Budapest Itinerary
How long was your stay?
4 days
How did you travel?
With friends
Tell us why you traveled to this destination.
My friend and I were looking for a rather inexpensive option for a trip over a handful of days in late August. We wanted to see something new, and since neither of us had been to Budapest, we decided that was gonna be our destination. When we travel together, we’re always looking to get a feel for our destination, sample the local food, go shopping, and see the sights.
What was your itinerary?
Day 1: Travel to Budapest and visited to The House of Terror Museum.
Day 2: Explored Fisherman’s Bastion, Central Market Hall.
Day 3: Went to Palatinus Strand on Magaret Island.
Give us all the details! Tell us where you went and what you did on your trip.
We stayed in a cheap and central AirBnB apartment, on a sidestreet to Andrássy út and since it was so central we ended up seeing most of the town on foot, however when we did use it the metro was convenient and efficient.
The sightseeing: The House of Terror museum: this place is a chilling visit, but I think it’s important for all of us to remember that the freedoms we enjoy and sometimes take for granted today were not always a given. Many liberties of modern society were won with blood and tears by previous generations, and the House of Terror is an excellent display of what that battle looked like in Hungary. Well worth a visit, no matter if you’re a history buff or not.
Fisherman’s Bastion: A beautiful old fortification, sitting majestically on a hilltop. The view over the river and the city center below is worth the trek up. There’s a lot to see in the area around the bastion as well, but just going up there and soaking up the sights and the atmosphere is fantastic as well. St. Stephen’s Basilica: This amazing church is a mix of many different artistic styles, and will leave you hypnotized by patterns, glittering gold, marble, and polished wood. It’s probably not everyone’s style, but so worth a visit, just for the sheer overwhelm of color and textures.
Central Market Hall: A mixture of souvenirs, traditional Hungarian crafts, food, flowers, and everyday necessities, the Central Market Hall is a great stop on any Budapest trip. I bought a couple of tablecloths, in the traditional Hungarian embroidery style, with beautiful vivid colors.
Palatinus Strand on Magaret Island: Magaret Island is a historical site in the middle of the river, and if we’d had more time, I would have loved to explore it further. On this trip, we just visited the Palatinus Strand outdoor baths and had a great time relaxing on a very hot August afternoon. A cheap and informal bath to visit, it was clear that most everyone there was local, going to cool down after work or school. Well worth a visit, and kid-friendly too!
The food: The gourmet – Mak, https://mak.hu/en#home Go here for a superb gourmet dining experience, with a relaxed atmosphere! (Book in advance!) The cinnamon rolls – Bite Bakery, a chain of cafés/bakeries we found all over Budapest, with awesome pastries, great coffee, and seating to rest your tired feet from tracking the city. Also, a safe bet for breakfast, if your accommodation doesn’t include that. https://bitebakerycafe.hu/en/ The ice cream sandwich – The Box Donut, cuteness, and tasty treats. https://www.instagram.com/theboxdonut/
Would you recommend this trip to a friend?
Yes
What was the highlight of your trip?
Berlin is a highlight in an of itself. Being in the city at a time when the weather wasn’t stellar and the tourist season wasn’t quite there yet was great! Much more breathing room. On this visit, we skipped a lot of the big attractions since we’d both already seen them. Berlin is a great city to just hang out in, and explore. There’s always something interesting around the next corner.
If you were to take this trip again, is there anything you would add or do differently?
Do a pinch more research from home. As much as I love exploring, it’s good to have a few pointers to begin with.
Travelling Danish
Travel itineraries are an essential part of MyPinerary. By sharing the details of your own travel experiences you are helping other travelers plan their perfect trip. Become part of the MyPinerary community by submitting your travel itineraries.