Heading to Europe this summer? Check out Desi Globetrotter’s Destination Guide for Budapest!

Hungary lies in East-Central Europe and Budapest is its capital, home to 1.74 million residents. The name Budapest comes from the individual city names Buda on the west and Pest on the east, with the cities uniting in 1873.

I visited Budapest last spring as I’ve never been to Central or Eastern Europe and was pleasantly surprised. I went in without any expectations or knowledge of the city or of its past. I came out learning more about Hungarian culture than what I came in with, even though I was only there for two days. This is because travelling heightens the senses, making your experience that much more richer and more memorable. By being open and unassuming, you see more, you listen more, and you go back home with a better understanding of the world, whether you’re on a two day trip or a two month trip.

*Random Fact 1: In Katie Perry’s Firework music video, the Szechenyi Bridge is featured in the opening shot. Parts of the video was filmed in the streets of Budapest.
*Random Fact 2: Bollywood blockbuster, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which released in 1999, had parts of it filmed in Budapest. You thought you were watching Salman pining for Aishwarya in Italy, but in reality, Budapest was used to represent Italy.

Desi Globetrotter’s 10 Best Things to See and Do in Budapest:

1. Head to St. Stephens Basilica at Szt Istvan Square

Easily voted as my favourite spot in Budapest to visit both day and night, this beautiful square lined with cafes and gelato shops is a great place to people watch. St. Stephens Basilica is a neo-classical Roman Catholic church dedicated to Stephen, the first king of Hungary and is known for housing his mummified fist.

2. Walk over the Szechenyi Bridge for fantastic views

This bridge crosses the River Danube, connecting the “Buda” side to the “Pest” side. The Danube is the second longest river in all of Europe. The bridge is walkable, pedestrian friendly and offers great views of the river and the east and west side of Budapest.

3. Visit the Buda Castle

Lose yourself in 13^th century Budapest in the old castle quarter of the city. This palatial abode, built for Hungarian Kings is now a Budapest World Heritage site.

4. Taste of History: Shoe Memorial & the House of Terror Museum

The Nazis occupied Hungary during World War II and the Soviets occupied the country from 1945-1991. To learn and understand more about Hungary’s volatile past, these sites are a must-see (not boring, I promise!).

The shoes on the Danube promenade are a memorial for the Jews who were massacred at the river bank during World War II after being told to take their shoes off before being shot. The House of Terror Museum is located at Andrassy Ut 60, the same address as the headquarters for the fascist and communist regimes where many prisoners were tortured, killed and interrogated. The Museum is a memorial and houses an exhibition of pictures, films, and historical objects from the era and visitors can also view the prison cells in the basement.Very eerie and emotional – a reminder of why such extreme regimes should never rule again.

5. Enjoy Traditional Hungarian Goulash

If you’re a foodie, you can’t leave Budapest without trying traditional goulash, a Hungarian staple on every menu. Goulash is a stew mixed with meat, noodles, vegetables and potatoes, seasoned with paprika and other spices. Paprika is the main symbol of Hungary’s cuisine and can be purchased at almost every souvenir shop, perfect for making your own goulash when you come home!

6. Explore Pest

Pest is Budapest’s commercial centre where most of the shops, markets and hotels are located. Spend the day walking, shopping, and people watching before heading over to see the Hungarian Parliament, the third largest in all of Europe. The Parliament is an iconic sight and because it’s on a hill, it can be seen from both Buda and Pest.

7. Unwind at a Thermal Bath

You’re on vacation after all right? After walking the city, your aching muscles need a rest. Budapest is known for its many thermal baths, thanks to the Romans and Turks who left a legacy of spa culture. I’ve been to the Szechenyi Baths, but there are many other popular ones around the city – Rudas, Lukacs, Gellert and Kiraly Baths. No matter which thermal bath you go to, you will surely enjoy.

8. Soak in European café culture in Ferenc Liszt Square

My favourite (and I’m sure yours too!) is to sit on a patio with good drinks and eats, relaxing in the sun, people watching while on your Euro vacay. Ferenc Liszt Square is a great place to catch a bite to eat with a strip of restaurants to choose from, one of them being the Bohemia Restaurant & Beer Hall where I happened to lunch. Good food and great location.

9. Visit the Hungarian State Opera House

Another great place for architecture lovers, the Opera House is beautifully built and very opulent from the inside and out. Even if you’re not into opera, the building itself is something to see. If you are interested, you can also catch a matinee opera performance or a tour during the day or for a more formal night out, you can purchase tickets for an evening show.

10. Take Local Transportation

Inexpensive, efficient and a great way to see how the locals move around, the Budapest Metro is the second oldest underground metro system in the world after London’s Underground. Even if you don’t speak Hungarian, the transit guards are helpful and friendly. When we didn’t know which side to board or what the writing on the ticket meant, the transit guard was there to help.

Have you been to Budapest before? What’s your favourite place to see? Leave your suggestions below in the comments!

Photo Credits: Elin B, Stephan Maloman, Alex Proimos, Adam Jones, JoiseyShowaa, Infraredhorsebite, Dimitri D, Evocateur