This is a guest post from Jack at Find World’s Beauty.
Budapest is an immensely beautiful, charming and diverse city that has risen to global prominence among travelers and expats alike over the last decade. Here are some suggestions on how to spend 2 days in the Hungarian capital.
Note as an introductory explanation that the Danube River divides the city into two main parts: Buda & Pest. Both parts offer an extensive array of sights while you should keep in mind that Pest is the most lively part where most of the actual residents live whereas Buda has served as the residence for the Hungarian kings for centuries and therefore contains the castle and fortifications.
Day 1: Dive deeper into the unique Hungarian culture while enjoying Budapest’s stunning architecture
Morning: Chain Bridge, Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle
A morning stroll across the Chain Bridge will enable you to enjoy this wonderful feat of architecture in a peaceful manner before tourists invade the bridge in the afternoon. The bridge is furthermore an excellent place to take gorgeous pictures of the stunning Hungarian Parliament and the other architectural masterpieces that are situated along the Danube river.
On the Buda side of the river, you will be able to take a funicular which takes you right up to Buda castle, the historical residence of the Hungarian kings. The hill moreover has some breathtaking viewpoints which offer fabulous views over the city and the river.
Afternoon: Hungarian National Museum and Market Hall
The Hungarian National Museum is a great place to learn about the unique place that the Hungarian culture and language (one of the oldest languages in Europe) occupies amid the European cultural landscape and is therefore definitely a good choice to get your annual history lesson in Budapest. Another afternoon activity would be a visit to the Market Hall where you can buy a wide range of local goods and delicacies if you wish to brush up on some Hungarian specialties.
Evening: Enjoy a drink in the ruin pubs
Budapest has a buzzing ruin pub culture and the Szimpla Kert is the mother of those pubs which are like outside patios in rundown yet incredibly cozy buildings. When in the Hungarian capital, you should definitely not miss this typical nightlife scene and you will be pleasantly surprised by the amount of choice you have when it comes to ruin pubs and general nightlife options.
Day 2: Experience the beauty of Budapest from atop the hill and spend some time in the city’s trademark thermal baths
Morning: Hike up to Gellert Hill
One of the great nature related activities in Budapest is the hike up to Gellert Hill on top of which you will be rewarded with stunning views over the city. The path starts on the Buda side of the Danube close to Elizabeth bridge. The viewpoint can get crowded in the afternoon, which is why early birds will have the better experience.
Afternoon: Relax in the Thermal Baths
After having ascended to the top of Gellert Hill you will want to relax and there is no better way to ease your bones and chill your mind than to spend an afternoon in one of Budapest’s legendary thermal bath complexes. The Gellert Baths are situated close to the hike up the hill and offer various saunas, a large swimming pool and lots of comfy outdoor areas Szechenyi Baths are located in a stunning ancient complex which is an architectural gem but therefore also much more touristy. Note that huge parties are organized in Szechenyi Baths on special occasions if you happen to be in Budapest on one of those occasions you should definitely experience a thermal bath party, something Budapest does better than any other city in Europe.
Evening: Enjoy an ice cold drink in the Ice Bar
Ice bars have become common in the world’s great cities and Budapest is no exception. Dive into this freezing drinks temple and taste one of Hungary’s strongest delicacies, Palinka (to enjoy with moderation). Budapest’s nightlife scene is varied and the Ice Bar is one of the more international alternatives. Like many attractions in Budapest, the Ice Bar suffers a bit from the huge tourism influx but it is still a unique place to enjoy a drink in the Hungarian capital.
I hope you enjoyed this guest post by Jack on 48 Hours in Budapest as I did. Have you been to Budapest?
Please check out Jack’s Blog, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to keep up with his travels.
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