Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is made up of two cities, Buda and Pest, split by the Danube river. A great way to start your journey in Budapest is to put on your good shoes (this is important) and hike on up the cobblestone pathways for some gorgeous views of the city.
To get to Buda, you’ll need to cross the Danube, and why not do that over the Chain Bridge? Built in the 1840s, this bridge is a staple of the city. It is the oldest permanent bridge in the country, and the second oldest on the whole river, so it’s seen a few things, like two world wars and Katy Perry.
Directly opposite the bridge is a funicular to take you up to Buda Castle, which was first completed in 1265, but take your time and walk up Castle Hill by yourself. There are all sorts of little trails to nooks and crannies to explore, and trying to find the angle for the perfect picture is always a fun challenge. Take your time walking around the open parts of the palace (which is now home to a huge collection of art you can pay to go see), and make sure to explore the gardens in the back!
From the gardens, follow the Hungarian flags up the hill and past the President’s house. This is a great place to sit down and watch the guards for a little while.
Follow the walkways and streets towards the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Matthias Church for some spectacular displays of neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic architecture. This is the best vantage point to see the famous Hungarian Parliament Building, as it is just across the river from there.
This is about when I started to get really hungry, and I decided that I needed to fill up on some delicious Hungarian food. But what you have to know about Buda is that it is the most touristy part of town. There are not a lot of people who live there, and the streets are lined with expensive shops and cafes. I tried my hardest to find the cheapest place to eat, and eventually settled for a delicious Langos, albeit at a price 2x as much as where I first had it in near my hostel in Pest.
The next must-visit spot is the Gellert Baths (picture from Gellert Baths’ website). These thermal baths were built in the early 1900s, and offer some pretty spectacular, grandiose architecture. They were designed to provide the feeling of being in an old Turkish bath, with turquoise and marble archways and columns. There are loads of different options for how to spend your time, from in outdoor pools or hot tubs to indoor thermal pools with varying temperatures, to steam rooms and saunas. There are several options for bathing in Budapest, but this one was definitely quite the spectacular experience, though I was a little lonely without a companion!
The best part of Buda however, is Gellert Hill, right next to the baths. Take a sunny afternoon to hike up to the historic fortress and statue that tower over the city. This hike was one of my favorite parts of visiting the city. There are acres of trails crisscrossing up the hill and it was so peaceful. I felt alone for the first time since leaving Iceland, and it was comforting having the autumn leaves crunch under my feet. Not to mention, the views down to the city are spectacular.
Finish up your tour of Buda by walking along the bridge just in front of the Gellert Baths and getting food on the other side of the river. I recommend the Market Hall, where there are just too many options.
