Budapest in a Day: A Jam-Packed 24 Hour Itinerary
A few weeks ago two friends visited me for a day in Budapest. Naturally, I wanted to show them everything my new city has to offer. Now, most would say that Budapest can't be done in a day - nor should it be. However, I've never been one to be told I can't do something, so I certainly gave it a try. Here, I present to you my jam-packed one-day itinerary to see as much of Budapest as possible.
Before we start, a disclaimer: If you would describe yourself
as a slow walker or someone afraid to break a sweat, this guide may not be for
you. Otherwise, lace up your walking shoes and get ready to see as much of
Budapest as possible in one day.
Morning: St. Stephen's Basilica, Breakfast, Castle District
For the sake of this guide, I'm going to take the liberty of
assuming you've found yourself in Deák Ferenc Tér. From there, follow
Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út to St. Stephen's Basilica. Entry is free, but I highly
recommend you spend the few hundred forint to go up to the lookout point. St.
Stephen's Basilica is tied with Parliament as the highest building in Budapest,
so at 96 meters tall, it's a scenic lookout point to see the Pest side. Though
perhaps a bit early to see mummified body parts, St. Stephen's right hand is on
display inside the church.
After the church, make your way to Á La Maison on Nádor u.
for a great breakfast. This reasonably priced restaurant offers breakfast and
brunch daily, and is just a few minutes away from the basilica. My favorite breakfast
is the Hungarian stuffed french toast, but you can't go wrong with any option.
From A La Maison, make your way down Zrínyi u. toward the
Chain Bridge. The Chain Bridge was built in the nineteenth century to connect
Buda and Pest. Walk across the bridge, but not without stopping to enjoy the
riverfront views of Buda and Pest. A fun fact: many claim that the stone lions
at the end of the bridge don't have tongues. I've heard some people insist that
the tongues are there, but are just a bit small and out of view. I've never
seen any tongues, but I'll leave this one up to you to decide.
Next stop is Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church.
There's a funicular that takes you up Castle Hill, but it costs around 1000
forint. If you're feeling thrifty and are up for a hike, there are plenty of
paths that will take you up the hill. Once you're up there, you may be tempted
to head to the first lookout point at Fisherman's Bastion. However, these have
entry fees. If you head down a bit past Matthias Church, there's a lookout
point that is free and has just as good of a view.
Matthias Church has an entrance fee of 1000 forint for
students, but it's worth the price. The current church was built in the 13th
century and recently underwent an extensive restoration.
Afternoon: Gellért Hill, Central Market Hall, Heroes Square
If you're keeping up with the pace, it should now be late
morning. Once you've seen Castle Hill, head over to Gellért Hill. Set your
sights on the Statue of Liberty atop Gellért Hill, because that's where we're
heading. Grab a water on the way, because this will be the most walking and
hiking of the day.
Gellért Hill is about a 20-30 minute walk from Fisherman's
Bastion. Buda Castle is on the way, so stop by and take some pictures if you
want. Once you make it to the base of Gellért Hill, the only way to go is up. I
promise the hike will be worth it, though. The Statue of Liberty is worth
seeing, and the top of the hill offers one of the best panoramic views of the
city.
Once you've appreciated the Statue of Liberty and taken an
Instagram-worthy panorama of the city, make your way down the hill. We're headed
to Central Market Hall. You can get there by either walking across Liberty
Bridge, or by taking trams 47/49 or the M4 to Fővám Tér.
From Fővám Tér, head inside to Central Market Hall. This is
the largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest. Upstairs you can find many
affordable restaurant stalls offering traditional Hungarian food. Stop for
lunch at whichever stall catches your eye and try some Hungarian food. I
recommend goulash, lángos, or beef stew.
Once you've satisfied your appetite, take the 47 or 49 tram
to Deák Ferenc Tér. Make your way to the M1 and take it to Heroes Square, or
Hősök tere. Situated at the end of Andrássy út, Heroes Square is home to the
Millennium Monument and is one of the most scenic parts of the city.
Behind Heroes Square is City Park. Stroll through City Park and make your way to Széchenyi Thermal Baths. The Széchenyi Bath is the largest thermal bath in Europe and is a must-do when you're in Budapest. Entrance is 5000ft on weekdays, 5200ft on weekends. If you didn't bring a bathing suit, you can rent one for a small fee. Relax in the baths after a busy morning, and get ready for the rest of your day in Budapest.
Evening: Belvárosi Disznótoros, Szimpla Kert
After a relaxing afternoon in the baths, head to the M1 and
make your way back to Deák Ferenc Tér. From there, walk to Belvarosi
Disznótoros on Király u. Belvarosi Disznótoros is a fantastic
butchery/restaurant that offers traditional Hungarian meats at an affordable
price. I recommend the sausage or schnitzel.
By now it should be well into the evening, so it's time to
make your way to Szimpla Kert. Szimpla Kert opened as one of the first ruin
pubs in Budapest, taking an old factory and revamping it into one of the city's
best bars. Szimpla Kert is made up of multiple bars, each with a unique
character creating a bizarre labyrinth in Budapest's seventh district. Have a
drink and enjoy the end of your jam-packed day in Budapest.
Budapest is an amazing city with much to offer. Though a
single day can't do the city justice, this guide brings you to many of the most
noteworthy places around the city. I hope you enjoy your stay in Budapest return to discover more of Hungary's culture and history.
Image sources:
http://www.budapestsightseeing.net/wp-content/gallery/fishermenbastion/fishermen-bastion-budapest.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Basilica#/media/File:HUN-2015-Budapest-St._Stephen%27s_Basilica.jpg
http://www.funzine.hu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/szabi-szobor-2.jpg
http://www.szechenyifurdo.hu/static/baths/8/vip_images/6-b.jpg?Sz%C3%A9chenyi%20gy%C3%B3gyf%C3%BCrd%C5%91
http://dailynewshungary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/szimpla-budapest.jpg
Image sources:
http://www.budapestsightseeing.net/wp-content/gallery/fishermenbastion/fishermen-bastion-budapest.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen%27s_Basilica#/media/File:HUN-2015-Budapest-St._Stephen%27s_Basilica.jpg
http://www.funzine.hu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/szabi-szobor-2.jpg
http://www.szechenyifurdo.hu/static/baths/8/vip_images/6-b.jpg?Sz%C3%A9chenyi%20gy%C3%B3gyf%C3%BCrd%C5%91
http://dailynewshungary.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/szimpla-budapest.jpg
