TMQE Travels are travelling again! This time it’s Budapest in Hungary, where we explored the Buda Castle, cruised the Danube and marvelled at the beauty of the remarkable Hungarian Parliament. Jérémy and Ben here again! We love to travel and to satisfy our wanderlust, we are on a European roadtrip exploring the best places for a city break on the continent. We love to escape Britain to experience the best culture, cuisine and attractions that Europe has to offer. If you’re a tourist like us and just need a good itinerary for what to do and how to do it when you’re in Warsaw, we will show you the best things to put on your itinerary.
We go to Fisherman’s Bastion, the Hungarian Parliament, Szechnyi Baths, St Stephen’s Basilica, Szechenyi Chain Bridge, the Citadel, Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes’ Square, the Great Market Hall, ruin bars and cruised TWICE on the Danube.
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Budapest is the capital of Hungary, which is often known as the “Paris of the East” due to its large amount of architecture dating from the late 19th century. Straddling the vast Danube river, the city consists of two main areas, Buda and Pest. Pest is the more modern part of the city, lying on flat land to the East, while Buda contains the older parts of the city, including Buda Castle, built on the higher ground to the West. The world-renowned Hungarian Parliament is on the riverside in Pest, but to get the best views of it, you must head to Fisherman’s Bastion at the edge of the castle in Buda. When the parliament was built, the Hungarian’s loved it so much that they built a viewing platform on the hill almost as ornate as the parliament itself!
When both were built, Austria-Hungary was one of the most powerful and richest nations in the world. All that would change after World War 1, but when the parliament was completed it was a symbol of the nation’s Golden Age and remains as the country’s most beautiful building. Built in the Neo-Gothic style, the building is accessible to tourists all year round but you have to book onto a guided tour so we suggest booking online to ensure you get a place with a guide who speaks your language. You don’t want to go on a tour in Japanese, do you? Unless you’re Japanese. Obviously.
The building itself is symmetrical. One half of the building is open to the visitors, while the other functions as the nation’s actual parliament. The largest building in Hungary, it has 691 rooms, ten courtyards and 29 staircases. It was built to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian nation, so the interior is adorned with countless coats of arms and statues that celebrate Hungarian rulers, Transylvanian leaders and famous military figures. Including the fabulous Maria-Theresa and Sisi. Even if she was officially Austrian.
Budapest is also known for its numerous thermal baths. Sitting on a fault line, the baths are fed by 120 hot springs beneath the ground. The most famous of these is the Szechenyi Baths. Built in 1913, the vast complex includes 15 indoor pools, 3 outdoor, saunas, steam rooms and countless spa facilities. It costs about £17, so we suggest making a day of it, but there are plenty of others in the city that are less full of tourists and come just as recommended by the locals. Although they do have spa parties in the summer, where they bring in DJs and transform the place into a nightclub on Saturday nights.
The city is absolutely rammed with sights to go and visit. Obviously there’s the cathedral, St Stephen’s Basilica. There’s the Jewish synagogue. Buda Castle, up on the hill. The Szechenyi Chain Bridge. The Citadel, which has some of the best views in the city. Vajdahunyad Castle. Heroes’ Square. The shoe memorial on the riverbank, which remembers the spot on the Danube where victims of the Holocaust were taken during world war 2. The general architecture of many of the streets in Pest are attractions in themselves. And then there’s the Great Market Hall.
Budapest has become a party city in recent years, attracting revellers from all over the world to experience its exciting nightlife. Ruin bars have become the best night spots in the city, which are converted dilapidated buildings that have been renovated only to the point of being functional and retain their derelict appearance. Bohemian, hip and incredibly hipster, this is where to go if you’re wanting a night out. Or to experience something uniquely Budapest. Speaking of amazing things to do at night…
All of the city’s biggest attractions are lit up beautifully at night, illuminating them so they...
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