Image Source: Unsplash: Ervin Lukacs
All of these ‘planned days’ can be altered, depending on how much or how little you want to do. Budapest is a lovely place to spend a good couple of days in, whether you are there for the architecture or food, why not enjoy your time with all the different parts it has to offer?
Day 1:
Visit Heroes Square either first thing in the morning by train or by bus, depending on where you are staying.
Next, walk to Vajdahunyad Castle, which is around the corner from the Square, get some ice cream, and enjoy the architecture.
Spend some free time getting to know the area you are staying in and wander around the shops to get your bearings, enjoying the business of the city.
Day 2:
Walk over Elizabeth Bridge and at the other end you will see a waterfall, stop and take some pictures, and if you’re feeling fit enough, walk up Gilbert Hill where you can see a massive statue and a lovely viewpoint of the city.
There are some lovely cafes to eat at if you need a stop for lunch along the riverside (Varkert Bazar).
Next is the Fisherman’s Bastion famous spot in Budapest, you can either walk up to the Bastionor get a golf buggy/cable car. We found that the golf buggy was a better option; it was a hop-on, hop-off service that you could get from Adam’s Square.
Walk around to the Buda Castle, which is a short walk from the Bastion.
Once you are finished and want to head back, walk across the river, the Chain Bridge, which is located across from Adam’s Square.
If you have some free time in the evening, book a boat trip along the Danube River. There are many different options on TripAdvisor, some with alcohol and some without!
Day 3:
Museum of Illusions it’s a bit different and something fun to do as an attraction.
Visit the Hungarian State Opera, then go to St Stephen’s Basilica (church) and choose to see the inside for around €5. You can also visit the surrounding buildings/viewpoints for an additional fee.
Have a walk around Freedom Square and then visit the Houses of Parliament. You can also go inside for a fee, but it’s still nice to have a walk around it and take some pictures.
Walk down the path with the Danube River on your right (away from Parliament), where you will find a trail of shoes as a Holocaust memorial.
Day 4:
Margaret Island
You can get a bus and walk part of the way to Margaret Island, depending on where you’re staying.
Bring a picnic and have a walk around for a more relaxing day. Visit the water fountains that play in time with the music, look at the wildlife, and find some turtles in the ponds. Find some secret spots and enjoy a quieter evening.
Day 5: (Works well with a late flight)
Szechenyl Baths is around £35 each more if you want a private changing room area. There are pools outside and inside, all with different temperatures. It’s nice to enjoy a holiday and calm days. The best time to go is in the morning, so you avoid the major crowds. Then, using the train links nearby, make your way to the airport. Going to the spa all day is a good way to lie back before your flight and spend a couple of hours decompressing before going back to the real world.
Other places to go:
Central Market Hall
Indoor mini golf
For Sale pub (lots of papers hanging around the pub, it’s like a different world inside)
Magic Bar (for any Harry Potter fans), fancy food and drinks with a magical element.
Szimpla Kerr Bar, known as the ‘Ruin bar’, is an outside quirky bar, good to see something different and take some funky pictures!
This was written by our contributing writer and social media coordinator, Shanai Besst.
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