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I wasn’t ready for Budapest.

In 2004, T, my sister, brother-in-law, and I found super cheap flights to Budapest and decided to travel there on a whim. Being that it was 2004, Budapest wasn’t on many travelers’ radars like it is now.

Of course we expected it to be beautiful, much like many of the other European cities we had previously visited. But we had no idea just how majestic and spellbinding Budapest truly is. A magical merge of striking allure, historical grandeur, and cutting-edge grittiness that had us enamored right from the start.

There are so many things to love about Budapest, but here’s a good start: it’s brimming with stunning architecture, amazing thermal baths, breathtaking views, and a distinguished culture.

Still not convinced? It’s extraordinarily affordable, especially when compared to many other European cities.

Below are the top ten things to do in beautiful Budapest.

 

#1: See the Parliament Building

 

One of the most iconic landmarks in all of Hungary, the Parliament Building is a spectacular example of exquisite Neo-Gothic architecture. This masterpiece of a building is a popular tourist attraction, equally due to its magnificent splendor and idyllic location along the meandering Danube River. It’s worth walking around the back as well to get the full scale of its grandness, as well as the sheer beauty of the structure.

 

#2 Marvel at the Mighty Danube River

 

Hailing as the second longest river in all of Europe, it’s pretty much impossible to miss this imposing Danube River. Riverside strolls and sails are not only a must here, they’re pretty much inevitable. The Danube River is the beating pulse of Budapest, coursing its way through the expansive city.

Fun fact: The capital city of Budapest was the result of the unification of separate towns of Buda and Pest in 1873.

#3 Stroll over the Szechenyi Chain Bridge

 

One of the many things we loved about Budapest is its walkability, and perhaps nowhere within the city encourages individuals to explore it by foot than the Szechnyi Chain Bridge.  The pedestrian-friendly bridge offers fantastic views of both Buda and Pest and is one of the main bridges in Budapest that links the majority of sites.

#4: Explore Fisherman’s Bastion

 

Perched upon Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion is a remarkable spot to enjoy panoramic views of the river and Pest beyond it. Its historical charm and opulence outweigh the fellow tourists that will inevitable accompany your visit. Think striking towers, spilling-over terraces, and attractive cobbled streets. A lovely spot to soak up Budapest’s radiance.

#5: Wander Around Buda Castle

 

This luxurious historical castle and royal palace complex pays homage to the Hungarian kings. As the most prominent building of Castle Hill, it dominates the hill and provides beyond impressive views of the city and river. While it’s worth visiting at any time of the day, nightfall is particularly special when it’s dramatically illuminated.

Thing to know: Riding the funicular is a relatively cheap and scenic way to reach the Buda Castle hill.  Click here for rates and hours of operation. 

#6: Soak in the Gellert Baths

 

Promise me this: you will not leave Budapest without visiting at least one of its delightful spas and soaking in its thermal baths. One of the highlights of our trip was spending an afternoon at Gellert Spa and Bath. Dating back to 1918, Gellert Baths is one of the city’s oldest and most famous bathhouses.

The building’s interior is ornate and lavish, with a number of various wellness treatments offered. My sister and I opted for a massage and soak in the heated pools. Note that the establishment does get busy, so you may want to go on the earlier (or later) side in hopes of avoiding large crowds. We visited later in the day and found the spa and pools to be pretty quiet. Remember to pack your swimwear and some thick skin–the Hungarian masseuses are known to be very strong and firm (I can definitely attest to this!).

#7: Gorge on Goulash & Embrace the Gluttony

 

It should be no surprise that Hungarian food is HEAVY. Stick-to-your-ribs heavy. But also, pretty damn delicious. Depending on what time of year you travel to Hungary, your level of appreciation for its gluttonous heavy ways may vary. It was cold during our travels, and our bellies and souls craved as much warming comfort food as we could possibly get. So you might say that we welcomed all of its savory goulashes, stews, and soups with open hearts and eager tastebuds.

Hungarian cuisine is the epitome of comfort food, and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Hands down the best meal of the trip was at Gundel, a formal restaurant that serves delicious gourmet Hungarian fare.

 

#8: Lounge Around the Timeless Cafes

 

There is no shortage of grand and historical coffeehouses in Budapest. If you need to seek some solace from the cold, you are in for a real treat–we absolutely loved the cafe scene here. The most charming and delightful of all of the cafes that we visited was Gerbaud, an elegant cafe that’s worthy of the hype (and elevated prices).

The coffee, pastries, and desserts were decadently divine. We absolutely loved it here.

#9: Meander & Marvel

 

As mentioned previously, Budapest is a gloriously walkable city, with an efficient and reliable metro system to boot, making it a very easy city to explore. Take the time to meander and marvel at the unique architecture, iconic sites, and distinctive neighborhoods.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

Heroes’ Square

#10: Take a Day Trip to Szentendre

 

Okay, so technically not in Budapest, but beautiful and lovely nonetheless, is Szentendre, an enchanting and picturesque Hungarian town alongside the Danube. A short and simple forty-five minute train ride delivers you directly to the quaint little village of a town, characterized by baroque architecture, historical churches, colorful houses and narrow, cobbled streets.

The charming main square and alleyways are lined with museum and art galleries, adorable shops and boutiques, and cozy restaurants and cafes.

We were captivated by Szentendre’s beauty and quietness. An absolutely delightful day trip from Budapest!

Bottom Line:

 

Four full days gave us a great introduction to the amazingness of Budapest. With its more recent rise in popularity, I’d love to return one day, especially to see how much the city has changed. Wishing you the happiest of travels to beautiful Budapest and beyond!

 

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