Budapest, City of - Caves?

[Iberostar Hotels & Resorts]

By now, many are aware that Hungary's capital Budapest has always been linked to its thermal baths - more than one hundreds sources of different water temperatures which serve the residents, not only to warm up when the city is covered with a white blanket, but also as a place of social gathering; to have a drink, play chess, chat or flirt. But these pools also have an underground consequence. The thermal water erosion has made the subsoil of the city and its surrounding areas a real labyrinth with more than 200 caves, the most famous being Pálvölgyi.

The Pálvölgyi caves were discovered in 1904 by a group of speleologists who found passages more than 1,200 meters long and filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Years later, in 1927, when it was fitted with electric lighting and the necessary facilities, the cave was opened to the public. Since then, they have continued excavating and there are currently 18 kilometers of explored tunnels, making it the second largest cave in Hungary.

There are two programmed visits, one three hours long and a shorter one of 50 minutes. In both, the traveler can check out the incredible formations of stalactites, cross passages and impossible tunnels, and enjoy a superb speleology session for beginners. Although one requirement is that you need to be minimally in shape and not suffer from claustrophobia.

 

Satisfy your sweet tooth: After a morning or afternoon of speleology, the body calls for a rest and something to eat. Café Ruszwurm is one of the oldest and most traditional cafés, and has a cake, dessert and strudel menu that will delight any palate.

 

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has a hotel in Budapest: the 5-star IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Budapest. It has a privileged location, surrounded by important buildings, embassies and shopping areas. It was built in 2011 and its rooms offer perfect luxury. It also has a complete spa center to ensure optimum relaxation during your stay, and its facilities cater for business conventions, incentive trips and other types of professional events held in Budapest.”

from our blog Passport To...