If Budapest is not on your travel list, it should be! This city definitely caught me by surprise with it’s beautiful architecture, views, and vibrant atmosphere. Although I spent a short time here, we definitely made the best of it! Here are my six must-do’s when visiting Budapest, Hungary.
1. Climb to the top of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
This was one of the first stops we made shortly after landing and settling into our rooms for the night. We only had 15 minutes before the basilica closed to climb the 364 steps to the top, so we had to hurry. Huffing and puffing, we made it and this is what greeted us! So worth it! I recommend going in the evening to watch the sun go down and cast this beautiful light over the amazing architecture. Makes for great photos.
2. Try the local hungarian dishes.
Whenever you’re in a new country, you should definitely make the effort to try their local dishes! Three of my favorite dishes that we tried in Hungary were Goulash, stuffed cabbage, and Chicken Paprikash. I recommend stopping at Pest-Buda Bistro for some of the best local dishes in the city!
3. Take a dip in one of the many local baths.
There are multiple Baths around the city and each one is different. So do your research, ask a local and decide which one you want to visit based on your preferences. The specific bath we went to was the Gellért Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool. This bath has a fun atmosphere and has a wave pool outside.
If you’re in Budapest in the summer on a Friday or Saturday, make sure to attend a Sparti. These pool parties are famous and said to be a good time! We unfortunately weren’t there during the weekend, so we missed out.
4. Check out the views at Fisherman’s Bastion.
Fisherman’s Bastion is a beautiful terrace that offers some of the best views of the city! It is located on the Buda side on the castle hill. They have many great restaurants near here (including the one mentioned above) and some cute and adorable streets.
5. Stop for drinks at a ruin pub.
Ruin pubs are all over the city and offer a unique experience. These bars were created inside of abandoned buildings with mismatched furniture, random wall decor and graffiti. We only had time to visit one, so we decided on Szimpla Kert. Szimpla Kert was the first ruin pub of the bunch and definitely lives up to the hype. It was a lot bigger than I expected! We enjoyed walking around and exploring each of the different rooms. They have a wine bar, cocktail bar, shisha room and more, so there is something for everyone.
6. Take in the view of the grand parliament building.
The Hungarian Parliament Building is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary. It’s huge and breathtaking! If you can, make sure to catch a view from across the Danube of the building all lit up at night.
Budapest definitely has more to offer than these seven things, but these are definitely stops I wouldn’t want to miss. If you have a limited time to explore like I did, than this is the perfect list. Budapest is an amazing city and one that I hope to go back to!