Looking for quick tips to plan your next trip in Budapest? Check out the top things you cannot miss!
"Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive" - Matt Cameron
There are some things that make us really happy and last for years with the same intensity. Traveling is certainly one of them.
Leafing through our photo albums (or yes, sometimes browsing them in our SDD) is like a booster triggering in our memory all our beautiful, funny, adventurous travels together.
The post of today is dedicated to the romantic Budapest, with the bucket list of the top things you can not miss if you are planning a visit in this beautiful city!
Top things to see and do in Budapest
1. Taking a shot of the Danube River, one of the symbol of this romantic city.
As you probably know Budapest is divided in 2 main zones: the western side BUDA and the eastern side PEST, separated by this river and connected each other by several bridges
2. Admiring and walking on the famous CHAIN BRIDGE: it is in the vibrant heart of Budapest and it is the perfect place to start the exploration of the 2 sides of the city!
3. Visiting BUDA, the area sitting on a hill at the western end of the Chain Bridge.
The best and most funny way to reach it is to take the CASTLE HILL FUNICOLAR (or so called Budavari Siklo).
Once there, don't miss the main attraction of the area:
- the BUDA'S CASTLE DISTRICT: symbol of Buda, it was the former Royal Palace and nowadays it houses two museums (the Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum) and the National Library
- the impressive FISHERMAN'S BASTION: a panoramic and spectacular terrace with seven white towers: the towers represent the seven Magyar tribes who founded the nation! From here there is surely one of the most stunning view of all Budapest: the Danube, Margaret Island, Pest and the Hungarian Parliament
- the majestic neo gothic MATTHIAS CHURCH right in front of the Fisherman's Bastion
4. Discovering PEST and its main attraction.
A curiosity: we have chosen an alternative way to visit Pest: the bike!! A good choice we really suggest you!
- The amazing neo-gothic HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. If you have time we strongly suggest to take part on a guided tour to visit the inside of the Parliament with its great ornamental stairs, frescoes on the ceilings, stained glass windows, statues and the cherry on the cake: the Hungarian Crown Jewels. It is advisable to book the tour in advance due to the limited number of places available per day. The cheapest and most efficient way is to book a tour online (on https://www.jegymester.hu/eng/Production/480000/Parliament-visit the official and exclusive ticket vendor). Alternatively, you can go to the Visitor Centre (very early in the morning) and queue for the tickets, hoping that there are still some availabilities for that day in your preferred language.
- The impressive SAINT STEPHEN'S BASILICA in honour of the first King of Hungary. Also here it worth’s a visit the inside of the church and most of all its Dome for a 360° view overlooking Budapest! You can have some gym by climbing the 364 steps or easily using the elevetor.
- HEROES' SQUARE, one of the major squares of the city; it contains the Millennium Monument dedicated to the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom and national independence of the nation.
- Walking and having some shopping in the elegant ANDRASSY UT.
- See an opera or a ballet or taking part to a guided tour in the enchanting and richly decorated BUDAPEST OPERA HOUSE . Although in size and capacity it is not among the greatest, in beauty and in the quality of acoustics it is considered to be amongst the finest opera houses in the world.
5. Cruising on the DANUBE RIVER to see BUDA and PEST from a different point of view! Very suggestive by nigh..
6. Having some relax in the most famous and wonderful bath complex of Budapest: the GELLÉRT BATHS in the Hotel Gellért of Buda. The Art Nouveau interior includes colourful mosaics, marble columns, stained glass windows and statues.
7. Tasting some good coffee and a slice of cake in an enchanting place: we suggest you the Gerbaud cafe in Vörösmarty tér or the Muvesz cafè in Andrassy Ut, both in Pest.
8. Having some rest in the beautiful public gardens of MARGARET ISLAND , in the middle of the Danube River
9. Taking Tram n. 2 one of the most popular and beautiful tram line in the world running along the Danube and offering a beautiful panoramic view of the river, Buda and the Hungarian Parliament and all the main attractions of Pest in just 20-30 minute. A great way to visit the city quickly, comfortable seated and at a low price.
10. To never forget... take a moment to think and prie... The Shoes on the Danube is a memorial created by Gyula Pauer on the bank of the Danube River (in Id. Antall József rkp., 105 nearby to the Hungarian Parliament). It honors the Jews who were killed by fascist in Budapest during World War II. They were ordered to take off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies fell into the river and were carried away. It represents their shoes left behind on the bank.
To discover more about these places, have a look to our posts dedicated to Budapest dated February 2018 on our Instagram page @2intour
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