Summer freedom on the bridge

You probably already know that Budapest is divided into two parts by the river Danube: Buda on the western bank, and Pest on the eastern bank. The two parts of the city have a very different atmosphere and layout, which is clearly visible if you are standing on one of the 12 bridges connecting them.

 

#budapest #hungary #eurotrip

Marcin Chwesiuk (@chwes) által megosztott bejegyzés,

Some of the bridges are big and winding, with hundreds of thousands of people passing them each day, while others only connect smaller islands to the mainland upriver. Be them big or small, old and new, the bridges are the focal points of the city, and everyone living in the city has a favorite. Some people like the timeless elegance of Lánchíd:

 

What colours shall we paint this bridge today? How about sunset? #budapestagram #budapest #lánchíd #bridges #citylife #architecture #aroundtheworld #aroundeurope #sunset

Cristina Roman (@cristinasmess) által megosztott bejegyzés,

While others prefer the bustling, happy noises of people heading to Margitsziget through Margithíd:

 

#margithíd #margithid #duna #danube #danuberiver #hajó #dunaihajós #június #juny #budapest #budapestview #budapestcity #budapestagram #budapeststreets #budapesthungary #budapestlife #budapestlove #budapestvisuals #budapeststyle #hungary #magyarország #magyarország #iloveyoubudapest #momentsinbudapest #storyofbudapest

Pindroch Szilárd (@pindrochsz) által megosztott bejegyzés,

It is quite certain, however, that this summer, one bridge wins the heart of all. Szabadság híd, the Bridge of Freedom, was built in 1896, and connects the 9th and the 11th districts. Its place in the city is a rather prominent one, since it continues directly from Szent Gellért square, reaching Pest at Vámház avenue, the southern part of Kiskörút. In the summer of 2016, civilian groups started a 'bridge occupation movement', whose goal was to free Szabadság híd from traffic on the weekends and transform it into an outdoor meeting place for those who would like to chill on their days off on a special location.

 

#welovebudapest #summerinthecity #summerinbudapest #thisisbudapest #budapestagram #studyinbudapest #studyabroad #andrassyuni #budapest #hungary #szabihid #szabihíd #valyo

Andrássy Universität Budapest (@andrassy_uni) által megosztott bejegyzés,

Not surprisingly, people loved the idea.

 

? City lights ? #szabihíd #BudaPest

Gabesz Csobánki (@gaben_) által megosztott bejegyzés,

Activities include early morning yoga classes, acrobats, live music, people smoking hookah, or drinking wine. Basically, you can do anything and everything that you want, as long as it's not illegal, and doesn't disturb others. In the meantime, the river in gently lulling under you, and you can watch the sun set above the city from the best possible vantage point.

The project got the name Szabihíd, which combines the shortened form of szabadság, meaning freedom, and híd, meaning bridge. Szabi also means holiday, or a time when you don't have to work, emphasizing the fact that you don't have to go out of the city if you want to have a quick weekend getaway. Sometimes, transforming a space that you already know, using it in a way that you haven't thought possible before is enough to do the trick.

 

#szabihíd #piknik #valyo photo: @tomee80

Valyo - Város és Folyó (@valyovalyo) által megosztott bejegyzés,

How to cool down in style

The days are warming up and you might be wondering how people are coping with the heat in Budapest. Although the weather is relatively cool now compared to the real summer months, when temperatures can reach 40°C, it's good to be prepared and to have some tricks up your sleeves for the times when sitting in the shades are simply not enough.

#1 Cool by the river

One of the best things about Budapest is the Danube: although you can't always see it, the river is a constant humming presence in the back of your mind. It's enough to look at the gently lulling water to feel refreshed, but it's best if you camp out in one of the riverside cafés to enjoy the view and sip a cold drink. As an added bonus, temperatures are always a bit cooler by the river, since the water generates a light breeze. If you want to add a touch of beach living, you can add Fellini Bistro on Római part, where you can relax in deck chairs, while the waves are lapping at your feet.

#2 City of Spas

If the Danube can't cool you down anymore, and you'd like a more submerged experience, you can choose from a wide selection of bathing places in the city. Although the logical thing to d would be to select a beach, you should really do as the Hungarians do, and visit a spa. Besides refreshing you, the water is also great for your health and will provide an experience you won't soon forget. The city has 15 public thermal baths, each unique in its own way. Some of them offer a wide variety of activities, such as Rudas, where you can go partying on Fridays and Saturdays. If you prefer a quieter experience, you should visit Gellért bath, housed in a beautiful art nouveau building. The old kid's pools of the bath have been transformed into a bar and restaurant, making it one of the best places to relax after an afternoon of swimming.

#3 Caveman style

Probably not the most obvious place to spend your day, but definitely the most logical one. The Buda mountains are teeming with cave systems for you to explore, providing hours of amazement and fun. If you've never explored caves before, you'll be dumbstruck by the intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations in the Pál-völgyi cave, but you can also take the chance to improve your allergy or the effects of smoking in the Óbuda Saltcave. There are numerous other alternatives to choose from, but one thing is common in all of them: the air is refreshingly cold, and you can forget the heat of the city for a couple of hours.

#4 Hello sailor

Yes, it's the Danube again. If the banks don't cool you down enough anymore, hop on one of the BKK ships and take a turn on the river. The ticket is about the price of two beers, but will keep you chill much longer. The breeze above the water combined with speed of the boat is enough to make you feel cold on even the hottest days in the summer. Just don't forget to use suntan lotion, because it's easy to get a burn!

#5 Afternoon getaway

And if you really can't take it anymore, just hop on a train. One of the cool things about Budapest is that it has a very quick train line to both Lake Velencei and Balaton. You can reach the first beaches of Lake Velencei in under 30 minutes, which makes it ideal for a quick afternoon dip after studying all day. With your student ID, the ticket costs next to nothing, and the beaches are free - could it be any better? If you are more adventurous, you can even travel a bit further, and have lángos on the shore of Balaton. Depending on where you are heading, you can reach the Eastern end of the lake in roughly an hour.

Music Festivals

If you are already in the country, or you’ll be arriving early enough for the autumn semester, you'll have plenty of things to do in the summer. When the heat is soaring, most Hungarians pack up, d chill near lakes and rivers, so you’ll soon realize that everybody is either going to, or coming from Balaton or Velencei tó. Other people, however, seem to be immune to the heat and spend their time rocking out at music festivals. Hungary has a shocking number of music festivals relative to its size, each with its own theme and special atmosphere. It’s tempting to go to all of them! Here’s a list of the festivals sorted according to date to make choosing one easier:

June 7 - 11. Harley-Davidson Open Road Fest - Alsóörs

Alsóörs is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the northern shore of Lake Balaton, and you can’t find a better place to kick off the festival season. Join the ranks of thousands of riders and take part int the biggest biker event of the year! The Open Road Fest features a colorful palette of Hungarian rock and an unforgettable parade. Freedom, bikes, parties, rock music, beer… this is the Harley experience!

http://www.openroadfest.hu/en/

June 20 - 25. Fishing On Orfű

Fishing on Orfű id the biggest alter/indie music festival in Hungary, bringing together everybody that counts. This year, it lasts five days, with a special 50th birthday party for famous Hungarian musician András Lovasi. A fun fact about the festival: although they do a lot of street food like most festivals, they also bring in more than 20 local restaurants, so you can experience regional food without leaving the festival area!

http://fishingonorfu.hu/index.php/program/zenei

June 21 - 25. Ukk&Roll Rock and Biker Weekend

This is Megyer Camp festival, which had to move a bit since the last time. It’s near Ukk, a small village, and is a relative newcomer on the Hungarian rock scene. If you enjoy very low prices for your pass and beer, rock music, and bikers, this is the place for you.

http://www.ukkandroll.hu/

June 27 - July 01. VOLT Festival - Sopron

VOLT festival is 25 years old this year! Besides Sziget, this the most popular festival hosted in the country, since it features pop, rock, electronic, blues, jazz, and world music. It’s impossible to get bored here! The festival opens with Linkin Park this year, and will deliver the usual exceptional organization and very friendly locals.

http://voltfestival.com/

July 11 - 16. AlteRába Festival - Körmend

AlteRába is a very wallet and family friendly festival, which celebrates its 8th birthday in 2017. Since its more on the smallish side, it mostly has Hungarian visitors and bands – it’s not called the Country’s Biggest Garden Party for nothing!

http://www.alterabafesztival.hu/alteraba/dear

July 11 - 16. Rockmaraton Festival - Dunaújváros, Szalki island

Sepultura, Obituary, Moonspell, TYR, Xandria, a lot of Hungarian rock and the best the metal scene has to offer: this Rockmaraton, the longest rock festival! The festival area is on Szalki island, next to Dunaújváros. Rockmaraton is a real love affair with the genre – and a surprisingly cheap one.

http://www.rockmaraton.hu/en

July 11 - 17. EFOTT, Velence

So are you looking for a water festival which is a bit nearer than Lake Balaton? Try EFOTT by Lake Velencei, a mere 20 minutes from Budapest. EFOTT feels like a summer break rather than a festival. During the day, you can enjoy the beach, and have the best parties of your life at night!

http://efott.hu/en/

July 19 - 23. Campus Festival - Debrecen, Nagyerdő

In case you’ve never visited Eastern Hungary before, Campus Festival is a great reason to do so. The festival takes place near the university grounds, and has everything you need for a fun few days, including great music, a gastro and wine village, and lots of theater! Deebrecen has a rich history and a unique atmosphere – a must see!

http://www.campusfesztival.hu/?lang=en

July 25 - július 30. East Fest, Mezőtúr

And is you are in Debrecen, you might as well hop over to Mezőtúr and try East Fest. This is a pretty new festival, which pairs affordable entertainment with beautiful scenery. You’ll never forget your five days here!

http://eastfest.hu/

August 2 - 5. FEZEN - Székesfehérvár, MÁV-pálya

So, American football is not really big in Hungary. Not yet, anyway. But we do have a pretty cool football field in Székesfehérvár, next to the train station. Since the city is only 38 minutes away from Budapest by train, this is one of the most accessible festivals in the country. Fezen grew out of a small alt-rock concert venue, and become one of the biggest festivals, delivering a pretty serious lineup this year. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the festival, so this is gonna be a big one – we’ll definitely be there, along with Alice Cooper, Saxon, Blind Guardian, The Offspring, Ignite, and Therion!

http://www.fezen.hu/index.php?lang=en

August 3 - 6. Körös-toroki Days - Csongrád

This a bit different from the other music festivals, because it’s not only aimed at young people, rather, it tries to please the whole family. Körös-toroki Days has art workshops, cultural programs, and lectures on health care, so you can learn a lot besides going to concerts and relaxing on the beach.

http://www.ktncsongrad.hu/

August 9 - 16. Sziget Festival - Budapest

The now the 25 years old Sziget Festival is probably the most well-known festival in Hungary. It usually lasts a whole week, and brings together the youth of Europe with the most famous musicians to live together for a blissful few days on the Island of Freedom. Anyone who is living or has once lived in Hungary has a Sziget story, and you’ll soon know why if you go out to Hajógyári sziget. The huge festival area and the international community will make sure that you’ll never have two similar days on Sziget! One of the big advantages of this festival is that despite being a bit pricey compared to other festivals, you have top-of-the-line organization, the best performers, and music for all tastes. What is more, because of the great location, you don’t have to camp out is you don’t like tents. You can simply go home to your own bed in the morning!

http://en.szigetfestival.com/

Augusztus 23 - 27. Zorall Sörolimpia - Alsóörs

Beer Olympics? Yes, 2017 sees  Zorall Sörolimpia in a new location. This time, the festival moves to Alsóörs, on the Northern shore of Lake Balaton – the perfect place to enjoy the water and chill with a cold beer. Attracting mostly rock enthusiasts, Zorall has been well-known for offering a lot of active programs during the 4 days, like motorcycle tours, cycling, football, and a ton of concerts. This year, you can see Zorall, Ossian, Lord, Kárpátia, Depresszió, Road, Aurora, Rómeó Vérzik, Junkies, Sing Sing, Moby Dick, Pokolgép, Leander Kills, Ganxsta Zolee és a Kartel, Cool Head Clan and many others! This is truly the perfect place to get to know Hungarian rock.

https://www.facebook.com/ZorallSorolimpia/

August 23 - 26. Strandfesztivál - Zamárdi

Strand Festival is another favorite with people who like Balaton. Zamárdi is located only a few kilometers away from Siófok, the party town of the lake. Strand is Hungarian for ’beach’,  and refers to the fact that the festival uses the long stretch of Zamárdi shoreline to create the ultima beach party. The stages are only a few meter away from the water, so you can rock out on an inflatable mattress!

http://www.strandfesztival.com/

August 23 - 26. SZIN Festival - Szeged, Újszegedi Partfürdő

SZIN, or Szeged Youth Days is one of the oldest and most prestigious summer music festivals in Hungary. If you’ve never been to Szeged, this is the best time to visit – the festival takes place along the shores of Tisza, and you can visit the beautiful city during the day. Since it is in the southern part of the country, Szeged is always sunny and warm – it’s like a small Mediterranian holiday!

http://szin.org/