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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Budapest this month, advice on what to see please.

38 replies

murasaki · 04/02/2024 15:50

Any advice welcome! My sister and I (forties, if it matters) are planning a last minute trip to Budapest this month. Between 3-4 days, undecided yet. I'd love any tips on where to stay (she's suggested the old quarter, and will tend towards cheap), and things to see. The spa is a must, and we love museums, architecture, churches, mad public art, good food, nice bars etc. If anyone has any great ideas I can suggest to her I'd be grateful to hear them. Thanks.

OP posts:
hotblacktea · 05/02/2024 07:08

if you're staying in the old quarter, i assume that's on Buda side, very nice but hilly, so be warned
pest, on the other side of the Danube, is all flat
walk around both sides, it's a nice mix of different styles of architecture and will not be crowded at this time of year
i think there are also trams (can't remember the number) which do a circular route along the main sites, you can use them as hop on, hop off
citadel hill is very nice for scenic pictures
don't miss the market hall, grand synagogue, heroes square and the castle in the park next to it
it's a lovely place, enjoy it !

Mocara · 05/02/2024 07:09

St Stephens Basilica
Dohany Synagoge
Church in the cave
Indoor markets
Every thing in the Castle quarter its all stunning ! Cable car up to the castle quarter
Parliment buildings
See it all from a short cruise on the danube , particularly by night as they light up the city . .

lilyfire · 05/02/2024 07:21

Tati - farm to table restaurant was really good - mid price.
We did a really interesting walking tour of the Jewish quarter which was also good for a general history of Budapest. Nice places to eat there as well.
Margaret Island is worth a wander round if the weather is nice.
There’s an app you can get for transport and you can get a pass that covers buses,trams and trains each day for both of you and is very good value.
The baths are fab - try and do more than one if you have time.

Scotsgirl001 · 05/02/2024 07:21

Hospital in the rock. Fascinating!

sausagepastapot · 05/02/2024 07:25

Yay I loved it! Definitely do the church in a cave and the hospital in a cave!

We just stayed in an air bb on the pest side which was cool but can't find it now...

We took the metro over to the pinball museum which we loved. We did a night river cruise, looked at the shoes on the Danube, went to the Gellert spa, and to the main market hall which is across the bridge, opposite the spa on the pest side.

We walked up the hill to the citadella, and we went round the Buda castle, all awesome.

The funicular is great and gives amazing views.

Plus you must check out some ruins bars! So quirky and cool. Oooh I want to go back- have fun!

BlackboardMonitorVimes · 05/02/2024 07:26

If you like mad art then the Memento park is worth a visit, it's where all the old soviet statues were moved to and it's well worth a visit.

There is also a village not far out that you can get to by train that has a marzipan museum (of things made out of marzipan). The village is called Szentendre.

Sunnnybunny72 · 05/02/2024 08:08

The Citadel was closed and all fenced off in September for renovation, so be aware. Still worth a walk up there for the views.

Aydel · 05/02/2024 08:21

All of the above! Gellert baths are nicer than Szechenyi, and there are also smaller baths, such as Veli Bej, where the tourists don’t go. It’s getting increasingly difficult to find a traditional Hungarian restaurant. Try Lecsó on St Istvan korüt, near Jaszai Mari Ter, for a cheap, cheerful and authentic meal. There are lots of non-touristy restaurants on Pozsonyi Utca in the Ujlipotvaros area, which is nice to wander round as it has lovely 20s and30s architecture. I’m biased as I used to live there though!

budgiegirl · 05/02/2024 09:52

We did a segway tour, which was a lot of fun, there were only three of us plus the guide, we saw the highlights in about 3 hours, and the guide was very knowledgable. We then went back to the places we particularly liked to see more of them.

We did a Prosecco cruise in the evening, when the lights were all on the buildings, which was lovely.

The ruin bars were great, although we went in the week, might be a bit crazy at the weekends when the stag/hen parties are in.

We stayed at the Cortile Hotel on the Pest side, which had a lovely rooftop swimming pool (covered!) and views across to St Stephens Basilica from the terrace. It was very central, which was great for walking to most things, and the bus/tram system was easy to use for things that were a bit further out.

I'd say it's best to stay on the Pest side, as central as you can, as there's more to do here in the evenings. The Buda side is lovely to visit during the day.

Original poster
murasaki · 05/02/2024 11:18

Thank you all, these ideas are great, I will pass them on. Sounds fabulous!

OP posts:
Bigpinkslippers · 05/02/2024 11:23

I loved Hells Kitchen for food, was the best meal we had. I'd definitely recommend the Goulash soup

Original poster
murasaki · 14/02/2024 23:12

We're flying out Monday evening, back Saturday, found a lovely air bnb and it's £174 each for that and flights, can't believe it's that cheap!
We've planned an itinerary based on your feedback, will report back!

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 14/02/2024 23:16

The spa
The ruin bars

Waitingfirthephone · 14/02/2024 23:19

Exciting!

Original poster
murasaki · 14/02/2024 23:21

First time abroad since pre covid, so yes, I can't wait! My sis drives me potty a lot but actually we holiday well together. DP just has to keep the cats alive....

OP posts:
MissBurnOut · 14/02/2024 23:51

MorningPlatypus · 05/02/2024 06:39

I recommend the House Of Terror. Its incredibly moving. https://www.terrorhaza.hu/hu

Also look for the shoes memorial on the bank of the Danube.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoes_on_the_Danube_Bank

Agreed! The house of terror was the most moving museum I have ever been to. Took my breath away at times. Could not recommend enough.

Original poster
murasaki · 15/02/2024 12:04

Both are on the list, thanks. I can't get over how cheap the apartment is, more money to spend on sights and food!

OP posts:
ClashCityRocker · 15/02/2024 12:09

Enjoy, Budapest might be my favourite city to just wander around. It felt like every corner you turned there was some breathtaking architecture.

PeatandDieselfan · 15/02/2024 12:15

Kiraly Baths at Bathyani Ter - they have alternate mens' and ladies' days - going on a ladies' day can be a lot more relaxing than the mixed baths, which tend to be more touristy (szchenyi can also be a bit 'pesty' although to be fair I haven't been for over a decade).
Get a transport pass and ride around on trams etc- it's very simple to use and like a city tour in itself when your legs get tired ( just keep a hand on your handbag at all times!)

MadMadMad · 15/02/2024 12:18

We did a walking tour which was great for giving us an overview and ideas of where to go back to.

girlmeetsboy · 15/02/2024 12:24

This restaurant was absolutely amazing if your a foodie!

https://caviarandbull.hu/

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https://caviarandbull.hu

Globules · 15/02/2024 12:29

Lots of good recommendations here.

House of Terror
Synagogue
Ruin bars
Spa...we did Schenizi

Not sure anyone's mentioned the children's railway? We found it a real highlight going on a train service completely run by 9-15 yr olds.

https://gyermekvasut.hu/en/home/

Have a great time. I'm very jealous!

Home

ABOUT US: Children’s Railway, Budapest is one of Budapest’s most unique attractions. Like any other railway, it has ticket offices, diesel locomotives, signals, switches and a timetable. Unlike other railways though, this one is run by children. The li...

https://gyermekvasut.hu/en/home

Original poster
murasaki · 15/02/2024 13:06

Ooh, the children's railway might need to go on the list! I think I saw it on a travel show once but had forgotten. And thanks again for all the recommendations.

OP posts:
ToothFairy2023 · 16/02/2024 11:37

Have you been yet OP, if you have hows it going, what do you think, have you any top tips and link to the apartment if you recommend it? Thanks 🙏

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