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Primary language(s): Hungarian

Hungary makes the top five oldest countries in Europe. Like most places with 1000+ years of history, it was shaped by many wars and foreign occupation. Though Hungary has been a crossroad for different ethnicities, its people managed to preserve their heritage until this day. Underrated and overshadowed by other European capital cities, Budapest is getting more exposure in recent years. Tourists enjoy its intriguing character that effortlessly combines high culture and grand architecture with lively modern spaces. The Danube River divides Budapest into two parts, which used to be separate towns of Buda and Pest. Buda is built on the higher ground of hills and has stunning scenery, while Pest is mostly flat yet exciting in spirit. 

Where will you go exploring first?

Quiet Buda

Once home of the royals, the Buda side is famous for its Castle District, Gothic houses and the cobbled streets. To get up the Buda Hill (unless you are already staying there) and save yourself a hike, you can take the historical funicular on Adam Clarke square near the Chain Bridge. The ride is just a few minutes, but it presents beautiful views of Budapest, especially when traveling at a golden hour. Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church are some of the most popular tourist attractions in this area. 

Also located on the Buda side are Gellert Hill Cave Church and Gellert Thermal Baths. They are near the Castle District, however, would require a good chunk of time if you plan to soak in the pools. The bath complex is known across Europe for healing waters full of different minerals and one-of-a-kind Art-Nouveau design. The church, often referred to as “Saint Ivan’s Cave,” is no less interesting. It is named after the hermit who lived there and healed the sick with presumingly the same type of thermal water as in Gellert Baths. No matter the weather, the temperature in the cave always stays at 20 degrees Celsius.

Vibrant Metropolitan Pest

This side of Budapest is about two-thirds of the city, and therefore has a lot to see and do. By starting with the Danube Promenade, a route along the river extending from the Chain Bridge to the Elisabeth Bridge, you can check off some boxes on your “must-visit” list, like the iconic Parliament Building and numerous sculptures. The most touching one is the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. It is dedicated to the Jews, who during World War II were ordered by the fascists to take off their shoes (a valuable item back then), before they got shot into the river.

Not too far from the Elisabeth Bridge is the Central Market Hall. There you will find produce and handcrafts at prices more modest than regular tourist shops, and you may try to haggle for an even better deal. As you move away from the riverside and deeper into the city, be sure to check out Dohány Street Synagogue, the largest synagogue in Europe, and St. Stephen’s Basilica, the largest church in Hungary. Do pay extra at St. Stephen’s Basilica for an opportunity to go to the cupola and look at Budapest from above!

Riding the M1 metro line is another cultural experience not to miss. What’s so special? Well, it’s the oldest underground railway in continental Europe, which is only one meter below UNESCO-protected Andrássy Avenue. Vintage yellow train carriages take riders up and down from the city center to Heroes’ Square or to the Széchenyi Baths (a fine medicinal bath, but with less historical ambiance than the Gellert).

Ruin Bars Bring It All Together

A Budapest’s invention in the early 2000s, ruin bars are quickly becoming the city’s signature worldwide. And no wonder! There is no nightlife entertainment quite the same anywhere else. Ruin bars are based in the abandoned buildings furnished with all kinds of odd things that you would find on the flea market. Signs of decay, like cracks, peeled paint and holes are left as is. Instead, they are decorated with artworks, which take every inch of space, including the ceiling. Glimmering fairy and accent lights add to the underground atmosphere while drinks and food are served in what used to be different house rooms, hallways or courtyards.  

If you ever read “The Gray House” by Mariam Petrosyan, that’s what ruin bars remind me of: THE HOUSE. An unremarkable place from the outside with all kinds of things happening inside. It’s, honestly, a mystery how they keep it quiet, considering the crowds talking, dancing and enjoying live music there. Though the very first ruin bars were popping up in the Jewish Quarter, many of them spread out to the other districts and the peaceful Buda side by now. Each bar has its own personality, and I have yet to hear of one that wasn’t good. Being the original, Szimpla Kert, usually gets recommended the most, and it will not disappoint. 

While Budapest may attract you because of its history or thermal baths, make it a point to stop by at least one ruin bar as well. Even if you don’t drink, you will be able to meet the locals and learn something from their perspective.

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Personal favorites

Eats & drinks:
– Strudel House
– Szimpla Kert
– Szelence Café (specializes on healthy and vegan dishes)

Lodging:
– Airbnb: City Studio Next to the Parliament Building

Unique souvenirs:
– Memories of Hungary (there are multiple locations, I got my gift shopping done at the Vajdahunyad Souvenir Shop)

Find more trip ideas & everything travel in this section of my blog. Happy exploring!

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