filipa.figueira21Budapest doesn’t need an introduction. It is one of the most visited cities in Central Europe! I always wanted to do an Interrail in Europe and I thought about doing Budapest, Bratislava, Viena and Prague. However, after some online search and asking for opinions in two facebook travel groups I decided to just visit two countries: Hungary and the Czech Republic. I just had 9 days to travel and visiting 4 countries in 9 days wouldn’t be very feasible. After choosing the two countries I then decided on the cities to visit. In Hungary, I would just visit Budapest but in the Czech Republic, the plan was to visit Prague, Brno and Český Krumlov.
How to reach the centre of Budapest?
To arrive at the centre I took the bus 100E (cost: 1500 FT = 3.72€) and then I left at the stop called Kálvin tér M, which was the closest one to my hostel (Maverick Urban Lodge). After Kálvin tér M, the bus stops in Astoria M and Deák Ferenc Tér M.
World Citizen Stories Tip: To move around Budapest, you can download the app Budapest Go. I didn’t download it because I stayed in Budapest for just 3 days.
Where to stay in Budapest?
I stayed in the Maverick Urban Lodge (located in Pest) and I can tell you that it was one of the best hostels I have ever been to! The lockers were huge, the bed was comfortable, the location was also good and they organize a lot of fo activities for the guests, so you have the chance to meet a lot of people!
World Citizen Story tip: If you want to go out at night to go to a ruin bar search for a place in Pest.
Other places to stay:
- KViHotel Budapest – the smart hotel
- Danubius Hotel Astoria
- Anantara New York Palace Budapest
- Flow Spaces
- Friends Hostel & Apartments
- a&o Budapest City
Budapest City Guide
Budapest was created in 1873 by the merger of three cities: Buda, Pest and Óbuda, becoming the second main city of the Austro-Hungarian empire, after Viena.
The reputation of Buda and Pest
If Pest is where all the action happens, Buda is the quiet part of Budapest. When in Buda, you have the chance to see the most iconic building of Budapest, the parliament! Buda is the more residential side of the city, calmer and cosier. Pest is where the tourists go to hang out and have fun!
Read my post about What to eat in Budapest.
What to see and do in Pest
In Pest is one of the icons of Budapest – the Hungarian Parliament! Did you know that it has been a World Heritage Site since 2011 and it is one of the most visited monuments in Europe? Its style was inspired by the Palace of Westminster and it is one the largest parliaments in the World! The parliament can only be visited with guided tours which last about 45 minutes and will take you to several rooms. You will also have the chance to see the crown of Saint Stephen, the first King of Hungary!
Curiosity: Inside the St. Stephen Basilica, you can see the “Holy Right”, the mummified hand of Saint Stephen.
World Citizen Stories tip: book an online ticket at the official Parlament website at the time and language that you prefer. The is price 4560 FT (fee=360 FT and ticket=4200 FT), which is 11.30€.
After visiting the Parliament you should take some time to see the shoes on the Danube promenade and reflect on what you’re seeing. This is a sculpture made to remember the Jews that were shot by the Arrow Cross militiamen in 1944 and 1945. Here there are also some mupies telling more about these hard times in our history.
The next place on my list was the Great Synagogue (Nagy Zsinagoga), which has several influences from the Christians and from the mourish. While entering the synagogue I sat down on the bench to wait for a guided tour and I introduced myself and said that I was from Portugal. Can you believe that the girl in front of me was from my hometown? I had sited right after her and when I said I was from Portugal she turned back and said: “Hey it’s Margarida from Mangualde”. I immediately thought did I hear it right? So yes, two girls from the same city met in Budapest, small world. We then continued to do the guided tour, which was very interesting.
Visit the most beautiful café in the world – New York café Budapest
Another place that I was really looking forward to visiting was the New York café Budapest, the most beautiful café in the world! Located in the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, this café will astound you with its beautiful and numerous details! If you wondered about the name of the café, I can tell you that in 1894 the New York Life Insurance Company opened its European headquarters in Budapest and decided to build a coffee inside.
- Location: 1073 Budapest Erzsébet krt. 9-11
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday from 08:00 to 24:00 h
- Closest subway station: Blaha Lujza tér
Tip: If you like old cafés you can also visit the Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie. I didn’t go inside but I saw the building from outside, which is really beautiful too.
Visit the Great Market hall in Budapest
Whenever I visit a new country and I have the chance I always like to visit a typical market since we can see and try typical foods and drinks of the country!
Talking about the Great market hall in Budapest, the paprika prevails in the market and has a special place in every stand!
World Citizen Stories tip: On the first floor of the market you can buy all the souvenirs you wish and also have some typical street food.
See the Litle princess statue and look at Buda Castle
The artist László Marton was inspired by his eldest daughter who would wear a princess costume and a crown made of newspaper.
Váci street – Budapest’s principal street
See the Memorial to the Victims of the German Invasion
What to see and do in Buda
In Buda is located another icon of Budapest – the Fisherman’s Bastion which attracts all the tourists to see the amazing view!
Located at the top of Buda Castle hill is the Matthias church. A particular thing about this church is the Zsolnay tiles (Hungarian manufacturer of porcelain, tiles) on the roof.
Fisherman’s Bastion
The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the main attractions of Budapest! It is a terrace in neogothic style next to Matthias church. From here you will have an amazing view of Budapest and of the Parliament.
World Citizen Stories tip: Go to Fisherman’s Bastion at the end of the afternoon so that you can see the end of the day there and also see the parliament at night. When the sky is completely dark go near the river to see the parliament at night. It is breathtaking!
A visit to Budapest is not completed if you don’t go out at night to a ruin bar! I went to one of the most known, the Szimpla Kert!
It is also in Buda that is located the oldest Confectionery in Hungary, the Ruszwurm! Another place that I wanted to visit was the Gellért Hill and the citadel but it was closed when I was there, as well as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. However, I went to Szabadság híd bridge, also known as Liberty Bridge, this bridge is one of the most ornamented metal truss bridges in the world! I also went to the szilatempton (Church on the rock) to see the statue of Szent István király, the first king of Hungary and to see the Liberty bridge from above.
Note: I know Budapest is very famous for the baths but on this trip, I didn’t go to any. I didn’t have much time and I chose not to go.
Thanks for reading!
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