By Neda Mijovic
Photos by Melissa Randall
As soon as you make your first step in Budapest, you will fall in love with the city. It's not easy to determine what's the thing that gets you first - youthful atmosphere, pulsating nightlife, breath-taking sights of Budapest's Roman amphitheaters, Gothic-styled cathedrals or magnificent banks of Danube. The only thing you’ll know for sure is that you want to come back again.
Here's our favorite spots to check out in Budapest, Hungary.
Experience Hungarian History
A unique blend of old and modern on both Buda and Pest sides of the city makes Budapest an architectural paradise. (No wonder people call it ‘Paris of the East’.) Soak up the sights of Roman amphitheaters, Gothic-styled cathedrals, and enjoy the mixture of different cultures and religions of this city. There is something for everyone to see, from museums for history enthusiasts to thermal spas for more laid-back tourists.
Start your Budapest adventure with a walk to Castle Hill, from where you’ll have an amazing view of the city while being surrounded with medieval monuments, each telling its own unique story. If you're in the mood for history, check out Hungarian National Museum for a glimpse of country’s rich past. Or visit the Aquincum Museum and Ruin Garden, in case you’d like explore some of Hungary’s ancient moments - from Roman time in particular.
Religious monuments are worth a visit as well, two of them in first line: St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of the most important religious buildings in Hungary, dedicated to the first King of Hungary, and Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest Jewish place of worship in the world outside of Israel.
In case you appreciate great architecture, you’ll love Hungarian Parliament Building, representative of gothic revival style, and the neo-renaissance building of Hungarian State Opera House. Take a walk around there and continue on Andrássy Avenue that will lead you to a beautiful Hosök tere, square worth a couple of photos.
Explore The Danube And Its Gems
Combine relaxation with sightseeing with a scenic walk alongside Danube’s coast. Spreading from Elizabeth bridge to the Chain bridge, the Danube walkway gives you a chance to see many of the most famous landmarks of the city lying on the Buda side (Buda Castle, the Liberty Statue and the Fisherman’s Bastion). You can enjoy the view of Szechenyi Istvan Square, or simply sit in one of many restaurants and cafes alongside the river.
In case you don’t feel like siting, go to the beautiful Margaret Island - a 2.5 km long island which sits in the middle of the Danube take some time for recreation.
At some point, you might notice cruise ships passing the river. A lot of tourists like to take a look at the city ‘from the inside’ of the river that splits it in half, and at the same time enjoy lunch or dinner with some traditional delicacies. Take one at sunset for a particularly beautiful view of the city.
Grab A Drink At A Ruin Bar
Take a shell of an old Soviet building, fill it with some old furniture, and voila – a vibrant place filled with people is created. Simple, isn’t it? Each of the Budapest ruin pubs has a unique style, so you could easily find a favorite. It could be Instant, known for its crazy animal pictures, Fogas Ház, Kuplung, or, of course, the most famous Szimpla Kert, known as the epicenter of Budapest’s nightlife.
If you're in the mood for a night club, Budapest offers a huge spectrum of clubbing vibes. Start your night in one of the bars of the vibrant Gozsdu Passage within the Jewish Quarter, continue to the clubs like Akvárium, Corvin, Doboz, A38, and you’ll see that the places live up to their reputation.
Read More: 8 Eclectic Ruin Bars in Budapest
Shop Vintage And Thrift
Besides the usual designer suspects on Andrássy Avenue, you can find a good number of authentic and chic clothes in Budapest. Vintage stores like Retrock, Ludovika, LoveBug Vintage and Jajcica and their hidden basements are the places where you’ll discover unique design pieces. Also, check out Nanushka’s flagship store, a place for urban, vintage lovers or Vass Shoes, place known for quality men footwear are well known Hungarian places.
If you are in Budapest somewhere between spring and autumn, don’t miss a chance to visit Gouba Bazaar. Every Sunday, on a street well known for its designer boutiques and artistry, one of a kind antique jewelry and clothing are presented and available for bargain with local sellers. All of that, plus live jazz music played by local musicians played throughout all day.
Visit A Thermal Bath
After long days on your feet, you need to relax a bit and recharge for next quests . And since you are in a city which sits on more than 120 thermal springs, just head to the nearest thermal bath. Since Roman times, they have been used for healing, leisure and relaxation. Nowadays, Turkish thermal baths and modern versions serve as a perfect place to relax and recharge.
Széchenyi Baths complex, with its waters rich in health improving minerals is the largest “medicinal” bath centre in Europe and the most popular place for people who just want to relax in thermal pools, saunas or steam rooms. Visit the place during cold nights, take a swim in one of the outdoor pools and enjoy in contrast between cold air and hot water. If you happen to be in Budapest on a Saturday consider going to the Széchenyi baths pool party on Saturday nights 10:30p.m.-3a.m. for an unforgettable night.
If you reside in Buda part of the city and don’t feel like crossing the river to get to thermal baths, Gellert Bath is your choice #1. Rich with sulphates, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and fluoride and other healing minerals, and a luxurious building from the beginning of the 20th century, this bath will satisfy all your senses.
Read More: 6 Bubblin' Thermal Baths in Budapest
Visit A Hungarian Market
Traditional Hungarian spices, sausages and alcohol for foodies, unique, locally designed clothes for the fashion-conscious ones, antique, quirky pieces, each with its own history for the sentimental ones – you will lose track of time in Budapest markets, and there’s no reason to feel bad about that. Just don’t forget to convert your currency to Forints because local vendors mostly accept only local currency, although euros may be accepted at major attractions or very touristy places.
Farmers markets in Budapest are a big thing, so besides just food and souvenirs, you’ll have a chance to indulge in local culture. Hungarians make it a feast - there is music, people dancing, chatting, laughing, and you’ll have a feeling that you’re a part of a festival.
The impressive 19th century Great Market Hall (Nagy Vásárcsarnok) is a place where you’ll find literally everything. Take a stroll through this three floor building and try famous Hungarian paprika, honey, and taste excellent Tokaj wines. Or find Hungarian souvenirs and vintages coming directly from local artists.
On weekends: If not too hungover from Friday night parties, head up to Czakó Kert - charming, rustic café in the heart of Buda for its Saturday market to find local products, or just enjoy a good breakfast.
In case you skipped Saturday, try not to miss Sunday morning at the Szimpla Kert ruin bar, listen to some live music and try honey and jams, cheeses and baked goods.
Get Traditional Hungarian Flavors
Rich, hearty, and full of flavours – Hungarian cuisine is the one that is worth a week-long dieting after the Budapest visit. You cannot leave the city without trying Goulash, Lángos, Dobos torte, and so much more, all prepared in a traditional way, doing a street food jive through the city and completing every meal with (at least) a glass of locally produced wine or firewater Pálinka.
Approach one of the many Budapest restaurants and order a warm, juicy paprikash or goulash, meat specialties made with a lot of paprika (the only true Hungarian way) and complete the meal with either famous Dobosh cake or Kürtőskalács (very popular on Christmas markets), trademark sweets of Hungary.
If you are a street food lover, do not miss to try Lángos, deep fried dough with any sort of topping you can imagine, or visit Utca Market on Buda side of the town - a favorite place of local gourmands. From Monday to Sunday, you can find local specialties here, get dome free culinary education and reportedly try the best Lángos in town!
You should be full of tasty food treats by now and ready for the nightlife. Be ready to order a local favorite Pálinka, a fruit liquor made with different fruits for a fire starting night, or Unicum, which is Hungarian version of Jagermeister.
Take A Day Trip From Budapest
You think you’ve seen everything worth seeing in Budapest and want more? Luckily, there are places worth adding on your itinerary on your journey which you can visit in a day. Just hop on a bus, train, or boat and check out some of them.
Szentendre is a small, lovely town with narrow streets, colorful houses and intimate atmosphere, reachable from Budapest in an hour by train or boat. Being a home for art colonies from early 20th century, this place has a lot to offer to art lovers. You can relax, take a walk around, admire works of art exposed everywhere you look and listen to some interesting stories from friendly locals.
Get a ticket, jump in a boat, and after an hour and a half of picturesque Danube ride, you are in Esztergom, a city sitting on a rocky outcrop just above the Danube. Famous for the biggest basilica in Hungary, it offers a perfect getaway from the city. If the weather is nice you will enjoy the nature, view of Danube and of Slovakia, which is just across the river from this place.
Get ready for a bit longer ride, get up early and head towards Balaton, the largest lake in Europe, and you’ll have a whole day to enjoy the nature, cafes and trendy restaurants serving fresh, locally caught fish.
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