Why You Should Visit Budapest If You Need A Relaxing Getaway

UPDATED FEB 2020. Close your eyes and think of planning a relaxing vacation. What comes to mind? Did you see tropical beaches, mountain views or coconuts to drink from? That’s typically what we think of when we are imagining a relaxing getaway. A landlocked city in central Europe would probably not be at the top of the list. Perhaps it wouldn’t even make the list at all. Give me a couple of minutes of your time though, because today I want to share a few reasons why you should plan to visit Budapest if you need a relaxing getaway.

Why You Should Visit Budapest If You Need A Relaxing Getaway

The thermal baths

When I think of America, I think of it as built on Starbucks – there’s one on just about every corner. When I think of Budapest, I think of it as built on thermal baths.

There’s a strong culture of soaking in the thermal water and even 3 original Turkish baths in the city – Rudas, Kiraly and Veli Bej Csaszar.

Whether you pick a popular tourist spot like Szechenyi Baths or one of the quieter, more local baths like Kiraly, you can step into the warm, thermal water and let your body soak up the healing minerals.

At many of the bathhouses, you can alternate between pools of different temperatures. You can also sweat it out in a sauna or steam room and even add on massage treatment. The whole experience is a treat for the body and a relaxing, wellness experience.

When I think of why you should visit Budapest, the thermal pools are the first thing to come to mind.

Relax in a beer spa

If thermal waters aren’t enough to relax in, why not try a soak in a beer spa? That’s right, Budapest is a place where you can soak in beer!

At the Thermal Beer Spa at Szechenyi Baths, you can book your own wooden tub which is then filled with healing thermal water, as well as beer ingredients including malt, yeast, hops and beer salt.

It’s full of minerals and leaves your skin feeling silky and soft.

As you sit in your tub of beer and soak, you also have a beer tap next to you where you can drink unlimited Czech beer – and, let’s face it, doesn’t everyone relax with a pint or two?

Relatable: Thermal Beer Spa In Budapest – Unique Experience Or Touristy Scam?

Hotel wellness

The relaxation doesn’t end at the thermal baths around the city.

I stayed at two hotels during my visit to Budapest, Hotel Parlament, and Hotel Palazzo Zichy, and both had fantastic wellness areas included with the stay.

Both allowed for perfect post-sightseeing relaxation in the evenings.

The wellness areas were different in each of the hotels. Hotel Parlament offered a jacuzzi and sauna and Hotel Palazzo Zichy offered a sauna and a gym.

I tried each and they both left me with a zen-like sense of calm after my long days walking around the city.

Riverside relaxation

So we’ve established that you can soak in a lot of water, what about walking along it?

The Danube River cuts through the city so riverside walks and cruises add an additional layer of relaxation to your visit.

Especially if you pick up a Langos, deep-fried dough with or without toppings, to snack on along the way.

While you are walking along the river, keep an eye out for the Shoes on the Danube monument – admittedly it’s not a relaxing sight to see because the monument, along with the backstory, makes for an emotionally confronting experience.

Also look out for views of the iconic Parlament Building and the different bridges which connect Buda and Pest, particularly the well known Chain Bridge.

Drinks at a ruin pub

Maybe having drinks in an old, run-down building doesn’t sound too relaxing but it a must-do while you are visiting Budapest.

The now-trendy idea started in the Jewish Quarter in 2002 with the opening of Szimpla.

Soon enough, the idea of the Ruin Bar, that is an old building in need of some TLC (or wrecking ball) filled with colorful decor and endless drinks, caught on and now visitors have many to choose from.

You can find a lot of entertainment at these bars from live music to events or you could just stop by for a pint with your travel buddies.

Either way, it’s a relaxing way to end a day of sightseeing.

Cat cafe

If you hate cats then first up, what’s wrong with you?! And secondly, you probably won’t like this one.

But, if you’re an animal person slash crazy cat lady like me, then you might agree that having a coffee and petting some cute kitties is pretty darn relaxing!

At the Cat Cafe, you can do just that! The menu is cat-themed, with drinks like the Ca-PURR-cino decorated with a paw print on the foam, and the tables are surrounded by sleeping areas for the cats.

While they’re sleeping you can give them a little cuddle – you just can’t pick them up, but even watching them sleep and take big, long cat stretches is relaxing.

If you need more convincing on why you should visit Budapest, I hope this post has given you some encouragement.

I’ve linked my other posts on things to do in Budapest and where to stay so you should have a lot of useful information to plan your trip.

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