The Szent István krt. (part of the Grand Boulevard, also called Great Ring Road) is the pulse of Budapest, boasting a 4km stretch of some of the finest architecture around. It plays a central part in the life of the city, shooting straight down its middle from Margaret Island to the South end of downtown.

It was officially inaugurated in 1896 along with a bunch of other monuments such as the Basilica, M1 Metro line, Szabadság híd (Liberty Bridge) and the Vígszínház, the beautiful theatre next to our hostel. The swampland behind the theater at the time quickly gave way to a new, magnificent Budapest and the new center of


its citizens, Lipótváros. The area remains one of the most interesting parts of the city, where old Jewish bourgeoisie, post-communist factory workers, middle-class families and young hipsters live together in harmony and create a unique vibe.

The Groove is located towards the north end of the Boluevard, halfway between Nyugati train station and the Danube river. Every major site is within walking distance as is the beautiful Margaret Island, as well as any bar, club or restaurant you might want to hit up during your stay in Budapest.