Budapest isn’t just another beautiful modern European capital city, teeming with enough history, culture, and culinary delights to fill the Danube. No, there’s something more distinct about its flavour – and no, I’m not just talking about the paprika. The city has a unique atmosphere that can only come about when you place it at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe, add a little Turkish influence, and throw in contrasting tones of imperial elegance and finery with a gritty bohemian energy.
Frankly, the experience can feel so relentless that you may find yourself in need of a quick guide to point you in the right direction. If this might be you, then great – you’re in the right place. As someone who visited the great city again over the summer, I’m creating this guide after just sampling the latest and greatest attractions that Budapest has to offer. So, without any further ado, let’s jump in.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
Before I visited Budapest for the first time, I’d heard plenty of noise and hype surrounding the Széchenyi Thermal Baths. For that very reason, I was absolutely ready to visit one sunny afternoon and be underwhelmed. But shockingly, I discovered one of those select few things in life that actually lives up to the hype.
The architecture was the first thing that struck me. I’ve seen uglier basilicas than these timeless baroque halls, all styled in a distinctive yellow. The second thing? The first step into one of the outdoor pools was just like easing into a bath that you’ve just run to perfection. The temperature was just right; comfortably hot.
Yes, the first bath was relaxing and all, but I was there to have some fun. So I was delighted to find that the heated pool’s neighbour specialised in delivering absolute carnage. It was packed full of water features, including the craziest lazy river I’ve ever experienced. There was nothing lazy about it, as people of all ages, shapes and sizes hurtled around it like clothes in a washing machine.
Aside from the baths themselves, the place was just a calm place to be on a warm summer’s day. With its relaxing sunbeds and affordable bar, I’d heartily recommend the Széchenyi Thermal Baths to anyone visiting Budapest in the summer.
St Stephen’s Basilica
It’s hard to miss St Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest church (by far) that dominates the Pest side of the Danube. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a part of the city since 1906, and stands impressively tall at over 300ft. It’s the most important church building in Hungary, home to Christmas markets, weekly concerts, and the Holy Right Hand, aka the mummified right hand of St Stephen, the first king of Hungary, who died in 1038.
This basilica needs to be seen to be believed. Seeing the place in my mum’s photo books didn’t do it justice. Its interior is home to numerous mosaics by Bertalan Székely and Gyula Benczúr, with red and gold decorations that lead all the way up to its impressive dome.
Hungarian National Gallery/Buda Castle
Next up, head across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge to Buda Castle, where you can find the Hungarian National Gallery, home to the very best Hungarian art and some of the city’s most stunning views, from the famous parliament building to St Stephen’s Basilica, and all three of the city’s main bridges.
Once you’ve rounded the exterior of the castle and taken some photos from the ramparts, you’ll enter the gallery itself; you’ll find colossal masterworks that drip with detail, depicting dramatic battles, like The Recapture of Buda Castle. After that, you’ll jump into an artistic rabbit hole in which you’ll learn about the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as well as Hungary’s links to the Turks and the Ottoman Empire.
Central Market Hall
Now it’s time for some food, at long last. Once you’ve sampled some Chimney Cake in one of Pest’s many high street bakeries, head over to Central Market Hall, which you can find on the Pest side of the Liberty Bridge.
Once you walk inside, you’ll be treated to the building’s wide-open, market-style interior. It’s crammed with market stalls on both the ground and first floors, which extend all the way around. Exercise patience while walking around, as even a building this big has its limits. Since it’s loved by both locals and tourists, it’s rarely quiet – even during peak times.
If you’re looking for the piping-hot street food, fresh fruit and vegetables, or high-quality ingredients, souvenirs and other knickknacks, this is definitely the place for you.
Closing Thoughts
No, there’s no place quite like Budapest. It’s the sort of place that remains in your mind long after returning to your ordinary life at home. If you visit some of the places in this guide, I can promise you that the city’s infectious buzz will take weeks to wear off. So enjoy your trip to Budapest! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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