CNN Travel recommends 9 hidden places in Budapest worth discovering

CNN Travel recently published an article, written by Pavlo Fedykovych, about 9 hidden places in Budapest that are worth discovering if you are visiting the Hungarian capital. The author claims that these hidden spots are the places that really show the true character of Budapest.

Two years ago, travel site Lonely Planet composed a similar list about the 10 hidden treasures of Budapest, and Daily News Hungary also collected its favourite hidden gems in Budapest last November. If you are interested, those articles are also worth checking out, but let’s jump into CNN Travel’s list!

Pinball Museum

For many people, exploring a new city equals visiting its most famous museums. However, the less-known Pinball Museum in Budapest might be more exciting for some than the Museum of Fine Arts.

This Pinball Museum has 130 vintage pinball machines (a few even from the 19^th century). Their collection holds more than a 100 pinball machines and 30 vintage arcade games.

What is so good about looking at old pinball machines? Maybe not much, but guess what, you can also use them! Besides, CNN Travel also emphasizes the nostalgic feeling that comes over you while walking through the arcade games. You will feel like you are in the 1980’s again, which was the golden era of these machines.

Feneketlen Lake

CNN Travel calls the Feneketlen Lake the

“unexpected oasis of calm in a bustling megapolis.”

They recommend visiting the lake for many reasons: the beautiful view of the St. Imre Church, the botanical gardens of the Buda Arboretum, the calm park surrounding the lake and the whole relaxing atmosphere of nature.

Római-part

The so-called Roman Riverbank is a very popular spot among the locals, but it is a less well-known place among tourists. CNN writes that this is the perfect spot for a relaxing day: river walks, cycling, trying out some popular Hungarian street food, rent a boat or just get a few drinks while enjoying the view of the Danube.

Buda Hills

If you prefer to have a more adventurous stay at Budapest, skip the relaxing and try one of the hiking trails of the Buda Hills, CNN recommends. There are beautiful views of the capital and its surrounding scenery. You can even take the Zugliget Chairlift to the highest point of the hills if you are not in the mood for a long uphill walk. CNN also mentions the Erzsébet Lookout Tower on top of János-hill, as a sight worth discovering.

Aquincum

Remains of the former Roman glory can be found in several locations around Budapest, as the area was once a Roman settlement in the Pannonia province of the Roman empire. The ancient city’s name was Aquincum whose remains can still be seen today. CNN recommends the ruins of Thermae Maiores public baths and the Aquincum’s eponymous museum.

Ödön Lechner’s Art Nouveau masterpieces

As you might know, Budapest was chosen to be among the top 10 European cities for Art Nouveau (Szecesszió), a popular style between 1890 and 1910. The style is prevalent in art and architecture in Budapest. In particular, CNN mentions the works of the Hungarian Gaudí, called Ödön Lechner, who was the most significant architect during the period as mentioned earlier.

The places mentioned to be worth exploring are: the Museum of Applied Arts, the Hungarian Geological Institute, the National Bank of Hungary and the National Institute for the Blind.

Click here, if you would like to see the 10 best-known representatives of the Art Nouveau style in Budapest.

Miksa Róth Memorial House

Miksa Róth’s work was all about stained glass, one of the fundamental elements of the Art Nouveau style. His colourful masterpieces can be seen in many iconic buildings in Budapest: St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Hungarian Parliament, or the Gresham Palace. CNN also recommends checking out the Miksa Róth memorial house, a museum devoted to his work, which has a collection of mosaics, glass, and furniture.

Király Baths

According to CNN: “Király Baths in Budapest provides a truly authentic Turkish bathing experience.” It is an original Turkish bath that was built in the 16^th century. Besides Király Baths, the Rudas Bath is also a famous bath from the Ottoman-era in Hungary.

Kerepesi Cemetery

Kerepesi Cemetery is the most famous graveyard in Budapest. Within the cemetery, you have a chance to look at the grandiose mausoleum of famous historical figures of Hungary such as Hungary’s first Prime Minister Count Lajos Batthyány, Ferenc Deák or Lajos Kossuth. According to CNN, the most picturesque part of the cemetery is the passage adorned with Arcades, built in the style of Northern Italian cemeteries.

Featured image: Kardos Ildikó Photography

Source: www.edition.cnn.com/travel; Daily News Hungary