Introduction

Welcome to Budapest, on the banks of the Danube River which is a vibrant and historic city. Budapest is definitely the place to be whether you are an art aficionado, a history fanatic or just in the search for an unusual thing to do. In this blog post, I’ll tell you what I know (and what I don’t know yet) about this beautiful place and will give you all the information you need to prepare for a wonderful trip.

Budapest is far from a metropolis and it’s more than easy to navigate in the city and explore all its attractions.

1. Public Transportation

Budapest however, being a big city, has a very well developed and efficient system of public transport which makes traveling around it easy. The metro, buses and trams are plentiful, have ample coverage and affordable, so you can easily get to all the hearing major attractions and neighbourhoods. You will save money on fares if you buy a travel card or Budapest Card.

2. Walking

Budapest is a pedestrian friendly city and most of the highlights are in a ‘walkable’ distance from each other. Walking the city will enable you to soak deep into its culture and find hidden gems on the way. Simply just put on your comfortable shoes then wander through the cutie streets of Budapest.

3. Cycling

Renting a bike is definitely the way to go to explore Budapest (if you are adventurous). There are great bike paths and bike sharing in the city so commuting is easy and fun. Make sure to go to Margaret Island located in the middle of the Danube and is car free, perfect for a leisure cycle.

Must-See Attractions

Budapest is full of beautiful monuments and treasures of culture. Some of the must see attractions which go on every visitor’s itinerary are as follows:

Neo gothic building which is one of the Hungarian Parliament Building. You can take a guided tour around and see the stunning interior.

Castle Buda (Castle Hill): Historical castle complex affording panoramic views of the city. Don’t forget to visit the Fisherman’s Bastion with fairy tale like towers.

The suspension bridge Chain Bridge: connects Buda and Pest sides of Budapest. Walk across the bridge and enjoy the awe inspiring views.

St. Stephen’s Basilica: Hungary’s first church and a grandiose church named after Hungary’s first king. But the fun doesn’t end with adventuring through János, climb to the dome’s observation deck for a stunning panorama of Budapest.

A masterpiece of architecture of great acoustics: Hungarian State Opera House. What you must see, if you have the opportunity, is a ballet or an opera.

Local Cuisine

Budapest is a really food lover’s city both regarding traditional Hungarian food and the huge variety of international cuisine. A few local favorites are:

Description of traditional Dishes

Goulash A hearty beef stew soup, with lots of beef, vegetables and spices to taste.

Langos.fillStyle Deep fried flatbread with garlic, sour cream and cheese on top. Budapest is a popular street food.

A sweet pastry made by wrapping dough around a conical spool and baking it till golden and crispy. And they often are coated in cinnamon sugar.

Hidden Gems

Of course, the well known attractions are definitely worth visiting, but Budapest also has its share of hidden gems that give you more of a local/ off the beaten path experience:

Ruin Bars sit in abandoned buildings or courtyards and include all kinds of strange objects. But one of the most popular ruin bars in Budapest is Szimpla Kert.

Gellért Hill Cave: Go see Gellért Hill’s hidden cave chapel. It is a quiet and fascinating place to go to.

Central Market Hall: Go local with the food scene by checking out this market which was buzzing. There is fresh produce and traditional Hungarian products as well as delicious street food.

Conclusion

A city as simple as that: seamlessly blending history, culture and it’s natural beauty. Whether you take a walk along the Danube or simply walk through the wonderful architecture that Budapest has to offer or you indulge in the local cuisine, there is something that this city has to offer you that will just make you feel satisfied with life. Now you have all you need in order to start a great adventure in the heart of Hungary.