Enjoying Budapest: Where to Go and What to Do

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Europe is filled with beautiful countries that you have to visit. One such country is Hungary. Located within Central Europe, the country is bordered by Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Austria. With Hungary surrounded by so many countries, it’s no surprise that a diverse culture within the country exists.

With that said, Hungary is also home to one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Hungary’s capital city of Budapest is known as the “Paris of the East” mostly because of its beautiful sceneries and incredible architecture. If you fancy a visit to Budapest, here are a few tips on where to go and what to do:

Buda Castle

Once you get to Budapest, a visit to one of the city’s oldest structures is a must. The Buda Castle, which towers over the Danube river, is a popular tourist destination. The castle itself lies on Castle Hill. Castle Hill is where the country’s most important monuments and museums are located. Although damaged during World War 2, the Buda Castle’s exterior was restored and now houses several other museums.

To truly enjoy the sights, it’s advised that tourists should visit Buda Castle at night. The castle lights up at night, further showing visitors its marvelous architecture. The courtyards are open 24 hours a day, so you’ll have no trouble visiting the castle. If you want more travel tips like this one, Next Vacay’s blog can provide you with the best info for the most memorable journey.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Another classical structure that overlooks the Danube River is the Fisherman’s Bastion. This structure is where the city’s guild of fishers built the historic walls to defend against invaders. Today, the bastion serves as an important historical site that tourists can visit.

When in the bastion, don’t forget to visit St. Stephen’s statue. St. Stephen is considered the first king of Hungary. The statue, which shows St. Stephen riding on a horse, can be found in the bastion’s courtyard.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Blessed with natural thermal springs, Budapest has some of the world’s best thermal springs. The Széchenyi Thermal Baths have been established since 1913 and are still providing locals and tourists the chance to relax and enjoy the health benefits that thermal springs bring.

Széchenyi is also the biggest facility of its kind in Europe, able to cater to thousands of people bathing together. Aside from 15 indoor pools and three more outside, the bath has saunas and steam rooms. You can also ask for spa services such as body treatments, facials, and massages.

Margaret Island

Budapest is filled with incredible buildings and urban sites you can visit. One would think that a place full of nature doesn’t exist within the city. However, there’s a tranquil getaway in the Danube river called Margaret Island. The island is home to several water parks, a tennis stadium, and an athletics center. If you want to jog around, the island has a track designed for joggers, a popular attraction for tourists and locals.

Margaret Island has several sanctuaries and gardens on it. Locals take pride in the natural beauty of the island. With that, ordinances have been made that limit the entry of cars to the place. Since 1980, only a single bus and taxi line and vehicles from local establishments are allowed to enter Margaret Island.

Central Market Hall

Built in 1897, Budapest’s largest and oldest market still stands today and is a popular tourist attraction. The Central Market Hall located just across the Freedom Bridge is an exciting visit for many tourists. Housing over 10,000 square meters full of small shops, you can definitely buy souvenirs here.

If you want to sample local street food, go to the second floor. Aside from stalls and shops, the floor is also full of coffee and pastry shops. Avoid visiting the market during Saturdays as this day tends to be the busiest.

Budapest Zoo

Another getaway from the urban feel when you get to Budapest is the Budapest Zoo. The zoo is special as it’s one of the few, oldest, operational zoos. The zoo houses more than a thousand species of animals. From Sugar Gliders to Komodo Dragons to Apple Snails, there’s a lot of wildlife to see. Aside from the zoo, you can also visit their botanical gardens. 

Laurel Budapest

If you want the best fine dining experience in Budapest, then a visit to Laurel Budapest is a must. With a talented, young, and experienced staff ready to cater to your needs, the experience is to die for.

This restaurant is certified by Michelin and is a bang for your buck. The Laurel Budapest serves authentic Hungarian dishes and has a run cellar with the finest wines in Budapest. If you want something else, the menu is diverse as it has its global influences infused with every item.

Conclusion

Budapest is one of the prime tourist destinations in the world. Every year, 30 million tourists walk through this magnificent city in Central Europe. The places mentioned above are some of the best places to go to when you’re in town. Enjoy, have fun, and follow guidelines set by the government when you go on a vacation to other countries.