Budapest – A delight for all!

Budapest was the third leg of our trip through Austria and Hungary. We arrived in Budapest after having spent an idyllic couple days in Salzburg. We were immediately struck by the contrast between the placid beauty of Salzburg and the bustling energy of Budapest. Budapest is a big city, but still has plenty of old world charm to offer. History buffs will have a satisfying time exploring the Roman and Gothic influenced architecture as well as the Turkish influence seen in the various mosques and bath houses all over the city. If your visit is a short one, pick a place to stay near the Szechenyi Chain Bridge in either Buda or Pest. This location is central to many of Budapest’s main attractions and will save you time in getting from place to place. We did not get to visit all the places we would’ve liked to, but we made the most of our four days by mixing in sightseeing with some laid back relaxation. We visited –

1. Szechenyi Chain Bridge – This was the first official bridge connecting Buda and Pest over the Danube. You can easily walk from one end to another; on Buda’s side the bridge is located right under the Buda Castle area. You can take the funicular right up to the top or walk up (wear comfortable shoes). On the Pest side, the bridge brings you right to the beautiful Gresham Palace, which is now Four Seasons property. The grounds are beautiful and you must have a drink at the PavaUdvar if you’re visiting the bar.
2. Buda Castle/ Castle Hill – This stunning Baroque complex is a must visit. The parts of the complex overlooking the Danube offer beautiful views of the Parliament Building. It is also fun to view the changing of the guards. While the ceremony is not as elaborate as say, Buckingham Palace, it is always fascinating to view the stoic expressions of the guards through it all. Give yourself some time to walk around the grounds in addition to visiting the museum. There is a café on the grounds as well.
3. Fisherman’s Bastion – The seven towers and cobbled terraces are going to transport you back in time. Looking around, you’d really not know it is the 20th century if not for the throngs of tourists. Matthias Church is located towards the right and has a beautiful facade. The architecture is simply amazing and we were impressed by how well kept the buildings were in the entire Castle District.
4. The Citadella – The Citadella is located on top of Gellert Hill and offers some beautiful views. We hiked up all the way and timed our visit after dark so we could see Pest all lit up. The hike is not very easy, so be prepared accordingly. Or just drive up 
5. Andrassy Ave/ Heroes Square – Andrassy Ave is a beautiful tree lined boulevard that is comparable to the Champs Elysees. It has great restaurants, bars and several high end shops. Spend some time walking around and eat at one of the cute cafes. Andrassy Ave ends at Heroes Square, which is a major landmark. The complex is home to the statues of the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars as well as other leaders. Even if you’ve had your fill of statues and monuments, a visit is warranted, especially if you’re walking around Andrassy Ave anyway.
6. Parliament Building – The very impressive Hungarian Parliament Building is located right on the banks of the Danube, and looks gorgeous when viewed from across the river, especially at night. The Gothic architecture is marvelous and the guided tours allow visitors to see parts of the interiors, including the coronation jewels. Just as Andrassy Ave reminds one of the Champs Elysees, the Hungarian Parliament will remind you of the Palace of Westminster.
7. Szechenyi Baths–Budapest is also famous for its thermal Turkish baths. If you’ve been to one before, you know how relaxing and rejuvenating it feels. The Szechenyi Baths are the biggest and most beautiful in Budapest. There are multiple outdoor and indoor pools and saunas with a rich backdrop of a Baroque Palace, and due to the size, it doesn’t feel very crowded (at least in winter). You can also book a massage, have a meal at the onsite restaurant and basically spend an entire day lazing around.

We also took a short river cruise on the Danube, which circled around Margaret Island. There are many such cruises available, and a dinner cruise is often a good choice if you want to sail after sunset. Sailing on the river offers pretty amazing views of the Parliament Building and other landmarks. During the summer, you may also stop over at Margaret Island for some fun activities. If you have the time, a cruise around the Danube Bend is recommended. The “Blue” Danube doesn’t live up to its moniker as it flows between Buda and Pest, but apparently the water is much clearer as the river flows out to the countryside. Another popular day trip is a visit to the Etyek wine country. This area mainly produces sparkling wines and is only a half hour drive from Buda. Tokaj is another popular wine region in Hungary, but is about a 3 hour drive from Budapest. It is located along the Slovakian border, so perhaps the visit can be combined with trip to Slovakia.

When you’ve had your fill of history and nature, head to a ruin bar for a chill evening. Ruin bars are the defining aspect of Budapest’s nightlife. SzimplaKert was the first ruin bar in Budapest, and is supposedly still the coolest. We loved the vibe, and to see the old, abandoned buildings in the old Jewish quarter come alive with fantastic music and people having a great time felt quite gratifying. Instant is another popular bar, but we did not visit it. From what I’ve heard, it is a little more modern and club-like. Whether you’re out at night or during the day, you need to be vigilant and take care of your belongings. Budapest is not the safest and even a moment’s carelessness can be harmful. We learnt it the hard way when my wife’s handbag was stolen from right under our noses on the train back to Vienna. The saving grace was that there were no passports or phone in the bag. We lost our reserved train tickets that were in the bag, but apparently theft is so common that the ticket conductors on the train let us (a group of 7!) travel without having to purchase new tickets.

Here are some tips –

• If you’re on a short visit, utilizing the Hop On-Hop Off tours is not a bad idea.
• Euros are widely accepted, but do get some Hungarian Forint for small purchases.
• Please do not carry large wallets or handbags, and be careful with your electronics. Crossbody bags are a good option for women.
• Uber has ceased its operations in Hungary, so please make prior arrangements for taxis. Hailing rides on the road is usually not a very pleasant experience.
• Learn a few phrases in Hungarian