Budapest? Slovakia? Start of Oct for long weekend break

JohnCleary

Couple in our mid 20's, like to party but also enjoy things to do/see hence looking for a lively city break (3 nights) at the start of Oct. Regarding accom. we are happy to stay in a lively (but clean) hostel in a private room.

I have heard Budapest thrown around there so happy to just go with that, if anyone has any info on things to do / places to party / place to stay.

My friends have been to Slovakia kayaking and have said it's also great craic, but again I know absolutely nothing about the place, so if anyone has been, would be grateful for any info.

I have done zero research so far, it's just a thought that came into my mind earlier so thought i'd ask on here before Googling.

Many thanks

Jimmy Iovine

Budapest

I've been to the thermal spas before. They are amazing. 38 degrees in them. The water is really hot but not too much.

They have spa parties on in some of them as well on Saturday nights which could be good fun.

http://lukacsbaths.com/lukacs-bath-parties-magic-bath-in-budapest/

On the accommodation - my gf and I stayed in a nice place. Well the inside was nice. The area was awful. We were afraid of our lives to get home one night from the main street down 100 yards to our place. We waited until some junkies were gone and then walked quickly. We could feel we were being followed though and literally just got through the front door and closed it as one of them banged on it. Thankfully the door locked automatically when closed, but it was a very close call.

I'd highly recommend checking out the area. Look at Google maps and search through the reviews online. Don't just go for the cheapest place as we did.

Also, beware of taxis. Agree a price before getting in.

It's a lovely city and I'd highly recommend a cruise down the Danube at night. There are plenty of places offering a meal as well. The view is incredible. I can't imagine what the electricity bill must be like for the city council because the whole place is lit up all year round.



We didn't have time but I've heard the ruin bars are very good as well.

grimm2005

Myself and the OH stayed in a hostel called The Loft hostel last October. We paid for a private room at €20 each a night and they gave us an entire apartment next door to the main hostel! We had a kitchen with fridge, utensils, tea etc, full bathroom, loads of towels. Proper working wifi too. There was really nothing to complain about, particularly at that price so I'd definitely recommend it. Location was also top notch within walking distance to most things of interest including bars and clubs.

Definitely check out the baths, they are one of the main things to do in Budapest. We went to ones called Szechenyi baths which are apparently one of the bigger ones and I'd recommend there.

You should check out Gelart Hill, particularly at night once it gets dark and you get amazing views of the city and see all the bridges lit up. It would be a bit of a hike up so I would definitely recommend a taxi. It cost around €2 or €3 each from our hostel, takes you right to the top and then you can walk back down which is grand.

The first time I went was with 2 mates and we went to a shooting gallery called Celeritas shooting club which was brilliant but perhaps not a couples type thing

As for bars, the ruin pubs are great. The most popular and my favourite as well is called Szimpla. It's the one place you can go any night of the week and there will be at least a half decent crowd there, with it being busy enough Wednesday to Friday (but the place is huge so you'll always find a spot to sit). Another good ruin bar is called Corvintető. This is on the top 2 floors of an old communist department store with the top floor being the rooftop where they sometimes have bands playing or movies and the inside lower floor being part pub/part dance floor. I think they're only open from Thursday to Saturday. There's a good bar on a boat called A38. They often have bands playing inside too. One more suggestion is Instant. A bit like Szimpla but with different rooms, one being a disco, other games, other just general pub etc which was a pretty cool spot too.

sarkozy

Haven't been to Budapest, but I've been to Bratislava and can only imagine Budapest is a million times better.

Stojkovic

sarkozy wrote: »

Haven't been to Budapest, but I've been to Bratislava and can only imagine Budapest is a million times better.

Been to both.
Budapest would get 8/10.

Bratislava would get -2.
Nice little old town but the people are absolute c***s.

jadie

oh no are they that bad? I'm going there next month. I found some people to be unfriendly and rude enough in Budapest to be honest too.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

Jimmy Iovine

If you're going to Bratislava, try out Hotel Blue. It's very nice inside and the area is quiet.

We only passed through really, but from the areas we saw, Bratislava seems to be quite run down. We mainly saw the area around the bus depot out to the hotel. We stayed away from the city centre, but that looks to be nice.

Like most places, we couldn't find where to buy a ticket for the tram, so we didn't bother. The bus service goes right out to the airport. It doesn't take too long either.

And, for what it's worth, I know one Slovakian family and they are incredibly polite. That doesn't say much about the locals, but I can't imagine everyone is as the poster above described.

Between the two, I'd choose Budapest every time.

JohnCleary

Thanks guys, Budapest it is

Looks like the boat party on the Fri night and the baths party on the Sat night... then just chill on the Sunday. Thanks again for the help.

Will book flights this week and then work on the rest as we go along. Would Fri / Sat / Sun night be enough to see the city? Only downer is that flights are looking like they arrive in late on Fri night, which would waste a night. Going to try and find flights that arrive in early on Fri (2nd oct)

Jimmy Iovine

JohnCleary wrote: »

Thanks guys, Budapest it is

Looks like the boat party on the Fri night and the baths party on the Sat night... then just chill on the Sunday. Thanks again for the help.

Will book flights this week and then work on the rest as we go along. Would Fri / Sat / Sun night be enough to see the city? Only downer is that flights are looking like they arrive in late on Fri night, which would waste a night. Going to try and find flights that arrive in early on Fri (2nd oct)

Aer Lingus fly in there. SkyScanner is giving a flight at 6:10 arriving at half 10 for €96. A great price. Book it quick.

Magico Gonzalez

Good choice, Bratislava is pretty forgettable!

Jimmy Iovine

Be sure to check out the musical fountain on Margaret Island. You will spend ages there watching it.

sarkozy

If you were going to Bratislava, you may as well go to Vienna. At least that city's got class. So, no, go to Budapest.

JohnMearsheimer

sarkozy wrote: »

If you were going to Bratislava, you may as well go to Vienna. At least that city's got class. So, no, go to Budapest.

Me and my girlfriend went to Bratislava 2 years ago. I think we had what there was to see in the city done in 4 hours. The old town is nice but that's all I could say about it. We took a day trip to Vienna from Bratislava and we were kicking ourselves we didn't stay in Vienna and just do a day trip to Bratislava.

jadie

I'd recommend Bratislava. It was very cheap and not overrun with tourists which I liked. I found the locals fine, a lot better than in Hungary. The local transport is excellent. Devin castle was fantastic. Perfect place for 2/3 night break. Any longer and I would have visited Vienna as well