Recommendations of things to do Budapest?

[Tinks15]

Just booked Budapest for partners 40th birthday in February. He’s always wanted to go. Anyone been & would recommend some ‘must do’s’?

Like to do a thermal bath & I like the sound of a river cruise possibly of an evening to include dinner. Has anyone done these?

I loved the river cruise we went on but couldn't manage to get a place on one that included dinner, they get booked up very quickly.

I recommend walking along the river to see the shoes. Very poignant.

We got the hop on hop off bus which included the river cruise and stopped outside the hotel Gellert, imposing and gothic
Went to the thermal baths there which was worth the visit, everyone has to wear a swimming cap but only in the main large pool
Check out the ruin bars, the shoes by the river and the main Synagogue
enjoy your trip OP.

Fishermens Bastion and cathedral. The ruin bars. The central market. The Shoes on the Danube as already mentioned. We liked the communist statue museum which is slightly out of town. Margaret Island.

@ImWearingPantaloons @Wiglio thank you

Did you book these things before you went?

City park is nice to wander around.

The thermal baths! Sensational.

It can feel a bit depressing and a sense of foreboding so make sure to plan in some lovely restaurants and coffee and cake.

Thank you @Words I was going to ask is there any recommendations for restaurants?

@Words did you book the baths before you went?

Vampire walking tour was great. The best meal out we had was at Hungarian Hells Kitchen, I recommend either the goulash soup or garlick soup, both were delicious

Statue park. I loved it.

We booked the baths beforehand but didn't need to. Ruin bar was great. Evening boat trip with drinks was good. We stayed pretty central and walked everywhere.

Been to both but would definitely recommend Szechenyi Baths over the Gellert ones (but certainly do both if you can!). We didn't book in advance.

Ruin bars and baths for sure!

It will be COLD in February but the baths are sensational. Bring really warm clothes for getting out and seeing the amazing city. I’d do bus rather than boat, for warmth, and it’s a great way to orientate yourselves. One thing I found was the language/signage was impenetrable, and I got fined on the metro for a reason I never worked out. Enjoy the cafe culture and art galleries nd museums.

I can't recall @Tinks15 unfortunately- it was a while ago.
Resto recommends change all the time so maybe someone else can help.
It will be cold so factor in some cosy things if you can.

Fisherman's bastian, river boat cruise in the evening as the sun sets, it's nice to go down the river one side in daylight and back along the river at dark.

Childrens railway was also lovely to do and views of the hills if you have time. It's slightly further out of town (but was still only one train/tram from the centre) but it was very lovely and heartwarming.

Breakfast @ New York Cafe - stunning!

The food hall in the market

The Museum of Terror

Just eaten at Barack es Szilvra tonight. Very nice, 3 courses + wine around 50 Euros but tasted much more expensive. Very much Hungarian food, I love goulash soup!

If you like to get out and about and explore the city on foot, I highly recommend booking on a walking tour, you get to see so many things and learn so much about the history of the city along the way.

I really like Tati Farm2Table which is opposite the main Ruin bar - food and atmosphere was great and good value for money. We did an excellent free walking tour of the Jewish quarter. Did both Gellert and Szechenyi baths and they were good in different ways - really recommend and we didn’t need to book even in August. Seek out good cake in the Jewish quarter cafes.

@Tinks15 No we didn’t book in advance, just turned up, went in late March, may have to book in the summer when it’s busier.

Tour of parliament (book in advance). Your of the opera house was also amazing and included a short informal performance at the end.
River cruise or just trip if you don't want the meal and drinks.
The ruin bars are also really interesting.
Lots of nice restaurants to try.

We went this year and could easily have spent a week as there were loads of things we didn't manage to do. I definitely recommend the transport app for helping you get around on public transport, and the Bolt taxi app. Buy a multi-day ticket that works on all the teams, buses and metro then you don't have to worry about it - there are ticket inspections very often. I wish we'd booked the Opera house tour as they were fully booked when we were there.