January in Budapest is a time when the city’s charm is amplified by the crisp winter air and fewer crowds. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or someone looking to soak in the local culture, Budapest offers plenty to explore. Here's a guide to make the most of your January visit.
Gellért Medicinal Bath and Hotel opened in 1918 is one of the most famous thermal baths in the city. Its central location makes it very attractive to tourists. There are separate indoor thermal pools for men and women, saunas and few outdoor pools, one of them with artificial waves. The bath is also worth visiting because of its ornate mosaics and impressive retractable roof above one of the pools.
(Photographs are courtesy of Swann Production.)
Lukács Thermal Bath in Budapest located on the Buda side off Margit Bridge. There are 8 swimming pools, including fancy pool, 3 thermal pools, mud and weight bath. Usually peaceful and quiet, but may get crowded on weekends. Visited mostly by locals.
II. Frankel Leó u. 25-29
The monument to Empress Elisabeth of Austria in Budapest. She was loved by Hungarians, and they named many things after her, including that white bridge behind. She had very long and abundant hair, and it took at least two hours for her to 'wash & go'. She used this time to learn foreign languages, Hungarian among them.
The Budapest public transport company BKV continues its boat service on the Danube. At 400 forints (1,5 Euro) per person (and also per bike, and a dog) it is a great alternative to pricy tourist boats. And with colder weather it is at last not so crowded as an Indian train, and one can actually enjoy the ride.
The boat runs from Rákóczi bridge to Rómaifürdő baths with many stops in between. See the route and the times at BKV site.
Keleti (Keleti pályaudvar, Keleti pu), the main international and inter-city train station of Budapest, was opened to public in August 1884. The first train at 6 am went to Miskolc.
Back then it was known as Central Railway Station. In 1892, its name was changed to Eastern Railway Station — not after location of the station itself, but after direction its trains were going to: towards Transylvania and the Balkans.
Many millions years ago the land where Budapest stands was sea, full of sea creatures. The Buda hills consist mainly of limestone and dolomite, which you can explore in caves which are a few around. The most famous one is the Pálvölgyi cave (spanning total length is over 7km).
The hills around Budapest were formed in the Triassic Period (it began 252 million years ago, at the close of the Permian Period, and ended 201 million years ago).
Budapest, famous (among other things) for its thermal springs has very close relationships with water. It stands on one of the major European rivers (which floods it quite regularly), it has baths with healing waters all over the town, in Buda, and in Pest, and fountains were always a traditional decoration for Budapest squares.
On the corner of a building on Egyetem tér (University Square) in the V. district there is a plaque reminding us about the Great Flood of 1838.
This flood between 13-16 March 1838 when the water rose to 1.4 meters and even 2.6 meters in some parts of the city destroyed much of Pest.
The old, shabby houses were gone, and the new beautiful Budapest was built soon, with fortified embankment area.
