Beautiful Budapest

Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, home to over 1.7 million people and the 10th largest city in Europe. After months travelling through Eastern Europe, it was a real change of pace to arrive here, and a breath of fresh air. With stunning architecture leaving traces of it’s long and tumultuous history; wide open streets; elaborate bridges decorating the meandering river; plus a modern public transport system that is just so easy to use! And it is so cheap! This really is a place where you can save on that daily budget and still feel like you are living large. And with loads of restaurants, and a buzzing nightlife to finish off a day of sightseeing, you could definitely settle in and spend some time here.

What to do while you’re here

Start with a free walking tour

Easily the best way to get acquainted with the city and probably make a few new friends along the way, is to take a free walking tour. They are run a couple of time every day during the peak summer months, so there is plenty of opportunity to get on board. The tours are run by volunteers, but they are well trained and will be able to give you an overview of the history of this incredible city as well as point out all the hot spots. So while you might not have the budget to go into the castle to explore, you will at least be able to get a good look at the outside and a local perspective on what went down there.

Hit the Central Market Hall

This huge old building is the city’s oldest and largest market, and is still the place where many locals shop. Loaded with local pastries, meats, cheeses, wine and of course tons upon tons of Hungarian paprika. This is a place where you can get a meal for just a couple of dollars and feel like you’re getting some local culture at the same time. Personal favourite – the cheese-stuffed pastry they call xxx. The upstairs is full of souvenirs and the basement is now home to an Aldi, so they might be less interesting, but make sure you do explore a little downstairs. IN this quiet section of the market, you might feel like you wandered off track, but you will find all kinds of crazy pickled things in jars.. Some are even constructed to have smiley faces looking out at you. Definitely a few minutes of free interesting, if not entertainment.

Enjoy the view from Janus Hill

On the Buda side of the river, the Buda castle overlooks the old town of Pest. And in the hills next to that, sits Janus Hill. The tallest point in Budapest, this lookout offers 360 degree views of the city and the surrounding area. At 528m it takes a little effort on a hot day, and you can fork out for the chairlift if it feels like too much, but if you go to the effort you can reward yourself with a fresh pint of Dreher once you get to the top. With sweeping views, and endless instagram opportunities, there might be no better place to enjoy a cold beer on a hot day.

Spend an afternoon on Margaret island

A small island in the middle of the Danube River between Buda and Pest, this is an oasis from the city heat. Running and cycle paths encircle the whole island so you can explore on foot, or rent a bicycle or golf buggy for an hour or two. Putt along, stop for a beer, repeat. If you do beer+golf buggy, just be careful.. I had a tiny crash that could’ve done some damage after being distracted by trying to selfie..oops! Luckily for me and my friend the only injuries were sore stomachs and cheek muscles from laughing so hard!

Make sure you stay a few moments at the musical fountain. Every hour on the hour, this fountain comes to life with music, lights and a coordinated water display. Totally free and more captivating than I’d like to admit as a grown adult -definitely worth a few minutes of your time. If you need something more to keep you occupied, there is also a small zoo, a swimming pool, 13th century ruins, childrens’ playgrounds, an open air cinema, lots of bars and from Margaret bridge there is a spectacular view of the river with the neo-gothic parliament house on one side and the 13th century Buda castle on the other.

Eat Goulash

A hearty stew made of beef, potatoes, vegetables, paprika and other spices – this is a dish you must have at least once while you’re in Budapest. It is basically the national dish, and everywhere you go you will find different variations, but even if the hot Summer temperatures make you think this is not the best choice, you will not regret it. This dish is full of flavour and cooked with love and pride all over the city, and for around USD$3.50, you really can’t go wrong.

Party in the Jewish quarter ruin-bars

Depending how hard you like to party, this might not necessarily be the cheapest thing to do in Budapest..but it’s a hell of a lot cheaper to do here than almost anywhere else! And it will be so much fun, you’ll be sure to do it more than just the once while you’re in town. The locals here love to party, and what was once a suburb of abandoned houses left to ruin is now a epically cool hub of bars and restaurants. With some pretty tragic history behind it, this was decreed to be a Jewish ghetto after the Nazi occupation in 1944, and the Jewish population reduced by over 90% in less than 2 months. For years afterwards, the area remained unused and in ruins, until a few friends who just wanted a place to get together and drink set up Szimpla in 2001 – the first ruin bar and still one of the most popular places in town.

Go to the Szechenyi Thermal Baths

One of the largest thermal baths in Europe, and the oldest in Hungary, the Szechenyi thermal baths in Budapest are enormous, and a must-see while you’re in town. Great on a hot day because one of the outdoor pools is quite refreshing, but I can imagine equally great on a cold day because you can warm up. Bathe in the thermal baths, moving into ever-increasing temperatures and finish with one of the many saunas for a complete detox treatment. You will sweat out the toxins from the night before and leave feeling invigorated and ready to do it all again.

SPA-rty?!

If you really like a party and you’re in town in Summer..then check out SPArty.. Party in the Spa baths. You’ve seen the Baths during the day, but this is a whole other ball game. This was a splurge for me and my friend, and honestly it was pretty wild..but if you feel like a party then this is sure to deliver!