Budapest

[jocktamsonsbairn]

Tell me more! Just booked a long weekend there but we know very little! Any recommendations will be gratefully appreciated! Looking for a 3 bedroom apartment as there are loads on air bnb etc but which areas should we avoid?!!

TIA.

https://www.7seasonsapartments.com/ We stayed here. Breakfast if you want it. Lots of shops and restaurants nearby. Close to Deak Ferencz, the metro and the Jewish Quarter with ruin bars. 10 mins walk to the Danube. Good wifi and a washing machine, though might not be an issue for a weekend. Apartments face inwards to a courtyard, so though the area is busy there was no noise. I would definitely go back there. Love Budapest.

A ruin bar? Tell me more!

We love Budapest! We travel as often as we can and it's remaines one of our favourite places.

We prefer it a bit quieter so stayed in an apartment on the Buda side right in front of the Szechenyi bridge. There's a hop on bus service to take you up the hill to Buda castle and all the bits up there. About a 10min walk or so gets you to parliament (if you're into that sort of thing then book it, great tour).

I wouldn't say there was anywhere that we felt unsafe. We walked all around Pest day and night and had no concerns. Maybe avoid the ruin bars area if you want to avoid the odd stag party but they're great to visit.

Don't be fooled into thinking walking to Hero's Square (especially in peak summer) is a good idea. It's a long walk and nearly all residential so there's nowhere to stop when you desperately need a wee 😂longest walk of my life.

I have been there once a while back, but there is an old town and a new-ish area which are very different. Also, there are cool baths you should visit.

I think most central areas are okay - personally I think Erzebetvaros (7th district) has become a bit too crowded and full of stag parties.
Last time we went we stayed in the Ring Avenue apartments at the other end of central pest.
Apart from that it really depends what you like. I would recommend the Shoes on the Danube monument and the Holocaust Museum. If you are interested in recent history I would recommend the Imre Nagy house in Buda (a bit out of the way). House of terror is in my opinion not worth visiting unless you are a fan of the Orban government and phylosophy.
I would strongly recommend going to the thermal baths. Everybody goes to the Szechenyi (which is stunningly beautiful) - I like the Lucasz and if it is seriously hot it it hard to beat the large lido on Margitsziget (Palatinus). Margitsziget is lovely for walks.
In terms of areas to avoid there are areas you will be unlikely to come accross. Parts of Ferencvaros can be dodgy but even there gentrification has begun.
In any area you will find local market halls with good fruit and local produce.
They are easy to find. The great market hall is a tourist trap.
Enjoy your trip.

If it's adults only, book a wine tasting at Fausts wine cellars- amazing.

Fabulous thank you all!! Yes the shoes on the Danube are definitely on my list if things to do!