Budapest is one of the most magical places I’ve visited to date – it’s like stepping right into a fairytale with castle spires lining to Danube River and statues of characters like Peter Pan dotted throughout the city. It was rainy and overcast during my trip, which just added to the enchantment! I visited Budapest for 4 nights by myself, had an absolute ball and made some amazing friends from all around the world (hello perks of solo travel)! If Budapest isn’t already on your bucket list – do yourself a favour and add it – you won’t be disappointed.
Where to stay in Budapest
The city of Budapest is split in half by the Danube River, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other. The Pest side of the river is where most of the action is – with lots of bars, restaurants and accommodation options – so is naturally where most people stay when visiting. However, Buda is also a great option if you’re looking for a more relaxed and quieter place to stay, while still being within walking distance to the hustle and bustle of the city.
During my visit, I stayed at the Maverick City Lodge, which was the perfect option for me. It has great reviews on Hostel World (a rating of 9.1, impressive!), was located super centrally and you can get a 10% discount at the cafe next door, which I visited for breakfast most days.
Getting around Budapest
Budapest is a very walkable city and most of the main attractions are easily accessible on foot (major win for those that don’t want to spend their hard earned moolah on transport)! But every now and then a girls’ gotta catch a bus/train/tram because her feet just can’t hack it anymore. Luckily, Budapest also has a good network of buses, trams and underground trains.
You can buy single tickets or a tourist travel card if you’re in town for a few days – keep an eye out for the purple ticket vending machines throughout the city or pick up your tickets/travel card at the airport. A single ticket will set you back 350 HUF (around €1.50) and a travel cards range from 1650 HUF (24 hrs) to 4950 HUF (7 days).
Where to eat and drink in Budapest
- Mazel Tov – hands down, the best dinner I had in Budapest! Mazel Tov boasts a delish Middle Eastern menu in the buzzing Jewish Quarter. Make sure you book a table in advance and try the Shakshuka with feta *drool*
- Gozsdu Laneway – a trendy, modern laneway with a variety of restaurants and bars (hot tip – DiVino Wine Bar is a great spot for a tipple before dinner)
- Cirkusz – you’ve had a few too many the night before and wake up craving a quality brunch, time to pay Cirkusz a visit! They have a good menu, great coffee and even cater for vegetarians and vegans friend
- Espresso Embassy – if you’re a coffee-lover like me, then this stop is a must! If the weather is warm, stop by and get your sweaty little hands on an iced filter coffee and a piece of flodni (hungarian jewish cake)!
- Bar Pharma – Amaaaazing cocktails, definitely worth a visit
- Gelarto Rosa – this artisanal ice creamery makes beautiful edible roses out of…wait for it…ice cream! They’re almost too pretty to eat…almost…
- Szimpla Kert – one of the most popular ruin bars in the city, Szimpla Kert is other-worldly. There are computers on the walls, plants cascading from the ceiling and even a statue of a giant rabbit-thing because, well…why not!
- Ellato Kert & Taqueria – another really cool ruin bar with good drinks and delish mexican food
- TLV Eatery – great cocktails, funky decor, try the mixed grill for 2
- Central Cafe & Restaurant 1887 – back in the 18th and 19th centuries, Central Cafe was a popular meeting spot for Hungarian musicians, scientists and artists. Today, it still has this same air of elegance and creativity (there was even a girl sketching fashion designs at the table next to me when I was there) and is the perfect people-watching spot
- 360 Bar – if you’re looking for a rooftop bar, this if your place. Bar 360 is a cool hidden terrace bar has great views of the city (the drinks aren’t half bad either)!
- New York Cafe – famous cafe in Italian renaissance style, at the very least you should swing by for a drink to see the amazing interior
- Tukory Etterem – if you’re after some good local eats, a visit to Tukory Etterem will fulfil all your Hungarian-foodie-dreams, without costing you an arm and a leg. Order yourself a langos, some goulash and the cucumber salad with sour cream
- Stika Budapest – arguably the best brunch spot in torn, you might have to line up to get a table but it’s worth the wait
- Street Food Karavan – to be fair, I sadly didn’t get a chance to try Karavan, but I walked past it every night on my way home and it was always busy and had an awesome vibe. So if you get to try it out, let me know your thoughts!
- Foods you NEED to try – langos, paprekash, chimney cake, goulash
Things to do in Budapest
- Take a free walking tour of the city, I love doing this on my first day in a new city to learn more about the history, the culture and to get myself orientated! Budapest has such a rich history that I quite honestly knew nothing about and the walking tour I did here was one of the best I’ve been on. Bonus – It’s also a great way to make some friends if you’re travelling alone!
- Take a walk (or catch the Buda Castle Hill Furnicular) up to Buda Castle
- While you’re near Buda Castle, you HAVE to walk further along the hill to marvel at Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church. They’re both absolutely stunning and truly add to the fairy-tale-ness (yes, that’s totally a word) of beautiful Budapest
- While we’re speaking of stunning structures, Dohány Street Synagogue is hands-down one of the grandest buildings I’ve seen and is the largest synagogue in Europe. It’s also home to a sobering memorial for Hungarian Holocaust victims.
- I’m starting to sound like a bit of a broken record now, but I have one more increeeeedible building recommendation – Parliament House. It’s over 100 years old and the third largest parliament building in the world. Truly breathtaking, especially seeing it lit up at night.
- While near Parliament House, pay a visit to the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial, a touching sculpture created to honour Hungarian Jews who were killed on the bank of the river during World War II.
- A great way to see Parliament House is from the Danube on a river cruise. I went on a sunset/nighttime cruise and it was truly magical – with the lights of all the castles, bridges and Parliament House sparking in the water.
- Of course, a trip to Budapest wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the famous thermal spas! The biggest and most popular spa spots are Gellert Thermal Baths (chill and serene) and Szenchenyi Thermal Baths (party vibes)
- You’ll find Szenchenyi Thermal Baths nestled in Városliget City Park, which is absolutely stunning and I spent a few hours just walking around in the sunshine and lying under a shady tree. Make sure you check out Vajdahunyad Castle and you can even rent a boat to paddle around the lake that surrounds the castle.
- Spend some time wandering around the Jewish District. Explore the quirky design shops, discover hidden laneways and street art murals and indulge in the huge offering of bars and street food.
- Put your joggers on and take a leisurely stroll up Gellért Hill, where paths twist and wind their way up to the Citadella and Szabadság szobor (Liberty Statue). You’ll also get an incredible birds-eye view of the city from the top!
Look, I could honestly go on and on with recommendations for things to do in Budapest but this list is already way too long so I’m going to wrap it up here. All I can say is when (not if, because you really do have to go!) you visit Budapest, you’re practically guaranteed to have a great time. There’s something for everyone – from a thriving nightlife to thermal spas to beautiful walks and scenery. Enjoy!
Useful phrases
Ok ok, so I know I just said I was wrapping this up – but I needed to include some handy phrases you can use during your time in Budapest. The last one is my personal fave – eggyshergedrea!
- Sia – hello
- Vislaaat – goodbye
- Eeege – yes
- Geserno – thanks
- Eggyshergedrea (egg-a-sheg-a-drey-a) – cheers
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