Ah Budapest! How beautiful you are. I mean talk about epic architecture, scenic rivers and hilly surroundings… this city seems to have a bit of everything.
From the grand Parliament building set on the tranquil Danube River to the historic Castle Hill, there are plenty of places to explore and top-quality sights to see for the city-loving traveller. The ruin bars of the Jewish Quarter transport you to the shabby-chic akin to Berlin’s alt warehouses, and for those that love to party, these bars are open till the early hours every single day. For those of you in need of something a little more relaxing, treat yourself to one of the many thermal spas dotted around the city, or take a trip to Margaret Island to practice mindfulness in nature. There is so much history to be learnt, from the Fascist invasion in World War II, followed by strict communist ruling for the next 40 years, the wounds of Hungary’s past can be felt throughout the city and spotted in the ornate crumbling buildings.
Beautiful architecture on the Pest side of the city
We loved Budapest, it has definitely made it onto the top of our favourite European cities list. If you are looking for a cheap place to spend a few days, breath-taking architecture and plenty of sights to keep you busy then Budapest sounds like the place for you.
Take a look at our suggested ‘Top Things To Do In Budapest On A Budget’…..
Get Hungry At The Great Market Hall
This epic hall houses the largest indoor market in Budapest and its expansive neo-Gothic architecture makes for an impressive experience. The metal framed roof structure is a clear draw, giving the space a light and airy feel whilst imposing its Gothic form over the hall. Split over 3 floors, you'll find a range of cooked foods such as lángos and goulash, Hungarian souvenirs and fresh groceries including fruit and veg, baked breads and pastries, local cheeses and cured meats... yum! The cherry strudel is worth a try, as is the pogácsa (Hungarian scone).... we really are suckers for baked goods! A good time to head there would be for lunch when you can pick up a selection of fresh foods and take them to the Danube for a munch. Yes it is touristy, but there are also a lot of locals picking up their groceries too.
The market is open Monday to Saturday 6am-6pm but closes early on Mondays at 5pm and 3pm on Saturdays. Address is Budapest, Vámház krt. 1-3, 1093.
www.budapestmarkethall.com
The neo-Gothic Great Market Hall
Escape The City On Margaret Island
If you’re looking for green space and an escape from the erratic Hungarian driving then Margaret Island is the place for you. Positioned in the middle of the Danube river, the island is a hub for sports, leisure activities and leafy spaces, offering tourists and locals a place to connect with fitness and nature. There is a 5.5km running track which spans the island (make sure you run in the correct direction!), walking routes, cycle routes and plenty of places to hire bikes, tandems and pedalos. The island also features its own medieval ruins, a lido and national swimming pool, a Japanese garden and some famous musical fountains (although these were being renovated when we visited). In the summer, the open-air concert venue puts on shows to the public and the green spaces are filled with beer-drinking sun worshipers. This is one of the most popular parks in Budapest and we would definitely recommend a visit.
The island can be accessed halfway along Margaret Bridge and is open day and night all year round. Trams 4 and 6 stop just outside on the bridge and bus no. 26 from Nyugati station takes you all the way in. Otherwise it’s a 45 minute walk from the Jewish Quarter.
Wintery but still pretty, one of the greens on Margaret Island
Learn About Hungary’s Tortured Past
A visit to the House of Terror is a must when coming to Budapest as it highlights the atrocities of both the Fascist and Communist rulings of Hungary during the 20th century. The museum tells a sad story of Budapest, from the Nazi take over towards the end of the Second World War, the result was the mass genocide of thousands of Hungarian (and European) Jews. Those horrors were quickly followed by Soviet communist rule for the next 40 years. The country was brought to it’s knees and an unimaginable number of people lost their lives in horrendous ways at the hands of both regimes. The museum is set in the former headquarters of the Fascist Arrow Cross party and later State Security services, where it was used as a prison and place of torture for those who were thought to have gone against the government. Some of the prison area still remains in the basement and forms part of the exhibition, it’s very 1984! Scarily it is not known how far these cells went underground because the tunnels had been filled in with concrete by the time the Soviets had left. The information is well written and engaging, but most of the memorabilia is not described or translated into English.
Entry is 3000 huf (£8.12) per person and the museum is open 10am-6pm daily, closing on Mondays.
www.terrorhaza.hu
The House Of Terror Museum
Ride The Number 2 Tram
This was recommended to us by a Budapest local who goes out of her way to take this tram every day to work. Running along the east side of the Danube river, the tram ride is ridiculously scenic, with views of Buda Castle, Liberty Statue on Gellert Hill and the Fisherman’s Bastion on the Buda side of the city. The tram takes a winding route around Parliament building with spectacular views from 3 sides. The tram itself is pretty retro, with pairs of window seats facing each other in a rickety-style carriage. We really enjoyed this trip and for 350huf (95p) a go, it is definitely worth it!
You can catch the number 2 tram northbound from the architecturally award-winning Fovam ter station, all the way up to the entrance of Margaret Island on Margaret Bridge. We would recommend sitting on the left-hand side for optimum views over the river and Parliament building.
Make sure you punch your ticket in the machine on the tram as they are hot on fines if you get caught!
The view from the number 2 tram window of the Parliament building
Marvel At The Parliament Building
Rarely do I go to a city and think that the architecture is more impressive than Londons, but Budapest is definitely one of those cities that would give it a run for its money. The Hungarian Parliamentary Building is a prime example of this, it’s grand scale makes it the one of the largest buildings in Hungary and it’s Gothic Revival-style architecture gives it an incredibly dramatic form from all angles. This ginormous building has 20 kilometres of stairs and 691 rooms (I mean what could you possibly need 691 rooms for?!) and is the home of legislature, a workplace for members of parliament and their assistants, and guards the safe keeping of the Hungarian Holy Crown. It is possible to tour this building costing around 3500huf (£9.47), but we were happy just looking from the outside. For the optimum view of the Parliament building, head over to the Buda side of the river on the promenade for a full frontal view (cheeky!).
www.parlament.hu
The epic Parliament building, as seen from the Buda side of the city
Be Wowed By Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar
Touristy I know, but 100% worth a visit (or maybe even two), this ruin bar is an impressive conversion of a disused factory and now is a cultural centre for music, film, food and nightlife. The space itself is an awe-inspiring shabby chic mishmash of quirky objects, graffiti, plants and lighting, making it look more like a post-apocolyptic filmset rather than a pub. You can’t help but be amazed on first entry, the sheer scale and work that’s gone into the decor is pretty overwhelming. The building contains many sub-rooms and hangout areas throughout, sprawling across 2 floors and an outdoor area, so you can always find a spot to suit your mood.
Since opening in 2002, Szimpla Kert has had a green and eco outlook; by promoting sustainable urban living, by giving up-and-coming musicians a platform to perform from, and by serving locally grown food produce to its customers. Every Sunday the venue hosts a farmers market, where locals can pick up good quality sustainable produce at affordable prices. It also gives the opportunity for the consumer to re-connect with the farmers which is a huge issue that needs to be addressed in our food industry today.
Overall, this is a lovely place to come down for a coffee or beer on an afternoon, or for a few drinks in the evening with friends. If you’re lucky enough to be around on a Sunday then the market runs from 9am-2pm, and if you can afford a bottomless brunch for 5000huf (£13.50) then you will be reassured in the knowledge that you are eating some top quality produce and supporting a sustainable food industry.
Open daily 12pm-4am, and 9am-4am on Sundays.
www.szimpla.hu
Szimpla Kert by night, palm plants and colourful lighting
Take A Stroll Up To The Historic Castle Hill
The Castle District on the Buda side of the city is home to a number of key attractions including the ornate Matthias Church, the Disney-like Fisherman’s Bastion, the popular funicular and Buda Castle itself. This medieval UNESCO World Heritage site offers spanning views over the Danube river and city, and makes for a lovely morning or afternoons exploration along the cobbled streets of the Old Town and leafy hillsides. The neo-gothic style Fisherman’s Bastion was actually built in the early 20th century specially as a viewing platform and sits next to the colourfully tiled gothic Matthias Church. You can walk along the old castle walls of Buda Castle for great views out over the city and explore inside the courtyards for free, and for the contemporary architecture-lovers out there, you’ll enjoy the oxidised steel staircases that lead you up to the old castle walls.
The funicular, which takes you from Chain Bridge up to the top of Castle Hill, is the second oldest of its kind in the world and was built 150 years ago. Amazingly, it functions on a system of weights and counterweights, maintaining its traditional engineering systems. If you want a quick and novel way of getting up the hill then this is for you but to be honest we were happy with the stroll.
We visited in February and it wasn’t too busy, but this is apparently the most popular tourist attraction in all of Budapest so expect it to be bustling in peak season. Apparently a good time to visit is just before sunset when most tourists have headed back to the Pest side for the day.
Castle Hill is open all hours of to explore, but if you want to go into specific buildings then standard opening hours will apply. It’s free to walk around outside so is great for the budget traveller, but you have to pay for entry to any of the attractions.
The colourful tiled roof of St Matthias Church on Castle Hill
Enjoy The View At The Citadel
The walk up to the Citadel is a pleasant meander around the leafy hillsides, with many routes and paths leading up to the top. As you ascend the path, views over the Danube and Pest side of the city unfold before you, until you reach the top of Gellért Hill with its beautiful panoramic views over the city below. The citadel itself is a 19th century fortress made from stone, still with bullet holes displaying the tragedies of Hungary’s troubled past. Gellért Hill is a nice spot to bring a picnic, with grassy places to sit down and plenty of benches to perch on. There isn’t loads to do at the Citadel other than to enjoy the view, but this is one of the free things to do in Budapest so it’s worth a trip.
You can get to the Citadel walking paths by crossing either Elisabeth Bridge or Szabadsag Bridge and then walking up.
Me and my bump at the top of the Citadel viewing platform
Get Inspired At The Ludwig Museum Of Contemporary Art
A walk down the promenade from the Great Market Hall to the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art is a must as it’s one of the only car-free sections next to the Danube River. The gallery itself is the only public collection in the country that houses art from both local and international artists, and therefore is crucial to the contemporary art scene. The museum was founded by Peter and Irene Ludwig, avid collectors of contemporary art, who owned a whopping collection of 12,000 pieces! They needed somewhere to store their collection right?! And since 2005 the Ludwig Museum has been located in the architecturally impressive building, Palace of Arts. Although the collection on display wasn’t my favourite, it still made an enjoyable mornings activity and I would say that the building itself is worth a visit (if you like modern architecture that is). The museum has a perminant collection of artworks and a temporary exhibition space which changes 8-10 times a year.
Entry is 2,400huf (£6.50) for both the permanent and temporary exhibitions and the gallery is open Tues-Sun 10am-8pm.
www.ludwigmuseum.hu
Contemporary architecture at The Ludwig Museum Of Contemporary Art
Soak Up The Vibe At The Jewish Quarter
If you are looking for trendy eateries, cool bars and somewhere to let-lose then the Jewish Quarter is the place for you. Ruin bars such as Szimpla Kert, Instant and Fogas Ház offer clubbers a place to party until the early hours (any day of the week) in a fun and care-free environment. The Jewish Quarter is the hub of eating out with a huge array of international cuisines being served from Thai to American-style burgers, and Vietnamese to European dishes. You can pretty much find any food you want here including very cheap donner kebabs served from a man in a booth! There are plenty of lovely coffee shops to relax in, independent boutiques such as the inspiring concept store Printa, and small art galleries like The Kahan Art Space to explore. We spent a lot of our time here, wondering the beautiful streets and stopping off for the odd coffee/beer to relax our legs. The Jewish Quarter is a great place to base yourself for your trip to Budapest.
Inside concept store Printa with its plywood fittings
Food
Reading of all the Hungarian foods we wanted to try before our trip, we were super excited at the thought of Lángos (a fried bread smothered in cream cheese), goulash (a beef soupy-stew with spices), Kürtös Kalács (chimney cake which is a tube of sweet bread rolled in sugar) and all the various cheeses, cured meats meat soups and cakes, we were really sad to say that we were disappointed all round and didn’t find any of what we tried that tasty. We mostly went to étkezdes which are Hungarian home-cooked food style cheap eateries, but each time we found the food a bit underwhelming in flavour and there just wasn’t very much of it! The Lángos was probably the biggest let down, I mean surely you can’t go wrong with bread and cheese right? But apparently you can and the whole thing was just oily and flavourless despite going to one of the most popular stalls in town, Retró Lángos Büfé. The best thing we probably ate was a Hungarian desert of walnut dumplings with vanilla sauce (which was a bit like an English bread pudding with custard) but other than that we didn’t feel like there was much to shout about. Sorry Hungary, did we miss something?!
Believe it or not, this was the best thing we ate!
On our last day we spotted a budget cafe in a food hall called Mangalica Heaven which was actually much cheaper than the other étkezdes we had visited, such as Kádár Étkezde and Frici Papa. You can get 2 courses for around 1200huf (£3.25) and the place was really busy at lunchtime which was a good sign. For those of you travelling on a budget, be aware that most of the étkezdes are only open in the weekdays for lunch and then are closed in the evenings and weekends. Perhaps you just need to spend a bit more to get tastier Hungarian food? I really hope you have better luck with the food than we did!
Lángos, it looks the part but just tastes like grease!
Where We Didn’t Get To….
Our trip was cut a bit short due to Mark getting the flu for 3 days and so there were a couple of activities that we wanted to do but didn’t get round to. Although they are a bit on the expensive side, we would have liked to have gone to one of the famous spas such as the Gellért or Széchenyi Baths, both known for their thermal waters and healing qualities. There is Memento Park, a sculpture park on the outskirts of the city displaying all the communist monuments and sculptures that once stood in Budapest during the soviet regime. If we had visited outside of the winter months when the leaves were on the trees then we would have taken a trip out to the Buda Hills, an expanse of green space in the city where you can find trekking routes and perfect spots for a picnic. The Hungarian National Museum was being renovated when we visited, but it would have been interesting to see some national artefacts and learn a bit more about the countries history. If you can spare 16 Euro a ticket (ouch!), then the Dohány Street Synagogue looked like it would have been worth a visit as it’s the largest synagogue in the world outside of Israel. Other than that, I think we covered most of the main attractions that we were interested in, and mostly it was just interesting to walk around and explore the city.
The Dohany Street Synagogue
We hope our article 'Top Things To Do In Budapest On A Budget’ was helpful for you, feel free to leave any comments in the box below (especially if you have any more suggestions about the food!).
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