What to see in Budapest

The Opera House

The Opera House is one of the most important tourist sites in Budapest, even if you only intend to visit the building, whether you want to attend a show, opera, ballet and concerts (the others are the Parliament, the Great Synagogue, the Royal Palace, the Baths, and of course the Danube).

The Opera House

Built between 1875 and 1884, the Opera House is considered one of the highest expressions of the neo-Renaissance style, enriched with elements (statues and frescoes) of the Hungarian baroque. It is not only impressive for its size (it is the biggest, tallest, the most … for instance), but for the quality of the construction, which is also reflected in its acoustics, perfect according to some, that has made it popular with opera houses around the world.

Apart from the external structure, relief, the royal box, the foyer, the main entrance, and the gigantic bronze chandelier there are more things to learn and in order to be able to fully appreciate it, perhaps the best thing is to take advantage of the guided tours, which are offered in many languages.

Dandar Gyógyfürdő baths

Budapest, or rather, the subsoil is rich in thermal springs, which have made its history and its reputation by calling it the spa capital of Europe. No need to be the lovers of history, to know why the city was born right here, you should just know that it was in the north of Budapest where the Romans founded Aquincum in order to see how far uploads a passion for the thermal baths of its inhabitants.

Dandar Gyógyfürdő baths

And the bathing culture is an essential element of Hungarian lifestyle that finds its greatest expression in the most sumptuous spas, such as Gellért, Széchenyi, Rudas, Lukács and Király, all well known to tourists. But the spa is not a matter only for tourists and richness, though not all Hungarians can afford the entry in the most famous bathrooms. It is difficult to find spa-baths included in hotels, apart from a 5 start hotel called Kempinski Hotel Corvinus which is located in the city center of the capital. I want to let you know though that it is not expensive (this is how luxury goes).

And that is why in Budapest there is a spa-bath for every budget, as the Dandar Gyógyfürdő is among the cheapest of Budapest. Dandar is located in the district of Ferencváros, born as the industrial district of the city and for this little wrought by tourists (even if, in the “city of Franz” – as it is also known Ferencváros, the presence of so many Germans, since 2005 is the MUPA, the new palace of the arts du Budapest).

The spa-bath, which began as a public toilet for the workers of the neighborhood, which certainly could not afford to attend the Gellért, was renovated in the late 70s and has over time gained a reputation for the healing qualities of its waters.

It has only two small swimming pools (one with thermal water at 35 °, and another at 20 °), so you cannot swim, only diving. It has Finnish sauna and you can also have a massage (with medical pedicure). The entry costs 1400 forints (€ 5 – € 7 massage for 20 minutes). It is open from Monday to Friday, from 6:00 to 20:00, on Saturday from 6:00 to 14:00 (closed on Sundays).