No more than 36 hours after I'd landed from my trip through the Middle East, finishing with a hot and gorgeous week in the exquisite Oman, I was due to repack my suitcase for slightly cooler weather and board a train out east towards Hungary and its vibrant capital of Budapest. Having been forecast with a rainy few days, we got exceptionally lucky with sunshine every single day making for gorgeous photos and perfect exploring weather.
I spent the weekend with a colleague as well as Ina from Salzburg (with whom I'd just explored all of Oman with) who joined us as well. It was a delightful weekend, squeezing in as much of this fun city as we could in our three days.
How to Get to Budapest
Flights arrive from all across Europe and globally at the Budapest International Airport, however, given I live in the neighbouring country of Austria, I took a six-hour direct train through Vienna and across the border to Hungary, passing gorgeous countryside along the way.
You can book this train trip, as well as trains arriving from all across Europe to Budapest-Keleti International Train Station, on trainline.com - the website I use to book all my train travel around the world.
Where to Stay in Budapest
e booked into a GORGEOUS AirBnb. Eva, who owns this AirBnb, is an interior design student and owns a whole host of absolutely stunning AirBnbs across the city. The location was perfect and in walking distance of everything, the amenities were delightful, it was totally affordable and we basically all wanted to move in.
Where to Eat in Budapest
Cookie Beacon Brunch
TwentySix Restaurant
Where to Go Out Dancing in Budapest
Probably one of the highlights of our weekend was heading out into the city to discover some of Budapest's best bars and dance spots. You can't go to Budapest without spending an evening hanging out in the famous grungy Szimpla Kert (but go early, else the line will be SO long) and then I can highly recommend dancing all night at Vicky Barcelona, a tapas restaurant which turns into a bangin' reggaeton club at 11pm.
7 Best Things to Do in Budapest
While we all felt that Budapest had so much more to offer than what we could possibly squeeze into just three days, we tried to hit as many of the highlights we could. Here's what we got up to during our time in Budapest:
1. Wander the gorgeous streets
2. Wander along the Danube River
Budapest is built around the Danube River, with the city rising impressively above each bank. You walk far along each side, taking in the views as you go.
3. Go for a cruise down the Danube River
One of the highlights was the evening on a beautiful cruise down the Danube River, complete with dinner and dessert as we swept smoothly along, taking in the views of Budapest all lit up at night along the way. I don't have the specific details of the cruise that we did, however a quick google of "Budapest river cruise" brings up loads of options on tour websites such as GetYourGuide, and you can specify if you're looking just for a daytime cruise or if you'd also like to try dinner on the river!
4. Spend an afternoon in the Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Perhaps one of the most famous attractions in Budapest, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath is one of the largest in all of Europe. Spanning three outdoor pools, and fifteen indoor medicinal spa baths, the water here comes from two thermal springs making it naturally heated and containing natural vitamins such as calcium, magnesium and sulfate. You have to wear flip flops, and have a towel and bathing suit - and of course, whatever you forgot, you can buy on site. You don't need to pre-book tickets; you can just purchase them when you arrive.
5. Stand in awe at the St Stephen Basilica
We chose not to go inside the St Stephen Basilica, but instead stood ogling at its imense size, standing proudly on the bustling Szent István tér square, lined with cafes and boutique shops. Opened to the public in 1905, the basilica was named for Stephen, the first King of Hungary.
6. Hang out at the Fisherman's Bastion, with its panoramic view over Budapest
The Fisherman's Bastion was my favourite spot in all of Budapest. Near the Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion is essentially a massive viewing platform high up over the city offering the best views of Budapest. Built between 1895 and 1902 in celebration of the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian State, you can idly spend an afternoon with an ice cream or coffee here, perched in one of the many arches overlooking the Danube.
7. Wander through the Várkert Bazár
Near the Fisherman's Bastion and Buda Castle, you can spend a peaceful hour or two wandering the gardens of Várkert Bazár, home to pretty benches with nice views, small cafes and a bazaar.
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
