Join us as we explore the fascinating city of Budapest, Hungary
“They said that, of course, Budapest is beautiful. But it is in fact almost ludicrously beautiful.“
Anthony Bourdain
This post on Budapest is a quick capture of our travels while on the road. Though we often post on social media during our adventures, many have requested that we do so on the blog. The focus will be on the photography and our first impressions of the city.
A Bit About Budapest
Budapest is Hungary’s capital and the largest and most populous city, with nearly 1.8 million people. It is located in the heart of Central Europe. This city is the country’s political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation center. The capital consists of 23 districts and is divided by the Danube River. On the right bank is the Buda side, and on the left is the Pest side. On the right bank of the river, the Buda Hills are situated, while on the left bank, the Pest Plains spread out. The Danube, Central Europe’s biggest river, traverses the capital city at 19 miles from north to south. Budapest is also called the Queen of the Danube.
The city has a rich history, unparalleled architectural and cultural heritage, UNESCO sites, and national treasures that draw 4.5 million tourists annually. Budapest also has over 220 museums, including the National Museum, which has valuable artifacts and treasures of Hungarian history, starting from archaeological findings from Ancient Rome.
Budapest is known for its medicinal baths and open-air pools that bring tourists worldwide. The area has had an established bath/spa culture since Roman times. From medieval bathhouses to Turkish baths built during the Turkish occupation, those historical periods are echoed in today’s baths of the capital. One of the most famous is the 150-year-old Lukacs Thermal Bath, which is said to treat joint problems and muscle stiffness. It offers thermal pools, swimming pools, wellness spas, saunas, and many other services to make guests feel their best.
The Top Things to Do and See in Budapest
The Parliament Building
The Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest is an architectural masterpiece and one of the largest parliament buildings in the world. It showcases a stunning neo-Gothic style with a central dome and ornate detailing. Situated along the Danube River, it serves as the seat of the National Assembly and is a symbol of Hungary’s rich history and democratic governance.
Buda Castle and District
Buda Castle and its surrounding district in Budapest are historic areas perched on Castle Hill, offering stunning views of the city and the Danube River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features the grandiose Buda Castle, charming medieval streets, Matthias Church, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, making it a must-visit destination rich in history, architecture, and cultural significance.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
The “Shoes on the Danube Bank” in Budapest is a poignant memorial honoring the Jews who were executed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen during World War II, with victims ordered to remove their shoes before being shot into the river. This powerful installation of iron shoes along the riverbank serves as a somber reminder of the tragic events and a tribute to the lives lost.
Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall in Budapest is a vibrant, historic marketplace known for its stunning architecture and wide array of local produce, meats, spices, and Hungarian delicacies. As the largest and oldest indoor market in the city, it offers a rich cultural experience for visitors to explore traditional Hungarian cuisine and crafts.
St Stephen’s Basilica
A magnificent neoclassical church named after Hungary’s first king. It houses his mummified right hand as a sacred relic. With its impressive dome offering panoramic city views and a richly decorated interior, it stands as a central landmark and a testament to Hungary’s architectural and religious heritage. The Square in front of the Basilica, with its terraces and fountains, is a favorite spot in the summer.
Margaret Island
Margaret Island in Budapest is a lush, tranquil oasis in the middle of the Danube River. It offers beautifully landscaped gardens, historical ruins, and recreational facilities. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy leisurely walks, picnics, and various outdoor activities in a picturesque setting.
A boat trip down the Danube
A boat trip down the Danube River in Budapest offers a unique perspective of the city’s stunning landmarks, including the Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge, which are beautifully illuminated at night. The serene journey provides an unforgettable experience, allowing visitors to appreciate Budapest’s rich history and architectural splendor from a relaxing vantage point.
Ruin bars of Budapest
Spend an evening doing a pub crawl. Originating in the city’s Jewish Quarter, mostly abandoned after WWII, the district has become a diverse area with a wide range of unique ruin bars. These unique nightlife spots are set in abandoned buildings and courtyards and are characterized by eclectic decor and a bohemian atmosphere. These bars, like the famous Szimpla Kert, offer a vibrant mix of art, music, and culture, making them popular destinations for both locals and tourists.
Heroes Square and Vajdahunyard Castle
Heroes’ Square in Budapest is a monumental plaza featuring the iconic Millennium Monument, which honors the leaders of the seven tribes that founded Hungary and other significant national figures, symbolizing Hungarian history and identity. For a short-distance walk, make sure to stop by the Vajdahunyard Castle. The castle is a stunning architectural complex that showcases various styles from Hungary’s historical buildings, originally built for the 1896 Millennial Exhibition and now housing the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.
Thermal baths
Budapest is renowned for its historic thermal baths, with notable ones like the Széchenyi and Gellért Baths offering rejuvenating experiences in stunning architectural settings. These baths, fed by natural hot springs, provide a blend of wellness and relaxation, making them a quintessential part of the city’s cultural and recreational offerings.
Our Visit Details
Four nights in late August 2022
The first four nights of a 14-day trip that included Bratislava, Vienna, and Prague
It is our first visit to Prague
Accommodations
Budapest Hilton
(Hilton Points plus $48)
How we get around
We walked 36 miles in three and half days (our feet are in feeling it) and lots of public transportation,
Pre-purchased tickets/events:
10 Tasting tour WithLocals, Hungarian Parliament
Weather
The weather in Budapest was full sun, with average temperatures in the low 90s. It was humid at times, too! Even the locals were miserable. We were told this heat was unusual for Budapest. We drank a lot of water!
Our Favorite Moments and Highlights in Budapest
We loved everything about Budapest. The vibe and energy here are hard to describe; it captures the imagination and pulls you in. A place we were sad to leave, even after five days.
The castle district was a great place to stay. Our hotel was in the perfect spot. To be next to St. Mathius and the Fisherman Bastion was exceptional. What a fantastic way to start and end each day. It was luck because we had Hilton points to use, which is why we chose it. The castle district has many great restaurants, gardens, churches, and monuments, all in a beautiful setting. The castle grounds are spectacular. It is easy to get off Castle Hill as the buses come often.
Our private food tour with Nelli was a perfect way to start our visit. Not only did we get an excellent introduction to Hungarian food and enjoy a local market, but she also educated us on Hungarian history. She offered many suggestions for restaurants, wine tasting, and visiting sites in Budapest. Check out her website, Nellicious, for more info.
We booked a Parliament tour in advance. The tour was stunning inside and gave us valuable insight into Hungarian history. The lines were long to get a tour the day of, so it saved us time to buy before arriving in Budapest.
Oh the Market!
Loved, loved, loved the Great Hall Market on the Pest side. This is where the locals shop. Head downstairs for a less busy atmosphere. The produce on display is gorgeous.
Take a dip in a Turkish Bath. We went to Lukacs Baths because it came free with our Budapest City Card. The water in the Budapest baths is reputed to be medicinal. When we went, it was packed with locals, as this is an important piece of their culture.
There is a massive park on Margaret Island on the Danube between Pest and Buda. It feels a lot like Central Park in New York. It is bustling and lovely. There are also huge public pools. Lots of people were strolling, enjoying the great weather.
The Roman City of Aquincum is not far outside Budapest and is easy to reach by public transportation. It has incredible Roman Ruins on a vast archeological site—so beautifully done! We loved our visit.
St Stephen’s Basilica, on the Pest side, is spectacular. Take the time to go to the top for gorgeous, expansive city views in all directions.
The Danube
We did not do a Danube River cruise, though they are popular. It didn’t seem necessary, but there were many choices along the river.
Walking along the Danube River on both the Pest and Buda sides.
The trip to Heroes Square is well worth it. Walk a bit farther and visit the marvelous Vajdahunyard Castle. We went at dusk and were blown away.
The Liberty Monument on the Buda side has expansive views. It is a bit of work to get up the hill, but breathtaking views await you.
Our special treat was being in Budapest for the delayed St Stephens Holiday. The fireworks celebrations are reputed to be the largest in Europe. We were able to watch this from our hotel on Castle Hill. It lived up to its reputation. Simply amazing!! Adore those unexpected events.
What is a visit without wine and a cocktail?
The Ruin Bar Simplza Kert is a unique and cool destination in Pest. We visited during the day with Nelli and then returned on our own in the evening. All we could say was, WOW. We had heard it was touristy, but we didn’t get that feeling, maybe because it was a weeknight.
Wine tasting at Wine Not was a blast. Hungary has 22 wine regions, but their wine is rarely seen outside of Hungary. It deserves better marketing as it is excellent. We had a fun time exploring the wines of Hungary. The wine store was on the Pest side, and we found it utterly charming. Check out their website, Wine Not.
Observations and Commentary
- Budapest’s public transportation is excellent. It is on time, frequent, and easy to use—Google Maps perfectly describes it. There are trams, buses, trolleys, and a metro. It is on an honor system, with no ticket lines or kiosks.
- We found food and site entries very reasonably priced. Budapest is an inexpensive city to visit overall.
- The city is immaculate and well-maintained. It felt safe everywhere, even late at night.
- The Hungarian people speak outstanding English. We had no communication issues despite not knowing a word of Hungarian. Even the most straightforward words are hard to say.
- The locals are kind and gracious. At our hotel and all restaurants, the staff is attentive and professional while giving you space. You never felt rushed.
- Hungarian food is fantastic. Seek it out!
- People do smoke a lot in Budapest. It was not allowed in restaurants or any place indoors.
More Tips
- The Budapest City Card was well worth the purchase. We purchased ours before arriving, and that was not necessary. We would not have chosen the card we bought. Wait until you get there.
- The hotel concierge is a wealth of info. Tap them as a resource.
- The Buda side is quieter, more upscale, and more residential, while the Pest side is more lively and bustling.
- Budapest is a young, energetic, and edgy city. People were respectful and kind. The drivers seemed patient and easygoing. No one pushes or shoves to get on public transit.
- The city seemed almost quiet, with no horns beeping, continuous sirens, or loud noises. This was surprising and very pleasant.
Planning a trip to Hungary? Check out our Hungary Travel Guide
Where to Stay When Visiting Budapest
Our recommendation is to stay at Castle Hill, as it is an ideal location to visit in the whole city. That said, we don’t think there is a bad place to stay on the Pest or Buda side.
It is important to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.
Thank you for joining us on our adventure through Budapest. If you enjoyed the post, please leave a comment below.
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