The first time together with Peter, the second time I was there with colleagues for a conference. Both times I noticed that Budapest has a lot to offer. The urban side of Pest and the green, mountainous side of Buda, separated by the Danube. I have listed the 10 best things to do in Budapest!
VISIT A BATHHOUSE
No visit to Budapest is complete without a visit to a bathhouse. The most famous is the Széchenyi bath. This can be found in the Városliget (City Park) and is the largest bathhouse in Europe. The great advantage of the Széchenyi bath is that you do not have a separation between men and women. Of course you have many more bathhouses in Budapest. So don’t forget your swimsuit!
2. THE BUDAPEST ZOO
If you are already in the Városliget (City Park), then pay a visit to the Budapest Zoo. The Budapest Zoo is the largest and oldest zoo in Hungary. About 3,000 animals live there, spread over more than 700 species.
You don’t have to leave it for the money. An entrance ticket for adults is HUF 3,000.00 (less than € 10) and children HUF 2,000.00 (just over € 6).
3. THE OLDEST METRO IN MAINLAND EUROPE
Metro Line 1 (officially Millenniumi Földalatti Vasút, or Millennium Underground) is the oldest metro line in mainland Europe. The metro line was opened in 1896 and connects the Városliget (City Park) with Budapest’s city center. Although the metro line has now been renovated, many stations still have their original appearance. You will see that the track and stations are only a little bit underground.
ENJOY LOCAL FOOD IN THE GROTE MARKTHAL
The Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) is worth a visit in itself. It is the largest covered market in Budapest and offers space for 180 shops. On the ground floor you will mainly find stalls that sell food. On the top floor you will find mainly tourist stalls where you can buy souvenirs, but also many tasty food stalls. You can enjoy all the local food here.
5. A RIDE ON THE CHILDREN’S TRAIN (AND THE BEST VIEW OF THE CITY)
In the mountains of Buda there is a train that is operated entirely by children. Well, except for the driver. The children’s train ( Gyermekvasút ). Of course there are adults who supervise.
The line is about 11 kilometers long and has several stops. The best thing is to get off at János-hegy station. From here you can hike up (or yes, climb) in about 20 minutes. You will then arrive at the Elizabeth Tower, from where you have a beautiful view of the entire area. From here you can go down with the chairlift, where you can take the bus back to the center at the bottom.
6. VISIT THE FISHERMAN’S BASTION AND MATTHIAS CHURCH
The Fisherman’s Bastion ( Halászbástya ) is located on the mountain side of Buda . From here you have a beautiful view over the Danube and the Pest side of the city. It is a beautiful white building with several stairs and towers. Immediately behind the Fisherman’s Bastion is the Matthias Church, which is particularly striking because of its imposing church tower.
VISIT THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING
You cannot miss the Hungarian parliament building next door. It is located right on the Danube on the Pest side of Budapest and is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. You can only visit the building with a guide. A tour takes about 45 minutes. EU residents get a discount on the tour, so don’t forget to bring your passport!
WALK ACROSS BUDAPEST’S OLDEST BRIDGE
The oldest and most beautiful bridge in Budapest has to be the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd). It is the first permanent bridge to connect the Buda and Pest districts since 1849. From this bridge you have a beautiful view over the Danube and different parts of the city. In the evening the bridge is illuminated by the many lights.
9. ESCAPE THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE ON MARGARET ISLAND
Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is located in the middle of the Danube, between Buda and Pest. A lovely piece of green in between the busy city life, to completely unwind. You can walk here, go to the swimming pool, visit the petting zoo and there is even a small ruin that you can visit. The island’s most famous attraction is the music fountain, one of the largest public fountains in Europe. Every hour the fountain plays songs and spits the water up to 10 meters into the air.
10. GOING OUT AT SZIMPLA KERT
One of the most special places to have a drink in Budapest is Szimpla Kert. It is a monumental “ruin bar”, located in the Jewish Quarter. The sight alone is worth a visit to Szimpla Kert. You see stuff everywhere you look. On the floor, walls, ceiling, everywhere. In addition, Szimpla Kert often offers live music and there is a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to a drink, you can also enjoy local dishes. There is a farmers market every Sunday morning.
Don’t feel like figuring it all out yourself? Then take a city walk with a local guide! Local guides are ideal: they know the city like the back of their hand and often know where to find all the nice and special places. Via Hi, hi Guide you can find guides that you pay per hour instead of per person per tour. So make it as expensive as you want!
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