{"id":6398,"date":"2022-03-22T12:36:24","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T04:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rearviewmirror.ruqa4eh2-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=6398"},"modified":"2023-01-18T14:14:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T06:14:40","slug":"budapest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rearviewmirror.tv\/budapest\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Budapest: Best places to visit in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It already seems like a lifetime ago since I left my home in Budapest. During the year or two I lived there, I learnt an incredible amount about the Hungarian people and culture and the wonderful city that is Budapest. I’m aware there is so much left undiscovered but there is always next time. In this sightseeing guide, I highlight what to do in Budapest and the best places to visit in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hungarian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What makes Budapest a great place to visit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s incredibly beautiful. The architecture, the Danube River, the Castle District, the thermal baths, the parks. They are all so beautiful. The people are wonderful. The food is delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also to the rich history. From the Austro-Hungarian Empire through to the events of WWII, communist rule, the 1956 revolution and finally independence. You can see the history everywhere with sombre memorials and bullethole riddled buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budapest is never boring. Festivals, food trucks, pop up restaurants, rooftop bars and ruin pubs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For visitors, it\u2019s very affordable. You can get a set menu lunch for \u20ac3-4, I\u2019ve seen craft beer for \u20ac0.50 and langos for less than \u20ac1 or if you want to go high end you can have a 3-course meal at a Michelin star restaurant for \u20ac30. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Budapest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Budapest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve already been to Budapest you might want to scroll down past this section that highlights what to do in Budapest, which is primarily designed for first (or second) time visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further below is my comprehensive list of things to do in Budapest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to save money during your visit, this huge list of free things to do in Budapest<\/a> should give you plenty of ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Budapest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I suggest starting your Budapest sightseeing trip with these 16 best things to do and top points of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Catch the #2 Tram<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Budapest's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hop on the #2 tram for a cheap sightseeing ride along the Danube, past the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, the Hungarian Parliament and the beautiful 5th district. Get your ticket from the machine before you board and don\u2019t forget to validate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Marvel at The Hungarian Parliament Building<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Hungarian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to appreciate the sheer scale of the Hungarian Parliament when up close but from across the river, you realise how the immense limestone building dominates the waterfront. If you have time, take a tour of the building to admire the interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Explore the Royal Palace and Castle District<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Buda<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Take the funicular from the end of the Chain Bridge up to Buda Castle or skip the line and walk 10 minutes up the steep hill. The castle district doesn\u2019t have the wide streets and Austro-Hungarian architecture you see on the other side of the Danube in Pest. Instead, you have narrow, cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, the Royal Palace and the newly renovated terrace gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Watch the Sunrise from Fisherman\u2019s Bastion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Fisherman's<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Believe me, I know how hard it is to get up for sunrise, especially in summer, but it\u2019s worth it for the pretty clear skies and sunrise over the parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel Tip:<\/strong> Fisherman\u2019s Bastion is one of the best places to see the sunrise and at that time of the morning you\u2019ll have the normally packed location to yourself.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

5. Soak in a Thermal Bath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Szechenyi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Budapest is built on top of more than 100 thermal springs. There are 15 public baths and a few private ones. Szechenyi is the most popular with its beautiful baroque buildings and 18 different pools. Gellert’s Art Nouveau design is stunning and the 13 pools include an artificial wave pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Cross the Danube at the Chain Bridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Chain<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll have to cross the Danube at some point in your visit and walking over the Chain Bridge is the best way to do so. It\u2019s one of the most iconic monuments in Budapest and you get fantastic views of the parliament as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Check Out the Views from St Stephen\u2019s Basilica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"St<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

St Stephen\u2019s Basilica’s ornate interior is worth a look but you can also take the lift to the viewing platform for a rooftop view of Budapest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Drink in a Ruin Pub<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Budapest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Budapest is famous for its ruin pubs. These are crumbling, abandoned buildings that have been turned into pubs and often decorated with eclectic vintage and recycled furniture. Szimpla is the original, most well known and most touristy. It\u2019s worth a look but also try Csendes in the 5th district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Indulge at the Most Beautiful Cafe in the World<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"First<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leftover from the Austro-Hungarian days, the afternoon coffee and cake tradition is alive and well in Budapest. The New York Cafe has the most incredible, opulent setting like no other, but you could also try the more affordable and laid back Bookcafe in the old Paris Department Store (note: the Bookcafe is temporarily closed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Eat Traditional Hungarian Food <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Budapest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hungarian food is actually fairly well known around the world. A few specialities to try: beef goulash, chicken paprikas, langos (common at Christmas markets around Europe), salami, smoked cheese, chicken schnitzel, stuffed cabbage, sweet and savoury pancakes, dobos torta, Tokaj wine, palinka fruit brandy (it\u2019s revolting), Unicum herbal liqueur (also revolting).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Get Some Fresh Air on Margaret Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Autumn<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Budapest gets hot and humid (most of the summer) head to Margaret Island in the centre of the Danube River. The shady park and grass areas are great for a picnic and you can walk through medieval ruins and the Japanese Garden. There\u2019s also a new running track. Margaret Island<\/a> is especially scenic in autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Walk Around Heroes Square & Vajdahunyad Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Vajdahunyad<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Away from the river at the end of Andrassy Avenue is Heroes Square, a wide-open square with the Millennium Monument at its centre and two colonnades with statues of great Hungarians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the square is City Park where you\u2019ll cross a lake (which is turned into an ice skating rink in winter) over to either the Szechenyi Baths on the left or Vajdahunyad Castle (now the Museum of Agriculture) on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Enter the Largest Synagogue in Europe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Dohany<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Budapest\u2019s 7th district is buzzing with cafes, restaurants and ruin bars but it\u2019s also the Jewish Quarter and home to the largest synagogue in Europe. The Dohany Street Synagogue is open to tourists where you can visit the Jewish Museum, Heroes Temple, Jewish Cemetery and the Holocaust Memorial Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Hike Up Gellert Hill to the Citadella<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"View<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another option for energetic types is to hike up Gellert Hill to the Citadella. It\u2019s actually a fairly easy hike and you\u2019ll likely stop often to catch the views and your breath along the way. Visit at sunrise to have the place to yourself or at sunset to enjoy the view with the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Listen to a Concert at the Liszt Academy of Music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Franz<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Austria has Mozart and Strauss while Hungary proudly has Franz Liszt. If you love classical music you can see a concert at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music<\/a> or if you prefer, catch a show at the Hungarian State Opera that is around the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Admire the Architecture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Turkish<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things to do in Budapest is to simply walk and admire the architecture. The Pest side of the river has wide open boulevards lined with grand Austro-Hungarian era buildings and eclectic Hungarian Art Nouveau architecture. Always look up when in Budapest or you\u2019ll miss some of the best sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to do in Budapest<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After living in Budapest for more than a year I picked out my favourite things to do and places to visit along with a few travel tips I hope you’ll find useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thermal Baths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Budapest<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve got to go to a thermal bath at least once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that the baths are less crowded and less expensive on weekdays and some baths (not Szechenyi or Gellert) are segregated on certain days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n