Our Top 5 Memories From Visiting Budapest
Budapest is the result of a modern day collaboration of two cities, Buda and Pest that reside on either side of the Danube River. While the cities were joined as Budapest in 1873, locals still refer to Buda and Pest as separate places, particularly when giving directions. This is understandable because while the numerous bridges make crossing the Danube easy and convenient, each side seems to have a unique identity. Buda is the sedate leafy and hilly suburb to the west, in contrast with Pest the flat and bustling urban center on the east side of the Danube.
Much of Budapest was bombed during WWII so there are few examples of centuries old buildings common to other European cities. Budapest is an old city though — ruins of ancient settlements predate the Romans who came here around 100AD, later followed by the Hungarians arrival in the 9th century. Budapest’s turbulent history includes attacks by the Mongols in the 1200s, invasions by the Ottomans, and 70 years of communist rule which ended in 1989. Today, Budapest is a bustling modern city of nearly 2 million people.
We thoroughly enjoyed the week we visited Budapest which was just enough time to get our bearings and begin to feel familiar with the city. We enjoy history and this city has a storied past! According to legend, Buda is named after its founder, Bleda, the brother of Hunnic ruler Attila. Yes, that Attila – the Hun. It is also our first visit to a former Eastern block country that was previously behind the Iron Curtain. There are many monuments, statues, memorials and museums from the Cold War era that are visible in many public parks and squares.
During our stay, we saw many popular sites and also explored some off-the-beaten-path areas. Here we share our top 5 favorite memories from our time here. Looking back, if we could only experience a few sights, these 5 are the highlights and the memories we’ll share most frequently with friends and family.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Budapest and Reykjavík Iceland are the only two capitals in the world that sit atop hot springs. Budapest sits on top of more than 125 thermal springs that produce an amazing 18 million gallons of thermal water each day with temperatures up to 172 degrees. These mineral-rich hot springs, purported to have medicinal properties, flow into the more than 15 public thermal baths around Budapest. Needless to say, these public baths are very popular with locals and visitors.
We were excited to take the waters and spent a day splashing and relaxing at the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths in Pest. Pictured below is one of three large outdoor pools. Széchenyi is one of the largest bath complexes in Europe with 21 pools.
On the sunny November day we visited, the outdoor temperature was in the low 40s and the outdoor pool was a pleasant 95 degrees, making the experience of submerging into the steamy mineral waters magical. Hanging out in the water, soaking up the healing powers, and people watching made for a wonderfully enjoyable experience. The only sadness came when you had to exit the water and feel the cold air on your body.
Each pool has a digital display listing the time, temperature of the pool, outdoor air temp, and a recommendation for the maximum time to stay in the pool. After exiting the pool for the obligatory five minutes to cool our core temperatures down, it was delightful to slip back into the warm waters.
There are a number of other activities in the bath complex including health and wellness services, massage, steam rooms, saunas, and of course, food.
Our day at the Széchenyi Baths was our # 1 favorite experience and memory in Budapest.
Castle Hill in Buda
Castle Hill is located in Buda. There are two distinct parts to Castle Hill. This is important because we visited the Castle (left half) on our second day and thought we saw everything. We returned on the forth day only to discover the whole other side of the hill where Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church was (right half).
Buda Castle
Buda Castle sits at the top of the hill overlooking the Danube River, and Pest. The castle complex includes the National History Museum, Budapest History Museum, and the Széchenyi Library. Tours of the castle are available including nighttime tours.
We explored the castle on our own and were in awe of the breathtaking views. Looking out from the front vantage of the castle grounds offers spectacular views of the Danube River and magnificent National Hungarian Parliament complex on the Pest waterfront. Prince Eugene of Savoy’s statue atop his horse was ever present guarding us on the castle terrace. There are also a number of great picture spots.
TIP: Be sure to plan your visit so you are on the castle terrace at sunset. This will offer some spectacular views both as the sun sets and after dark.
Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
Fisherman’s Bastion is a terraced area around Matthias Church at the opposite end of Castle Hill from the castle. Nestled between the castle and Fisherman’s Bastion is a charming small village with houses, restaurants, and shops. Exploring the village is a definite must and fun time. The village streets lead to Plaza Szentháromságand, the entrance to Matthias Church.
Inside are breathtaking views of this 900 year old church. Everywhere we looked we were surprised by the detail, design, and frescos. At the right time of day, the light dancing through the stained glass windows creates quite a heavenly feel.
Fisherman’s Bastion has seven towers representing each of the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 895AD. On the terrace of Fisherman’s Bastion is an overlook of Pest across the Danube. In medieval times the fishermen guarded this wall of the castle. When Fisherman’s Bastion was built in 1895 it was named for the fishermen. A statue of King Saint Stephen I astride his horse is featured in the center of the terrace.
TIP: There is a cafe tucked away behind King Saint Stephen I’s statue that has spectacular views. Definitely worth a stop for a coffee and to take in the panorama of the area.
Váci Street (Váci utca) & Vörösmarty Square
Váci Street is one of the main pedestrian thoroughfares and perhaps the most famous main shopping street in Budapest.
The crossing of Váci Street at Vörösmarty Plaza (pictured left) most of the year is filled with mobile food trucks which give way to Budapest’s Christmas market each year. This area is home to a number of restaurants, large department stores, numerous small boutiques, and t-shirt and souvenir shops. A stairway on a side street next to the Casablanca Restaurant leads to an underground shopping market, be sure to check this out.
Danube Promenade (Duna Korzó)
Strolling along the Promenade is a wonderful way to relax and experience the waterfront. Budapest is a city whose history is tied to its relationship with the water. The Promenade meanders along the Danube waterfront from the Elizabeth Bridge to the Chain Bridge on the Pest side of the river. There is public art all along the Promenade. There are also parks, light rail and grassy public spaces.
Evening Danube River Cruise
As different as day and night describes Budapest. It is a beautiful modern European city in the light of day, but when the sun goes down, the Parliament building and waterfront put on a luminous show.
Viewing this spectacle from the Danube River provides the perfect vantage point so really enjoy the experience. There are a number of local river cruise companies that have day and night cruises, some with dinner, jazz and dancing, and party boats. When we purchased our Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, the company also offered an evening river cruise. Score! The cruise consists of a 1 hour slow cruise along the river stretching the full length of the city’s waterfront. The Parliament building (pictured) is just a sample of the beauty of this city at night.
Favorite Restaurant
There was excellent food everywhere, however, we discovered a real find. Napfényes Restaurant and Pastry Shop or Sunshine Restaurant and Pastry Shop in the heart of the Pest side. The food and pastries are delicious and the service and dining room are perfect for an enjoyable meal. The Goulash is the BEST. For desert, try the Chocolate Mound which is a little bit like a molten chocolate volcano – Yum. We loved the restaurant so much we actually ate here three times, and stopped in a forth time just for desert and coffee. Don’t miss this.
Don’t Miss These Sites
While we’ve talked about our five favorite memories from our visit to Budapest, these only begin to scratch the surface. We like to take a hop-on hop-off bus tour in a new town. This is a convenient method for learning the lay of the land and earmarking attractions to return to. Usually, these tours provide a live guide or an audio track that describes the history of the city and highlights all of the main sites around the town.
Here are a few more sites we recommend in no particular order.
- Parliament Building
- House of Terror Museum
- Shoes on the Danube
- Heroes’ Square (Hosök tere)
- Gellert Hill and Statue
- Dohany Street Great Synagogue
- Aquincum Museum and Archaeological Park
- Ruin Pubs
- Andrássy Avenue
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What a fabulous time!! The Széchenyi Thermal Baths seem like it would be so much fun.
They are – They were our favorite experience in Budapest.