Welcome to the first post in The Weekender series, and what better way to start than with one of my favourite cities, Budapest. This new series will feature weekend getaways with round ups of things to see, do, taste and places to stay - when time is limited.
I recently visited Budapest solo for 2 days while en route to Crete for a fabulous yoga retreat (post coming soon) and re-ignited my love for the city. Enjoy!
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STAY
There are countless options to choose from depending on budget, location, comfort and level of luxury. For this trip I wanted something central, low budget but comfortable and Boutique Budapest Hotel ticked all those boxes.
It is located about 25 mins from the airport and just around the corner from Vaci Utca - Budapest's most popular pedestrian street, serving as a convenient focal point. The boutique-style hotel is very cosy, rooms may be slightly smaller but they are extremely comfortable with all the facilities and everything you need for a weekend trip.
I booked it for an extremely competitive price on Booking.com and it is now one of my preferred hotels when visiting Budapest.
EXPERIENCE
Budapest is an incredible city to discover on foot. I walked 35,000 steps (approx 25km) during the weekend as the weather was perfect and the city relatively quiet. A few of my recommendations include:
Andrassy Avenue | a stunning avenue featuring beautiful architecture, luxury boutiques and funky cafés canopied beneath shady trees. Pass by the Herend boutique to admire the gorgeous porcelain.
Hungarian State Opera House | attend any opera if you can! If you can't, definitely check out the venue as the interiors are absolutely gorgeous.
Dohany Street Synagogue | if you are looking for a place to quiet the mind and reflect, this is it. There is a small entrance fee, but the synagogue's grounds are designed as an oasis of calm amid tranquil greenery.
Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd) | walk across this timeless bridge which connects Buda and Pest and you'll end up right in front of the historic Gellert Hotel where you might enjoy a coffee and traditional Hungarian cake (try the Esterházy or Dobos, you can't go wrong!)
Széchenyi Chain Bridge | definitely walk across this one too, as you will end up right in front of Buda Castle and if you're up for it explore the grounds and enjoy the perfect city view!
TASTE
I'm not a lover of dining on my own but as this was a solo trip and prelude to my yoga retreat, I challenged myself to be immersed in the experience and so I did. Here are some fabulous experiences you may enjoy on your next trip to Budapest.
Breakfast at New York Café
Voted the "World's Most Beautiful Coffee House", this 120 year old café transports one to the opulence of the Titanic Era. It is a place where history, art, music and gastronomy comes together and served as a melting pot for famous artists and poets in the early 1900's.
The menu features international and Hungarian cuisine and is famous for its breakfasts, afternoon tea stands and cakes. I highly recommend a visit at least once for a special occasion or self-treat.
PS: Tip the musicians and make a reservation in advance, it gets booked very quickly. Also, don't be alarmed if you see hoards of tourists taking photos all over the place :)
Price: 15,500 Hungarian Forint (40 Euro for 2) - totally worth it!
Herend Afternoon Tea at Múzsa
I'm a girly-girl and I don't need an excuse to have a tea party everyday, so afternoon teas are definitely one of my favourite experiences. For this trip I wanted to spend an afternoon in an enchanting place and after searching for the perfect place, I discovered Múzsa at the Gresham Palace, Four Seasons.
"Múzsa" means "muse" and everything at this bar oozes elegance, sophistication and personalisation, inspired by the hotel's Art Nouveau style. From Herend porcelain, to Varga crystals and Maison Elysian stylish uniforms, you cannot help but feel transported to a timeless golden age. This sophisticated bar serves sexy cocktails and has visiting renowned mixologists showcasing the latest in the industry.
The Herend Afternoon Tea (named after the famous Herend porcelain produced in the village of Herend) is served Saturdays & Sundays, 3pm - 6pm. I was absolutely delighted by the hand-painted tea set featuring "The Royal Garden" theme available at the bar and Buckingham Palace ( yes, you read that right). It is of course also available for sale ;)
The menu appears fairly small compared to those in Abu Dhabi however in reality, the portions are absolutely perfect ensuring you get enough to eat, drink and leave content. The savoury and sweet bites were balanced and very tasty, featuring some unique flavours which I was not used to like the Goat Cheese Green Pea Blini. The use of fresh seasonal ingredients is evident on the menu and made me realise how much we were missing out in Abu Dhabi. My only disappointment was with the scones - unfortunately they were quite hard and crumbly instead of being light and fluffy, absorbing the delicious toppings.
The tea selection was extensive and after I enjoyed my customary English Breakfast, I tried the Wellness tea featuring Ayurvedic herbs - an absolute detox delight to end the experience. While enjoying the tea, a live pianist charmed us the entire afternoon playing a mix of classical and modern songs, even a few Disney ones to add a touch of magic.
I rate the experience 5/5 without a doubt and will definitely try it again on my next visit! If you are looking for a place to enjoy a high quality dining experience, immersed in sophistication and history, Múzsa is that place.
PS: Ask the waiters about the story of this particular Herend porcelain set, they have some incredible stories to share and make sure you visit the hidden gallery just opposite of the piano.
Price: 10,500 Hungarian Forint (27 Euro) - extremely excellent value for money!
Location: Gresham Palace - Four Seasons Hotel. Google Maps link here | Reservations mandatory, book here.
Siesta at 0,75 Bar & Bistro
The perfect way to wind down in the late afternoon is with a glass of bubbly and some bites; and after a day of walking I found the perfect spot, just a stone's throw from the famous St. Stephen's Basilica.
0,75 Bar & Bistro is a stylish blend of a bistro and wine bar featuring a tapas-style menu with international and Hungarian specialties. I opted for a glass of Spanish Cava and deconstructed bruschetta as I wanted something fresh and chilled to beat the heat. Apart from being the perfect spot for people-watching, the bar has an evening programme and is a serendipitous place to enjoy live music during the summer nights.
PS: Indoor and outdoor seating is available, outdoor of course more recommended due to the view and ambiance, however be prepared to encounter a lot of tourists casually hanging around.
Location: next to St. Stephen's Cathedral. Google Maps link here | Reservations not mandatory.
GETTING AROUND
My preferred choice for transportation to and from the hotel was a taxi. Bolt is the best recommendation (exactly like Uber) and the transaction is super easy-peasy. You select your destination, taxi and pay directly so don't have to worry about cash.
Budapest has an extensive metro network which works like clockwork and connects the entire city, but if you are up for a walk, I highly recommend this too!
NEXT TIME
There is never enough time on a short getaway, so here is my hit list for next time. What do you have on yours?
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Budapest is an ancient city and there is SO much to explore. If you have more than one weekend, check out this post which has a comprehensive overview of the top things to do and see based on my trip in 2019.
Until next time, Viszlát!
xo,
Marina
Disclaimer: All views are my own and all photographs are © My Sweet Escapes, unless otherwise stated. Euro 1 = Hungarian Forint 398.08 (at the time of publishing this post according to xe.com)
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