’s a classical, but also international quality spa with swimming pool, fun-pool, medical thermal pool and weight-bath. There are also salt wall, sauna, Kneipp pool and lounge.

Unique entertaining possibilities are Budapest’s ruin pubs. Located in the city centre, this new function saved countless old, run down building from demolition. Their atmosphere is unusual, their style is retro and they revive socialist realist interior design. You can find more on them here.

Airport: Ferihegy 2 Airport is 24 km east of the city center. The airport’s official taxi or minibus partner can take you to anywhere in the city or pick you up on your way back. Additionally, you may take bus 200E and switch to Metro line 3 to get to the city center. More info here.

By car: from Austria Highway M1 (toll), from Slovakia Highway M2 (toll), from Romania M5 (toll) or Road 4, from Croatia Highway M6 and M7 (toll), from Slovenia Highway M7 (toll). Buy your e-vignette in advance online.

Public transportation: Budapest operates four underground lines, blue local buses, yellow trams and red trolley buses. Public transportation generally starts at 4.30 a.m. and runs until 11.30 p.m. You can buy one day, three day and weekly passes. The “Budapest card” is available in the ticket offices and tourist offices. More information: http://www.bkk.hu/en