HUNGARY |
In this article, you will read about Budapest. |
Bordering Romania, Austria, Serbia, Ukraine, Slovenia, Croatia and Slovakia; this landlocked country of Hungary, which has a historic importance, is surrounded by its neighbors. Once a battlefield and contested between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire for years, the country enjoys its ultimate independence since the end of World War I, and now is a perfect destination for nomads.
My visit to Budapest has popped out as a sudden decision. In May 2015, I was making the plans of my ‘great Eurotrip’ which was going to take exactly 2 weeks, starting from Barcelona, then to Lisbon, Rome, Pisa and Milan, and back to Istanbul. Then I realized something very crucial: Flight to Budapest from Istanbul plus flight to Barcelona from Budapest was equal to (and probably even less than) the one-way flight to Barcelona from Istanbul! Subsequently I made my decision: I immediately added Budapest to my journey plan, and off to go!
During my two-day-stay in Budapest, I had one of the best travel experiences of my life. The hostel where I stayed was full of nomads who were dying for traveling, just like me! Most of them were coming from miles away, such as the US and Australia. Then I saw the parts of Buda and Pest, and how they are separated by the Danube River, like the lovers who are eternally fallen apart but looking at each other all the time.
What was really astonishing was the weather! On my first day in Budapest, it was very sunny and warm in the morning. I even could take a walk to the hills of Buda including the Buda Castle. Then in the afternoon, it suddenly started to rain. I mean, RAIN! It began to pour all at once, raining cats and dogs! And I didn’t even take my umbrella before leaving the hostel, because the weather was extremely great. So I was really unprepared for such unpredictable weather conditions of Budapest ☺
My visit to Budapest has popped out as a sudden decision. In May 2015, I was making the plans of my ‘great Eurotrip’ which was going to take exactly 2 weeks, starting from Barcelona, then to Lisbon, Rome, Pisa and Milan, and back to Istanbul. Then I realized something very crucial: Flight to Budapest from Istanbul plus flight to Barcelona from Budapest was equal to (and probably even less than) the one-way flight to Barcelona from Istanbul! Subsequently I made my decision: I immediately added Budapest to my journey plan, and off to go!
During my two-day-stay in Budapest, I had one of the best travel experiences of my life. The hostel where I stayed was full of nomads who were dying for traveling, just like me! Most of them were coming from miles away, such as the US and Australia. Then I saw the parts of Buda and Pest, and how they are separated by the Danube River, like the lovers who are eternally fallen apart but looking at each other all the time.
What was really astonishing was the weather! On my first day in Budapest, it was very sunny and warm in the morning. I even could take a walk to the hills of Buda including the Buda Castle. Then in the afternoon, it suddenly started to rain. I mean, RAIN! It began to pour all at once, raining cats and dogs! And I didn’t even take my umbrella before leaving the hostel, because the weather was extremely great. So I was really unprepared for such unpredictable weather conditions of Budapest ☺
Budapest
Mini Info about the City
Being the capital and most populous city of Hungary, Budapest is a renowned historic and touristic destination. Due to its panoramic scene and architecture, it is often called “Paris of the East”. With a vivid and youthful atmosphere, and an offer of magnificent natural thermal baths, a vibrant nightlife, and soothing classical music, Budapest is one of Europe’s most enjoyable cities.
The harmonization of the two historic cities, Buda and Pest, lies right opposite each other over the Danube River. Pest, which has the state buildings such as the greatly designed Parliament building, is relatively more flat than Buda.
Due to its architecturally and historically important landmarks such as the Buda Castle, and Banks of the Danube River, the city of Budapest was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
There are several airline companies flying to Budapest, including the budget companies such as WizzAir, EasyJet, Ryanair and Vueling. If you arrive in the city by flight, you can take the bus #100E to the city center.
Being the capital and most populous city of Hungary, Budapest is a renowned historic and touristic destination. Due to its panoramic scene and architecture, it is often called “Paris of the East”. With a vivid and youthful atmosphere, and an offer of magnificent natural thermal baths, a vibrant nightlife, and soothing classical music, Budapest is one of Europe’s most enjoyable cities.
The harmonization of the two historic cities, Buda and Pest, lies right opposite each other over the Danube River. Pest, which has the state buildings such as the greatly designed Parliament building, is relatively more flat than Buda.
Due to its architecturally and historically important landmarks such as the Buda Castle, and Banks of the Danube River, the city of Budapest was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
There are several airline companies flying to Budapest, including the budget companies such as WizzAir, EasyJet, Ryanair and Vueling. If you arrive in the city by flight, you can take the bus #100E to the city center.
Must-See Places
The city of Budapest is well connected with public transport, consisting of four metro lines, tram lines, buses, trolley buses and suburban rails. Therefore, it is very easy to get around within the city.
Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown (Belvaros) and along the riverside. Besides my journey to and from the airport, I have never used public transport and preferred walking for sightseeing. As the must-see places are close to each other, you can also try walking instead of taking public transport ☺
The city of Budapest is well connected with public transport, consisting of four metro lines, tram lines, buses, trolley buses and suburban rails. Therefore, it is very easy to get around within the city.
Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown (Belvaros) and along the riverside. Besides my journey to and from the airport, I have never used public transport and preferred walking for sightseeing. As the must-see places are close to each other, you can also try walking instead of taking public transport ☺
- Chain Bridge is among the most renowned and important landmarks and symbols in Budapest, and one of the bridges connecting the historic parts of Buda and Pest. Opened in the mid-19th century, it was the first permanent bridge over the Danube River in Hungary. During the Germans’ siege of Budapest in World War II, the bridge was blown up except its towers; thus it has been reconstructed in 1949.
- Buda Castle is a predominantly Baroque-style castle complex which was built for the Hungarian kings in the 13th century, and later completed in the 18th century. Since 1987, the castle is part of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From top of the castle complex, there is a great panorama of the Chain Bridge, the Danube River, and the historic side of Pest. You can go to the castle either by walking or taking the funicular (Castle Hill Funicular) situated in the foothills of the castle.
- Citadella is a fortification on the Buda side in Budapest, and was built in the 19th century. The hill where Citadella is situated is the Gellert Hill. From above, there is an amazing view of the Danube River and the city of Budapest.
- Fisherman’s Bastion is a terrace which was built in Neo-Gothic and Neo-Romanesque styles. It sits on the Buda side of Budapest, very close to Buda Castle and Matthias Church. There are seven towers on the Bastion where you can observe the city. In front of the Bastion is situated a bronze statue of Stephen I of Hungary.
- Matthias Church is a Gothic-style Roman Catholic church situated in the Buda side, very close to the Fisherman’s Bastion. It was first built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century, then rebuilt in the 15th century.
- Parliament Building is a well-known landmark of Hungary, and among the most popular tourist spots of Budapest. It is the seat of National Assembly of Hungary. The building, which was built in the 19th century in the Gothic Revival style, is situated on the bank of the Danube. Noteworthy that it is the tallest building in Budapest!
- Shoes on the Danube Bank is a memorial for the victims who were shot into the Danube in the World War II. It is mainly dedicated to Budapest Jews who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen. The shoes represent their shoes left behind on the bank before their execution. Situated on the bank of the Danube in the Pest side, the memorial is very close to the Parliament Building.
- St Stephen’s Basilica is a Neo-Classical style Roman Catholic basilica named after the first king of Hungary, Saint Stephen I of Hungary (ca. 975-1038). It is the most important and the third largest church building in Hungary, and among the most renowned tourist attractions.
- Heroes’ Square (Hösök Tere) is one of the main squares in Budapest, and situated at the end of Andrassy Avenue. The square is also part of Budapest’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is surrounded by two significant landmarks: Museum of Fine Arts and Hall of Art.
- Great Market Hall is the oldest and largest indoor market in Budapest. It is closed on Sundays, but you can visit during the weekdays. Souvenirs, fruits, vegetables, clothes, fast food, meat products are among the miscellaneous things you can find in the market.
Must-Do
- Pubcrawl is one of the most popular events among the youth in Budapest. There are several of them, and most hostels also offer pub crawls which take you to various interesting pubs and bars in the city.
- Ruin pubs are ruined and abandoned buildings turned into bars with different themes and special atmosphere. They are very popular in Budapest, and it is worth to try during your stay there
- Thermal baths in Budapest are century old. The biggest and most popular thermal bath in Budapest in Szechenyi Bath, which is situated right behind the Heroes’ Square. Even if you are not a person into thermal bathing, or a water person, it is worth to experience this relaxing activity.
What Can You Taste (*heavy breathing*)
Hungarian cuisine belongs to the ethnic group ‘Magyars’, and based on meats, vegetables, fruits, bread, dairy products and cheese. Paprika is also very common, which is a variety of dried pepper flakes, and gives a hot spicy taste in Hungarian dishes.
Hungarian cuisine belongs to the ethnic group ‘Magyars’, and based on meats, vegetables, fruits, bread, dairy products and cheese. Paprika is also very common, which is a variety of dried pepper flakes, and gives a hot spicy taste in Hungarian dishes.
- Palinka is a special fruit brandy of Hungary, mostly made of plum and pear.
- Goulash can be cooked either as a soup or stew, and its main ingredients are meat, and vegetables, usually potatoes, onions and carrots.
- Chicken Paprikash is a popular dish made of chicken with paprika spice, and usually served with a dumpling like egg noodles (‘nokedli’).
Where to Stay
There are several hostels for backpackers and the ones looking for a cheap stay. In Budapest, there are many cheap hostels and most of them are just a few steps away from the historic and touristic landmarks. I stayed at Hostel One Budapest, which had a very reasonable price per night.
There are several hostels for backpackers and the ones looking for a cheap stay. In Budapest, there are many cheap hostels and most of them are just a few steps away from the historic and touristic landmarks. I stayed at Hostel One Budapest, which had a very reasonable price per night.
Highlights