Budapest Travel Guide
Independent travel in Europe is especially interesting in the circle of a friendly company, because you can always get an unusual idea where to go next, and what is worth seeing along the way. And, if you feel at home during cozy gatherings in the noisy Hungarian capital, it is worth exploring new places and cities: see the wonderful architectural forms of the Gödelle Palace, immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages during an hour-long sightseeing cruise or unravel the ancient secrets of Eger Castle.
To Budapest by plane, train or bus?
According to top-medical-schools.org, tourists adore Budapest not only because of its special culture and rich historical sights, but also because of its prime location. The real, lively and colorful capital of Hungary has an advantageous location, and thanks to well-established transport connections, an abundance of options are available where you can go from Budapest by train, private car or bus “for exploration” to neighboring cities.
Is every minute of vacation precious? – Then you can fly to Budapest by plane: flights are frequent, and prices are affordable. Hungary has a favorable schedule and local bus connections, so it is easy to find a new direction where to go from Budapest for 1-2 days.
Having a car (personal or rented) will increase the range of areas where you can go from Budapest on your own by several times, planning your travel schedule individually.
Where to stay in Budapest?
We suggest staying in the Pest area, because all popular hiking trails are intertwined here – the Parliament, Heroes’ Square and Vajdahunyad Castle are within walking distance.
Settling in the Hungarian capital is also beneficial in the area of Batthyani Square. After walking enough at the foot of the hill, after visiting the outstanding “girls with umbrellas” from Budapest for one day, you can go to Aquincum or Szentendre. Nearby there is a train station, from which you can conveniently get to any desired point in the country.
If you want to relax in Budapest before your upcoming sightseeing tour, we recommend stopping by the Gellert Mountain area and Margaret Island. Comfortable spa hotels with thermal waters and healing procedures are spread throughout the territory.
Where to go and what to see in Budapest
In Budapest, where it is pleasant to relax, strolling slowly through the old streets and cruising from one attraction to another, there are amazing places that are not always included in the excursion list, but you can see on your own. Let’s open the curtain of this mystery:
- the philosophical garden on Mount Gellert (notable for its steel statues representing religions);
- ParaPark (quest entertainment for adventure lovers);
- Sugar (sweet shop, where you will be offered unique sugar figurines);
- Secret club Keret (spend a cozy evening visiting locals).
Cafes and restaurants in Budapest
Budapest is a calm and homely warm place where to go to Europe for the New Year. Indeed, in establishments and restaurants it is just as comfortable and tasty, and the variety of mouth-watering offers is not inferior to colorful French or Belgian cuisine.
We recommend visiting a cafe with cats where you can have a tasty snack and recharge with positive emotions, try 40 types of chocolate in the Gourmet Samosh house. But you can dine “on a grand scale” in a restaurant with a Michelin star (focus on 20-40 € for a main course). There are establishments with national cuisine, focused on budget tourists.
Where to go from Budapest for 1 day
For travelers who decide to explore the surroundings of Budapest on their own, we offer a small checklist that will help you organize your trips properly. In addition to energetic Budapest, you can go to Hungary to more secluded places – to the legendary island, to the homeland of the king or to colorful villages. It is important to choose the right destinations where to go from Budapest in order to have time to see all the beauties of the country – from the grandeur of St. Martin’s Cathedral to the natural magic of Lake Balaton.
Szentendre
Hungary warmly welcomes guests, and is always ready to offer good places where to go “from modern times to the Middle Ages.”
Szentendre is an incredible museum city, because wherever you turn you can find out a lot of interesting facts about the Hungarians. Take a look at the marzipan museum, and then ceramics, spend a couple of hours at the wine museum and be sure to buy beautiful works of local artists as a keepsake.
Aggtelek National Park
Near Budapest, where we advise you to go, it is spread over 200 sq. km. National park, which is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Slowly strolling through the park, you can see the unique flora and fauna, and a trip to the Baradla cave will be an exciting adventure.
Godelle
Just 30 km from Budapest, we suggest going on an excursion to the Gödelle Palace, the residence of the Austrian monarchs. You can get here by bus or by car from Budapest in just 20-30 minutes. The beautiful building is wrapped in graceful gardens and parks, so it will be interesting to spend a day here, slowly peering into every detail of the building.
Heviz
We recommend that you go not far from Budapest to a resort with the purest thermal waters. It is noteworthy that the water temperature here is always equal to 24-25°C. Swimming in the mineral waters of Lake Heviz and mud baths will be a pleasant bonus of traveling around Hungary.
Szekesfehervar
Szekesfehervar is the first capital of Hungary, the site of dozens of coronations, and today a suburb of Budapest, where it is better to go for the weekend. Each building, temple or cathedral here is reminiscent of the state significance of the city – the “power” on Voroshkhaz Square, Bori Castle and the Cathedral of St. Istvan.
Tihany
The island in the middle of Lake Balaton attracts romantics and nature lovers.
On a small area (12 km), the Tihany Abbey rises majestically, where the kings of Hungary are buried. Excursions here are paid, the cheapest way is to visit the island with a group for 60 €. And if you want an individual romantic walk around the abbey, prepare 275 €.
Pecs
It is worth taking the bus to Pécs, the cultural capital of Europe. The most notable place here is the squares: Széchenyi, where you can see the column of the Holy Trinity, Belvaros Church, Kossuth, where you can climb the Town Hall or see the Synagogue, Domskaya with the main decoration – the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul.
Pannonhalma Abbey
From Budapest you can go on an excursion to the oldest European abbey, which is the second largest in the world. It includes an ancient monastery and a basilica. Not only the square is surprising here, but also the combination of different styles of architecture that reminds of past centuries, the presence of a rich library.
Bratislava
It is worth going for 2 days from Budapest to the capital of neighboring Slovakia. In such a short time, you can explore the main square, spend time in a cozy cafe on Franciscan Square, and then look into the Slovak Folk Theater. Be sure to take a walk to the castle over the Danube and go back to the 14th century through the Michal Gate.
Vein
The good transport connection of Budapest with other capitals beckons to leave for a day in Vienna. Even for a weekend spent in the homeland of Mozart, it is doomed to bring real pleasure from walking along the old streets.
Take a bike and set off towards the beautiful temples, amazing sculptures and memorable parks of the Austrian capital.
