sylbea

We are staying at the Sofitel. If we walk along the river will we eventually be on Vaci U.? We want to go to the Folkart Centrum and the Grand Market. Then we thought about going back to St. Stephens from there. Or should we do St. Stephens firt? Also, are there any pamphlets at the airport that we should look for? I cannot find a map of Budapest at our book stores here in the U.S. I understand there is alot of construction on the roads.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

The Folkart store is #58.

connette

We just returned from the Sofitel. You are really going to like Budapest. The Vaci U is actually the opposite direction as heading toward the river, but begins only about 2 blocks from the hotel. St. Stephen's is in the other direction, maybe 5-6 blocks away. The subway is convenient, clean and easy. You can buy the tickets from the business center in the Sofitel. They had wonderful concierges and they will give you a map, make great restaurant recommendations, and point you in the right direction, wherever you want to go. We cannot wait to return. You are right about the roads. Walk or take the subway. It is faster.

tomboy

What is Folkart Centrum?

Images2

Sylbea,

I have a Streetwise Budapest map which I bought at our bookstore. Maybe you can buy it online at www.streetwisemaps.com It's $7.95 and is coated so will hold up with use or in bad weather.

It's been a great help for me in planning our trip.

sylbea

Tomboy,
I have not been to Budapest yet but I will tell you what I have heard. It is a store that sells authentic goods made in Hungary. It is across the street or near the Grand Market. It is supposed to be a better quality than what you find in the market. Maybe someone can help us a little more as I am going by hearsay. When do you leave for Budapest? We leave on Thursday.

Images2, I have found those maps for Prague but not for Budapest. Thanks for the info. Maybe I should do some more searching today.

tomboy

Not going. Went last May. Next trip is either France or Budapest, don't know when. Loved the town.

Vera

I shopped at the Folk Art Center on Vaci Utca. It is worth seeking out. Beautiful things that you won't find elsewhere, but NOT cheap.
Do try to find the Streetwise map. We used it and it was great.

Images2

I found another Folkart Shop while in Budapest in June, just off the Vaci U. Folkart Kezmuveshaz, 1052 Budapest Regiposta u.12 www.folkartkezmuveshaz.hu Open 10-19:00 every day.

I thought this shop was even better than #58! There is a sign for this shop on the Vaci U so you shouldn't have any trouble finding it.

PollyP

Thanks, Images2, for the suggestion about streetwisemaps.com. Very easy to navigate, and I got Budapest and Prague without having to run to 3 different Barnes and Nobles around town!

The shipping is extremely reasonable; after all they are light maps!

Polly P

annhig

At Christmas /New year, we ended up buying at the main market at the top of Vaci ut becauase it was cheaper than the specialist shops, and seemed just as good to us. any good guide beek will have a map and your hotel will undoubtedly supply you with one, show you where you are, give up directions to where you want to go etc.
we went to a folklore show one evening recommended by the hotel; we were a bit concerned it would be too kitsch, but in fact it was great. so don't necessarily resist their recommendations!

Images2

We went to the Folk Show at Budai Vigado theatre showing the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble. It was excellent! I just loved it. We bought catagory 3 tickets, which were the least expensive, but in the front of the theatre. We had no one seated in front of us, and I got some excellent pictures! They sell tickets all over town, so I think it would be easy to buy them while you are there, even though I had preordered our seats on the net.

annhig

Hi -images2 - was this in a funny anonymous buiding leading down to the river? The one we went to was in a very bleak buiding, giving no impression of what was inside. AS well as the theatre, there was a cafe[I think] and a restaurant, and bar. On the way out, we caught glimpses of elderly hungarians eating new year's meals and doing the hokey kokey - I had visions of the same sotrs of things having gone in pre-gladnost behind the backs of the authorities, in these very anonymous venues. Or am I being too romantic?

Images2

The building was totally under scaffolding and was on the street behind the Art'otel Hotel on the Buda side. You couldn't tell what was inside, but it's actually a very nice building! There is a small cafe next door serving sandwiches, desserts and drinks. We picked up 2 sandwiches after the show and brought them back to our hotel, the Victoria, and ate them on our balcony, while watching the World Cup!

annhig

Definitely not the same place - ours was on the "pest" side and was definitely a grand building that had seen better days. Depends who's done a deal with your hotel, I suppose!

Images2

We didn't buy the tickets through our hotel. I think there are 3 venues for different shows in Budapest. If you go online you have a choice of different shows at different locations.
http://ticket.info.hu is the website I used.