From grit to grandeur, Budapest is a city which functions on colliding opposites, with plenty of things to do as a result. From ruin bars filling abandoned manor houses with music, art and dancing, to traditional turkish baths, and a grand architectural mix of buildings that have stood the test of time, you can have a weekend full of all culture, in every sense of the word. Here is how we spent our three days.
Day one: main city sights by foot & boat
Dependable on where you are staying, start today by exploring the main city sights. We started at St. Peters Basilica. It is worth going inside to admire the impressive interior even if you do not want to climb up the viewpoint. From here you can head towards the Gothic style Parliament building. Stop here and take a tour of the inside if it interests you, or carry on to the ‘Shoes on the Danube’ memorial, that sits on the riverside by parliament. This is in memory of the Jewish citizens who had to take their shoes off before being shot into the Danube river, by fascist Arrow Cross Militiamen during World War II. It is a simple but poignant reminder of part of Budapest’s history.
It is a pleasant walk along the river to the most famous of Budapest’s bridges- the Chain Bridge. Cross here to walk or take the funicular up to Budapest castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion viewpoint, and the uniquely designed Matthias Church. We walked up to save money and attempt to walk off one of the many chimney cakes consumed over the weekend.
Take a boat back to a stop near the Chain Bridge. Our transport card worked on the metro, buses, trams and public boats- an added bonus! There are plenty of stops along the river and one directly below the Bastion. Although the boat was perfect to admire the many bridges that link Buda and Pest, we accidentally took a North bound one- which proceeded to loop around the well-reviewed Island Park before heading South towards our stop. As a result we were on it for an hour and a half. Nevertheless it is a comfortable way to cover ground, and experience Budapest from the water.
If you have the energy rest up for an initial night exploring the ruin bars after dinner. I will write about under day two.
- Note: Student cards are handy for discount on transport and attractions, though some will only accept ISICS. Do not pay to go on the upper level of the viewing platform of Fisherman’s Bastion as you can walk through the lower levels and go up high to look from the bar area.
- Alternative: Reverse it and get the boat up the river and round to the castle area. Tram No. 2 also travels round the main sights, or take a City Sightseeing bus.
- Add on: Spend an extra half or full day visiting the sights listed should you want to take any tours or explore them for longer.
- Eat: Gelato Rosa for flower shaped ice cream. This is near the Basilica. The ‘For Sale’ pub for dinner has a cool interior full of letters written by visitors, and peanut shells dropped on the floor. Huge portions and a menu full of traditional Hungarian food (along with a few alternatives such as pasta) add to the appeal. The goulash soup, and stuffed cabbage balls were delicious. Most portions can be shared between two. It is handily situated opposite the Market Hall and near the Chain Bridge. Reserve if you plan to go on a weekend or arrive early and be prepared to wait.
Day two: Thermal Baths, HEROES SQUARE & ruin bars
You have to take a metro to Heroes Square and Széchenyi Thermal Baths. As they next to each other visit both on the same day, unless you want to spend an entire day at the Baths. There are plenty of thermal baths to visit in Budapest. We picked this one due to its size, reviews and the outside and inside pools.
Have a wander around Heroes square before heading to the Baths. There can be queues to purchase spa tickets so book in advance if possible. However when we arrived there were no queues. I recommend bringing your own towel (otherwise rent one), a pair of flip flops, and visiting in the afternoon. As a result you will get to see the Baths during the day and night. Treatments on offer include massages, or like the majority, just make your way round the different temperature pools.
Head back and explore the infamous ruin bars tonight (and possibly into the morning), located in the Jewish Quarter seventh district, what was left in ruin after World War two. Now the area is brought back to life with a buzz of places to eat and drink. The main draw are the ruin bars located in abandoned manor houses. Most have tons of surreal psychedelic rooms to explore, cheap drinks and a variety of music to dance to.
There are plenty to choose from but Szimpla Kert is one of the originals, and still one of the best. Sprawling sofas, shisha and a nice open courtyard are housed inside its crumbling exterior. Instant is a fun maze to explore with different rooms to suit various music tastes. Anker’t has a more relaxed, and minimalist atmosphere.
Do your research as the bars are changing all the time.
- Get there- Széchenyi Fürdő or Hősök Tere metro stops for the Baths and Heroes Square. Also check bus options. Most ruin bars are situated around Kazinczy u.
- Price- Check updated thermal bath entry prices online: https://bathsbudapest.com/budapest-bath-prices
- Note- Research what events are happening at the ruin bars, as many host Sunday Farmers Markets and live music nights. You can also pop in for a drink or food in the afternoon.
One outdoor pool was definitely warmer than the other so try both if you visit Széchenyi Thermal Baths. There are lockers to store your belongings, and they allowed cameras / phones when we visited. - Alternative- BRKLYN for a standard club with plenty of familiar songs to dance to. Pay on entry.
- Add on- We visited Budapest Zoo what is next to the Baths but it depends on your stance on zoos, as many enclosures did appear small. Allow 2-3 hours for this should you want to go.
- Eat-Grab something outside of the City park as options within are limited and more costly (at least they were when we visited). There is plenty around the ruin bars. Ellato Kert & Taqueria was a nice Mexican spot for snacks and cocktails.
Day three: monument views & markets
Take a walk up the viewpoint Gellert Hill and Statue that is right by the riverside. It takes about 20- 30 minutes to walk up and offers the best views over Budapest.
Nearby is the Central Market Hall that has an impressive array of meat, fruit, vegetable and cheese stalls. Upstairs caters for tourists with stalls offering plenty of souvenirs. Though they repeat themselves do wander round before buying anything as prices do vary. You can also eat upstairs with various vendors offering options such as Hungarian sausages and Lángos. This is a traditional Hungarian flatbread and you can customise the toppings. If you have time in the afternoon visit the New York Cafe for coffee, cake and the beautiful interior.
- Note- Central Market Hall is not open on Sundays. Alternatively check out some of the Farmers Markets or pop by the Market Hall on day one. Locals visit early morning so wait for the rush to pass before visiting.
- Add on/ alternative- Any museums or sights you missed on day one.
- Eat- Central Market Hall. New York Cafe for cake and coffee. For breakfast each day we either ate at the hostel or tended to eat around where all the ruin bars are. There are many options, including some at time of stay with ‘5 euro’ deals including a juice and coffee.
Getting there- wizz air, easyjet, ryanair and ba ALL OFFER DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM london.
from BUDAPEST AIRPORT YOU CAN TAKE THE METRO IF YOU ARE STAYING IN THE CENTRE.
TAKE BUS 200E from the terminal to get to the metro terminus at Kobanya/Kispest AND PICK UP THE BLUE METRO TO THE STOP NEAREST WHERE YOU ARE STAYING (the #3 line)
GETTING AROUND: YOU CAN PURCHASE TRANSPORT CARDS AT THE AIRPORT. THEY CAN ADVISE THE BEST OPTION TO SUIT YOU. They gave us discount with OUR STUDENT CARDS, BUT TO NOTE we constantly had to show them when on public transport.
CURRENCY- Hungarian Forint (HUF)
Stay- WE STAYED IN THE CENTRALLY LOCATED GINGKO HOSTEL THAT AT TIME OF STAY WAS ONLY £23 PP FOR FOUR NIGHTS.
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