BUDAPEST – A FULL TRAVEL GUIDE!
Budapest, where your days are spent exploring the culturally rich city, and your evenings, hitting the town! It’s a relatively inexpensive city compared to others in Europe so you’ll easily find affordable accommodations, food, and activities. Budapest is also popular with backpackers and young travelers which means it offers great nightlife and in my opinion, it’s when the city really comes alive. Before you let your hair loose, let’s talk about fun ways to spend your afternoons.
free walking tour
Book a free walking tour with Next City Tours now called Generation Tours.
Budapest is split into two distinct areas (Buda & Pest) located on each side of the Danube River. Buda which is located on the western end of Budapest is semi-suburban and has winding narrow streets making their way up the hill. This is where you will find Castle Hill which houses Sándor Palace (official residence of the president), Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion all of which are included in the free walking tour.
Pest which is located on the eastern end of Budapest is where you will find museums, a variety of restaurants, and nightlife. Each side of Budapest is easily accessible by crossing Chain Bridge and you’ll explore both during the walking tour.
I also used the same tour company in Prague which you can read about here.
top attractions on castle hill
The Buda district
Sandor Palace and the surrounding grounds are lovely, and if you’re lucky enough to arrive during the changing of the guards, you’re in for a real treat.
Matthias Church
Matthias Church was the first church on this site, founded by Saint Stephen, King of Hungary in 1015. This building was destroyed in 1241 by the Mongols and the current building was constructed in the latter half of the 13th century and originally named after the Virgin Mary. It was used as a coronation church by Hungarian kings for centuries as well as a mosque for over 150 years by the Ottoman Turks.
It’s now a thriving Catholic church with holy masses, concerts, and weddings. What’s most special about this church is the vibrant colored tiled roof which is worth seeing in person when exploring Castle Hill.
Fisherman's Bastion
When walking along this unique structure, you can’t help but reminisce about your childhood summers spent at the beach building sandcastles.
Fisherman’s Bastion was designed by architect Frigyes Schulek and built between 1899 and 1905, the white-stone is a combination of neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architecture and consists of turrets, projections, parapets, and climbing stairways.
The bastion is made up of seven towers – each one symbolizing one of the seven Magyar tribes that, in 896, settled in the area now known as Hungary. Be sure to have your camera on hand because here is where you will find one of the best views of the Parliament Building (and most of Budapest) located across the river on the side of Pest. The Hungarian Parliament building is truly grand during the day and even more magnificent in the evening when it’s lights reflect against the Danube river.
where to stay
which district to book accommodations?
As I mentioned earlier, Budapest is split into two distinct areas (Buda & Pest) located on each side of the Danube River. After spending time in both, I can confidently say Pest is the winner! It’s where I booked my accommodations and suggest you do too!
Pest is where you’ll find everything from restaurants to museums, bars, nightclubs, and so much more! I visited Buda on a walking tour but honestly, that was the only time that I left Pest. If you’re backpacking or looking for affordable accommodations check out Wombat’s Hostel.
where to eat
One of the most traditional meals in Hungary is Goulash, a soup of meat and vegetables, seasoned with paprika and other spices. I visited Napfényes Étterem, which translates to Sunshine Restaurant and is a fantastic Vegan restaurant offering traditional Hungarian dishes. This was my go-to restaurant each night so I was able to try a few of their dishes including a traditional bowl of goulash and kolozsvári töltött káposzta. Be sure to stop by their bakery section at the front of the restaurant.
If you’re interested in picking up fresh produce for lunch or souvenirs to take home and cook with, be sure to stop by Central Market Hall where you’ll find vendor stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seasonings.
Vendors also sell individual tins of Paprika or fantastic kits that include a cloth-wrapped package of hot and sweet paprika with a wooden spoon that makes it easy to sprinkle over your home-cooked meals.
Using the fresh Paprika I brought home from Hungary always puts a smile on my face when cooking.
Gelarto Rosa is an independent chain of artisanal ice cream stores in the heart of Budapest. Their ice cream is hand-made on-site, from the finest organic ingredients with traditional flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry to seasonal flavors like pumpkin and brown bread whiskey.
At Gelarto Rosa they don’t scoop, but instead, use a special spatula to form an ice-cream rose onto the cone to preserve the creamy texture. Watching the process is remarkable and the result is Instagram-worthy!
It’s a popular spot for good reason, so be prepared to wait in a line that makes its way out of the front door, luckily it moves quickly! Once you make it to the register, you pay based on how many flavors you want added to your cone. I chose three which allowed for a nice rose effect.
Afterward, you’ll make your way to the glass case that holds the tubs of gelato, and the “rose art ice cream scooper” will ask which flavors you want added to your cone. I quickly learned from watching others that the first flavor you mention becomes the center of the rose before working its way outward.
With that being said, plan your rose design ahead of time and choose your flavors accordingly for a visually appealing rose. I went with Strawberry Elderflower, Coconut, and Chocolate.
I randomly stumbled across Street Food Karavan on my way to a Ruin Bar called Szimpla Kert which I’ll talk more about next, and boy was it a great find. If you’re looking for some good ol street food, especially after a night hitting the town, this is the place!
Street Food Karavan is an outdoor beer garden and food truck venue with long communal tables, multi-colored plastic chairs, and matching paper lanterns. From pizza to burgers, Kobe sausages, and nitrogen ice cream, there’s a food truck for any craving.
I immediately spotted Las Vegans which offers a variety of vegan burgers such as the Coated Burger with fried cheese and the Indian chickpea burger, among others. I ordered the Seitan Burger which I found to be the lightest option (broccoli sprouts, vegan mayo, vegan cheddar, tomato, cucumber, grilled onion, lettuce). Street Food Karavan is a great little spot in the afternoon but even prettier in the evening when the lanterns shine under a twinkly sky.
nightlife
order bulls blood at a ruin bar
Szimpla Kert is a ruin bar that was recommended by my tour guide in Prague who suggested I order a glass of bulls blood, which I did without even asking what it was lol. To save you the same anticipation, Bikavér, also known as ‘Bull’s Blood’, is a classic Hungarian red cuvée.
I always rave about Free Walking Tours because you get to explore a city and receive a local’s recommendations, and this is a perfect example! A fantastic ruin bar and drink recommendation but this time in a totally different country, who would have thought!
what is a ruin bar?
Szimpla Kert
Well, if you google the term “ruin bar” Szimpla Kert comes up first and is the mecca of all ruin bars. These ruin bars are located in Budapest’s old District VII neighborhood (the old Jewish quarter) in the ruins of abandoned buildings, stores, or lots. This neighborhood was left to decay after World War II, and made for a great underground bar scene.
When walking through the front door of Szimpla Kert you quickly notice its post-World War II underground vibe with mismatched furniture, graffiti walls, and randomly themed rooms. From bars offering beer and mixed drinks, to a bunny-themed room where you can order apple, orange, and pineapple drinks with a massive carrot floating on top.
Then there’s the wine bar with the gorgeous bartender who ends most sentences with “my lady”. Born and raised in a small hillside town in Budapest, his charm is unreal. Be sure to ask for a glass of bull’s blood and be prepared with cash for your “glass deposit” which is returned when you return your glass at the end of the night. Odd I know! but after a few drinks, people apparently turn into glass thieves.
There is a live band on the ground floor of Szimpla Kert, and the fun continues once you climb the dimly lit graffiti-lined staircases to the second floor where there are a variety of bare-walled “less is more” decored rooms to socialize in.
I’m a part of a few travel groups online, and the number one topic is females going out solo, particularly in the evening. Would I ever go to a bar alone in Los Angeles where I live? heck no, I hadn’t stepped foot into a bar in years, let alone by myself. With that being said, there’s something about being in a foreign country that makes me want to explore places and meet as many amazing people as possible. Like the local I met in Prague who picked me up with flowers in hand, took me to dinner, and showed me some of the best spots in the city.
My advice is if you’re someone who often finds yourself saying “Gee.. I didn’t see that coming” or “My judgment was off with that one” or you generally just feel nervous, then I recommend going out in a group. Being born and raised in Brooklyn N.Y., I’m naturally ‘street smart’ and follow my gut which is always spot on and makes it easier to surround myself with good-intention individuals and avoid sketchy situations, especially while traveling.
This particular night at Szimpla Kert, I met an Italian guy traveling solo from Italy. We had a great night, connected again the following night, and even kept in touch regularly when I retured home from traveling. Travel isn’t just about the beautiful sights you see but also the people you meet and connect with along the way. I say, go out! Whether solo or in a group, experience all that a city has to offer. Isn’t that why we travel?
get cultured
visit a few museums
The House of Terror Museum is the former headquarters of the Hungarian Secret Police and discusses the fascist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary. It’s a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured, or killed in the building.
I spent the afternoon here, and I must say, it is one of the eeriest museums I’ve ever visited. I’m not sure if it’s due to most of the Hungarian victims bearing an identical last name to mine, but there was definitely a heavy feeling in my chest the entire time. The museum also takes you underground to the actual interrogation and torture rooms and is unlike anything I’ve experienced. If you’re in Budapest, this museum shouldn’t be missed.
visit a thermal bath
Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of Budapest’s most famous Thermal Bath House and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. I arrived before noon and was able to walk straight to the cashier where I purchased my day pass and received a waterproof bracelet that gave me access to the locker room to change before heading inside.
Széchenyi has numerous saunas and pools ranging in size and temperatures upwards of 100+ Fahrenheit which are heated naturally by the earth. They also have a snack bar on-site, and a full spa offering a variety of massages.
As I was leaving Széchenyi, there was a line from the front door that made its way down the street. I recommend arriving before noon to avoid the crowd.
If you find lounging boring, you may prefer the late-night bath parties that take place most Saturdays and include music, laser lights, and what looks like a few hundred partygoers floating in the outdoor pool, drink in hand.
TRANSPORTATION
AND VALIDATION: How to avoid paying a fine to an officer
When it comes to taking the train be sure to validate, I can’t stress this enough. Out of all the countries and cities I’ve visited, Budapest is the only one that actively (that’s an understatement) checks tickets for validation.
Budapest is also the only city where I was unable to locate their validation machine, so unknowingly, I walked past it. Moments after arriving in the city and exiting the train, there were officers lined up in a row pulling people from the crowd. Anyone with a suitcase, or in my case a backpack, was targeted, since there’s a greater chance they’re unaware of the rules. There was no sympathy given and my passport was taken and wasn’t returned until the fine was paid.
This wasn’t the best first impression of the city, and unfortunately, my experience didn’t change the longer I stayed. Several times, I was stopped by undercover train officials who asked to check my ticket for validation. Thankfully by then, I had figured out the system and always had a validated ticket.
Oddly, in other European cities, people stop me on the street for directions (apparently I look like a local) but in Budapest, where part of my ancestry comes from, I stood out as a tourist. Funny how that works!
how does validation work?
know before you go
In some countries, it’s 24 hours from the time you purchased the ticket which means it can also be used the next day “within the 24 hour period”. In other European countries, a day pass can only be used until “the end of that same day”.
In Budapest, your train ticket can be purchased at a ticket machine at any train station. You have the option to purchase a day pass which allows you to ride the train as many times as you want within 24 hours.
The second option is a single ticket where you input your destination into the ticket machine and are charged based on where you’re taking the train. There is no date or time on these tickets which means they need to be validated at a validation machine before boarding the train. Once your ticket has been validated, it’s considered “used”. If you don’t validate your ticket, officers believe you are abusing the system by using the same ticket over and over on various trains to get free transportation.
If you purchase a single ticket from a shop (smoke shop etc.) but don’t end up taking the train, you can use the ticket on a different date since it isn’t marked “as used” until it’s validated. As a helpful heads-up, the validation machines in Budapest are yellow.
