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Bac Ha

Bắc Hà is a town in north-western Vietnam, on the border with the town of Hekou in Yunnan, China. The main reason to visit this town is its colorful Sunday market. Many travellers place Bắc Hà on their itinerary when they visit Sa Pa.

By train
Bắc Hà can be reached by a nine-hour train journey from Hanoi to Lào Cai (pronounced lao kai), followed by a separate transfer to Bắc Hà.

Vietnam Rail operates some of the carriages in the train, but others are operated by private companies (Fanxipan Express, Friendly, Ratraco, Tulico, Victoria Hotels, and many others). Some of these cars are significantly nicer than the standard cars. You may need to arrange with a travel agency to get tickets on these tourist cars, but any traveller can purchase tickets for the Vietnam Rail cars at the Hanoi train station. Warning: several of these cars are not significantly better than standard Vietnamese sleeping cars, but are still substantially more expensive. Pumpkin second class is actually a Vietnam Rail car booked through this company. Even Pumpkin first class only has a squat toilet (although a sign above the toilet door says "Western-style toilet"!).

Prices vary according to both the type of seat purchased and the season during which you are travelling. Dates around Vietnamese holidays are particularly expensive and tickets cannot be assumed available for same day travel, so book ahead if possible. Travellers are strongly recommended to purchase a berth in a soft or hard sleeper car, though the trip in soft-seat class is not intolerable.

 * Cheaper travel. Cheaper tickets, especially in hard sleeper class, can be difficult to come by at times, as tour companies and travel agents will snap up these to foist on their own customers (too frequently a promised soft sleeper berth will turn into a hard sleeper when it comes time to board). To avoid ripoffs, it is better to go to the train station yourself and get the ticket from the ticket office. This is the only way to make sure that you will get what you have paid for. Although one cannot be assured of finding a place, it is often possible to arrive at the station a short while before boarding time, as there are usually young men hanging around trying to hawk unfilled berths at the last minute. The price of these tickets will fall dramatically as departure time draws near.
 * More expensive travel. For a bed in a hard or soft sleeper carriage, expect to pay in the area of 430,000–525,000 dong one way. For a soft seat, expect to pay 220,000 dong one way (May 2012). Tickets can be booked online from a travel agent such as Vietnam Impressive. You will be emailed a voucher which must be printed out and presented to a train company representative at the station about 30–60 minutes before the departure time to obtain the actual tickets.

 * The Victoria Hotel train has a dining car serving good, surprisingly affordable noodles (10,000 dong) and rice porridge (10,000 dong), but other trains such as Fanxipan do not. On the latter train a packet of biscuits, a banana and a bottle of water are provided as part of the cost of the ticket (October 2013), and it is possible to purchase pot noodles and snacks on board. However, you may prefer to purchase your own hot food, snacks and drinks from vendors in the grounds of the railway station. There are toilets on the train but no showers.

It is recommended that you book a return ticket when you buy your outward journey, as picking up tickets in Lào Cai is harder than in Hanoi. The staff do not speak as much English, and they possibly only sell tickets for travel on the same day, so sleepers may already be sold out unless you go first thing in the morning. Pay attention to the time of your return train. Trains leaving Lào Cai around 20:00 will arrive in Hanoi at around 05:00. If you are planning to stay in a hotel or hostel that does not have a 24-hour reception and do not make prior arrangements when you return to Hanoi at an early hour, you may find yourself sitting outside your hotel waiting a few hours for the reception desk to open.

By bus
Sleeper buses run direct from Hanoi to Lào Cai for around USD15–20. Ask at the local tourist office, a reputable tour agency, or your hotel or hostel regarding tickets. These buses are reasonably modern, the beds are small and recline back, typically in three single or two double rows. The bus will make stops for bathroom breaks and snacks, and once in Lào Cai city. If you are a light sleeper the journey could be uncomfortable with many sharp twists and turns, and some claim that the mountain roads are dangerous, although there is no evidence of accidents on the route. The bus stop is near the lake area.

Conducted coach tour
Many people visit Bắc Hà as part of a trip to Sa Pa. If you are thinking of doing the same, it is worth planning your travel so that you arrive in or leave from Lào Cai on a Sunday, as Bắc Hà is nearer to Lào Cai than Sa Pa. Your hotel in Sa Pa may be able to arrange for someone to meet you at the Lào Cai train station and put you on a coach tour conducted by a local guide (USD15 in October 2013) that will take you to the Bắc Hà Sunday market; a village inhabited by the Flower H'mong; and the border between Lào Cai and Hekou, a small town in Yunnan, China; and then bring you to Sa Pa (or the reverse if you are leaving Sa Pa and catching the train from Lào Cai).

Tours from Sa Pa which take in the Bắc Hà Sunday market, and often the stops mentioned above or others, leave Sa Pa at 07:00 and return around 16:00 or 17:00. These cost USD10–12.

By bus
Buses leave from Lào Cai for Bắc Hà at 06:30, 07:30 and 13:00 daily, take roughly two hours and cost 60,000 dong. Beware of a common scam: bus conductors may try to charge you USD10 or at least 100,000 dong for the bus ride. There will be no argument if you walk to the bus station which is 300 metres southwest of Lào Cai railway station down Phan Đình Phùng, and purchase a ticket there. Buses returning to Lào Cai leave Bắc Hà at 17:30 and 0:00.

By motorcycle
It is possible to ride a motorbike to Bắc Hà from Lào Cai (63 km) or even Sa Pa (110 km). However, the road is not great at parts and can be very dusty in the dry season. Travellers have reported that a tarmac road is in the process of being built. When it is complete, motorcycle trips will be a good deal more pleasant.

Get around

Bắc Hà is small, so most things within the town are within walking distance.

Buy
See the description of the Bắc Hà Sunday market in the "See" section above.

Eat

There are a number of restaurants in the main square in the centre of town, and a few on quieter side streets.

Sleep
In general, there's no reason to stay overnight in Bắc Hà unless you have arrived on Saturday afternoon and wish to visit the Sunday market the next day, or your onward journey from Bắc Hà is on the following Monday.

Go next

 * If you are unable to visit the Bắc Hà Sunday market or are staying for a few days, the following markets (some of which operate on other days of the week) are in the vicinity of Bắc Hà:
 * Sa Pa
 * Sa Pa
 * Sa Pa
 * Sa Pa

title: Bac Ha


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Bacharach

Bacharach (pop 1877) is a town in the Middle Rhine Valley in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany.

Understand
It is a small ancient town on the west bank of the Rhine. It existed before the Romans as a Celtic settlement. Its name Baccaracum came from the God of Bacchus as it supplied wine to the ancient territories. The medieval town is extremely well-preserved and can easily be called a hidden gem. Stahleck Castle, which was built in the 11th Century, was initially the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne's reeves. Nowadays, it is a youth hostel overlooking the town. In the 19th century, Victor Hugo described Bacharach as one of the "world's prettiest towns".

By plane
The airport at Hahn is about 50 km and Frankfurt Airport is about 70 km away.

By train
Trains from Koblenz and Mainz run to Bacharach at least hourly. Sometimes, there are direct trains from Cologne as well. Otherwise, you would have to change the train at Koblenz. The line is Koblenz – Boppard – Oberwesel – Bacharach – Bingen am Rhein – Mainz. From Frankfurt airport it takes between 1 and 1.5 hours (with one change in Mainz).

By road
Is on the B9 16 km north of Bingen. Parking on the side of the main road, 50 cents an hour.

By boat
The Köln-Düsseldorfer Rheinschiffahrt, better known as KD, runs cruises and scheduled services up and down the river to towns between Cologne and Mainz.

Bingen-Rüdesheimer operates scheduled services between Rüdesheim and St. Goar.

Get around
The town is small so walking is the best way to get around.

Do
Take a cruise along the Rhine.

Do a wine tasting 'carousel' in town.

Walk through the vineyards, taking the Rheinburgenweg going south. The Northerly direction gives good views but has a steep section not recommended for the casual walker.

Buy
Several shops sell souvenirs, especially local wine. Despite its small size, there is at least a supermarket in town.

Eat
There is a large number of restaurants catering to tourists in the town. Here are a few suggestions

Drink
Wine

Go next

 * Trechtingshausen
 * Bingen
 * Oberwesel

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Bacharach


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Bach Ma National Park

Bach ma is a national park in the Hua Thien Hue province of Vietnam.

Understand
Bach ma is a 22,000-hectare national park located 18 km away from the coast. Bach Ma is also the name given to the highest 1450m mountain in the park.

Within the park are ecotourist, forestry and science departments. There is also a community centre for the local communities who live in the park.

History
Protected by the government of South Vietnam in 1962, the area was established as a national park around 1991.

The forests of the park suffered from the use of Agent Orange and the likes during the Vietnam War.

Landscape
300-m drop waterfall, five-tier cascade lake. Forests, tropical and sub-tropical.

Wildlife
High biodiversity; over 350 bird species and 132 species of mammals. Rare red-shanked Douc langurs live here as do eight other species of primates.

In this area, the muntjac (a type of small deer), and also some of the world's rarest mammals, the saola, have be found.

It is thought that leopards and tigers may still live in the remote parts of the park.

Flora and fauna
The park employs 40 forest rangers to detect and prevent illegal activities such as poaching and logging.

The park has a science department to carry research the ecosystems, flora and fauna.

Despite the decimation of many species during the Vietnam war, there are still an incredible amount of plants to discover or investigate with potential for use medicines, etc.

Climate
Bach ma Mountain is the wettest area of Vietnam: 8,000 mm of annual rainfall. The foothills have less rain: 3,000 mm annually. September to December have the most rainfall. February is cool with very little rain. March and April are Dry but high in humidity. Typhoons are a possibility between September and December.

Get in
Buses between Hue and Da Nang stop at Cau Hai if you ask the driver top let you out (public bus from Hue is 20,000 dong).

Train from Cau Hai.

Private motorcycle taxi from Cau Hai to the park's entrance.

There are not many Grab drivers around.

The park entrance is off Highway 1. The entrance is 3 km from the small town of Cau Hai, 40 km south of Hue, 65 km north of Danang and 90 km south of Hoi An, where the park road meets National Route 1.

Cycling and motorcycling to the summit are prohibited.

Fees and permits
English- (and one French-) speaking guides can be hired for 150,000 dong per day.
 * Adults over 16 years old: 60,000 dong
 * Children, students: 30,000 dong?
 * Children under 5 years old free

Get around
Motorbikes and bicycles are not allowed to use the steep 16-km summit road, because it's dangerous. Unless you want to walk, you'll need transportation to reach the guesthouses at the summit and most of the trails. This can be arranged by contacting the park. Car+driver cost 750,000 dong per day (groups can save money).

See
Plenty of insects and fish. There are five waterfalls in the park.

Do
Trekking. Visit Bach Ma Zen monastery. Organised tours often include things like flower lantern displays, martial art displays, five-lake cascades trail, and the Pheasant trail.

Eat
Canteen near the park entrance

Restaurants at the summits ecotourism centre

Lodging
Lodging and other services are available in the park.

Rooms from 300,000 dong.

Stay safe
For your safety, cycles and moterbikes are prohibited on the 16-km Bach Ma mountain road.

Go next

 * Hue, former national capital
 * Hoi An, ancient port city
 * Da Nang, famous for beaches and seaside resort
 * Lang Co, peaceful sand beach by the Hai Van Pass

title: Bach Ma National Park


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Backpacking

There are two generally distinct kinds of backpacking:

 * Wilderness backpacking - hiking in areas away from civilization, sleeping in tents or cabins
 * Urban backpacking - travelling from city to city, sleeping in hostels or other lodging

title: Backpacking


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Baclayon

The historic town of Baclayon lies 6 km east along the seashore from Tagbilaran city on the Visayan island of Bohol in the Philippines. It was the first town established in Bohol by the Spaniards. Its 16th-century church, the pier and harbor it overlooks, and the elegant and well-preserved heritage houses lining the roads, make the township a charming and idyllic destination.

Understand
The town was founded in 1595 by two Jesuit priests, Father Juan de Torres and Father Gabriel Sanchez, the first to enter Bohol for missionary work. In 1596 the priests built the Baclayon Church of the Immaculate Conception,  a heavy-set stone church considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.

The town of Baclayon got its name from their tribal chieftain Baclayon. He was a warrior of a conquering tribe from the "Malays." He guarded the invasion of pirates and pillagers from Cebu, Iloilo and Mindanao. When the two Jesuit priests came, he submitted his tribe and warriors and embraced Christianity. He was given a Christian name "Zacarias" by the Spanish priest Sanchez. Considering the popularity of Zacarias' leadership in the territory, the priest used the name Baclayon as the name of the territory.

The original territorial jurisdiction of Baclayon was so vast that it covered the present areas of the municipalities of Balilihan, Alburquerque, Catigbian, Corella, Sikatuna and San Isidro combined together.

In 2015, it was home to 21,000 people.

By ferry
Accessing Tagbilaran (and Baclayon) by ferry from Cebu, Dumagete, Siquijor, Dapitan or Manila is a great option as the routes pass by countless beautiful islands while providing the chance of seeing dolphins at play. Ferries also present more route options than flying and can often be faster than an indirect flight. Many ferries travel the most popular route of Cebu - Tagbilaran, with high-speed ferries taking 1½ hr, or 5 hr on the regular, slower vessels. As regular ferries are the cheapest way to travel from island to island, they tend to get very crowded during the high season (Holy Week or Christmas).

Fast Ferries
Ocean Jet – +63-32-255-7560 – Cebu to Tagbilaran (1hr 40min); 06:00, 09:30, 13:50, 15:35, 18:00 daily. Dumagete to Tagbilaran (1 hr 40 min); 07:30, 14:20 daily. Dapitan to Tagbilaran (3 hr 40 min); 12:20 daily. Siquijor to Tagbilaran (2 hr 40 min); 06:00 daily.

Supercat - +63-32-233-7000 – Cebu to Tagbilaran (1hr 45min); 08:30, 12:30, 16:30 daily.

Wessam Express - +63-62-992-3756 – Cebu to Tagbilaran (2hr); 09:00, 14:00, 18:30 daily. Dumagete to Tagbilaran (2hr 20min); 14:00 daily.

Regular Ferries
Cokaliong Shipping Lines - +63-32-232-7211 – Cebu to Tagbilaran (5 hr); 18:30 Mondays only.

Lite Shipping Corporation - +63-32-255-1721 – Cebu to Tagbilaran (5 hr); 12:30, 22:00 daily.

Negros Navigation - +63-2-554-8777 – Manila to Tagbilaran (31½ hr); 18:00 Wednesdays only.

Sulpicio Lines - +63-32-232-5361 – Manila to Tagbilaran (28 hr); 12:00 Wednesdays only.

By jeepney
The cheapest form of transport from Tagbilaran to Baclayon is by Jeepney,. The terminal for the Jeepneys passing through Baclayon is outside of the Bohol Provincial Hospital (J. Torralba Street), and they will be advertised on the outside as traveling to Albur, Loay or Loboc. Jeepneys are always filled to capacity before they leave the terminal so don’t expect a particularly comfortable, spacious ride. Those with claustrophobia should be cautious.

By habal-habal
Motorbike transportation (habal-habal) is usually the quickest and easiest form of public transportation. The fare can be bargainable with the driver, so you need an understanding of how much you should pay so that you don’t get taken advantage of being a tourist. Fares from Tagbilaran to Baclayon are usually. Be wary that this sort of transportation can be quite unsafe as the motorbikes do not come with helmets and there is no regulation on driving capabilities.

By tricycle
Tricycles are slightly more expensive than the habal-habal, with a trip from Tagbilaran to Baclayon expected to cost around. Tricycles however offer a safer option than habal-habals, and are a slightly more comfortable ride than Jeepneys.

By taxi
Taxis are not prolific in Bohol and subsequently the prices charged are incredibly expensive for the same distance traveled in cities such as Manila (in excess of ). However, for travelers requiring comfort and safety assurance, this is the best option.

Eat
A development for the (once limited) range of eating options and night atmosphere in Baclayon is the introduction of wharf-side barbeque vendors (Habhabans) offering a delicious range of grilled fish, pork, chicken, squid and chorizo in a style unique to Baclayon. Meals are inexpensive between.

A variety of low-cost Filipino food outlets are available at the back of the historic marketplace. Meals range from around. Plans are in place to develop and upgrade these restaurants by the end of 2011.

Drink
All Habhaban restaurants have tables outside where you can sit back and enjoy a beer or two looking towards the Baclayon Church and the harbor. After their development, these have become a particular favorite with the local community and is a great way for tourists to immerse themselves into the social setting of Baclayon.

Sleep
Baclayon has a good range of accommodation providers, from home-stays in the historic ancestral houses, to high-class luxury resorts and spas.

Go next

 * Anda
 * Panglao Island
 * Tagbilaran

title: Baclayon


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Bacolod

Bacolod is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines, and the most populous city on Negros Island at about 600,000 in the 2020 census. It is known for its MassKara Festival, a Mardi Gras-like parade and spectacular mix of dancing, colour and music held every October, as well as for its culinary heritage that includes inasal (a kind of roast chicken on skewers) and sweet dessert treats.

Understand
Bacolod is a major transport hub with an international airport, a large and busy ferry port, and good road connections with many buses.

History
The name Bacolod is derived from the Hiligaynon word, Buklod meaning stone hill, named for the hill where Austronesians first settled in the area. Later on, Moro (Muslim) pirates attacked early one morning and within a few hours many people had been slaughtered and houses ransacked and/or burnt. The people then decided to move down to the shore, abandoning the stone hill. The original town is now called Daan-Banwa, meaning old town and is in Barangay Granada.

Bacolod was made the provincial capital of Negros Occidental in 1890. It was the focal point of conflict between the Negrenses and the Spaniards in 1898. The commanding officer of the Spanish forces surrendered to the Filipino forces, and the signing of the Act of Capitulation was carried out at the house of Don Eusebio Luzuriaga which once stood in front of the City Hall; today there is a monument. This resulted in the formation of an independent Negros Island Republic.

The Republic lasted less than a year; in March 1899, American forces occupied Bacolod. During American colonial rule, the Rizal Institute was set up in the town in 1903 providing education to the Bacolodnons. La Consolacion College was founded in 1919 by the Augustinian sisters as a Catholic school. Bacolod was declared a city in 1938; today October 19 is observed as Charter Day commemorating that. Bacolod was occupied by Japanese forces in May, 1942 and was liberated by American forces in May, 1945.

From its small origins, Bacolod has emerged as an urbanized metropolis and has been named as one of the two cleanest and greenest highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. It has also been recognized for its disaster risk management and as a pilot city for democratic local governance for Southeast Asia by the European Union.

Orientation
Bacolod is the largest of 13 cities in the province of Negros Occidental, serving as the provincial capital and center of governance, economy and education. Neighbouring towns are Murcia to the east, Silay and Talisay to the north, and Bago City to the south. The Guimaras Strait is to the west, with Iloilo City and Guimaras across it.

Bacolod contains 61 barangays; however, only eight of them are likely to be important to visitors:

 * Downtown Bacolod/City Proper/Central Business District (CBD) — Business transactions, malls and marketplaces, famous landmarks, and small diners are all concentrated in this district, often crowded especially in holidays and weekends this is the spot where the first malls, cinema houses, markets and humble beginnings of businesses started.
 * Singcang — Bars, casinos, fun and the former airport, what else more? The former is used as a venue for motor-cross events and concerts.
 * Villamonte — another growing business district for the city. Shopping centers are located here and it is expected that due to the location of the New Government Center there would be a rise of business establishments within the district. St. Joseph-La Salle Integrated School, Panasonic Solutions, Lopue's East, Victoria Arcade, Yuan Thong Temple and numerous business establishments which include a hotel are located here. High rise accommodations are being constructed here and where the middle and high class helps the economy running.
 * Alijis and Mansilingan — A residential area where there is also expected an economic growth due to the location of the construction of a terminal.
 * Punta Taytay — Beaches and pottery is what Punta Taytay is usually known for. Just like Estefania/Fortune Town and Villamonte, this district has a lot of subdivisions. Beaches might had been mention but it's quite disappointing that it is neglected now by the public that the waves of the sea bring garbage to the shore making it dirty, reforestation of the mangroves is being done to revive the disappearing ecosystems of the city.
 * Granada — where the first settlement of Bacolod was founded.
 * Mandalagan — is a growing economic center for the city where one of the first high rise buildings of Negros is under construction. Bacolod's first fully functioning mall is located here, and many businesses have found their home in this district. You can grab a drink here, party all night, enjoy a meal of either regional or international fare, or enjoy exhibitions of local artists. There is also a monastery here.

Climate
Bacolod has two pronounced seasons. The wet season starts in May and continues until January, with heavy rainfall during August and September. This season is characterized by uncomfortable high humidity and periodic flooding, especially in low-lying barangays, though it tends to let up by October. The dry season starts in February and ends in April, herein punctuated with occasional droughts that may translate into water and electricity shortages. Temperature-wise, April is the hottest month of the year while December is the coldest.

People
Bacolodnons or Bacoleños are a diverse mix of dark-skinned Melanesian aborigines (Negritos), Austronesian (specifically Visayan), East Asian (mostly Chinese, but also Korean and Japanese) and European backgrounds. In past decades, those of Spanish and Chinese descent dominated the regional sugar industry, but today's economic picture is one in which highly educated and independent locals of various backgrounds are involved. Past times saw worries, sorrows, and fears arise in the wake of economic crises tied to the sugar industry, from which evolved Bacolod's motto as the City of Smiles for its inhabitants' fortitude, as did its MassKara festival to celebrate its perseverance through these dark times.

Bacolod shows signs of a cosmopolitan city despite not having many high couture stores like Manila and Cebu, drawing a sizable representation of Chinese and Indian entrepreneurs, repatriated members of its own who have gone away to work or study, and a large influx of migrants from as far as Mindanao seeking better opportunity. It is also seen as an English-learning tourist hub for those coming from East Asian countries, especially Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Immigration pressures and a general Christian conservatism do tend to permeate the city's persona at times.

Religion
A majority of the people are Christians, predominantly Catholic. The Baptists, the Iglesia ni Kristo (Church of Christ), Anglicans and Seventh Day Adventists are the next largest groups. There is a growing population of Muslims who migrated from South Cotabato while those of Chinese descent are often Taoist.

Working hours
Businesses in Bacolod open as early as 7AM and close as late as 10PM however the regular working hours that apply to all commercial establishments and offices are 8/9AM-6/7PM. Malls open up till 9 or 10PM, and in case of midnight sales, they open up till 2AM. A few shops are open during Christmas, and everything is closed during Holy Week, from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, save for stores owned by non-Christian minorities.

Talk
The majority of the people of Negros Occidental speak Hiligaynon/Ilonggo as their native language, though there are some who speak Cebuano or Kinaray-a; see Visayan languages for background. Hiligaynon has more loanwords than Tagalog; buying, telling time, some verbs, rooms, objects and many other words and phrases are of Spanish origin, but grammatical structure and adjectives are different from Spanish.

English is the main second language of the city's population, much more so than Filipino or Cebuano. For visitors, communicating with the people is not that difficult. English is widely understood and spoken by the locals of all social statuses.

The Chinese minority mostly speak Hokkien, though some also know Cantonese or Mandarin. Many also speak one or both of Hiligaynon or English.

Get in
Bacolod is a transport hub with good road, ferry and air connections.

The roads reach destinations anywhere on the large island of Negros which contains two provinces, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Short ferry trips go to Iloilo City, just across the Guimaras Strait to the west, giving access to the islands of Panay and Guimaras, and to Boracay which is near Panay. Other ferries go to more distant destinations.

For Cebu Province to the east, there are some direct ferries, but the usual transport is a bus which goes to San Carlos (Negros Occidental), rides a ferry to Cebu Island, and continues by road to Cebu City. An alternate route to Cebu, and the usual route to Bohol, is to take a bus across Negros to Dumaguete and catch a ferry there.

By plane
Bacolod's main airport, Bacolod-Silay International Airport  is not located within the city but up north in the city of Silay, part of the Metro Bacolod area.

 * Philippines Airlines have connections to and from Manila, Cebu and Clark.
 * Cebu Pacific have connections to and from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Clark.
 * AirAsia have connections to and from Manila.

For arriving passengers who want supplemental guides to the city or free maps, the Department of Tourism and the local government has a desk in the arrivals area where you can grab free maps or have a dose of information from the people over the desk. Hotels, resorts and car rental companies have kiosks in the arrival areas where you can easily book a room and just head to your hotel room without any hassle.

Ground transportation: There are minivans leaving for SM City Bacolod, Bacolod Provincial Hospital, Old Bacolod Airport and Victoria Arcade/Lopues East/Savemore Supermarket. Taxis are more expensive, and inadvisable

To get to the airport, you can also book a van from most places to stay in down town Bacolod. just ask your hotel to phone/text the van for you. The cost is  per person hotel to airport. If you get on the van from outside SM, the fare is  per person.

By bus
Getting to Bacolod by bus from elsewhere in Negros island is smooth and easy as there is little congestion on the roads. Arriving by bus from other islands is also possible, with buses taking RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ferries. During Holy Week, Christmas and New Year, buses are often cramped and overbooked, and it's advisable to avoid traveling by bus during peak season.

There are two major terminals in Bacolod, both operated and used by Ceres.

By ferry
 Bacolod Seaport serves inter-regional trips from major destinations such Manila, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo City. Also you can use the Banago wharf.

 * Fast Cat New ferries, from, 3 times per day.
 * 2Go Travel has ferries to and from Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro.
 * Fast Cat New ferries, from, 3 times per day.
 * 2Go Travel has ferries to and from Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro.
 * 2Go Travel has ferries to and from Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro.

By jeep
Jeepney routes from nearby cities are available, routes from Silay, Talisay and other numerous towns and cities are available, jeepneys are more affordable than taxis.

Get around
Transportation within the city and to adjacent towns is mainly by jeepney, but taxis, buses and rental cars are also available.

The city's streets follow a rough grid in the downtown core, but as you head out into the suburbs it becomes a mess. Traffic jams have increased since the city's economic boom, and are common during rush hours especially during the evening at 5-6PM where commuters head home. The situation is worse during the Christmas and New Year season, as well as during Masskara.

By jeepney
Jeepneys are the common way to get around Bacolod, but the vehicles used are different from those you will see around Manila. Fares start at for the first 4 km, and increase by  for every km added.

There are over 18 routes, converging at Bacolod's two major public markets, the Central Market and Libertad Public Market. One useful route is Central Market - Shopping, which runs between downtown and Bacolod's Chinatown at barangay Villamonte.

By car
Getting around the city by private car or taxi is quick and affordable. There are no problems with traffic jams at all because of the good road layout of the city. Around Bacolod the taxis have a flagdown rate of and  for every 300 meters thereafter. Filipinos usually give the change as a tip but it is not mandatory, if the meter states, they typically give the entire.

By tricycle
Tricycles are another alternative to taxis and are common around the downtown. Fares depend on the distance.

On foot
Consider walking if you are in a hurry, but the streets of Bacolod are generally not suitable for this as their sidewalks are full of illegally parked vehicles and street vendors, and can also be uneven.

Jaywalking is illegal in Bacolod, and enforcement is strict, but pedestrian crossings are hard to spot even downtown.

Historical sites

There are a number of historical attractions in Bacolod:

Religious sites
Churches are a big part of life for a Filipino and all have historical, spiritual and religious meaning.

Museums and galleries

Sports
Football (soccer) is popular throughout Bacolod; thus it is known as the Football/Soccer City of the Philippines. It has been notable for hosting the 23rd Southeast Asian Games Men's football. The Panaad Stadium is used for tournaments and such events. There are three golf clubs in the province of Negros, two located in Bacolod. For bowling, badminton, tennis enthusiasts and people who miss bowling and billiards, you don't have to worry as there are a lot of commercial establishments which offer services to those activities. For those who want to try hardcore games, shooting ranges are around the city while for those who want to see and experience the Sabong or Filipino cockerel derbies, there is a stadium where derbies are popularly held. Tai Chi is practiced in Yuan Thong temple. The Capitol Park and Lagoon is popular for joggers and people doing aerobics during the morning.

Learn
Bacolod is the seat for many universities in Negros Occidental, ESL (English as Second Language) learning centers are open in the city making it in the toplist for cities for ESL programs along with Manila and Cebu and for the past few year an influx of foreign students who have chosen to study in Bacolod. According to statistics about 93% of the total population is literate.

Buy

Bacolod is famous for piaya (a flatbread), biscocho (toasted buns), squid flakes, guapple pie and its pina-sugbo (fried banana dessert). Great souvenirs from Bacolod are its sweet delicacies and uga (dried squid). Many overseas Filipino workers buy these as a pasalubong (gift from traveller to host) or souvenir.

Shell craft, wood craft and ceramic wares are also good buys. Antique wooden statues of saints are one of the best buys, perhaps even if you're not Catholic or religious. Antique stores are scattered around the city but they are difficult to spot; Casa Grande Antiques, Requerdos de Bacolod and Sarlee’s well-known. Hablon, a shimmery fabric produced locally, was popular in the 60s and is still one of the best buys.

Where to exchange?
Money exchangers lurk around the streets of Downtown Bacolod (CBD) and are easy to spot; if you walk into those streets some of them will yell "Dollar exchange!" or they'd come forward and ask you, you can spot some major money exchangers with their self owned stalls. If you don't feel safe in exchanging with money exchangers, you can either go to pawnshops or banks for an alternative and safer option. Most money exchangers accept American dollars and euros, and before leaving the country, exchange your money to dollars to avoid difficulty in finding a money exchanger that exchanges your currency to Philippine pesos but if you don't want to exchange dollars but want to keep your local currency, go exchange your money in major banks to pesos.

Tip: Ask the exchange rate first and ask other money exchangers, compare rates and see the highest, go for the highest exchange rate.

Banks

 * Bank of the Philippines islands. BPI. ATMs have a maximum withdrawal of .

Malls and supermarkets
From air-conditioned supermalls to small shops to the busy Central Market and to the street vendors, shopping is everywhere! The Downtown area, and Libertad are notable for their shopping.

Lacson Street
Lacson can be described as Bacolod's counterpart of Singapore's Orchard Road, not because of the malls present in the street but because of the fine dining restaurants found here, numerous boutique stores, a line of vintage and antique home decor stores.

Other
Pasalubong Centers are usually like mini-supermarkets but sell only pasalubong (souvenir or gift) products such as piaya and biscocho, as well as snacks and drinks.

Eat
Much of the Bacolodnon (and the entire Negrense) cuisine is shared with those in the island of Panay, but is influenced by Negros island's sugarcane industry. Bacolod has many dining establishments of other styles, but the people maintain their native cuisine. Sud-an is Hiligaynon for main dish while kan-on can either mean "rice" or "eat".

 * Lumpiang ubod/fresh lumpia (fresh spring roll; not fried) — One of the must-eat dishes, a delicately exquisite spring roll filled with ubod (fresh coconut flesh), meat (usually pork), and shrimp, with a garnish of scallion.
 * Inasal — Meaning "cooked over fire", it is a local version of chicken barbecue and considered the best in the country. It is cooked with red achuete or annatto seeds (which gives its tempting reddish colouration), brushed on oil and cooked over the fire. It's delicious and affordable.
 * Kalamay hati — Sticky sweet dessert made from glutinous rice and coconut milk and cooked over low heat till it becomes sticky. It's the local version of rice cake.
 * Napoleones — Introduced by the French and derived from mille-feuille, this custard-filled pastry is also another popular specialty from Bacolod. This European dessert isn't that so famous but considered as the best in the Philippines. Roli's Bakeshop is popularly known for this dessert, as well as Virgie's Homemade Products.
 * Piaya/Piyaya — A sweet flat and flaky delicacy, as if a thinner version of hopia. Fillings vary, but ube (purple yam) and muscovado caramel are the most popular.
 * Pinasugbo — A local version of banana cue, it is sliced plantain bananas, thinly coated with brown sugar and deep fried.
 * Uga (dried fish) — Is one of the best and most appetizing foods, in the opinion of most of Bacolodnons. Its salty taste makes it delectable, not only for the mouth but also for the nose and eyes. Beware if you are allergic with this or are having high blood pressure.

Restaurants and food courts
Like most major cities of the Philippines, Bacolod has a defined fine dining scene, centered at Lacson Street. You can find Mexican, Thai, and European (mostly Italian and French) restaurants here, but most locals usually go to those serving Korean, Japanese and/or Chinese dishes. Bacolod is an urbanized city, and it is not hard to find high-quality food.

Open air restaurants in Bacolod usually serve native Filipino cuisine at affordable prices, while fast food chains are either standalone places or inside malls. A branch of Starbucks is found along Lacson St., the first branch on Negros Island though Dumaguete now has one too.

Budget

 * Sanders Coffee & Sausages Lacson Street. 7AM-1AM daily meals for around.
 * D Bakers Baker Shop Gonzaga corner Bonifacio streets. Sells bread, cakes and pies. 3 branches in Bacolod
 * Sanders Coffee & Sausages Lacson Street. 7AM-1AM daily meals for around.
 * D Bakers Baker Shop Gonzaga corner Bonifacio streets. Sells bread, cakes and pies. 3 branches in Bacolod

Splurge
Restaurant below have some dishes not exceeding.

Dietary restrictions
Christians will not find it hard eating in Bacolod. However, Muslims and Jews will find it difficult, with Bacolod being a Christian city, Halal and Kosher options are difficult to find unlike the bustling streets of Metro Manila. Hindus, vegetarians and vegans will too find it difficult, however just request not to put certain things which are restricted for you to consume. A list of vegetarian restaurants is showed below.

Drink
The preferred beer is San Mig Light which is served at almost any restaurant, except fast food establishments. You might also try Tanduay, a very famous rum. Nice to pair with coke and ice. For native alcohol, the local tuba is made from fermented coconut juice. Great Bacolod sisig can be found at KSL or Kubo Sa Lawn where they serve ice cold SanMig Light.

Bars, pubs and nightclubs
Goldenfield Commercial Complex has been home to many bars, pubs, nightclubs as well as casinos for the past few years and is considered where the best nightlife comes to life in Bacolod. Other than Goldenfield, bars and pubs as well as nightclubs are scattered around the bustling city. If you're in Goldenfields you can either barhop, Goldenfields might give you like a mini-town which is just home to restaurants, a water park, clubs and bars. A dress code is applied and compulsory in some bars, pubs and nightclubs. Wear casually and not so revealing if you don't want to end up behind bars; no flipflops/slippers and no sleeveless shirts.

Stay safe
Bacolod is a lot safer compared to Metro Manila. As always common sense is the rule when travelling. Taking the taxi or renting cars or vans daily is better and quicker as most of the crimes in the Philippines today are done in tricycles and jeepneys. However there isn't a 100% Safe place, if travelling, tour in large groups 3-5 might do as there might be people around you, you may never know what they'll do to you. Be careful during the Masskara Festival. Don't display your MP3s, iPhones, iPods, phones, laptops or valuable things that will catch a snatcher's attention, keep it safe inside your bag and put it out when you'll take pictures. Don't bring bags or large purses while in night, just bring your phone and a small wallet that'll fit in your pocket to avoid being a victim of crime. Beggars usually are around the downtown area they inhabit in the plaza area and if they see you look rich, they'd approach you and annoy you asking you for money, ignore them if you have to and just go straight to your destination. Pickpockets are common in the CBD while house burglaries are common in residential areas, children involved in sniffing glue are dangerous so it's very important to have someone accompany you while walking during the night or either try to avoid dark and areas where there are fewer people.

Stay healthy
Tap Water is not safe for drinking though considered potable, the water supplies sometimes get dirty when Bacolod City Water District cleans up their pipes and the safety of tap water is somehow questionable, and no one really enjoys the pleasure of drinking it due to its cough syrup-like taste. Luckily water supplies during nationwide droughts are not affected as unlike other big cities, Bacolod pumps water from springs. Street Food is not as safe as those in Singapore and Taipei, the standards for street food is not properly imposed. There are few cases but not that rampant of being sick after eating street food. The quality of street food somehow is tolerated by health officials and citizens alike. Luckily street food is now on mainstream inside malls offering tourists and citizens alike to be assured of the hygienic standards. Dengue fever is a common issue especially during the summer season, apply mosquito repellent and avoid wearing T-shirts and shorts during the afternoon, wear sleeves and pants instead.

Hospitals
Private hospitals are given a passing rate in the city, most of them can cater to almost every patient's need. During summer, hospital beds are fully booked as dengue fever cases rise up to skyrocketing levels.

Pharmacies
The hospital with most pharmacies surrounding its compound is the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.

Dentist clinics
Clinics are easily found in Bacolod, some are located in malls while most of the hospitals have a dentist.

 * Paul Callardo Dental Clinic. Gatuslao street. 400 m down the street from the 888 mall going to the plaza. low cost dental work from.
 * Paul Callardo Dental Clinic. Gatuslao street. 400 m down the street from the 888 mall going to the plaza. low cost dental work from.
 * Paul Callardo Dental Clinic. Gatuslao street. 400 m down the street from the 888 mall going to the plaza. low cost dental work from.

Restrooms and toilets
Almost every commercial establishment, office and church in the city has a functional toilet however public toilets are often neglected around the city, an accessible toilet is available at the public plaza but one must have to pay before accessing the toilet, and the valid reason for such payment is for repairs and maintenance which gives us a hint that the city government doesn't even fund on its simplest amenities like toilets.

Respect

 * See the Respect section of the Philippines article for more information

People who are elder than you (old enough to be your elder brother/sister or father/mother) - even if that person is a driver, janitor or maid etc. - you should call them Manong for Males or Manang for females before their common name like; Manong Jeremy or Manang May Ann, Manong can be shorten to Nong and Manang to Nang. If that person is old enough to be your grandfather call them Lolo for males or Lola for females before their common name like; Lolo Isidro or Lola Estrella.

Bacolodnons are traditionally liberal when it comes to clothing, except Muslims and Iglesia ni Kristo members who both are conservative religious people. Wearing shorts in public is OK but no very short ones if you don't want to attract attention and trouble; wearing a bikini on beaches is OK and you would expect no trouble however you might get attention too. When inside churches, everyone is expected to be cautious of their actions as such actions might attract attention and negative perception towards tourists.

Connect
Dialing code for the Philippines is +63 while local area code for Bacolod is 34.

By phone
PayPhones provided by PLDT are available in some of the city center's nooks and corners however if you don't find any payphone around, ask any tiangge to lend you a phone which each call costs /domestic call, rates for international calls vary.

Buying a Sim card is cheap, easy and no hassles, you don't need a verification of any kind and from you can get a sim pack and are sold by Smart and Globe which are the two largest networks, Talk n Text, Sun Cellular and TM Mobile are other major networks. Sending text abroad cost /text while sending it within the Philippines cost /text.

By net
Internet cafes charge per hour, they are common throughout the city with small cafes opening up in local barangays and big commercial ones in the Central Business District. Head to downtown Bacolod if you need to surf for a while; these cafes can be found in almost every corner of the city and provide modern recreational centers and hangout places for the youth.

Many businesses also provide free WiFi access for their customers. These include most hotels, some malls — SM City, Robinson's Place and 888 Chinatown Square — and fast food outlets such as Jollibee and McDonald's.

Newspapers and publications
Much of the local news in Bacolod is available in English which also applies to major national newspapers, minor tabloid newspapers are printed in Filipino and Hiligaynon. The Visayan Daily Star, Sun Star Bacolod and the Negros Daily Bulletin are also available.

Radio
Almost all of the radio stations air in the local language; Hiligaynon, with some of the FM Radio jockeys using a mix of Hiligaynon and Tagalog, as well as Taglish, in contrast to FM Jockeys; AM Radio jockeys speak in pure and fluent Hiligaynon as the audiences catered by AM Radio are usually senior citizens and residents who come from nearby town where speaking of Hiligaynon is encouraged. AM Radio stations air current affairs programs, radio telenovelas, news and Hiligaynon songs usually old ones. FM Radio stations on the other hand air modern day English and local songs from any genre with shows hosted by Radio jockeys who use the usual Filipino slapstick jokes, the FM Radio is unfortunately bombarded by advertisements as it is one of the cheapest forms of media to market products in the country with the only safe time to listen to almost ad-free music is during the hours after 22:00. Some of the radio stations go off at midnight after airing the last tunes of the Lupang Hinirang.

FM
Two FM stations broadcast in English:
 * Magic - This station airs talk shows that mixed bag issues whether may it be dating, sex, videogames, entertainment abroad, they also dislike over-airing pop songs but instead go for a salad bowl of genres whether alternative and independent to billboard and RnB.
 * EasyRock - It dislikes airing pop songs; they go instead for alternative, jazz, slow songs and the like.

Television

 * ABS-CBN Bacolod, Channel 4 - This station is the regional station for ABS-CBN and serves Negros Occidental in two primary languages; Hiligaynon and Filipino. It might be only helpful to travelers who have knowledge in one of the languages as it airs nation-wide and provincial newscast as well as a weekend magazine regional TV Show which also covers the nearby Iloilo province.
 * GMA Bacolod, Channel 13 - ABS-CBN's fierce competitor around the nation, this is also a regional station and is aired in Hiligaynon and Filipino. It provides provincial newscast as well as national newscast.
 * ABS-CBN News Channel/ANC - Available on Cable TV, it airs in English and Filipino, airs round-the-clock news in English alone with few exceptions on Filipino. This channel not alone airs news but also magazine shows which much talks about business and the lavish lifestyles of the elites in the country and documentaries which discusses the nation's problems.
 * GMA News Channel - It is available on Free-to-air televisions if you're lucky enough to get a signal, unlike its rival news channel, it airs alone in Filipino and provides around-the-clock news nationwide. Though new to the industry of newscasting, it has taken over the ratings and replaced ANC as the leading news channel due to the fact that not all Filipinos are comfortable with straight-English news reports.

Religious services
Christian denominations especially Roman Catholics, Baptists, Adventists and the Iglesia ni Kristo members won't find difficulty in finding religious services in the city.

Go next
Nearby towns and cities within the province are accessible by land. The island of Panay is 45 minutes by ferry from the port of Bacolod.

Within the province
Bacolod is the provincial capital of Negros Occidental, and like every capital, it is crowded and very developed. Refresh yourself by getting out of Bacolod to the quieter municipalities that surround it; there is an abundance of beaches and hot springs. Don't expect any traffic jams as the condition of the roads in the province is among the best of the country. Buses are the easiest way of getting around the province; jeeps are affordable, but are not suggested for foreigners. If you're traveling as a group or family, you can rent a car or a van.

 * Bago — the main attractions they have to offer are the Kipton twin falls as well as mountain resorts, an ideal destination for trekkers
 * Cadiz — popular for its white sand beach;Lakawon beach, an island off the coast of Cadiz
 * Escalante — discover the diversity of ecosystems which is one of the richest in the island of Negros and one of the last surviving ecosystems in the island, see the mangroves and the sea grass along the shores as well as remnants of corals
 * Kabankalan - second largest city in the province, with some beach resorts
 * La Carlota — trek and hike in Guintubdan
 * Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park — a natural reserve in Canlaon, the highest point in the Visayas and a favourite spot for Spiritualists and Mountaineers and Catholics during the Holy Week; the reserve is surrounded by flora and fauna, animals found here include deer and boar.
 * Murcia — the Mamabucal Resort is on a higher elevation than the city hence it has a cooler average temperature; its main attraction are its natural hot springs
 * Silay — known as the Paris of Negros because of its European styled hundred year-old houses which are well preserved as historical monuments

Further destinations
Buses are the most comfortable and affordable way of travelling outside the province. Jeepneys are cheaper, but much less comfortable for long-range travel. Second to buses are RoRos (roll-on/roll-off) and ships, trips are available daily from Bredco Port, the main port of the city of Bacolod.
 * San Carlos
 * Apo Island — just off the coast of the town of Dauin and Zamboanguita (in Negros Oriental), this island is popular for divers and tourists alike
 * Bais
 * Dumaguete — a popular university city with a clean seaside boulevard and a laid-back atmosphere
 * Guimaras — taste its one and only temptation; its mangoes, which are known to be among the sweetest in the world
 * Iloilo Province, a short ferry ride away — the church of Miagao is a . its capital city is also famous for its Dinagyang Festival

title: Bacolod


text:
Bacoor

Bacoor is a suburban city in Cavite. It is a large, overwhelmingly sprawling community south of Manila, and the gateway to the province from the north.

Understand
Bacoor is large and sprawling, due to the fast pace of suburbanization that turned this quiet fishing and farming municipality into one of the most populous cities in Cavite. It just lies south of Metro Manila, and its suburban character can be seen from aircraft taking off or landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport from the west.

Little is known about Bacoor's history, but it has some bits of history. Mariano Gomez, one of the Filipino secular priests collectively called the Gomburza, served Bacoor's old parish church for 48 years until he was arrested and executed along with Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora at the garrote for alleged involvement in the Cavite Mutiny. Bacoor is one of the first towns to rebel against Spanish rule at the beginning of the Philippine Revolution, and the turning point of the rebellion, the Battle of Zapote Bridge, happened in 1897 near the boundary with the Spanish-era province of Manila, but within the year, the town and Cavite province fell back to the Spaniards. A heritage home, the Cuenca Residence, was a site for meetings by the Filipino revolutionary group Katipunan.

The old town center (poblacion), which has the old Catholic church and town hall, lies to the coast, but most activity is nowadays concentrated around Zapote-Talaba (the intersections of Aguinaldo Hwy, Aguinaldo Blvd and Bacoor Blvd), Panapaan (at the junction of Aguinaldo and Tirona) and Molino (at the junction of Molino Rd and Daang Hari). Bacoor suffers from car-dependent urban sprawl that also affects much of Cavite.

Local information

 * Bacoor municipal government website

Get in
Bacoor is about 15 minutes from Manila or the airport.

By bus
There are many buses plying Aguinaldo Highway, the city's main street. The city has designated stops for all buses through the city, but the most useful of them is the stop near SM City Bacoor, at the junction of Aguinaldo and Tirona highways. All buses use the Manila-Cavite Expressway to and from Manila.

From the coastal towns, there are minibuses ("baby buses") to Bacoor; their terminal is just outside SM City Bacoor.

Some Cavite Bus Local Provincially Officials from General Mariano Alvares Cavite daily route trips in Paliparan Molino Road and Molino Boulevard Bacoor via PITX North-Southbound.

By car
From Manila, the main entry point by car is the toll Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX, or formerly but still called Coastal Road), with an exit at barangay Longos. Other entry points from Metro Manila are:
 * Quirino Avenue (from Las Piñas), which intersects with the congested Alabang-Zapote Road and crosses into Bacoor on the historic Zapote Bridge.
 * Daang Hari, an east-west multilane road which starts at Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa and ends at Imus. The toll Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway connects Daang Hari with the South Luzon Expressway at Muntinlupa.

Aguinaldo Highway (Route 62 from Zapote Bridge to Tirona Highway; Route 419 afterwards), Cavite's most important and perennially snarled highway, traverses Bacoor north to south.

Bacoor implements an ordinance restricting road travel by license plate number ("number coding"), and the Cavite governments also has a province-wide travel restriction, both during weekdays (except national holidays).

Transportation Commuters:

 * Traditional Jeepney and UV Express.

Get around
Bacoor is well served by the common modes of transport, the jeepney and th tricycle, but its car-reliant sprawl from the developments in the 1990s also gave its negative reputation on traffic jams. If you drive, always prepare for rush hour traffic and clogged roads.

By jeepney
Bacoor is well served by jeepney routes, and they ply all the major roads through town. Fares start at for the first 4 kilometers, and  are added for each additional kilometer. But remember that the city has since restricted loading and unloading of jeepneys to a few designated stops, so you cannot just hail a jeepney just anywhere or ask the driver to drop you outside the designated stop.

You might also take a multicab between SM City Bacoor ang SM City Molino, but remember, space inside the vehicle is small (there is limited head room and leg room) and it can carry just the half a jeepney can carry, so expect the ride to be crowded.

By car
Travel by car is far the worst way to get around town. While the malls are best accessed by car, parking rates can be burdensome, and parking space becomes limited during weekend sales. Traffic in Bacoor is nerve-racking, and unless you are used to Filipino driving behavior (or similar behaviors in other countries), it remains best to take the available public transport options when getting around.

Go next
Next to Bacoor is Kawit, where the Philippines' declaration of independence is signed in 1898.

Other nearby places are:
 * Imus - Another sprawling city, and the de jure capital of Cavite (but there are no provincial government offices there). One of the major battles of the Philippine Revolution, the Battle of Alapan, happened here.
 * Dasmariñas — A city of over 660,000, it is a fast-growing economic center, with malls and universities.

title: Bacoor


text:
Badajoz

Badajoz is a city in Extremadura on the western border of Spain, looking across into Portugal. Its sprawling surrounds are industrial and residential, with a population of 151,565 in 2011, but the old city centre has many places worth seeing, such as its Moorish citadel Alcazaba. Badajoz is a good place to break a journey between Madrid and Lisbon.

Understand
Badajoz has been inhabited at least since 4000 BC; it was settled by Romans as Civitas Pacensis, then by the Visogoths. In the 8th century it was captured by the Moors, eventually becoming capital of their small kingdom or Taifa of Baṭalyaws. After the Christian reconquista, this area was disputed between Spain and Portugal, changing hands several times until a treaty of 1715 assigned it to Spain. Badajoz fell to Napoleonic forces during the Peninsular War, but in 1812 the future Duke of Wellington captured it after a costly siege, and began to roll back the French from across Spain. In 1936 the city was also an early victory for the Nationalists in the Civil War, whereupon they took some 4000 Republicans to the bullring and shot them.

Badajoz is industrial, with a large service sector, manufacturing of linen, woollen and leather goods, hats, pottery, and soap, and with cross-border trade with nearby Portugal. It has the typical climate of Extramadura, with hot dry summers (over 35 °C) and near-zero winter temperatures.

Get in
Badajoz Airport has no commercial flights in early 2021, either fly into Madrid or Lisbon.

Trains from Madrid Atocha Cercanías lumber every 2-3 hours across Extramadura, taking 5 hours with over a dozen stops such as Talavera de la Reina. A couple are direct, otherwise you change at Merida. A high speed line is under construction which (perhaps from 2024) will reduce the journey to two hours. The grand plan was for this to extend to Lisbon but work on the line in Portugal has been cancelled. One train per day runs from Lisbon Oriente to Entroncamento where you change for the cross-border train to Badajoz, journey time just over 4 hours.

is 1 km north of the river. See below for local buses into town.

Avanza Bus runs 3 times a day from Madrid South station, taking 6 hours via Merida, for a fare (as of 2021) of around €35. Two buses continue west to Évora and Lisbon Oriente railway station, airport and Sete Rios bus and railway station, another four hours.

Buses also run four times a day from Caceres, taking 75 min.

is 1 km south of city centre.

Get around
Tubasa is the local bus company. Bus LC2 runs from city centre north to the railway station and the retail park next to the bypass. See their website for map and schedules of their 20-some city routes.

See

 * Plaza Alta is the remarkable square just south of Alcazaba.
 * is a ceremonial gateway to the city built in 1551. An ancient footbridge crosses the river to the north bank Parque de la Guadiana.
 * Other parks and gardens include Castelar, which has a central pond and several monuments dedicated to the romanticist writer Carolina Coronado and to Luis Chamizo Trigueros; la Legión, Rivillas y Calamón, San Fernando, and La Viña.
 * La Giralda next to MUBA is a copy of the Giralda in Seville, built in 1930 and nowadays office accommodation.
 * is a Vauban-style fort north of the river, built during the 17th century wars with Portugal. It's open Sa Su 10:00-14:00.
 * La Giralda next to MUBA is a copy of the Giralda in Seville, built in 1930 and nowadays office accommodation.
 * is a Vauban-style fort north of the river, built during the 17th century wars with Portugal. It's open Sa Su 10:00-14:00.
 * is a Vauban-style fort north of the river, built during the 17th century wars with Portugal. It's open Sa Su 10:00-14:00.
 * is a Vauban-style fort north of the river, built during the 17th century wars with Portugal. It's open Sa Su 10:00-14:00.
 * is a Vauban-style fort north of the river, built during the 17th century wars with Portugal. It's open Sa Su 10:00-14:00.

Do

 * Teatro Lopez de Ayala on Plaza Minayo is the city's main performing arts venue.
 * Baños Baraka are Moorish baths on Plaza Soledad.
 * AquaBadajoz is a water amusement park at the west edge of the city, near the junction of A5 and BA20.
 * Football: CD Badajoz play soccer in Primera División RFEF, the game's third tier; they were re-founded in 2012 after the original club went bust. The other local club AD Cerro de Reyes has folded.
 * Feria de San Juan, the Festival of St John, is held over a week in June. The next is probably 17-25 June 2022.

Buy
The main shopping street is Menacho, where most national and international chains, including Zara and Bershka, are located. There are also small boutiques.

The Centro Comercial Abierto Menacho is the largest outdoor shopping centre in Extremadura, and many Portuguese cross to visit.

You can buy food in many supermarkets. There is one in city centre, Eroski, which is in San Francisco square.

Eat

 * Town centre south of the river has Papabuey, Casa Rosendo, Mesón El Chozo, and La Tasquita de Bere.
 * South riverbank has Masumi Convento, La Mafia, and El Chiringuito del Parra.
 * North bank places along Av Adolfo Díaz Ambrona are Lugaris, El Vivero and Miradore del Guadiana within NH Gran Hotel Casino Extremadura.

Drink

 * D.O. Ribera del Guadiana is the local wine marque. Lots more wines or beer if that doesn't suit.

Connect
As of July 2021, Badajoz has 4G from all Spanish carriers. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

 * Mérida the regional capital has extensive Roman ruins and is a.
 * Cáceres has a remarkable mix of medieval, Roman, Moorish and Renaissance.
 * Elvas is a historic fortified city just over the border in Portugal.

title: Badajoz


text:
Badami

Badami (Kannada: ಬದಾಮಿ), formerly Vatapi, is a city in the Bagalkot district of Northern Karnataka, in Southern India. It is a historical place.

Understand
Badami was the capital of the Early Chalukyas, who ruled much of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh between the 6th and 8th centuries. It was founded in 540 CE by Pulakesi I (535-566 CE), an early ruler of the Chalukyas. His sons Kirthivarman (567-598 CE) and his brother Mangalesha I (598-610 CE) constructed the cave temples. The greatest among them was Pulakeshi II (610-642 CE) who defeated many kings including Pallava king Mahendra Verman I and extended the kingdom.

By train
There is a small station in Badami, 5 km from the centre. Trains from Bangalore, Bijapur and other cities stop there regularly. From the station, there are many rickshaws to reach the centre. You can also wait a bus which goes to the bus stand. It will cost you ₹3.

The minor Yara Goppa Halt is slightly closer to town (3 km), but very few trains call here.

By bus
The bus stand is in the centre of the town. There are buses for Gadag, Bijapur, Bangalore and Hospet. The NWKRTC bus service is very efficient. From Hubli, regular buses to Badami (on the Ilkal/

Bagalkot route) ply every 30 minutes or so. The journey from Hubli takes about 3 hours not counting a 20-minute break at a town en route (for lunch, refreshments)

By car
From Bangalore: Drive to Hubli along NH 4 (410 km) and then via NH 218 (106 km).

Get around
From the centre, all the main sites are reachable by foot. However, there are plenty of rickshaws which would be happy to transport you. The best way to explore this small town is by walking, though.

Best way of getting around is hiring an auto-rickshaw for a day trip including caves, museum, bhootnath temples, fort, Pattadkal and Aihole. Auto-rickshaws are waiting at the railway station and next to the bus station.

If you just need to get a ride inside town or go out of town for a km or so in either direction (e.g. in order to get to the climbing areas Ganesh Plateau or Temple area), flag down a shared rickshaw and insist on the local price of ₹10 (Jan 2023) per person.

Tata ace Magic autos, comfortable for a group of 10, are available opposite the bus station. Parking charges are extra at the caves, Pattadkal and Aihole.

Approximately 6 hours should be sufficient to cover Badami's tourist places. If you add not-so-popular spots (out of town) you need a whole day. Visit the caves early morning or evening to get great pictures. To see Pattadka you need 2 hours maximum, whereas Aihole will demand 4-5 hours as temples are scattered across the village.

See

Almost all the main attractions of Badami are around the Agasthya Tank.

Eat

Drink
Buttermilk made from cow's or buffalo milk. Tea is the popular drink of the local people, available at road side shacks and restaurants.

Sleep

 * Hotel Mayura Chalukya a hotel run by Karnataka State tourism corporation.
 * Hotel Mayura Chalukya a hotel run by Karnataka State tourism corporation.
 * Hotel Mayura Chalukya a hotel run by Karnataka State tourism corporation.

Stay safe
There are many monkeys in Badami. Some of them, especially the gray langurs, can be aggressive.

B.S.N.L (Cellone) cellular phone connectivity is available here.

Summer months of March, April, May are hot. Dehydration must be avoided in these months.

Go next

 * Pattadakal
 * Aihole
 * Lakkundi
 * Hampi

title: Badami


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Bad Aussee

Bad Aussee is located in Salzkammergut in the federal state of Styria, Austria.

By train
Bad Aussee is a nice day trip from Salzburg by train. Take the train from the central station in Salzburg to Attnang-Puchheim. From Attnang-Puchheim, you change trains to one going to Stainach-Irdning. Now you travel through the Salzkammergut region along the Traun River, the cities of Gmunden, Bad Ischl and Hallstatt before you arrive at Bad Aussee. Although it may sound like a long journey, the trip from Salzburg to Bad Aussee by train takes a mere two and a half hours.

Bad Aussee is also easy to travel to starting at Graz, Linz or Vienna. If you start travelling at Graz, you take an IC train from Graz to Salzburg or Innsbruck/Bregenz and change the train in Stainach-Irdning. From Stainach-Irdning the journey doesn't take long any more, approximately half an hour before you arrive at Bad Aussee. Travellers from Linz one of the many trains located to Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich and travel at first to Attnang-Puchheim. Here they change the train and travel on like the travellers from Salzburg. Travellers from Vienna can either take the train to Attnang-Puchheim and take the same rout as travellers from Linz and Salzburg, or they can take the train in the direction of Villach and change in Leoben to the train to Stainach-Irdning, where they can board the train to Bad Aussee. Both routes are very beautiful: The train from Vienna to Leoben over the Semmering is one of the most famous railways of the country. But the train between Bad Aussee and Attnang-Puchheim also runs through beautiful mountains and next to mountain lakes and passes Hallstatt, Bad Ischl and Ebensee].

By car
The 158 road between Salzburg and just east of Liezen is a real treat for drivers and riders, good quality and width road curving though a beautiful landscape.

Do
Take part in one of the many traditional yearly festivals:

Berigln - As the sun sets on the evening of January 5th, masked figures, dressed to embody winter spirits, travel from door to door. Local farmers and residents invite them in for a something to eat, such as Bauernkrapfen, which is usually then washed down with several home-made shots of Schnapps.

Fasching (Fat Tuesday) - The festivities culminate on Fat Tuesday, when a grand parade is held in town. The various troupes of costumed locals, including the Trommelweiber, the Fischer, and the gorgeous Flinserl, add color and provide entertainment.

Narzissenfest - A much-loved spring festival occurring towards the end of May/beginning of June. Floats are created by local residents and decorated with the native Narzissen flowers. After a parade through town, they are launched onto either Lake Grundlsee or Lake Altausssee.

Go hiking. Bad Aussee lies between beautiful mountains in the Alps, so enjoy the beautiful scenery by taking a walk in the valleys or by hiking up the mountains.

Also there are many mountain lakes near by. In summer they usually are warm enough to swim in (18-22 degrees of Celsius)

Buy

 * Ausseer Lebkuchen

Drink
Night-life in Bad Aussee centers around a number of clubs, wine bars and pubs:

Vinothek Anna Max is a chic, up-scale wine bar offering a range of primarily Austrian wines. On Friday night, they open their doors until late in the evening. Steirerhof, shortened and commonly used Hof, is the late-night staple for most locals. It is located downtown and usually the last stop for a night of revelries.

Go next
Altaussee, Bad Mitterndorf/ Tauplitz, Bad Ischl, Hallstatt, Grundlsee

title: Bad Aussee


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Bad Bentheim

Bad Bentheim is a town in the state of Lower Saxony. It is a picturesque medieval town that sits in a hill close to the border with the Netherlands, and a popular regional destination due to its imposing castle and its sulphur springs (“Bad” means “Bath”).

Understand
The local sandstone is known as Bentheimer Gold. This stone was shipped throughout Europe between the 15th and 18th centuries. For example, the Royal Palace in Amsterdam and the theatre and the Church of Our Lady in Antwerp are made of Bentheimer Gold sandstone. It is claimed that the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty is made from Bentheim sandstone, though it is a disputed claim, other German towns also making the same claim.

By train
The rail station is on the IC line between Amsterdam and Szczecin with connections to Osnabrück, Hanover and Berlin.

Region rail connection from Bentheim, Rheine, Osnabrück, Herford and Bielefeld.

By car
The town is on the B403 with exits off the A 30 (Bad Oeynhausen – Osnabrück – Hengelo) and A 31 (Emden – Oberhausen). The A30 connects just passed the town to the Netherlands A1, forming part of the E30, which connects Amsterdam, Bad Bentheim, Osnabrück, Hannover, Magdeburg, Berlin, Warsaw, Minsk and Moscow.

Get around
The town is small enough to see on foot. Parts are quite hilly and have cobbled streets making cycling a “challenge”.

Hiking

 * The scenic area around the town is good for hiking. There are 170 kilometers of marked hiking trails.
 * The E11 hiking trail crosses Bad Bentheim. The section from Bad Bentheim to Osnabrück is called Töddenweg (Peddlers Way).

Go next

 * Dinkelland
 * Osnabrück

title: Bad Bentheim


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Bad Bergzabern

Bad Bergzabern is a town at the German Wine Route in the district Südliche Weinstraße on Rhineland-Palatinate.

Understand
The German Wine Route (Deutsche Weinstraße) is the oldest of Germany's tourist wine routes, located in the Palatinate region.

Sleep

Connect
Bad-Bergzabern Tourismus

Go next

 * Wissembourg Alsace), (France
 * Landau in der Pfalz
 * Pirmasens
 * Karlsruhe

title: Bad Bergzabern


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Bad Bevensen

Bad Bevensen is a spa town in Lower Saxony on the Lüneburg Heath.

Understand
Bad Bevensen lies in a gently-rolling landscape on the North German Plain. The region is characterized by potato, sugar beet and grain farming, by forests, small heaths, the valley of the Ilmenau and the Elbe Lateral Canal.

The River Ilmenau flows through the town and the Elbe Lateral Canal runs past it to the east.

The town was first mentioned in the records in 1162, but was not given town rights until 1929. It has been officially recognised by the state as a mineral health spa since 1976. There are up to 6 large rehabilitation clinics around Bad Bevensen and many of the town's facilities and businesses are geared up to catering for rehabilitation patients. This tends to give the town a slow, relaxing pace of life.

Get in
Road: Bad Bevensen is 85 km southeast of Hamburg on the B4 federal road. It is between the towns of Uelzen and Lüneburg which can be accessed from the A7 autobahn. Air: The nearest airports are at Hanover and Hamburg. Rail: There are hourly connections from the Bad Bevensen station both north to Hamburg and south, via Uelzen to Hanover.

Get around
Once in Bad Bevensen most facilities and hotels are accessible by foot. However for the less able, a good taxi service is available. Most of the main hotels are east of the River Ilmenau and restaurants to the west.

See

 * "From the Forest" (Naturkundliche Ausstellung "Aus dem Walde"), daily 10:00-16:30, natural history exhibition behind the hotel "Vier Linden" in Medingen
 * "From the Forest" (Naturkundliche Ausstellung "Aus dem Walde"), daily 10:00-16:30, natural history exhibition behind the hotel "Vier Linden" in Medingen
 * "From the Forest" (Naturkundliche Ausstellung "Aus dem Walde"), daily 10:00-16:30, natural history exhibition behind the hotel "Vier Linden" in Medingen
 * "From the Forest" (Naturkundliche Ausstellung "Aus dem Walde"), daily 10:00-16:30, natural history exhibition behind the hotel "Vier Linden" in Medingen

Buy
The spa town is in the middle of the Lüneburg Heath and as such most of the souvenirs are heath related (prints and local arts and crafts).

Drink
Most of the hotels and restaurants have bar facilities.

Go next

 * Bergen, 55km SW of Bad Bevensen
 * Brome, 60km SE
 * Celle, 55km SW
 * Dedelstorf, 45km S
 * Ehestorf, 60km NW
 * Gifhorn, 37km S
 * Glinde, Schleswig-Holstein. 55km NW
 * Hamburg, Germany. 55km NW
 * Hankensbuettel, 38km S
 * Hanstedt, 38km NW
 * Leiferde, Lower Saxony. 63km S
 * Ludwigslust, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. 45km east
 * Muden, 64km S
 * Seevetal, 51km NW

title: Bad Bevensen


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Baddeck

Baddeck is a pleasant little village of 800 people (2011) on the shore of Bras d'Or Lake in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It's a popular spot for boating in the summer and its central location makes it convenient as a base for exploring the island.

Understand
According to some historians, the name Baddeck is derived from the Mi'kmaq term abadak which has been translated as "place with an island near" (in reference to Kidston Island, immediately offshore).

Today, Baddeck functions as a service centre for the sparsely populated county.

Baddeck became a tourist destination with the 1874 publication of "Baddeck, And That Sort of Thing", a travel story written by Charles Dudley Warner. Tourism grew even more following the construction of the Cabot Trail in 1932, with Baddeck being at the start and end of the loop. While the village population is just over 700 people, local hotels feature over 600 rooms.

Get in
Baddeck is on Highway 105 (Trans-Canada Highway) about halfway between the causeway to the mainland and Sydney. It is about a five hour drive from Halifax.

Get around
Pretty much everything is located on either Shore Road or Chebucto Street. The town stretches out along these two streets, but if you don't mind walking, everything can be reached on foot.

Do

 * Sail/cruise on the lake. Tours depart daily from the pier in summer.
 * For the golfer, the Bell Bay Golf Club, +1 902 295-1333, is close to town.

Eat
Basic groceries and supplies can be purchased from the Needs Convenience at the corner of Shore Road and Chebucto Street (it's next to the Lynnwood Inn). There's also a small grocery store just outside of town near where Shore Road intersects with the Trans-Canada highway (Hwy 105). Restaurant options include:

Go next

 * Baddeck is a convenient starting and finishing point for a trip around the Cabot Trail, considered to be one of the most scenic drives in Canada. The road is a 300 km loop along the coast and through the Cape Breton Highlands and offers many hiking, camping and scenic turn-off opportunities.
 * The reconstructed Fortress of Louisbourg, about two hours drive away, is a National Historic Site and offers a glimpse at what life was like in the mid-1700s.

title: Baddeck


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Bad Doberan

Bad Doberan is a spa town on the Baltic coastline in Central Mecklenburg. It is especially known thanks to the posh seaside resort Heiligendamm which is in essence a district of the town.

Get in
The Baltic Sea Autobahn A20 is the easiest way into town. It is 20 minutes east of Rostock on the B105.

The rail station is on the regional Wismar–Rostock line.

See

Go next

 * Güstrow
 * Rostock
 * Hamburg
 * Rügen
 * Schwerin
 * Wismar
 * Usedom

title: Bad Doberan


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Baden

There's more than one place called Baden:

Austria

 * Baden (Austria), also known as Baden bei Wien

Canada

 * Baden (Ontario)

Germany

 * Baden Baden - a spa town in Baden Württemberg
 * Baden Württemberg (also Baden Wuerttemberg, Baden Wurttemberg) - one of Germany's 16 states

Switzerland

 * Baden (Switzerland) - a town in the region of Zurich

United States of America

 * Baden (Pennsylvania) - a borough in Beaver County (Pennsylvania)

title: Baden


text:
Baden (Austria)

Baden, also known as Baden bei Wien (i.e., "Baden near Vienna") is a city in Lower Austria near Vienna with around 25,000 inhabitants. Baden is one of 11 "Great Spa Towns of Europe", a transcontinental UNESCO world heritage site.

Understand
Baden is 25 km south of Vienna. In Roman times it was called "Aquae" and is named in 869. The sulfuric water springs attracts lots of artists and famous people in the 19th century with for example Schubert, Johann Strauß Vater, Lanner, Grillparzer and Raimund. This led to the economic growth of the city and it has hence many beautiful representative Villa's built during the Biedermeier period.

By car
From Vienna take the A2 highway.

Get around
As Baden is a small city everything is within walking distance. The Tourist Information Office offers a free online map for download.

See

Do

Buy
Badener Café Bonbons are a traditional Austrian sweet mostly composed by Café and sugar. They exist in different textures and depending on it either wrapped in pink or brown paper. Each pastry in Baden have their specific home-made production.

Go next
Baden lies on the Austrian south railway and highway line (A2) which connects Vienna and Graz. Of course cities on the track like Wiener Neustadt, Semmering, Bruck an der Mur, Kindberg or Kapfenberg are also easily reached.
 * Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria and by far its most populous city. It is Austria's artistic, cultural, economic and political centre.
 * Graz is the second-largest city in Austria. The City of Graz including it's historic centre and Schloss Eggenberg is a world heritage site.

title: Baden (Austria)


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Baden (Switzerland)

Baden is a town in the Zurich region of Switzerland. It has a lively shopping centre, and a beautiful old town with traditional Swiss buildings, and small castle, all on the banks of the river Limmat which flows from Lake Zurich. Half of the town is dominated by the industrial/office complexes of General Electric, ABB and Ansaldo and the local economy is dependent upon their power plant manufacturing, but historically people were attracted to Baden for its thermal baths.

It is a nice town of 19,00 people (2018) to stay in while visiting the larger and busier cities in the region, such as Zurich. In addition to Baden the neighbouring villages of Wettingen, Ennetbaden, Obersiggenthal and Neuenhof are covered in this guide.

By plane
Zurich Kloten airport is within easy reach by train. There are 5 connections between Baden and the airport per hour. One of them is a direct connection, with the others it is necessary to change trains at Zurich main station respective Zurich Oerlikon. The ride takes about 35 minutes.

By train
Baden is served by rail. is right in the heart of the town. Located just outside Zürich, it is served by the S6 (37 min) and S12 (30 min) lines of the Zürich S-Bahn commuter rail network. If you have an all-zone Zürich transport card and are coming from Zürich, you should buy a single ticket from Otelfingen (for S6) or Dietikon (for S12). Connections westwards are available by Aargau local trains S23 and S27 to Olten and Waldshut as well as interregional trains to Basel and Berne. For Zürich S-Bahn map, tickets and timetables see the Zürich local transport website. For Aargau local rail map, tickets and timetables see (German only). For interregional train connections see the SBB website.

By car
Baden is near the major A1/E30 motorway. Use either exit 55 Neuenhof or 54 Verzweigung Baden. Between those two exits, you drive through the Baregg, a famous tunnel. Famous, because it was a major source of traffic jam before the 3rd tunnel was built.

Get around
The town centre is small enough to walk around, with a pleasant pedestrianised shopping street, and riverside walkways.

To explore further afield you might like to take a bus from the main station. Pay with coins in the machine on board, or at certain bus stops. Alternatively, buy a 6-journey strip card from the train ticket office for the price of 5 journeys.

Note with all trains and buses the "halbtax" option ('1/2' button on the machines) is for local people who have spent Fr. 150 on an annual half fare pass.

Do

Splurge

Go next
Hop on a train into Zurich, or in the other direction to Basel or to Bern (via Olten).

There is one direct and one change-over train to Waldshut in Germany every hour.

title: Baden (Switzerland)


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Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden (meaning "The Baths in Baden") is a spa town built on thermal springs at the edge of the Black Forest in Baden Württemberg, south west Germany. It is one of 11 "Great Spa Towns of Europe", a transcontinental UNESCO world heritage site. Don't be put off by Baden's reputation as a hang-out for the rich; this picturesque town is beautifully situated in a wooded valley, and you can enjoy yourself here without spending or gambling a fortune.

By plane
The airport is in the fare area of the Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund (KVV). Line 234 connects the airport with the city of Rastatt and Schwarzach, line 285 with Baden-Baden. Line 140 (Baden-Airpark-Express/Hahn-Express) connects it with Baden-Baden, Heidelberg and Mannheim (where there are connections to the Frankfurt-Hahn airport). Line 921 (Flightliner Eberhardt-Reisen) links the airport with Strasbourg, Kehl, Rust (Europa Park and Freiburg im Breisgau. KVV tickets are not valid on Lines 140 and 921.

Parking is paid on the whole airport area and is maintained by APCOA. Prices are between €0.50 and €1 per hour (the short-stay parking in front of the terminal costs €1 the first hour, then €1.50 per every following 30 minutes), day rate is between €9 and €14 (short-stay parking €41). Parking slots can be reserved in advance for a fee, but a reservation is not necessary outside the main travelling period. APCOA is allowed to issue parking violation tickets if you don't follow their rules!

By train
Baden-Baden is served by Deutsche Bahn running north–south along the Rhine (Mannheim–Basel) and east–west (Munich–Stuttgart–Strasbourg–Paris). Also Flixtrain serves the city.

Getting there: the railway station is 15 minutes' bus ride from the town center. On arrival, catch the frequent bus 201 to the town center (direction Lichtental/Oberbeuern; get off at Leopoldplatz).

Get around
The town centre is small enough to walk around. Bus routes to surrounding towns and villages radiate from the town centre (Leopoldplatz and Augustaplatz). Buy your ticket at the machine at the bus stop before boarding. You can get also tickets from the bus drivers. It's recommended to use the express buses. They take just 5 minutes from the main station to the city.

Hiking
Walk along the river Oos or in the hills and forests around the town. The tourist office at the Trinkhalle can sell you a booklet of walks based on bus routes. The walking is generally easy, but for maximum reward for minimum effort, take bus 204/205 to the Merkur Bergbahn funicular railway, ride up to the cafe at the top, and walk back via the old castle (Altes Schloss).

Thermal baths
Römerplatz, the heart of the bath quarter (Badeviertel), is five minutes' walk from Leopoldplatz through the pedestrian zone. In Römerplatz you can see the ruins of the Roman baths and take to the thermal waters yourself at Caracalla Therme and Friedrichsbad. More details:

Eat
There are plenty of cheap places to eat in the pedestrian zone in the town centre. Vegetarians need not despair. Noodle dishes (Spätzle) are ubiquitous, and look out for dishes based on chanterelle mushrooms (Pfifferlinge)

Drink
Delicious beverages such as Mïshnet (pear juice with ground potato) are available in multiple restaurants.

Sleep
There is a city tax of €3.50 per night (Sept 2017) that is rarely included in price information or bookings via booking portals.

Connect
Free WiFi is available in the town centre and the train station under the name "BAD-WLAN".

Go next

 * Baden-Baden is well placed for day trips into the Black Forest. Other cities within easy reach include Freiburg, Strasbourg and Stuttgart. Avis and Sixt both have car hire depots in the town.
 * Bertha Benz Memorial Route - follow the tracks of the world's first automobile journey (Mannheim - Pforzheim/Black Forest - Mannheim) in 1888.

title: Baden-Baden