Budapest

 

One of the (few) good things about living in the U.K is it's proximity to the rest of Europe. With countless beautiful cities at your doorstep (and by doorstep, I mean a few mere plane hours away), there's plenty of places to visit for long weekend trip. The only "problem"? Where to go first. 

Split? Faro? Prague? or Rome? To say we're spoiled for choice when it comes to picturesque European cities is like saying that the Sistine Chapel is beautiful. Like, duh. Anyways, I'll make the decision easier for you and tell you to go to Budapest. Especially if you're planning a trip during the holidays. Here's my take on Budapest, what to do, and why you need to pack your thickest winter coat, woolly hat, and book a flight, like, yesterday. 

Where to Stay

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is home to 1.7 million people. Really, this blog might as well be called A Tale of Two Cities. Because Budapest is 2 cities: the flat, touristic Pest and the hilly, colourful Buda. The River Danube runs between and its world-famous 19th century chain bridge connects the two. We stayed in a studio apartment in central Pest and paid around £150 each for 4 nights, which was great considering the trip was lastminute.com. 

If you're wanting action, convenience, countless restaurants serving every cuisine imaginable, and bars like Szimpla Zert around the corner, stay in Pest. If you've got a bit more Forints to spend and are looking for a quieter, more residential vibe with pretty streets and even prettier views, stay in Buda. 

 

 

Cultural Landmarks

 

Sometimes, you want to be horizontal on ivy-white beach and do sweet f*** all. But sometimes, you want to hot-foot it around a buzzing city and get engrossed in history, culture and beautiful buildings. If you want the latter for your next holiday, Budapest is the city for you. 

 

But before we get into it, here's some things to note. First off, Budapest's main currency is Forints, and the majority of spots prefer cash payments - so make sure to get some money exchanged beforehand. Second, public transport is the best way to get around - and it's dirt cheap. So cheap that you can get a 72-hour travel card for just 4.15 Forints.

 

Heroes' Square

 

Anyways, if you've just arrived in Budapest, head to Heroes' Square. Heroes' Square was constructed in 1896 to commemorate the first thousand years of Hungary's existence, and features the iconic Millennial Monument in the centre. 

 

Also, many of Budapest's best museums are located by Heroes' Square. My favourite was the National Museum, which is home to Hungary's most impressive pieces of history, archeology and art. 

 

City Park 

 

Close by is City Park, which is the perfect place to walk with a coffee on a crisp winter morning. City Park is home to the Budapest Botanical Garden & Zoo, the stunning Vajdahunyad Castle, the Jaki Chapel and the House of Music - make sure to go to all of them. Plus, an ice rink opens up during the holidays. If you're a chicken like me, you can stand on the sides and people watch to your heart's content. 

 

St. Stephen's Basilica 

St. Stephen's Basilica was built to honour King Stephen (Hungary's first King) and is the city's most visited church. It's home to beautiful mosaics, statues and paintings by important Hungarian artists, and costs about 2000 Forints (£4.50) for entry. 

 

Fisherman's Bastion 

 

Fisherman's Bastion is another must-see. It sits in the hills of Buda, and is one of the most stunning buildings I've ever seen. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and has the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Whether you choose to pay a small entrance fee to go inside the churches or simply walk around, you're looking at something straight out of a fairy tale.

 

 

Buda Castle 

 

Nearby sits another World Heritage site, Buda Castle. Construction first began in the 13th Century, and now it's home to a museum, pretty buildings and gardens. Buda Castle is a gorgeous blend of Gothic, Baroque and and Renaissance styles - and was even home to Hungarian monarchs back in the day. Again, the views from atop are spectacular. 

You may have sensed a theme, but Budapest really has some astonishing architecture. And believe me when I say that you'll never seen a Government's building as pretty as the Hungarian Parliament building. The Gothic revival style building took 17 years to construct, and it lights up every night, which is truly a sight to see. 

 

 

Activities

 

Christmas Markets 

 

One of the top reasons to visit Budapest during the holidays are the Christmas markets. Old European cities know how to do Christmas - Budapest is no different. Peruse the charming market stalls, admire the Christmas lights, grab some local Goulash and help yourself to the country's favourite dessert - chimney cakes. Then take a romantic night stroll along the Danube River with a hot choc in hand.

The Ruin Bars 

 

As well as being a centre for culture and history, Budapest is a party city. And there's one bar you can't miss when you visit - the Szimpla Kert Ruin Bars. Lucky for us, we were a stone's throw away. Szimpla Kert, which translates to Simple Garden, is a labyrinth of cave-like bars, art, shisha spots, gardens and eclectic live music. It's not just a watering hole - it's a cultural, communal hub. Whether you're a tourist or a local, it's the best spot for a drink in this lively city. 

 

Thermal Baths 

 

Nothing says Budapest quite like their world-famous thermal baths. Most folks opt for the Szechenyi Thermal Baths. We definitely would've gone if we were visiting during the height of summer, as it's mainly outdoors. But if you're going on a winter trip, I'd recommend the Rudas Thermal Baths. Rudas sits in the Buda hills, and is a smaller, quieter alternative to Szecheny. You get access to multiple thermal pools, a sauna, steam room, cold plunges and relaxation rooms for only 25 euros each. Plus you get to look over the entire city in a jacuzzi - pretty damn sweet if you ask me. 

Margaret Island

Last up on my Budapest activity recs may just be my personal favourite - Margaret Island. Margaret Island sits on the Danube River between Buda and Pest. Fun fact: it used to be called "Rabbit Island" as it formerly served as a hunting ground for Hungarian royals. Despite only being 1km, this tranquil little spot makes you feel far-removed from the cosmopolitan Budapest, whilst still having lots of activities on offer. Rent a bike, visit the outdoor zoo, climb the water tower or peruse the quaint Japanese garden. Whatever you choose to do, it'll be a day to remember.

 

There you have it, folks. That's my take on Budapest, and why it's one of my favourite cities of all time. One things for sure, I can't wait to visit during the summertime.