I got to Budapest by accident, I never seriously planned a trip to Hungary. And when I arrived, I was fascinated by the mixture of West and East, imperial architecture and typical post-Soviet buildings, trendy restaurants and dirty metro stations.
A fragment of the Habsburg Empire has turned into one of the meccas of cheap bachelor's degree in Europe, so now everything is moving at an international speed, the coolest festivals are held and new bars are opening.
When is the season. When is it better to go?
Like most European cities, Budapest receives huge flows of tourists in the summer, as well as during school holidays:
Christmas (last week of December),
Easter (mid-April),
autumn (week after Halloween),
winter (end of February).
I would recommend avoiding these periods, so as not to stand in queues at museums and not maneuver on the streets in a dense stream of people.
In the period from the end of October to the beginning of April, prices in hotels and restaurants are reduced, and the mild climate makes the trip pleasant.
What are the prices for holidays?
The cost of food in Budapest is relatively low.
Therefore, if you want to save money, look for accommodation options with a kitchen - hostels or apartments.
Another way to drastically reduce costs is to use a social network for travelers to communicate with local residents who are ready to meet, chat and even let guests from other countries stay with them for free.
In my experience, this is the best way to get to know a country from the inside, by getting to know its traditions and culture, by touching the thoughts and emotions of its inhabitants. However, you will have to sacrifice some personal comfort: adjust to the schedule of the owner, perhaps share a room with him and most likely live away from the center.
In Budapest, finding a "host" - a person with whom you can settle is almost no problem, unlike in Western Europe. I talked to several of them during the trip, I lived with two of them, and they were all wonderful guys!
Main sights of Budapest
The architectural heritage of Budapest made a deep impression on me. After walking only a couple of blocks, I got from the Middle Ages to the magnificent XVIII century - the city is full of artifacts from various eras.
Here you can just wander around the historical center and get incomparable aesthetic pleasure! And all this is mixed with a truly European attention to the leisure of citizens: from museums to rope parks, from secluded gardens to noisy markets - everyone will find a place here.
Buda Castle
Built in the XIII century, the castle was destroyed several times during the wars and restored from the ruins each time in a new architectural style.
Although it is believed that in its current incarnation it is not as good as it was before, the monumental 300-meter building on a high hill above the Danube, surrounded by a park, looks great.
Today, the Historical Museum, the National Gallery and the Library are located inside the castle.
Fisherman 's Bastion
To the north of Buda Castle there are several charming old quarters. Here it seems as if I was on the set of a historical film. But the most exciting thing on these streets is the Fisherman's Bastion, which looks like a magic castle.
For me it was the most atmospheric place in Budapest! Time seems to have stopped here: the leisurely majestic Danube, the arrows of sunlight, the quiet chirping of female students.
Built in the XIX century of white marble on a high hill with a panoramic view of the bends of the river, it attracts like a magnet.
Carved statues of sailors in niches, lancet windows and sunlight playing on the slabs are the perfect entourage for stunning photos.
The bastion is open all year round, admission is free.
On the opposite bank of the river opposite the Fisherman's Bastion is perhaps the most famous building in Budapest. When many people see it for the first time, they catch their breath from its overwhelming grandeur, the radiance of snow-white spires and red domes.
It looks especially beautiful from the Buda Hill. I advise you to wait for the sunset, which plays very beautifully on the white walls, and darkness, when the building lights up with magnificent illumination.
Szechenyi
One of the most popular bathing areas, there are most tourists here. I would say that it's worth going for the sake of interest – to see people and show yourself. But you will not be able to enjoy solitude and peace here
What to see in 1 day?
9.00. Start your day from the very center of the city – Deak Ferenc metro station. Take a walk to St. Stephen's Basilica and look inside.
10.00. Get lost among the majestic historical buildings in the center, have breakfast at your favorite coffee shop.
11.00. Leisurely, strolling, turning when you want, go to the Parliament building and admire this whopper.
12.30. Take tram No. 2 and drive south along the Danube embankment, overlooking the magnificent views from both sides. Get off at the bus stop Fővám tér.
13.00. The Central Market is just two minutes away from you. Go to this gourmet paradise to stare at curiosities and have lunch.
14.00. Walk along the beautiful Freedom Bridge from Pest to Buda to the foot of Mount Gellert. To the right of the bridge you will see a Church in the rock.
15.00. Climb the picturesque trails to the top of the hill to the Citadel, but do not linger at the building, but go straight west to the secluded Philosophical Garden. Meditate on the eternal.
17.30. Go down to the Erzebet Bridge, take the 41 tram and drive along the embankment to the Chain Bridge. Here, change the tram to a funicular that will take you to Buda Castle.
19.00. After admiring the castle, head north to the Fisherman's Bastion - admire the breathtaking sunset with a view of the Parliament building. Wait until dark and appreciate the magnificent lighting and panoramic views of the city.
20.00. Wander through the medieval streets of the castle district and choose a restaurant for dinner.
21.30. Go down to the embankment to the Batthyány tér metro station, take the M2 red line and go to the Astoria station. A couple of blocks from the metro, you'll see a trendy neighborhood with the iconic ruined Szimpla Kert bar – a great end to a great day.
"An unusual travel plan is a dance lesson sent by God."© KURT VONNEGUT
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