Travel Guide: Budapest

I’ve already taken you to Prague and Salzburg, so now I’m finishing up my Eastern European tour with Budapest. Budapest is a city that is rooted in its blend of Eastern and Western styles.  Here is my Travel Guide to Budapest: where to stay, when to go, what to eat and see and I’m even sharing an interesting story or two along the way!

Why Go

Budapest was once two separate cities, Buda and Pest, with the Danube River flowing between them, that united to become the Budapest we know today. Over the years, the city has been invaded by the Celts, Romans, Turks, Habsburgs, and German Nazis. After World War II, it fell to the Soviet Union and was under communist rule until it finally broke free in 1989. Parts of the city are frozen in the past, including a literal “iron curtain” on the main boulevard, Andrassy Street. The city is also famous for its natural mineral water springs.

When to Go

Budapest is beautiful in the summer, which is when I was able to go. But May through June and September through November are also lovely months to visit the city.

Where to Stay

Hotel Palazzo Zichy is centrally located, comfortable and clean. They also have a lovely dining room with breakfast available. If you want to stay somewhere where you can enjoy the natural mineral water springs, the Danubius Hotel Gellért is a beautiful option.

What to See

Though it’s a bit of a climb, you must visit Castle Hill, especially the Fisherman’s Bastion which looks like a giant real-life sandcastle. It is part of the medieval wall once maintained by the Fisherman’s Guild and with its whimsical design, you will feel you’ve been transported into a fairy tale.

One of the most famous Budapest attractions is the House of Parliament. If you want to see the inside of the building, which I highly recommend, I’d say book a city tour. There is a line a mile long to get in to see the spectacular architecture and gilded dome. But because we were on a day tour, we were able to skip the line. The other event you should book is a Danube River Cruise. Not only is it a beautiful way to see the city, but you will also get another stunning view of the Parliament Building after dark.  

The best place to grab souvenirs is The Market Hall, filled with booths featuring locally handcrafted items. And if you’re itching for a little music, the Hungarian State Opera House is an absolute beauty to behold. It was a favorite of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi.  

The House of Terror Museum is a reminder of the oppression and the horrors that Hungarians dealt with during the Nazi and Communist occupations of the city. It is a monument to the memory of those held captive, tortured and killed in the very building it’s now housed in. Heroes Square is the largest and most symbolic square in Budapest. It was designed in 1896 to mark the 1000th anniversary of the Magyar conquest of the Carpathian Basin.

Where to Eat

Callas Café & Restaurant, located right next to the Hungarian State Opera House, is full of old-world charm and delicious food. We ate there several times and on our final evening they actually had a band playing gypsy music, with a few dancers performing. It was absolutely magical. 

What to Bring Home

As I mentioned above, the best place to pick up gifts for your friends and family back home as well as momentos to remember your trip to Budapest is The Market Hall. One of the biggest exports of Budapest is paprika. You can also purchase gorgeous hand-painted eggs, embroidered Hungarian shirts, traditional dolls, and handmade tablecloths. 

My Favorite Memories

During our tour of the Parliament building, we met Steve Scholly and his son Les and I will remember this story forever. Steve Scholly grew up in Budapest. In 1954, when he was just a teenager, the communists took over the city and so he decided to escape from Hungary. He told us that he crossed one of the bridges over the Danube on foot and about a mile away from the bridge he heard a huge explosion. He turned around to see that the bridge he had just crossed had been demolished by the communists. 

This 2011 trip was his first time back to his hometown since he had escaped to Canada all those years ago. He hadn’t seen his sister or the rest of his family that he had left behind in 57 years! 

I hope you enjoyed this tour of some of the major cities in Eastern Europe!