People say that Budapest is like a little sister of Prague with unmistakable red brick rooftops. Many backpackers and people I’ve met including those who live in Prague say that they like Budapest more. To them, Budapest projects an air of a typical Central European city.
– The red-domed, neo-Gothic Parliament, with its domineering presence on the bank of the Danube, is probably the most recognizable Parliament house in Europe.
– The Castle Hill surely lives up to its fame as the most visited attraction in Budapest. Enjoy the soothing sights of the Royal Palace, and while you’re there visit the National Gallery inside the Palace.
– The Fisherman’s Bastion is a must-see attraction. Despite having seen many castles in the Czech Republic and elsewhere, I was in awe by the sight of white-stoned turrets visible from afar and the stairways leading up to the parapets. From a lookout terrace, you have a beautiful view of Pest on the other side of the Danube.
– Walk on Andrassy Avenues to Heroes Square, a large square that resembles Place de Bastille in Paris. Here you see many statues of great Hungarian kings and characters. Don’t be surprised if you recognize the similarity in some of the statues to the famous Habsburg royal family from Austria. When the Memorial was constructed in 1896, Hungary, like many central and eastern European countries, belonged to the Austrian Empire.
– You might be surprised, as I was, to know that you can find indulge yourself in Budapest’s many spas. How is that for a European city? The city is blessed with 19 million liters of thermal water and up to 100 thermal baths. I was oblivious to this fact until I found the mention of the spas in my city guide on the last day of my trip. Imagine a classic European building (national museum, theater, gallery, etc..) with a beautifully decorated indoor swimming pools replacing the floor. I left Budapest a very very unhappy person.
– My favorite is Vörösmarty square where I spent the most of my time sampling local foods at many food stands, looking at colorful Hungarian crafts and watching a folk singing and dancing performance. I find that of all countries in Europe, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Estonia have the most beautiful and unique souvenirs.
– Visit the Doll Museum to see a rich collection of hundreds of German and French porcelain dolls dressed in Hungarian folk costumes.
– Riding a bike is another activity to consider if you don’t have a lot of time and want to cover more ground.
Goulash is the first dish we associate with Hungarian cuisine. Some think Goulash is soup while some consider it a stew. A Hungarian told me that goulash is a kind of thick soup and not a stew, which often found in restaurants from other countries. (In the Czech Republic, you can have goulash as soup or stew.) Goulash is quite heavy, so if you want something lighter, try fish soup, another Hungarian delicacy, chicken paprika, a good home-made stew or grilled trout with almond. You should also try Hungarian sausages which you can at the open-air market at Vörösmarty square. The sausages were so good that I brought a pack to bring home.
| Accommodation – Hostel: from €9 per night (good for group travelers). – Apartment: from € 36,26/night (quadruple occupancy) – Budget hotel: from €38/person |
Transportation – Public transport: day-pass €5.66 ( 1550 HUF), single- ride: €1.17 (320 HUF) – Return train from Budapest to Novi Sad (Serbia): €26 (6880 HUF) – One-way bus from Budapest to Prague: €16.5 (4500 HUF) |
| Food – Beer: €2 (500 HUF) – Soups: €1-2 (300-500 HUF) – Gyros: €2 (550 HUF) -Main dishes (poultry, pork, pasta): €4.5-5.5 (1200-1500 HUF) – Lunch with fish soup, goulash: €7.5 (2000 HUF) |
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My name is Cindy, also rhymes with travel junkie. A friend said I was probably a gipsy in my previous life. One of my many secret missions in life is to convert you to run off every once in awhile.
