Budapest has been described as one of Europe's prettiest urban destinations with its picturesque skylines, growing food scene, fizzy thermal baths, and historical landmarks. A city split into two by the striking Danube river, Budapest is like a postcard you can never stop smiling at. Here are all the reasons why I fell in love at first sight with this charming city, and why it needs to be on everyone's list.
Did you know: Budapest was formed in 1873 by uniting 3 cities: Buda, Obuda, and Pest?
History is all around
To say that Budapest is a historical city, is the biggest understatement. The city resonates in antiquity in every shape and form like an open air museum, and you simply cannot avoid it. Recorded history shows that the country's expansive rulers and conquests range from the Roman Empire in 89 AD, followed by the Hungarian Arpads, Turkish Ottomans, Austrian Hapsburgs, and finally the Soviets - all of whom have left an everlasting mark on the city, further adding to its beautiful charms today.
Some remarkable historical places include:
Royal Palace Budapest: Also known as Buda Castle, this striking landmark can be seen nearly from every part of the Danube promenade as it sits majestically on Gellért Hill. Not only does it offer stunning city views, but it also holds the Hungarian National Gallery with priceless art dating back to 10th century, the National Library, and the Budapest History Museum. The castle can be accessed through a funicular ride or by a mini bus which will stop in all parts of the complex including the Fisherman's Bastion.
Fisherman's Bastion: My absolute favourite place in Budapest, this incredible complex is located next to Buda Castle and comprises of 7 neo-Gothic towers representing the 7 Magyar chieftains who ruled Hungary around AD 856, a bronze statue of Stephen I (the first King of Hungary), and the striking Matthias Church. It is easy to spend an entire day at this landmark which showcases stunning panoramic views of the Danube River, Gellért Hill, and Margaret Island.
Did you know: The Fisherman's Bastion was named after the fisherman's guild who guarded and defended the Buda Castle side wall during the Middle Ages.
Parliament Building: This magnificent building is over 100 years old and is the largest in Budapest, overlooking the Danube River. It is not only the seat of the Hungarian National Assembly, but also contains precious relics from Hungary's monarchs and leaders.
Shoes on the Danube: created in 2005, this memorial features 60 pairs of iron shoes which represent the murder of approximately 10,000 people who were lined up, shot, and throw into the river between 1944 - 1945 in Budapest. Today, visitors pay their respects by placing flowers and candles in the shoes.
Heroes' Square: This famous square features statues of the 7 Magyar chieftains as well as other important leaders. It is a place of unity which hosted many historical events, and is connected to the lush City Park.
Budapest Great Synagogue: This beautiful place of reflection is located on Dohany Street. While it is a place for religious practice, the complex welcomes visitors to learn more about Jewish history in Budapest through the museum, and their pay respects.
Beautiful panoramic views
The city is filled with great places to enjoy views, however the crème de la crème is from the top of Gellért Hill. A short but steep hike up the 235 metre high hill offers the best bird's eye views of both Buda and Pest. The scenic hike takes you through the most beautiful park filled with greenery and fresh air, until you reach the Citadella at the top. This strategic fortress was built in 1851 to defend the city through various sieges, and features the Liberty Statue which commemorates those who gave their lives from the prosperity, freedom, and independence of Hungary.
Did you know: Gellért Hill was named after bishop Gellért who was thrown down to death from the hill in 1045 by the Magyar pagans during the fight for Christianity.
The Chain Bridge is Budapest's oldest and most striking of all 8 bridges which connects Buda and Pest. Symbolising a link between East and West, this historic bridge offers amazing views of both sides of the city and direct access to Buda Castle. Guarded on each side by lions, the pedestrian-friendly bridge is a favourite among locals and visitors, so don't be surprised if it gets a little bit crowded. My personal favourite place to enjoy blissful views is from Buda Castle, which has a lovely terrace cafe serving refreshments - perfectly accompanied by sensational vistas.
Architectural paradise
The city's history has left timestamps all over the architecture. Remember all the dynasties who passed through the country? Well the city is literally a testament to all those who have historically influenced the shape of Budapest, seen today through a variety of architectural styles. Some notable and striking ones include:
St. Mattias Church at the Fisherman's Bastion and Buda Castle (Gothic)
St. Stephen's Basilica (Renaissance)
Rudas baths (Ottoman)
Szechenyi Baths (Baroque)
Hungarian National Museum (Classicism)
Hotel Gellert (Art Nouveau)
Aquincum (Roman)
River cruises
There is something relaxing about cruising along a body of water, be it a sea, an ocean, or a river. With the shimmery reflection of the sun during the day, or the luminescence of the moon, the Danube is a haven for cruises. My family and I sailed on a blissful 1 hour long sunset cruise which gave us front row views of some of Budapest's most iconic buildings, complemented by a history lesson on each one, and a glass of champagne. River cruises are one of the most popular forms of enjoyment when visiting the city, which should not be missed. There are plenty of options including those which offer dinner and entertainment to further enhance the experience.
Did you know: the Rubik's cube was invented by Hungarian architect Erno Rubik in 1974.
Street culture and street food
Coming from an Eastern European country, the culture of street life lives in our veins. Long cobble-stoned streets and alleyways leading to never ending pedestrian streets filled with restaurants, cafes, fountains, and boutiques, these are our vibes. Budapest's street culture is striking and addictive. Throughout the city, you will find ruin bars, restaurants emerging from holes in the walls, old factories turned into shops, street art, hidden bohemian hubs, and so much more.
When it comes to food, let me introduce you to "lángos" (pronounced langosh) - Hungary's national dish. This lump of dough is deep fried to perfection, topped with sour cream, and garnished with shredded cheese. If there was ever a comfort dish, this is it. For those who can't pronounce "kürtoskalács" (kurtoshkalach) - the famous chimney cake can be spotted in every corner of the city - either by sight, or by smell. Baked until golden, the dough is them sprinkled with any choice of toppings such as shredded walnuts, cinnamon, coconut, or sugar. Although the dough is an acquired taste, and not my personal favourite, I did find that I enjoy eating it with a generous dollop of Nutella.
My brother and his wife took me to an amazing place called Karavan, which is the perfect definition of street food. The cosy complex is home to several unique food trucks dishing up mouthwatering bites which can be enjoyed either by standing or sitting. From juicy burgers, to traditional Hungarian dishes, and healthy vegan nibbles, I felt like I could go around the world in one afternoon.
Another great places to enjoy Hungarian specialties is the Great (or Central) Market Hall, Budapest's largest indoor market filled with specialty dishes, international bites, and lots of drinks. Housed in a beautiful historical building built in the late 1800's, this place is a treat for gourmands. The lower floor is dedicated to traders and vendors selling items like traditional Hungarian paprika, spices, sausages, cheeses, veggies, fresh fish and more, while the upper floor is laced with restaurants and souvenir shops.
Luscious nature
Living in the UAE for almost a decade has made me miss nature so much, and every trip back to Europe makes me truly appreciate it more. Budapest's scenery is enveloped with robust greenery and perfectly landscaped flowers, set against the Danube River, creating a perfect platform for pedestrians. During our visit in April, the warm spring weather was ideal for walking and enjoying the fresh air. Excellent places to enjoy long strolls include Gellert Hill, Margaret Island, and City Park which is next to Heroes' Square.
I have already mentioned the green hike to Gellert Hill, however the hike down is equally pleasant. Shaded pathways through the forest lead to the monument of Bishop Gellert which is the accurate place where he was thrown to death from. This lovely tribute is an amazing place to enjoy a break while appreciating history and taking in all the beautiful scenery. Margaret Island is another excellent place to enjoy strolls surrounded by nature, being an actual island in the middle of the Danube River. Before I get to the facilities, I have to give you a quick intriguing history lesson. During the Middle Ages, this island was actually a religious centre dating back to the 12th century and church ruins can still be seen today. However, once the Ottomans attacked the city, all religious leaders and nuns fled, while the churches were destroyed. Today, Margaret Island offers visitors a beautiful retreat featuring a Japanese garden with a fish pond, an exotic zoo, an open air pavillion for concerts, musical fountain, and plenty of space to run, walk, or cycle.
City Park is one of the most charismatic places to enjoy the fresh air, built in the 18th century. It is characterised by the lush greenery, a beautiful lake where renting pedalos is possible, and historical buildings like the Vajdahunyad Castle resembling those out of the Grim Brothers' novels. An excellent place to enjoy a treat is Városliget Café, built in 1905. Try the "somloi galuska" - Hungary's most popular dessert made with 3 sponge cakes, 2 types of cream, fruit filling, syrup, and whipped cream. During winter, the lake in City Park turns into a skating wonderland, so if you are making plans to visit Budapest during that time, add this to the list.
Did you know: the Hungarian language descents directly from the Huns and is related to only 2 European languages: Finnish and Estonian.
Steamy thermal baths
Budapest has become synonymous with spas in Europe, providing some of the most famous baths. The city is laced with thermal springs thanks to the land's natural minerals, dating back to the time of the Romans, who built enormous baths surrounding them. Budapest's spa culture boomed during the Ottoman Era (1500 - 1600) as they built countless baths for both pleasure and medicinal reasons. Budapest was named "City of Spas" in 1934 following the economic boom which attracted many visitors to the various spas. Some of the best places to enjoy a steamy bath are:
Szechenyi Baths - the largest and most famous baths in Europe and the only medicinal bath located on the Pest side dating back to 1913. The regal complex features 18 pools which resemble a combination of Roman and Greek baths as well as Nordic saunas.
Rudas Baths - located at the foot of Gellert Hill and dating back to 1550, they are the epitome of Turkish baths. Featuring 6 therapy pools, the unique element of these baths is the slightly radioactive water which is filled with healing minerals.
Lukacs Baths - these baths date back to the 12th century which were heated using natural hot spring water, until today.All spa centres are excellent for the medicinal treatment of various conditions, however when it comes to relaxation - is there anything better than a steamy, bubbly bath?
Gellert Baths - this spa complex is housed in the gorgeous Art Nouveau Hotel Gellert, visible from almost every part of the city. Its "magical healing spring" dates back to the Middle Ages, however the baths were made popular during the Turkish Era due to their rich mineral composition. My mum and I spent a lovely morning relaxing in the thermal waters and outdoor pools.
Pedestrian friendly
Both sides of the city are perfectly designed with the pedestrian or cyclist in mind. Budapest offers a very well connected public transportation system of trams, buses, and the metro; however when the weather is warm, majority of the population either walk or cycle. Out of the 8 bridges which connect both districts, 7 were completely destroyed in WWII, and have been restored in the same style. Apart from the places I mentioned above enveloped in nature, one of the best places to enjoy walks is along the Danube Promenade on the Pest side. The stroll offers splendid views of the Buda Castle complex, numerous sculptures, and plenty of dining options.
One of my favourite things was walking along the Danube during sunset, watching as all the city lights came to life, while a crisp gentle breeze prompted me to snuggle with my scarf. The shimmery lights reflecting on the water, set against the backdrop of a perfectly pastel sky gave me one of the best feelings I have ever had.
Naturally, when building your itinerary, I highly recommend that ALL of these places are visited, as each one of them is weaved into the history that positioned Budapest's place on the world map today. While our trip was short and could only accommodate the key landmarks, I am definitely planning a re-visit very soon, because there are countless other treasures to be explored!
xo,
Marina
Disclaimer: All views are my own and all photographs are © My Sweet Escapes, unless otherwise stated.
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