Hot, hot and oh, did I mention hot?
Budapest is a stunning, hands down, beautiful place. It's historically had a lot of ups and downs, politically and economically but now, this place is on the rise and should be on everyone's European bucket list.
Top Tip: Bring a swimming costume - you'll need it to experience the world-famous Thermal Baths.
Budapest is made up of two cities; Buda and Pest (pronounced 'pesht') which united with Obuda in 1873 to create Budapest. Budapest is situated in the central-west of Hungary and has the River Danube running through the city.
I had a glorious three days there with temperatures not lowering below 30 degrees so sunnies and ice cream were a daily must-have. Here's my 2 day guide to exploring Budapest...
Day One:
Get your trainers on and head up to the Citadel in the Taban district where you'll be able to explore the Citadel. This is a great place to start your visit as you'll get amazing views of the city. You'll be able to get here by hopping on a number 56/56a tram to Dobrentei Ter and taking a slow amble up the walkways. The Citadel is an old fortress built after the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution in 1848 - it is a symbol of Hungarian resilience. Once you've taken in the views and explored the fortress, wander down to the Liberty Statues. This trio of fire-wielding statues was built in 1947 to commemorate those who fought and died in Hungary's wars.
If you carry on down the hill you'll reach Gellerthegyi Barlang - Gellert Hill Chapel which is a chapel in a hillside cave network formerly used as a monastery as well as a WWII field hospital. Sometimes the cave is referred to as "Saint Ivan's Cave" which relates to a hermit who supposedly used to live there and use the natural thermal water to heal the sick. This thermal healing water is thought to have been relating to the now, Gellert Thermal baths located across the road.
Once you've taken in all the caves have to offer, get out into the open air and head across the bridge to the Central Market where you'll be able to taste all the delicacies Budapest has to offer from Dobostorta (thin layer cake) to Langos (fried dough) to a traditional Hungarian goulash - whatever you choose, be prepared to want to fill your rucksack full of delicious delicacies. Once you're finished in the 121 year old Central Market, head next door to the Great Market to do the same all over again! It's worth noting at this point that Hungary is known for brilliant varieties of paprika as well as great wine and there are definitely a few tastings to be had in this market.
Once you've taken in all the market can offer why not head down Museum Street to Museum Garden and the Hungarian National Museum. This museum is steeped in History; the plot was acquired in 1813 and 33 years later the Museum building we see today was built and designed by Mihály Pollack. It wasn't until 1858 that the Garden was beginning to be decorated. It took so long because the state stopped funding the project - it was up to the local community to host events to get donations for the 'Garden Fund'. The garden had it's first trees planted in 24 November 1855 and the Garden we see today has remained pretty much the same since 1880. If you then head in to the museum you'll be able to explore the temporary exhibitions as well as the permanent exhibitions such as seeing the ceremonial robe that was worn by previous kings and queens.
If you're tummy is rumbling round these parts then you could pop into Zoska cafe across the road from the museum. They serve a wide variety of snacks and lunch favourites including american pancakes!
If you then carry on along museum street you should be able to hop on a 41 or 47 yellow tram to take you to Deak Ferenc Ter. From there you should be able to enter Erzsebet Ter and visit the memorial gardens before heading to the 'Budapest Eye'. Now, although this is not any sort of rival to the London Eye, it's well worth a trip to the top, not least to see the incredible buildings surrounding the park.
By this point my little cake 'n' cuppa was running out so I ducked into Zeller Bistro, a 10 minute walk down Hercegprimas street. I cannot recommend this place enough. It's quirky dining area and it's exquisite food was a joy to behold.
I spent the rest of my trip wanting to go back here and regret not going again!
Day two:
Top Tip: Pack a picnic and a blanket for today!
Begin the day with a #treatyoself kinda breakfast. Head to Cafe Gerbeaud, one of the oldest cafes in Budapest. It first opened its doors in 1858 selling confectioneries and coffees. This year (2018) it celebrated its 160th birthday!
For breakfast you can get the 'Breakfast for two' which is pictured here to the left or you could have pancakes or smoked salmon or.... cake!
If you can't squeeze in a confectionery after your breakfast then take one for the picnic we'll have later.
Just outside Gerbeaud you'll see the metro entrance at Vorosmarty Ter, head up the M1 to Hosok Tere where we will be spending most of today. Hosok Tere is 'Heroes Square' in English and so called because of the memorial within the square. It has several important statues namely the "Seven chieftains of the Magyars" (they were the leaders of the seven tribes of the Hungarians at the time of their arrival in the continent) and other important Hungarian national leaders, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Afterwards head to the Museum of Fine Arts across the road. You'll be able to view their old Master's Collection with works by the greatest Renaissance masters like Raphael, Giorgione, Titian, the list goes on. The Spanish section, one of the most significant of this sort in Europe, includes paintings by El Greco, Vélazquez and Goya; whereas British painting is represented by Reynolds and Constable, among others.
If fine art is not your thing you could head the other side of Heroes Square to 'Kunsthall' which has more contemporary art.
Next up, we're going to head to the Castle in the middle of this park; Vajdahunyad Castle. The Castle is made up of four main architectural designs: Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, in separate buildings. The castle was built for the 1896 millennial series of celebrations by Ignác Alpár, the inside is now a working museum full of Natural History exhibits such as the National Horse Exhibition.
So you can't visit Budapest without going to a thermal baths, so i'd recommend pre-booking the Szechenyi Thermal Baths a few days before your visit and include the fast track (trust me!) but if you haven't booked, you can still queue to enter - it just might take an hour or so to get in. It's a little bit pricey at 31 euros for two people (exc. Towel) but it's so relaxing you'll forget all about the money once you're in the geothermal waters.
The Szechenyi baths are the most popular baths in Budapest, followed by the Gellert Thermal baths. Szechenyi baths, named after István Széchenyi - widely known as Hungary's best politician and still known as the "Greatest Hungarian". The Baths have 18 pools sprawled around it's 20th century building including an 'adventure' bath which has whirlpools and water jets. The thermal waters are also known as medicinal baths due to the added minerals such as: sulphate, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and a significant amount of metaboric acid and fluoride. Medical studies have shown that this mix of minerals has unique properties to help ease inflammation and joint pains.
You're able to stay in the pools until 10pm but I'd recommend jumping out after a few hours in time for tea. We're going to a lovely gluten free restaurant tonight called Drop. If you get back on the M1 (yellow) metro line to Opera station, then walk north towards Hajos road until you see Drop. They serve exquisite gluten free options; I had the Salmon paired with a perfect Hungarian white wine. I then had gluten free doughnuts with Strawberry sauce, which were lovely - like a cross between a steamed pudding and a doughnut.
Finally, take a stroll through the streets (or take the 70 or 78 tram) to Kossuth Lajos Ter and take in the view of the Parliament building by night, if you head round the corner you'll also be able to see the Castle lit up on the hillside. If you had an extra day I'd recommend going into the Parliament building and seeing the Crown Jewels.
