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Budapest: An Unexpectedly Remarkable City

Few talk of Budapest as they talk of Rome, Paris or London. Even I wouldn’t have been aware of this city had I not visited it. It feels nice to know of a not-so-famous city that turned out to be so good! Travel to Budapest because it really is an underrated city in Europe. There are so many things to do and see in Budapest that even 5 days were not enough for me!

Budapest:An Unexpectedly Remarkable City

THE WORLD IS FULL OF KIND STRANGERS

On my Ryanair flight from Milan Bergamo airport to Budapest, I had no idea what to expect of Budapest. For starters I was panicked since my ATM and credit card did not work at the Budapest airport. I had no local currency (Forints in this case) and was only carrying some euros. This was also a useful lesson for me to be more prepared during travel. Luckily,  a young lady helped me in reaching the city centre without taking any money for the ride.

She herself was taking a flight to Africa but her parents who had come to drop her gave me a ride in their car and also a tram ticket for free!! OMG!! I am now connected with her through Facebook and hope to visit her someday in her home in Africa and/or Romania. Bless her and her parents!

BUDAPEST- THE CITY

Anyhow, once I reached the city and settled in my room, I realized my card worked in the city! I was also pleasantly surprised by what I saw around me. I think the city deserves attention, a lot of attention and you will see the “why…..more people should travel to Budapest!

Not only was Budapest a gem of a city filled with wonderful things to do but is also home to stunning Neoclassical and Gothic architecture. Having been through a lot of destruction during the World War II, Budapest seemed to have fought back to keep itself on the high. It definitely shows the resilience and power of its people.

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The Parliament

Budapest is a city divided into parts – Buda and Pest. The former is laid back, residential and quieter while the latter is the “happening” side of the city. As a famous city of Eastern Europe, Budapest is not only a financial centre but also ranked as one of the 7th most livable city of the continent!!

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Quintessential taxi alert!

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The Chain Bridge

THINGS TO DO IN BUDAPEST:

  1. Walk around and feel the city. I don’t mean it dramatically but just don’t go with a list. Walk in in its many bookstores, cafes and restaurants and feel the pace of this Eastern European City.
  2. Drink lots of beer and have goulash (traditional soup) and make sure you see the list of festivals happening around the time of your visit! Read more on what to eat here.
  3. Visit the Danube river at sunset. It is surreal and Budapest comes alive at night.

By the way, I clicked several pictures from my phone camera and was wondering what the effects would have been if I had had a DSLR. So if you are there, Make sure to take a good camera… There are so many great photo opportunities.

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The Danube

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So many Japanese food outlets here!

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Great tram system in the city

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#NotInParis

4. Visit the Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill. It has unique monuments and the name itself derives from the fishermen who defended the walls in the Middle Ages. The entire area on Castle Hill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also houses the Buda Castle, gothic styled Mathhias Church and National Gallery of Hungary. Bus No 16 takes you to the hill or simply take the funicular.

5. Explore the many bookstores and beautiful libraries in the city. If you are a booklover like me, you will thank me later!

6. Take a ride in the historic trams of Budapest that offer a certain vintage charm to the city. Hop on one and enjoy the local vibe!

7. Take a Free Walking Tour and explore the city with a local for free!! Mine ended up at a Ruin Pub in the city and I couldn’t have been more pleased. Make sure that you tip the guide something at the end of the tour.

For those who are traveling in the summer, there are a lot of things to do in Budapest and you can always refer to this post. 

Check out this Lonely Planet Guide to the city of Budapest

86 Comments

  • […] Budapest: An Unexpectedly Remarkable City […]

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  • Where to Eat in Budapest | Italophilia
    April 11, 2018 at 11:10 pm

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  • canadianforeigner
    June 5, 2017 at 11:47 pm

    Loved this! I’m actually moving to Budapest in less than a month, so it’s great to hear such great things about my soon to be home! Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      June 6, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      How wonderful. What made you choose to settle there? Have you been before. it would be so nice to read your perspective of the city

      Reply
      • canadianforeigner
        June 6, 2017 at 4:05 pm

        I’ve actually never been before! I’ve been living in Istanbul for two years and was looking at my options when a friend asked if I’d like to move in, rent free, and help her with her English in the evenings. I couldn’t pass the opportunity up, so here I am getting ready to move this month!
        I can’t wait to check out the city and will definitely share my perspective when I’ve got one! 🙂

        Reply
        • Ishita
          June 6, 2017 at 11:34 pm

          So brave of you!! Sounds great to me too 🙂 good luck with your new life. Xx

          Reply
      • Ishita
        July 3, 2017 at 11:54 am

        Hi there! are you enjoying Budapest?? Would love to know your thoughts 🙂

        Reply
  • Mons
    June 3, 2017 at 2:28 am

    Oh, I love Budapest! I think it is an enchanting city with beautiful secrets around every corner. My favourite part was the Fisherman’s Bastion. What was yours? Also, I think it is great you had the chance to spent a few days there to fully embrace it!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      June 3, 2017 at 9:00 am

      Thank you!! It’s so tough to pick one but probably by the river at the Bridge in the evening. I also loved the St. Stephens area even though it was touristy

      Reply
  • Zefi
    May 22, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    Oh it’s soo good to see your posts and reading all those nice comments. I live here, so it makes me happy that so many tourists like it as much as I do

    Reply
    • Ishita
      May 29, 2017 at 10:08 pm

      How fun! I love your city .xx

      Reply
  • thephraser
    April 15, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    Very interesting! Thanks 😎

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 15, 2017 at 7:53 pm

      Thanks so much

      Reply
  • polentaebaccala
    April 14, 2017 at 12:41 am

    And I live there 🙂

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 14, 2017 at 12:43 am

      How lovely 🙂 I love your city

      Reply
  • Diana
    April 10, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    I went to Budapest two summers ago, loved it! It has an amazing atmosphere, a history I knew little about before going, good food, really excellent prices for everything, and an amazing ruin bar scene in the Jewish quarter.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 10, 2017 at 1:03 pm

      Absolutely agree. The vibe is very cool, not very laid back but nice .. The food choices were insane. and quite cheap too 😉

      Reply
  • Dr B
    April 10, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    A nice summary post. On our first visit last April we bought two-day tickets for the Big Red Bus and sat on top for the full circuit marvelling at every sight. This helped us to prioritise where to go and what to see across the next 5 days. Spending Christmas there next this year.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 10, 2017 at 1:04 pm

      Thanks so much. Hope you enjoy Xmas in Budapest. That is planned well in advance!

      Reply
      • Dr B
        April 10, 2017 at 1:08 pm

        Yes, we plan most trips like that. Flying to San Francisco next week to begin a Trans USA Rail trip over 21 days ending in New York

        Reply
  • Eva
    April 5, 2017 at 12:32 am

    Oh great to read that you enjoyed Budapest! It’s a gem and luckily with good employment opportunities and cheap flights it is becoming more and more relevant in Europe. I was there only two days but I loved it. I have to confess I actually liked it more than Prague!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 5, 2017 at 10:27 am

      Lot of people told me about liking it more than other cities nearby. Although I am yet to see Prague, I am guessing it is super touristy.

      Reply
      • Eva
        April 5, 2017 at 7:02 pm

        Yes and that was the problem in my case. Too many people, and so many shops selling ridiculous crap that doesn’t even have anything to do with Prague but that tourists buy. So sad. I want to go back in a different season, because the city was beautiful, I just focused too much at how overly exploited it is, tourist-wise.

        Reply
        • Ishita
          April 5, 2017 at 7:21 pm

          That’s very sad. Hopefully winter time?? Or around March? must be less cold.

          Reply
          • Eva
            April 5, 2017 at 8:20 pm

            I would love to go back in winter! I have the feeling that the snow really suits that city!

            Reply
            • Ishita
              April 5, 2017 at 8:55 pm

              I saw some photos of it in the snow and thought the same!

              Reply
  • Anabel Marsh
    April 4, 2017 at 10:12 pm

    We were in Budapest last month, and loved it! I haven’t written about it yet though. Like you, we walked everywhere – and we had dinner one night in that restaurant, Imazs, in your pictures.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 4, 2017 at 11:40 pm

      That’s wonderful Anabel. I’m glad you agree 🙂 no one can hate the city. The charm is magic.

      Reply
  • Suzanne et Pierre
    April 4, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    Budapest is indeed a lovely city and you are right, probably a bit underrated though I think I prefer it that way so that it can keep its charms without the hordes of tourists found in other popular cities. Nice pics. (Suzanne)

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 4, 2017 at 8:13 pm

      Thank you Suzanne for stopping. I know but I still think the city should get more attention 😉

      Reply
  • Carl Versus Life
    April 1, 2017 at 6:37 pm

    I am visiting Budapest on Tuesday for 3 nights and I cannot wait! I’m glad I stumbled upon your post as I’ve had very little time to do any researching or reading up on the city… Hoping there will be a fresh post or two before I depart!! I always hear about Budapest in the same breath as Prague; which we absolutely loved…. if it is anything similar then we are in for a real treat. Channel 4’s Travel Man, Richard Ayoade, recently did 48 hours there and it looked great! Counting the sleeps… any quick n fast recommendations?

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 2, 2017 at 12:27 pm

      Have a great time Carl. I just posted another article on where I had breakfast! Must do..Are you fond of reading?? I can suggest you a library visit. Let me know your interests

      Reply
  • HelsinkiBudapest
    April 1, 2017 at 5:37 am

    Personally, I keep leaving and coming back to this place to live. It’s a magical pull this city has.

    Reply
  • Priyanka Bhoj
    April 1, 2017 at 12:03 am

    Beautiful pictures💗

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 1, 2017 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks Priyanka 🙂

      Reply
  • foodiesneakpeeks
    March 31, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    Thanks, Ishita. Reassuring me, why I should keep it in my bucket list!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 31, 2017 at 4:07 pm

      Hoping you visit soon 🙂

      Reply
  • karenincalabria
    March 31, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Budapest is a great city – I’m glad you got to visit it. So much history, beautiful architecture, friendly people, excellent goulash and then don’t forget about the baths!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 31, 2017 at 11:50 am

      Unfortunately I caught a slight cold there so didn’t venture to the baths. You are right! 🙂

      Reply
  • mytimetotravel
    March 31, 2017 at 6:33 am

    Budapest is one of my favorite cities! So glad you enjoyed it – and great photo of Parliament.
    If you go back there are a lot of interesting Art Nouveau buildings. Also don’t miss the Gold Museum at the top of Andrassy ut.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 31, 2017 at 8:40 am

      Thank you 🙂 I would love to go back but with company this time. I stayed in the Andrassy Avenue 🙂

      Reply
  • Arthur Hill
    March 31, 2017 at 4:16 am

    I know you love Italy, but Budapest is my favorite city. We spent two week there living in an apartment right on the Danube. Love the Market, Love the food, love the city! Read about some of my adventures in Budapest on my Blog Oodragonhill.ca. I wrote a few posts about being in Budapest.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 31, 2017 at 8:39 am

      That sounds so lovely. Thanks to airbnb now we can find the best type of places at a reasonable price. Love the city although I wasn’t so impressed with the people. Friendly but only till a certain point. not like the Italians definitely. I will check your blog

      Reply
  • Streets of Nuremberg
    March 31, 2017 at 2:44 am

    Super beautiful series, Ishita! Never been there but longing to go!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 31, 2017 at 8:38 am

      Where do you stay Marcus?? Hope you can visit this year..

      Reply
      • Streets of Nuremberg
        March 31, 2017 at 8:57 pm

        I hope so too. My current project in Portland actually has a subset in Budapest, so that might just be the opportunity 😀

        Reply
  • The Wayfarer
    March 30, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Budapest is the best. It has everything they have in Paris (architecture, art, nightlife, good food) but so much cheaper!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Well said! I haven’t been to Paris yet but I hear it is TOO costly. Budapest is a gem.

      Reply
  • davidrpharmer
    March 30, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    The last time I was here was in 2000, when the city was still recovering from years of Communist neglect. Am going again in June, so will look forward to seeing the difference. Your pictures are marvellous

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Thanks so much David 🙂 I am sure the weather will be lovely in June. I went in September and it was very pleasant.

      Reply
  • anupriyabasu123
    March 30, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    The place looks stunning, even from your phone’s camera Ish! 😛
    Every time I read your posts, I start planning my trip to Europe coz it sounds so wonderful. Keep traveling and being amazing.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      Thanks so much Anupriya for reading through my posts 🙂 Haha yes 😛 waiting to see Europe from your eyes. When will it be??

      Reply
      • anupriyabasu123
        March 31, 2017 at 4:24 am

        The pleasure is mine!
        I want to go today but visa complications here currently restrain me from leaving the country! 😛
        As soon as this drama is over, I will visit.

        Reply
        • Ishita
          March 31, 2017 at 8:39 am

          Ugh how can I forget that. Hoping it is very soon.

          Reply
  • Lori the Naz
    March 30, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    Love your #NotInParis hashtag. I visited Budapest back in September and the city stole my heart! I was only there for 24 hours and it was such a tease. It felt like unexpectedly meeting a soul mate and only having 24 hours to soak up as much as I could. I’ve only fallen this hard for 2 cities in all my travels… Crete and Hungary. I can’t wait to go back!
    https://jampatojoy.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/euro-trip-part-2-budapest/

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      I was in Budapest in September too!! It’s a shame you could see it only a day. All the more reason to plot another trip 😉

      Reply
  • Tanja
    March 30, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    yes, Budapest is rather beautiful!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 4:28 pm

      Have you been?

      Reply
      • Tanja
        March 30, 2017 at 8:51 pm

        yes, a couple of times, I posted about it too:)

        Reply
        • Ishita
          March 30, 2017 at 9:02 pm

          Amazing!! Keep traveling 🙂

          Reply
  • pickledwings
    March 30, 2017 at 2:25 pm

    I love Budapest, I’ve been there three or four times and it’s a place I don’t get bored of. The Turkish, Roman and Habsburg empires all left their mark on the city and that’s a big part of what makes it unique. In fact, it’s part of what makes Hungary a unique country.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 2:30 pm

      Did you visit other cities in Hungary? You are right it is not boring, In fact it is full of places and things to see/do

      Reply
      • pickledwings
        March 30, 2017 at 2:41 pm

        I’ve visited a few places in Hungary. my girlfriend’s brother married a Hungarian girl and they live in Nyíregyháza, in the east of the country; the city is pretty normal ut it is close to the beautiful Tokaj wine region which is certainly worth a visit.
        I’ve also visited Eger, which is a spa town about halfway between Budapest and Nyíregyháza. It’s quite nice, but you might find yourself with a bit of a language barrier to overcome if you don’t speak Hungarian or German. Here’s a blog piece I wrote about it a few years ago:
        https://beyondprague.wordpress.com/visiting-the-neighbors/visiting-the-neighbors-eger-hungary/

        Reply
        • Ishita
          March 30, 2017 at 2:42 pm

          That sounds amazing! I canceled my Eger plan last minute because I wanted to visit the bookshops of Budapest 😛 Checking your post now

          Reply
  • travelrat
    March 30, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    We have a river cruise booked for next year, and will be boarding at Budapest … I think we spend a couple of days there. So, I will read your posts with interest.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 2:09 pm

      Wonderful! I wish you a great time and hope you enjoy the posts.

      Reply
  • Darlene
    March 30, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    I too was pleasantly surprised by Budapest. Loved it. I only had 2 days but it was wonderful. I included it in my latest book, Amanda on the Danube-the Sounds of Music. https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Danube-Sounds-Darlene-Foster/dp/1771681020/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467057798&sr=1-1&keywords=amanda+on+the+danube

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 1:12 pm

      That is wonderful Darlene! I will check it out and am sure the readers will too 🙂 Budapest is a great city to just soak it all in plus convenient to visit nearby countries too

      Reply
  • priyankamahajan26
    March 30, 2017 at 1:05 pm

    I really want to visit this beautiful city

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 1:06 pm

      Next year babe 😀

      Reply
  • kimberlysullivan
    March 30, 2017 at 11:54 am

    Beautiful photos, Ishita! So glad you enjoyed Budapest. I love all the picturesque Hapsburg cities – and used to live nearby in both Prague and Vienna, so I’ve been quite a few times. Not in a few years, however, so it’s definitely time to get back!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 11:58 am

      Thank you Kimberly 🙂 I imagine we are soul sisters then, I love all the cities of Hapsburg empire and plan to visit another one soon 😀

      Reply
  • sherylmcdougald
    March 30, 2017 at 11:13 am

    I so want to go! What were the roads like – as in cobbles? Better or same as Rome? (Couldn’t possibly be worse than Rome) My little mobility scoot was very brave in Italy, but my butt was killing me!! Well worth it though… 🙂

    Reply
    • Ishita
      March 30, 2017 at 11:15 am

      It is such a wonderful city,Sheryl 🙂 No the roads are cobbled in the historic areas as far as I remember. The castle and the churches. The rest of the city was not cobbled.

      Reply
      • sherylmcdougald
        March 30, 2017 at 11:17 am

        I’ll take my chances – it is top of my bucket list, after more Italy! Thanks!!

        Reply
        • Ishita
          March 30, 2017 at 11:18 am

          When do you travel again?? Sounds perfect 🙂 It was an easy flight from Italy

          Reply
          • sherylmcdougald
            March 30, 2017 at 11:20 am

            I plan for September, I have a friend in Zurich so I’d like to fly (from Canada) see Budapest, and continue on to Italy. 🙂

            Reply

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