Any itinerary idea for someone who is really into creepy / haunting things? I’m going solo but staying in the center in a location where a lot of things are easily accessible. I’m 21 and a student too so student friendly things are great too. My friend is supposed to meet me there but unsure so I want to have a plan just in case!
Thanks!
PS: thinking about doing a day trip to Prague but unsure if I should do it now or wait till I get the chance to come back to EU.
If you like haunting things, you should consider checking out a ghost tour. Here are a couple companies to look into:
http://www.ghosttourbudapest.com/
http://www.mysteriumtours.com/budapest/
Prague is much too far to do as a day trip from Budapest. There are lots of other options, including Szentendre and Vac (each less than an hour away), or Eger or Pecs (each about 3 hours away, so better as an overnight). If you really insist on a different country, Vienna or Bratislava (each about 3 hours from Budapest) would also work.
The House of Terror is about the Nazi and Communist periods in Hungary. The elevator ride down to the basement (with a TV screen showing a graphic interview with a guard), as well as the basement itself where the prisoners were kept and killed, is definitely creepy. http://www.terrorhaza.hu/en
There's also an underground hospital; I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know how creepy it is, but it may be up your alley. http://visitbudapest.travel/arts-entertainment/budapest-museums/hospital-in-the-rock-museum/
These guys do some excellent offbeat tours: https://beyondbudapest.hu/Tours The cemetery tour is actually creepy and interesting at a lot of levels.
As for Prague, its a bit far if you only have 4 days. You say 4 days: that could mean arriving about noon on one day, two days site seeing and leaving on the fourth day. That's a pretty bare minimum to see Budapest.
Szentendre is an option for a day trip, but at that time of year I might be more inclined to go to the main square in Obuda. It will be decorated for Christmas and have more open. A lot of the charm of Szentendre for me is the boat ride back, but it doesn't run in December.
IF you do have more time and you want something not creepy, but edgy and off the beaten path, you might fly out to Kyiv. Cheaper fight than Prague ($60 vs $120), hotels half the cost of Prague, less touristy than Prague but incredibly fascinating; including ancient catacombs to tour if that helps. For the average interests its a good two night trip. If the subjects interest you it can be a 3, 4 or 5 night trip.
Ruin bars! Google it...there are lots of underground areas and buildings in various states of disrepair that have been turned into fabulous bars! Goes right along with your theme!
do you scuba dive?
The Kerepesi temeto (cemetery) is supposed to be quite beautiful and full of interesting graves and monuments, I plan to visit next May. It's located within walking distance of Keleti train station (M2 & M4 metro) at Fiumei ut 16-18.
I second the suggestion for the Terror House, the basement cells felt very creepy to me and it's one of the more fascinating museums I've ever visited.
christa, behind the Kerepesi cemetery is the Jewish Salgotarjani utca Cemetery which is incredibly fascinating. Ruined, robbed, open crypts and decaying monuments. There is no describing it; other than to say a sad commentary on society. https://www.google.com/search?q=Salgotarjani+cemetery+budapest&safe=off&rlz=1C1GKLB_enUS644US646&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiapv_xos7XAhVJxFQKHXdPATwQ_AUICygC&biw=1536&bih=735
From the Kerepesi Cemetery walk down Fiumi utca to the southern corner of the cemetery. There get on any tram running parallel to the southern wall of the cemetery. Get off at the first stop. Actually you will have to watch for the stop and push the button on the tram to get it to stop,otherwise it will run past the Salgotarjai Cemetery stop.
I hadn't mentioned this earlier because, while you will find it creepy, i see it more reverent.
James--thank you for the suggestion of the Jewish cemetery, I am particularly interested in their history and found a similar experience at one in Krakow. I suggested the Kerepesi cemetery because I had just read about it and know that many people go for the creep factor, and many for the history. Like you, I go with reverence. At Kerepesi I'll be looking for more Katonas, still researching my mom's family tree.
IF you or anyone goes, pick a small grave marker in need of cleaning up and give the care takers about 30.000 HUF with which to do it. Not a requirement, not even expected or anticipate, but a good thing to do.
