TRAVEL TIPS
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN BUDAPEST
HUNGARY
My quest to visit 40 countries before 40 continues with my most recent trip to Hungary, my country number 29. In this blog I bring you my top 5 things to do in Budapest.
We visited in late January and the weather was averaging above zero, which was unseasonably mild for the time of year, and meant we got to walk everywhere! We stayed in an Airbnb in Pest only a few steps from Deak Ferenc Square, the Gozsdu Court and the party area!
TIP NUMBER 1 – CATCH A FREE WALKING TOUR
We took the opportunity to go on a walking tour on our first day and so glad that we did as it was the perfect way to get our bearings. Our guide gave us an introduction to the city and over two hours showed us the key sights. We met at the Budapest Eye and from there walked to St.Stephen’s Basilica, walked across the Chain Bridge and up to the Castle District, Matthias Church and the Fisherman Bastion. The tour walked up Castle Hill but there is a Funicular railway that runs regular services up and down for those not wanting to take the steep hike up. Either way, it’s well worth the effort for the spectacular view. At the end of the tour you pay your guide what you think the tour was worth, we thoroughly enjoyed it.
TIP NUMBER 2 – VISIT THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT
Think of Budapest and you’ll probably think of the Hungarian Parliament. Tickets are only available on the day from the main ticket office so a top tip is to arrive early and purchase your tickets – arrive late morning or early afternoon and you’ll find all the English speaking tours fully booked.
The building itself is spectacular, both during the day and at night. If you’re looking for the best views at night without going all the way across to Buda I’d recommend the view from the Chain Bridge. The photo above was taken at 4.00pm shortly after sunset. While you are in the grounds of the parliament building I’d recommend watching the changing of the guard which is worth taking time out to see. The guards in green uniform march across the square with their rifles and swap places with their colleagues – just make sure you don’t get in their way! You can also see the changing of the guards in Buda Castle on the hour too, again worth catching if you are in the area.
TIP NUMBER 3 – VAJDAHUNYAD CASTLE
Although not an actual castle it is pretty special with really striking and detailed architecture. If you visit in winter as I did you will find Europe’s largest open air ice skating rink in the grounds in the city park.
While in this part of the city you might want to visit the thermal baths as they are located nearby. On the way back to the main city you will also pass the Terror Museum.
TIP NUMBER 4 – ‘SHOES ON THE DANUBE BANK’ MEMORIAL
Whilst walking along the east bank of the Danube River along from the parliament on the Pest side you will come across the sculpture of the ‘Shoes on the Danube Bank’, a memorial to the Jews who were ordered to take off their shoes and were shot during the Second World War. The sculptor created sixty pairs of period-appropriate shoes out of iron. The shoes are attached to the stone embankment, and behind them lies a 40 meter long, 70 cm high stone bench. At three points are cast iron signs, with the following text in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew: “To the memory of the victims shot into the Danube by Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944–45. Erected 16 April 2005.”
It is a moving memorial and one that should be visited whilst in Budapest.
TIP NUMBER 5 – STAY AT AN AIRBNB
I’m a firm believer in booking apartments via Airbnb and Home and Away. During our time in Budapest we stayed in a luxury flat in the hub of all the nightlife – great when we were awake, not so much when we were trying to sleep!
If you’d like to find out more information about the property we stayed in you can find it here.
There are one hundred and one things to do in Budapest but these were just my top 5. To end I’d like to give you my tip tips for eating and drinks:
When in Budapest the ruin bars are a must, built within disused factories and derelict tenements. Lonely Planet has rated it in the top one hundred bars in the world and it didn’t fail to disappoint. Each bar had its own unique style with quirky and with a great atmosphere.
Of all the places we ate at we particularly liked the Mazel Tov in the historic Jewish quarter where the decor brought the outside inside with hanging plants, trees and herbs. It had a relaxed vibe and the food was great.
Please get in touch if you are looking for any travel advice. I’m also available for destination weddings and happy to travel throughout the world to capture your special day. Also available for photography in and around the London and Essex area, I come to my clients offices across Maldon, Chelmsford, Colchester, Brentwood, Shenfield, Braintree, London and others.
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