Budapest has been on my bucket list for quite some time with its beautiful architecture and thermal baths. We took a train from Vienna to Budapest and although we only had two days to explore, we managed to not miss out on the best parts of the city.
Tuk Tuk ride
A great way to see the city on the first day is to take a tuk tuk ride. You’ll be able to see both Buda and Pest sides (did you know they used to be separate cities until 1873 when it became what is known today as Budapest). Buda, the quieter side is on the west and Pest on the East.
The driver is your tour guide and will make pit-stops if you see something, ours bought us a kürtőskalács, Hungarian chimney cake coated in cinnamon sugar. Budapest Tuk Tuk offers a bunch of different tours ranging from 1 to 4 hour long rides and you can easily climb in and out for photo ops.
Széchenyi thermal bath
Budapest is known as the City of Healing Waters, with a number of baths dotted around the city. We chose to visit the infamous Széchenyi thermal bath which is one of the largest in Europe!
Fisherman’s Bastion & Matthias Church
Perched on top of Castle Hill is the Halászbástya also known as Fisherman’s Bastion, a viewing terrace with panoramic views over the city. It’s like something out of a fairy tale. The historic, Matthias Church is over 700 years old with its colourful tiled roof. If you want to snap photos without crowds, arrive before 8am.
New York Café
Yes, the prices are high but one must step inside the iconic New York Café and admire the lavish and intricate decor.
Hungarian Parliament Building
The third largest Parliament building in the world, the Hungarian Parliament’s architecture is absolutely stunning. You can take a guided tour inside but make sure to book in advance. Head down to the Danube river afterwards and make your way to the Széchenyi Chain Bridge ending your day with a sunset walk with views of both Buda and Pest sides.
Try Lángos
There are plenty of Hungarian delicacies to try when in Budapest but one you must have is lángos, a deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and grated cheese. Found this one right near St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest’s largest church.
A special thank you to Budapest Tourism Board and Budapest Tuk Tuk for showing us around.
