Top Tips For Travelling In Budapest
Can you guess which is my favourite city in the world? What did you guess? Which continent did you narrow it down to?
I have been to 82 countries but lost count as to how many cities I have been to.
Trying to decide upon a favourite city in the world is not easy yet it a very common question I get asked. The world is so vast and even place is so unique. It is so hard even to narrow it down to a top ten. Cities that do stand out for me though are Cairo in Egypt, Brussels in Belgium, Edinburgh in Scotland and Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada.
But definitely up there as one of my favourite cities in the whole wide world, would be Budapest, Hungry.
I seriously love Budapest, which is actually pronounced Budapesh. Buda is one side of the Danube River, Pesh is the other side. One is on flat ground, while the other is quite steep and hilly.
It is a place that is happening. It has great history yet shows real evidence of progression. It is not stuck in the past. The city is very walkable, there is plenty on offer to see, is home to some of the best views in the world, has this incredible river down the middle, and is so pretty dressed up in its nights lights.
Budapest covers culture, food, style, shopping, and heritage. It is incredibly beautiful both day and night.
My top tips for travelling in Budapest
A must see is the Parliament building at multiple times throughout the day; during the day, at night with the lights on and from across the river from the Fisherman’s Bastion as well as from a boat on the river - it is gorgeous and a real sight to see
Don't buy a multiple-use metro ticket, save your money. For example, I bought a three-day pass which is great but you must take at least 12 rides to get your monies worth, but you will find yourself walking everywhere and not really needing to take public transport
Bus 200 from the International Airport is easy and convenient, just get off at the last stop for the metro line. You will save yourself at least 5000 FT
There is a free walking tour at 10:30 am each morning, meeting at the fountain in Vorosmarty Square which is really worth your time. I highly recommend it. It is two and half hours seeing and learning about sights on both Buda and Pest sides
There are green bikes to hire if you feel like riding around the city. You do need a card to start it and a 250,000FT deposit. It wasn't as easy as I first thought, so we gave up.
A bath visit is recommended but not essential. It helps soothe your legs after walking all day. Plan to spend at least two to three hours there. The top two to choose from are Gellert which is close to the green bridge or Szechenyi Thermal Bath, which is close to Hero Square and one of the largest thermal baths in Europe
Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion and enjoy the view over Pest and the river Danube; go in the morning or see the sunset in the afternoon. You can climb the steep stairs or take a funicular ride to get up to Buda Hill and explore the medieval streets
Buda Hill is the best place for sunset or on a river cruise on the Danube
Visit Royal Castle whilst in Buda. It’s massive. There is a two hour walking tour or you can wander around yourself
Cross from Buda to pest by walking River the Chain Bridge
360 Bar is also great for sunset drinks and dinner
Take a boat ride on the Danube river at night to see the incredible city lights
Central Market Hall; amazing building. Huge markets to walk around and check out
Take a moment to visit the Shoes on the Danube sculpture honouring the Jewish people killed by the fascist Arrow Cross during WWII
Make sure to try Hungarian specialities such as goulash or tanyerhus
St Stephens Basilica; has a lookout from the dome
Matthias Church has 200 steps to climb up the steeple for more great views
Grab a Budapest City Card from the tourism office for great offers and discounts
Three days is a good amount of time to get a good idea of what Budapest has to offer
If time permits check out Margaret Island, in the middle of the Danube River. Take a walk or a cycle amongst the parklands, climb the water tower, and make a splash at Palatinus Strand; adventure and thermal pools
Visit Andrassy Boulevard to admire the gilded Hungarian State Opera House and neo-Renaissance mansions and find ‘The House Of Terrors’ which documents the 20th century fascist and communist regimes
Explore the ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter. Start at the Szimpla Kert
Heroes Square, is impressive, find it next to the City Park - one of the major squares with the Millennium Monument with statues featuring the seven chieftains of the Magyars and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Have you been to Budapest? Did you fall in love at first sight like I did? What is your favourite city in the world? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.
