Budapest: Three "Top Threes" | Travel

I can't sing Budapest's praises highly enough. What. A. Place.

It really is an absolute gem of a city and is so up and coming at the moment. Food and drink are cheap, there is so much to see and do and it is so vibrant and fun with a rich history.

If you want to make the most of a quick weekend visit or don't know where to start in the vast expanse of things to do; check out my little lists of the best places to visit, top things to do and great places to eat in Budapest.

Places to Eat 

Bors Gasztrobar

Bors was one of the highlights of our whole trip, we went back every night we were in Budapest. The sandwiches are to die for and they are so cheap. As a vegetarian I struggle to eat in Europe, and Eastern Europe is even harder (they sure do like their meat) but Bors' cheese baguette was insanely good with pleenty of choices for you carnivores too. Even better, it's so close to Szimpla ruin bar so the perfect way to finish off a night out.

The Cat Cafe (Damjanich Utca)

Probably one to miss if you don't want cats playing with you and trying to eat your cake. But I bloody loved it! The four cats are so friendly and lovely and it's the perfect amount for a nice experience without being overrun by felines. I love that there is a set price (Around £3-4 for students) to drink as much as you want and a slice of cake. The selection of tea was impressive, I had a caramel breakfast tea and a traditional Hungarian chooclate cake which was beautiful.

Paprika 

Martin and I generally avoided restaurants and ate mostly street foods for most of our trip but we were recommended Paprika by our host as it was around the corner. They serve authentic, Hungarian food at very reasonable prices and we thoroughly enjoyed it - I had what was effectively Hungarian fish and chips and I would gladly eat it again right now if I could!

Things to See

Fisherman's Bastion

One of the most iconic sites of Budapest, it is a wonder to behold. I obviously knew what it looked it before I went but it still took my breath away. The view of it from below as well as the panoramic view from the top is simply beautiful.

Chain Bridge at Night

Without a doubt one of my favourite sites of Europe. Walking along the Danube hand in hand with a view of the sparkly bridge ahead of you is a pretty romantic way to spend the night: a definite must-see of Eastern Europe. Cool story: allegedly, the engineer who designed the bridge, William Clarke, was so proud of the bridge that he threatened to jump to his death if anyone was to find fault with it. Unfortunately the lions at the front of the bridge have no tongues and look mighty weird. I wonder if he ever found out...

View from Gellert Hill

If you fancy braving a walk up Gellert Hill, you will get magnificent views of the whole of Budapest and a special close up of the statue of St Stephen. Interesting story - Gellert Hill is named after St Gellert who tried to bring Christianity to Hungary. He was put into a barrell with nails hammered inside and rolled all the way down the hill. Gruesome way to go, but what a way to be commemorated!

Things to Do

Visit Szimpla Ruin Bar

 Even months after our trip, this is always one of the first things I tell people about. I feel like I was just made to spend my life in ruin bars. It's quite possibly my favourite place I have ever drunk (aside from maybe under a palm tree in Mexico, but you can't compare the two!), the surroundings and atmosphere are like nothing you will have experienced before. Think run down empty warehouse filled with odd bits and bobs and fairy lights: you have a ruin bar. They make for a very unique nightlife experience in Budapest and this is the top dog.

One of the rooms at Szimpla at night

 

Spend Tine at the Baths

Now I must confess, I didn't actually visit the baths which I regret very much but it was the end of our trip and I'd pretty much run out of money (woops) but Martin spent the day there on a previous visit and says it isone of the best things he's ever done! He said at the end of a long trip walking in excess of eight miles a day, a day-long soak in hot, steamy baths was the greatest luxury you could possibly want. There are several baths of different temperatures ranging from cool to that of a very warm bath! They also do pool parties througout the year which look amazingly cool.

Walk along the Danube to See the City

The Danube runs through the city and separates the hilly Buda with it's castle, to the flat, bustling city of Pest. The banks of the Danube are actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (along with quite a few other sites in Budapest) and by walking the banks, you see a great deal of the "must see sites" such as the buildings of Parliament. My favourite part of the banks of the Danube is the "Shoes on the Danube" memorial. It is without question the most beautiful, poignant memorial I have ever seen and, unlike the simple plaques that we are accustomed to, it really makes you stop and think and appreciate the event. If you are unaware, the shoes are a memorial to the Jews that were forced to line up by the river and remove their shoes before being shot into the river by the Arrow Cross militia.

This list doesn't even begin to cover the abundance of beauty and fun there is to be had in this incredible city, I could have stayed there forever, but it's a good place to start. Happy travelling!

T. xxx

Have you been to Budapest? 

What were your favourite things to do?