Budapest for a few days - things to do?

[suparockin]

Hello AFF'ers,

I'll be over in Budapest next week for work but will have a day or two to myself - what are the 'must-do' things that can't be missed?

I don't know much about the place but it seems that a cruise on the Danube is the 'touristy' thing to do.

Appreciate your help and advice!

Supa

 

[Alanslegal]

First everyone goes or maybe stays at the Buda/Castle side and explores the old city and enjoys great views over the river, Parliament and new city. We stayed at that side at the Hilton, we had a river view room and it was gorgeous each night with the City lit up below. If you're not staying on that side, you can either walk up (we did once going back to the hotel, it took a while but was good exercise), catch the bus, taxi or better yet, ride the funicular up to the palace on the top of the hill. Then wander around.

When we went in February the weather was close to freezing but enjoying an outdoor thermal bath such as the Sczechenyi Baths is a must. I don't know how it is like in summer/autumn but when its 1 degrees outside but 30 degrees in the water, it was really refreshing! Budapest is renowned for its many thermal baths.

Go to the Central Markets. Its pretty tourist-y that sells the usual market stuff eg fruit, veg's, meats, souveniers but what my tip would be is, there are many food stalls on the 1st level where you mix it up with the locals, enjoy hungarian food whilst enjoying the hustle and bustle of the main market floor below.

Get to the markets by wandering along Andrassy Avenue. Its a famed pedestrian street with lots of shops but explore off that avenue to see interesting shops.

There's other historical things to see / do but I am not a historical kind of person so can't give you much more info on that I am more of a geographically kind of person That is, been there done that, tick the box type Enjoy your time there!

 

[RB]

I am not sure about your tastes or fitness (actually you only need to be able to ride a bike) but in 2000 I really enjoyed a bicyle ride around Margaret Island. Maybe this could be a good add on to all the traditional sightseeing

 

[RooFlyer]

Once you do the sights of the city (Castle, Pest & parliament building - watch for the bullet holes still in the building from the uprising! ) see if you can get to towns an hour or two away, on the Danube: Esztergom & Szentendre (yes, I had to look up the spellings )

BTW, one of my best experiences in a restaurant overseas was at Klassz in Andrassy ut (main drag of Pest, lots of restaurants; restaurant is near the Opera House). If you like wine, its both very good fun and a great way to be directed towards good Hungarian wine including of course tokay klassz.

We squeezed into a table up the back, next to the bar (which is constructed out of wine cartons) and the staff were really very good.

 

[burmans]

First everyone goes or maybe stays at the Buda/Castle side and explores the old city and enjoys great views over the river, Parliament and new city. We stayed at that side at the Hilton, we had a river view room and it was gorgeous each night with the City lit up below. If you're not staying on that side, you can either walk up (we did once going back to the hotel, it took a while but was good exercise), catch the bus, taxi or better yet, ride the funicular up to the palace on the top of the hill. Then wander around.

When we went in February the weather was close to freezing but enjoying an outdoor thermal bath such as the Sczechenyi Baths is a must. I don't know how it is like in summer/autumn but when its 1 degrees outside but 30 degrees in the water, it was really refreshing! Budapest is renowned for its many thermal baths.

Go to the Central Markets. Its pretty tourist-y that sells the usual market stuff eg fruit, veg's, meats, souveniers but what my tip would be is, there are many food stalls on the 1st level where you mix it up with the locals, enjoy hungarian food whilst enjoying the hustle and bustle of the main market floor below.

Get to the markets by wandering along Andrassy Avenue. Its a famed pedestrian street with lots of shops but explore off that avenue to see interesting shops.

There's other historical things to see / do but I am not a historical kind of person so can't give you much more info on that I am more of a geographically kind of person That is, been there done that, tick the box type Enjoy your time there!

I was there just 3 months ago, agree with all of Alanslegal's suggestion. There are a number of baths options, we went to one of the smaller ones and thoroughly enjoyed it, suggest you have a look on Tripadvsior and choose the one that best suits (they range from touristy to locals only and quiet to party central!). Abosolutely agree on the markets, huge and food is so cheap. Generally eating & drinking is good.

I'd also recommend the Jewish quarter and the parliament tour was interesting for us. Definitely walk along the river at night, the Buda side back to parliament is pretty amazing but so is the Pest side and view of the castle. In the catle area try and get off the main streets, very interesting whe you get away from the crowds.

Public transport is good. And also an amazing plac eto just walk around, some grand architecture.

Not sure if I'd recommend a cruise really, it's a pretty grotty part of the Danube though would probably be much nicer at night. It didnt seem very popular when we were there.

Oh and anywhere in Easter Europe try the local version of gelato. ABout 1/10th the price of italian gelato but just as good.