Hungary was unreal. Lake Balaton shines in the south and Budapest crowns it in the north. Unfortunately, on this trip we only had time to explore the city of Budapest for a few days, but if we ever return to Hungary, Lake Balaton and Bukki National Park will be on our list of must sees. Here are our must sees, do’s and eats while in beautiful Budapest!
1. Free Walking Tour:
If you’ve seen any of my other posts, you know that I’m a fan of free walking tours! I think it’s an amazing way to get acclimated to the city and to learn some tips/tricks from locals. We always try to start our time in a city with one and Budapest was no exception. Our original plan was to go on the Free Budapest Walk but since I’m a history nut we decided to do the Communism Tour and holy moly! It blew me away! Check out some of the other neat free walking tour options here to begin your adventure in Budapest!
Some neat sites we saw: Matthias Church, Heroes Square, Andrassy Street, Liberty Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica.
2. Fisherman’s Bastion:
This was one of my favorite things to see in Budapest, because it reminded me of a little sand castle, perched on top of a hill. The architecture of this structure is so different than the other styles seen within the city. I would recommend visiting here early in the morning, when there aren’t as many people around.
3. The Hungarian Parliament Building:
This is Budapest’s crowning glory. This building overlooking the Danube River is simply stunning, both in the daylight and at night. I would advise any visitors to visit it at different times of the day to experience its splendor in full. One of our best views of the building came from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge.
If you’re planning on taking a tour of the inside, you can find the ticket info here and the hours its open to visitors here. One of my regrets, is that we didn’t see the inside of this magnificent building while visiting, so make sure that YOU DO! I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about its interior and the Holy Crown.
The Kossuth Lajos Square outside of the palace is also the location of an unfortunately fatal demonstration. In 1956, protestors attempted to overthrow the Soviet government and the Soviet government open fired on these civilians. Many were killed right here in this square, or fleeing to shelter. If you walk just across the street to the Ministry of Agriculture Building, you can even see where they have filled in the bullet holes with bronze to highlight the struggle known as Bloody Thursday.
4. Széchenyi Chain Bridge:
This beautiful bridge connects the Buda side of the city to the Pest side. It is a gorgeous way to view the Danube River, the Parliament Building and Buda Castle. Make sure to take your time crossing it and get some photos from different angles.
We ended up crossing this bridge many times during our few days in the city and it was always busy! This is a high pedestrian area so keep an eye on your things.
5. Hospital In The Rock:
My husband happens to be in the medical field, so while planning this trip I thought it would be a neat experience for him to see a hospital used during WWII. This hospital was a restored nuclear bunker housed in the caves under Buda Castle.
It is extremely fascinating and cheap to see. At the time of our visit it was 4000 Forint (around $13 USD) for a 1 hr. guided tour. Take the time to view it and be amazed at how different medicine is today.
6. Shoes on the Danube:
This is such a touching memorial built along the Danube River right in front of the Hungarian Parliament Building. These 1940’s styled shoes made of metal represent the hundreds of Hungarian Jews that lost their lives during World War II. As you view them, you’ll notice that many of the shoes have flowers, coins or other items inside of them.
7. Liberty Square:
Venture to Liberty Square for some interesting stories. There is a newly constructed memorial here that is a bit controversial because many feel that it doesn’t appropriately remember the lives of Hungarian Jews who were murdered.
The thing that I felt was the most touching about this memorial are the humbling artifacts that line the sidewalk just on the other side of the road. Families of these Jews who were killed during WWII, have graciously brought items that once belonged to their loved ones for others to view. Shoes, suitcases, letters and photos tell their stories. It’s a sobering experience.
On the other side of the park is a large Soviet War Memorial located in the center, with a statue of Ronald Reagan to the left and the U.S. Embassy to the right. Our tour guide expressed to us that many younger Hungarians are desperate to westernize and move forward, but many members of the older generation still hold strong Soviet ties which is creating continued conflict. This park seems to perfectly depict that struggle.
8. Szechenyi Baths:
Ok, I might’ve saved the best place for last. These baths felt amazing after a long day of walking around in the hot August heat. We decided to rent a cabin instead of just a locker (the cabin option gives you a private place to change and I would highly recommend it!) and then headed in for a dip! We relaxed in the outdoor pools for a while, but then ventured in to view the 15 indoor baths. Each one was different, so I’d recommend you exploring around!
When we visited in August, it was high season so the tickets were around $20 USD. I’m sure if you visit during the off season, tickets might not be as much. The baths are also less crowded in the mornings, so try to plan your trip accordingly. You can get all the details here on their website.
9. What to Eat:
While in Budapest, make sure to try some authentic Hungarian food! The hostel that we stayed at gave us a great brochure featuring local restaurants with authentic dishes, so we explored a few of those.
#1. Langos Papa: This little place is located right on Andrassy St. which is right in the heart of the Pest side of the city. Langos is a deep fried bread topped with sour cream, meat and other goodies. It was freaking delicious! We also sampled some of the famous beef stew and bread, but my favorite was the amazing langos! Give it a try!
#2. Terv Bisztró: This bistro is located not too far from Liberty Square in the 5th District. It also serves great Hungarian/Eastern European styled food with a neat eclectic vibe. It has traditional and historical decor, giving diners a peek into the past of what Budapest looked like in the early 1900’s. Try the goulash or paprika spiced chicken dish with vegetables. You will not be disappointed.
I hope these tips helped you plan your trip to Budapest! It’s a beautiful city packed with history and places to enjoy! Viszontlátásra!
Where we stayed:
Adagio Hostel: Right on Andrassy St. and central to many sites. They do offer a chance to book a private room with a bathroom, but their rooms are bunk bed styled so there is no double bed option.
Where we ate:
Terv Bisztró: See my post above for details. It was a great little bistro!
Langos Papa: Awesome place for Langos on Andrassy St.