Top 5 tips for Budapest, Hungary

I recently went on a trip to Budapest, Hungary, to explore the beautiful city that I had heard all about through colleagues and customers. Since I had booked it late last year, I had eagerly awaited the arrival of the departure date. I was very excited to say the least. The flight was not long and before I knew it, I had landed in Budapest. I flew through security at the airport and soon enough I was in a taxi and on the way to the hotel.

I stayed in a hotel in the centre of Budapest, not realising that I had booked what appeared to be a hidden gem. I couldn’t fault the hotel itself, the staff were so kind and helpful. The room was spacious, and had everything I needed. I had no issues whatsoever. Aside from the staff and the facilities, what really made this hotel so great was the location. I was not far from anything. With it being only a 25 minute walk down to the Danube River, it was ideal for exploring.

TwentySix, Budpest

On the first full day of the trip, I woke up and couldn’t wait to explore the city. Being a bit of a ‘foodie’, the first port of call for me was to go and get some breakfast. Having done some research on the best places to go, I made my way to a place called ‘TwentySix Budapest’. This was a must visit spot for me, the food was incredible as was the atmosphere. The whole place was covered in green, with shrubbery, trees, plants, and art décor everywhere you look. A great place for some food or even just for a drink.

One of the most famous sights in Budapest, if not the most famous sight is the parliament building. After seeing it, it is clear to see why. The sheer skill and craftsmanship that went into creating the building is mind blowing, with construction commencing between 1885 and 1904 it makes the construction seem even more unfathomable. The intricacy within the architecture makes you think that it is more of an art piece than a building. It didn’t matter what time of day you went to visit; I visited a couple of times, but I have to say the best time to visit was at night. The entire building gets lit up and it shows the building in a new light. Truly breath-taking.

Fisherman’s Bastion

I then went for a walk down the Danube River hoping to spot one of the cruise ships I have become so familiar with. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to spot any. So I decided to cross the famous Széchenyi Chain Bridge before heading up to the top of the Fisherman’s Bastion. The Fisherman’s Bastion is a truly spectacular place to get an incredible view of Budapest. With panoramic views from the top of the turrets to multiple pieces of incredible architecture. If the architecture isn’t an interest for you, fear not, the rich history behind the origin of the bastion is definitely another reason to visit. There is also a restaurant within the walls of the bastion that you can eat and drink in whilst looking out across the city. This is definitely a top three spot for me.

Buda Castle

Just a short walk from the bastion is Buda Castle, another impressive landmark. Unfortunately, the area surrounding had some construction taking place, however, that did not take away from the experience. Definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.

St. Stephen's Basilica, located in the middle of the city, is a Roman Catholic Church that hosts many concerts and stands as the centrepiece of a huge square. Though I wasn’t able to visit during the time of a concert, I was able to sit in the square and have a coffee whilst taking in the view of the church.

Széchenyi Thermal Baths

During my visit, I also booked an experience at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. These are ornate thermal baths, which were built in 1913. There are two heated pools located outdoors fitted with jets so that you can get a higher pressure water massage. There is also a regular outdoor swimming pool if you would like to swim laps. As well as a sauna, plunge pool and spa facilities located within the building. Another great experience if you are looking for somewhere to relax and enjoy some downtime.

Take a night cruise down the river

Although this trip was not specifically a cruise holiday, I still wanted to experience a cruise through Budapest, so I booked onto a night time river cruise. I was able to enjoy food and drinks on the boat while sitting on the top deck. As the ship cruised down the Danube, I was able to look at all the sights I had previously visited but from a completely different perspective. Definitely in my top three. What an incredible experience.

Some of the other favourite places I visited consist of Hero’s Square, For Sale Pub, Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar, and Karavan Food market. There is so much to do and see in Budapest that it would be impossible to do in one visit.

Budapest was a pleasure, I will be back.

Call Panache Cruises on 0161 513 8200 if you want to learn more about Budapest or book a Danube river cruise.