Grottor i Budapest - vindlande underjordiska grottsystem

Did you know that there are caves in Budapest? In fact, the entire city rests on an underground system of caves, some of which are open to tourists. We visited one of them, the Szemlö-hegyi cave, during our Budapest trip.

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Caves in Budapest

Over 200 caves are hidden beneath Budapest, a small number of which are open to tourists. The cave system is believed to be more than 150 kilometres long and has been formed by the hot thermal water that is also used in the area. Budapest's baths.

When blog tour Budapest was over and we had a day to ourselves in the city, we decided to check out one of the city's caves. We had asked around and found out that two of the caves, Pál Völgy and Szemlö-hegyi, are right next to each other. One was said to be 'easy' and one 'more adventurous'. We decided to seek these out!

On a cave adventure

The two caves are on the Buda side, but a little bit away from the most touristy area. We asked for instructions at the hotel and then took tram 19 to Kolosy ter. Here we got hungry and happened to fall into the sushi restaurant Wasabi (sushi on a conveyor belt!) before we continued.

The last bit we had planned to take bus 65, but we decided to walk instead. We kind of regretted it when we realised it was uphill all the way, but it was probably a good thing considering all the food we had eaten in the last few days...

For adventurers: Pál-völgy cave

Finally, we arrived at the Pál-Völgyi cave, which at 30 kilometres is the longest cave in Budapest. Outside the reception we saw a group of excited cave visitors wearing overalls and helmets. "Is this the more adventurous the cave?" I (Helena) asked. Yes, it was, the guy at the reception confirmed.

We've heard that this cave tour involves climbing and crawling in tight spaces. I'm sure Peter would have loved to enter it, but I'm not entirely comfortable with confined spaces. "Eeeeh ... where is the other cave?", I wondered.

For all others: Szemlö-hegy Cave

It took about 15 minutes to walk to the second cave, Szemlö-hegy. We arrived at the second last tour of the day, at 15:00, and it turned out that we were completely alone with the guide. The young girl spoke good English and enthusiastically showed us around the cave during a 45-minute tour.

The guide showed us different formations in the cave, which look like "peas" or "cauliflower". She also told us that Hungarians with respiratory problems are sometimes prescribed "healthy cave air" by their doctors - and therefore come here for a few hours a week to sit and breathe.

The cave was discovered in the 1930s by a couple of adventurous men. However, it was the girlfriend of one of them who refused to accept that the cave ended, and crawled through a narrow hole to find the continuation. Today, a larger opening has been made for visitors, and a plaque sits on one wall to commemorate the brave Maria.

If you have seen several caves before, this cave may not offer anything spectacular, but it was still a nice guided tour underground. And for those who want more adventure, there is!

More caving experiences and caves in Budapest

We took a standard tour in one of the caves and paid 123 SEK for both of us. These tours are organised every hour when the caves are open, and according to our guide, there is no need to book in advance. It is also possible to book private, more expensive and slightly more extensive guided tours in advance:

Adventure Caving - 2.5-3 hour adventurous tour that includes both climbing and crawling.
Cave Walk - 2,5 one way tour in two caves.
Geological Tour - 4-hour tour, which includes both easy hiking and climbing/crawling.

In addition to these caves, there are Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker - an old emergency hospital in the mountain below Slottshöjden. The hospital was built as a secret military hospital and was used extensively during the Second World War. Today, the hospital is open as a museum, with over 40 wax dolls on display.

More to see and do in Budapest

There is of course much more to What to see and do in Budapest. For example, take the opportunity to try Hungarian food at all the wonderful restaurants in Budapest. Below you will find even more tips for experiences and sights around Hungary.

Have you experienced caves in Budapest?

Have you experienced caves in Budapest, or perhaps elsewhere? Please tell us!

Facts about caves in Budapest

Address: Szemlö-hegy barlang (cave) is located at Pusztaszeri út 35. Pál-völgy barlang (cave) is located at Szépvölgyi út 162 in Duna-Ipoly National Park.
Opening hours: The caves are open all year round, except on certain public holidays. Pál-völgy is closed on Mondays and Szemlö-hegy is closed on Tuesdays (2019).
Temperature: It is 10 degrees C in the caves all year round.

Good to know before your visit

Age limit: The Pál-völgy cave cannot be visited by children under 5 years old or under 115 cm. "Adventure caving" has an age limit of 10-55 years, and children under 14 years of age need a participating parent or guardian's signature.
Equipment: The easy tours require no equipment, except for clothing suitable for 10 degrees. For the more adventurous tours, you can borrow overalls, a helmet and a headlamp. You must provide your own (comfortable) shoes.
Other: "Adventure caving is not recommended for overweight people and you must not be under the influence of alcohol.
Read more: You can find more information at caving.hu

Travelling to the caves

Taxi: 15 minutes from the city centre.
Local transport: Take tram 19 or 41 in the direction of Becsi Ut. Get off at Kolosy ter station. Then take bus 65 in the direction of Szépvölgyi dűlő.

8 Comments

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Emma, sun like sun? says:

How caves attract and discourage at the same time! It is fascinating to see the formations formed by natural means. As for the fact that those with respiratory problems were prescribed to sit there for an hour a week, it would be interesting to know what makes them feel better afterwards. What is so special about these Hungarian caves that they provide relief?

27 November 2019 - 9:23

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Good question! The air in the caves is a bit special (more humid?), but if there is really evidence that it has an effect ... I don't know?
  
  27 November 2019 - 21:47
  
Ama de casa says:

How cool! I had no idea there were caves there. Yet another reason to return to Budapest - visit caves and document the food 😉.

27 November 2019 - 9:34

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, but isn't it? 🙂
  
  27 November 2019 - 21:48
  
BP says:

I also had no idea that there were caves in Budapest. I have only visited caves in France and there the formations are completely different. No peas and cauliflower but only stalagmites and stalactites. Even the colour is more white/grey. Exciting.

27 November 2019 - 18:28

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  In France there are some cool caves with cave paintings and such, I understand! We have seen stalagtites and stalagmites in other places, such as Sardinia. Here there was nothing like that ... But still a bit cool with caves in the city 😉.
  
  27 November 2019 - 21:50
  
Ruth in Virginia says:

Budapest apparently has everything. 🙂
I don't like caves with narrow holes.
Big caves, like Carlsbad Caverns, for example.

The big surprise was the caves on Gibraltar. Our
tour guide said, that Gibraltar is like Swiss cheese.
Interesting!

27 November 2019 - 22:09

- Anonymous says:
  
  Underground tunnels in Prague, Naples, London, Turkey, Edingburg, Paris etc.........mm.... kilometres and no one asks why and who dug them........Only a few know. Whoever seeks the answer will find it!
  
  05 February 2022 - 21:55

Caves in Budapest - winding underground cave system

Caves in Budapest

On a cave adventure

For adventurers: Pál-völgy cave

For all others: Szemlö-hegy Cave

More caving experiences and caves in Budapest

More to see and do in Budapest

Have you experienced caves in Budapest?

Facts about caves in Budapest

Good to know before your visit

Travelling to the caves

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8 Comments

Emma, sun like sun? says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Ruth in Virginia says:

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