9. Underground Cave Walk into Budapest's most famous caves
Spending the day cave-exploring is one of the lesser known ways to enjoy Budapest. This tour is for for those who want something more active and less touristic than museums and ruin pubs. Join us and discover the most characteristic caves of Budapest, nestled within the beautiful Buda Hills, 35-40 minutes from the city center. Follow professional English-speaking guides, members of the Hungarian Caving Association. With their guidance you will have access to some parts of the caves where most of tourists can’t enter.
We will visit two caves both of which are equipped with pavement and artificial lighting, although there are some ladders to climb. Their distance from each other is 800 meters and our visit will cover 500 meters in each caves. Both caves have a special thermal origin caused by an up welling of warm mineral rich water from a deep level, unlikely to the word’s most caves which are mostly formed by solutional activity via down flow of water.
Our first site is Szemlő-hegyi Cave, also known as the underground flower garden of Budapest, as the mineral-laden waters have created forms such as cauliflowers, pea stones and popcorn, with walls of mineral deposits that are unique to Europe. Because the caves enjoy a steady temperature of 10 degrees Celsius with pure - dust and allergen free - air along with 100% humidity, the lowest level of the cave is succesfully used to heal respiratory problems. An interactive exhibition about caves and an outdoor rock exhibition with an educational trail makes the experience even more colourful.
As there is no underground connection between the two caves, we will take a pleasant pavement walk of about 10-15 minutes to the Pál-völgyi Cave. Marvel at the longest cave system of Hungary, around 32 kilometers, known for its lofty passageways and great difference levels. Here, find stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations and glittering calcite crystals. Experience the famous Theater Hall, renowned as an echo chamber with impressive acoustics. Finish your tour with a peek at the quarry from one of the caves many hidden exits.
Both caves have a cafeteria, so you can have a coffee-pause or refreshments in Szemlő-hegyi Cave, or after the tour you can chill at the moody beer terrace of the Pál-völgyi cave.