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June 2017, Budapest – Hungary
There’s something magical about Budapest.
The imperial Buda and buzzing Pest, 2 old brothers meeting by the Danube river. And just to make the bond stronger, the magnificent Chain Bridge holds the East and the West together.
Here’s our plan for a 2-days packed itinerary: 1 day in Buda, 1 day in Pest.
If you stay in Buda, there’s no better way to start your journey than climbing on the top of Gellért Hill, to the Citadella.
Warning: steps and paved tracks included.
But once you get up there, you’ll be rewarded with the most breathtaking view of the city.
And soon we realize: how on Earth can we cover it all in 2 days? There’s no way I’m leaving a piece of this cake in my plate. 🙂
Still on the hilly side, make your way up to the Buda Castle. Second best view of the city!
Aaand just because (we think) we’re in shape, we’re not even considering taking the Funicular.
Bored of churches?
Not this time! The Gothic-style Mattias Church is unlike anything you have seen.
In love with fairytale towers?
This might be the place for you. Fisherman’s Bastion looks like the logo of Walt Disney films, only nicer.
And as you’re standing there, admiring the green surroundings of Buda, have this in mind: somewhere far in the distance, there’s the home of Ernő Rubik, inventor of the Rubik cube.
How cool is that?! 🙂
What a better way to end the day, than taking a Danube cruise? Our tired feet could not agree more.
So this is how you enter another world: the busy, vibrant Pest.
The 2 hours of sailing, 1 hour stop exploring the lovely Margaret island, are just what you need to recover your senses. Glass in your hand, you will listen to legends of Budapest and good music.
A real treat.
Let’s see what Pest has to offer.
Well here’s the Hungarian Parliament Building, a magnificent 100 years old example of neo-Gothic architecture, third largest in the world.
Second iconic building: St. Stephen’s Basilica, (symbolically) equal with the Parliament (96 meters). No other building can pass this height.
Swimsuits in our backpacks, sun over our heads, we’re rushing to the Szechenyi Baths, one of the largest spa baths in Europe. When we finally get to the place, a gigantic queue is ruining my dream.
What do you know, it’s a public holiday for the Hungarians. And on top of everything, a bunch of bachelors and bachelorettes just had the idea of flying from all across Europe to party exactly here. Exactly today.
My patience cannot resist more that 1 hour in a queue. Especially when they announce the place is full.
So, tail between the legs, we go for a walk in the park nearby. Take some photos of the lovely Romanesque-style Vajdahunyad Castle.
The regret of not reaching the baths ends up with: “They were old anyway!” 🙂
After all, nothing can take away the beauty and royal charm of the city.
Tips
You have to try the Goulash, Cheese soup and the Tokay wine.
Up we go. Zagreb, here we come!
You can find here our summer cross-country roadtrip itinerary: costs&map included.
Happy travels and stay safe!
HaiHui Story 
Beautiful what a place and a wonderful presentation. This sure is the place I want to visit.
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Awwwhhh….you made my day! 🙂 It was the first stop of our summer roadtrip, and those magical sunsets were unbelievable! You should visit it! But take 3-4 full days, i wish i stayed longer for what the city has to offer! 🙂 Happy travels! And thanks so much for the feedback!
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Welcome for your wonderful words and yes for sure must be from your lovely pictures. Thanks will definitely go one day, God willing.
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Happy to bring inspiration for other travellers! 🙂 Safe and happy travels! 🙂
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Great.
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When we get to return to Budapest we want to do the Rudas spa!
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I know..i was so dissapointed to miss the baths due to the gigantic cue 😦 Have to go again! 🙂
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This is a terrific album – – I had some ancestors from Hungary, hope to visit there soon, it would be worth visiting just to see the architecture. Love the Mattias church, unusual and lovely. And #5 is a really nice sunset – – almost Hungarian Paprika-colored! 🙂
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Haha i haven’t thought about the sunset in paprika style :)))) that’s true, most of all i loved the sunset …so many high places to witness the panoramic view and the nightfall! Hope you’ll get to Budapest soon, it’s really worth it!:) Thanks for dropping by our virtual home:)
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Good post and great picture. I would add that Budapest is possibly the most beautiful city I’ve seen in Europe. I have friends from so many different countries and when the go to Europe, they tend to go in the first place to Rome, Paris, London, Barcelona and others. Budapest is far from being in their preferences, statistics shows the Hungary’s capital it’s not even in top 10 most visited cities from Europe. If I were to compare Budapest, I would say it’s like an auteur-driven French film which is good enough but not everyone can understand this.
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I agree, it’s quite an underrated capital 🙂 i went for the first time this year and i absolutely loved it, it’s really charming and has a royal feel! I wish i could have stayed more! Maybe it’s not so visited becauae it’s more considered east european, and all the american/asian tourist go west first…But i have to say, it’s becoming more and more popular..i saw thousands of visitors from all around the world…every place was full :))so maybe people are starting to discover its beauty:)
Thanks for dropping by!
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Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂 I am traveling to Budapest next Wednesday and I’ll be spending two days in the city. I’m also planning on spending the first day in Buda and the second in Pest.
Best regards!
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Happy to help! You have a great time, the city is gorgeous! 🙂
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