Rich in art and culture, Budapest is a favorite destination of budget travelers like me.
Food and transportation cost much lower there than in other cities in Europe, and there are a range of attractions that caters not only to solo travelers (again, like me), but also for families as well.
Architecture lovers would like Budapest–there’s Castle Hill, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Hungarian Parliament.
Those into self-care would love the city’s numerous spas and thermal baths, too.
Lovely cupola at St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Had I been in a regular frame of mind when I was in Budapest in the early spring of 2012, I would have done my best to see everything that I could. After all, there are a gazillion things to do in Budapest.
However, at that time I was still in a depressed mood (you can read the story of my 70-day backpacking trip in Europe to find out why) and I couldn’t muster enough energy to come up with enough things to do during my three-day stay there.
If you arrive in Budapest too tired and lazy to come up with an itinerary, here are things I suggest you can do.
A view of the River Danube from Buda Castle.
It was in Budapest when I’ve learned about free walking tours. The tour was ran by two very funny guides; they made history so much alive. They were very informative without sounding dry, and we covered a lot of ground in two hours. We started at St. Stephen’s Basilica and made our way over the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and into Castle Hill.
Aside from the general walk (which I had taken), they also offer the Communism Walk and Jewish District Walk. Check out their Facebook page: Free Budapest Walking Tours.
(Incidentally, not all cities in Europe offer free walking tours. In Italy, for example, it is even forbidden!)
A very popular ruin bar (or ruin pub) in Budapest.
I’m not into bars, but when a local Couchsurfing member suggested going to a “ruin bar,” I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
These bars are so-called because they’re located in old buildings that have seen better days, with mismatched furniture, unpainted walls, and broken doors. From the outside, they even look like safety hazards.
Inside these pubs, however, you will find the young and trendy, or old (literal and figurative) friends chatting over coffee. Some offer free concerts to its clients, others have artwork on the walls. If there’s one thing ruin pubs have in common, however, aside from how they look, it’s the cheap price of its drinks.
I got separated from my free walking tour group because I had stopped to listen to a street musician in Castle Hill. I have seen a lot of them in Europe; I saw my first one in Bremen and since then, I had never passed up a chance to stop and listen. They can be quite good, and some have even reduced me to tears!
***
So yep, basically, in three days, that’s all that I did in Budapest, aside from playing with my host’s cat, Dormi. I had planned on joining another tour group (a paid one this time) to explore the caves in Buda, but I called too late. They were already fully booked. If you have more time in this beautiful city, make sure to call in advance.
Aside from exploring the caves or enjoying its thermal baths, you can also go on a cruise along the River Danube. I know I would have loved it if I had thought of it when I was there. The Danube River splits Budapest into two (former independent) cities: Buda and Pest. The Hungarian Parliament is on the Pest side, but there are other breathtaking views you can see as well when you take the cruise.
There are many, many more wonderful things to do in Budapest. If I were given a chance to go back there, I certainly would, and next time, I would never allow heartbreak to ruin my travel again. Or at least I hope so.
Have you been to Budapest? What do you like best about the city?
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Loved Budapest and the walking tours! Oh I took so many of them all over Europe. I think they’re uncommon in Italy, but I’ve definitely seen them in Milan and Rome. Didn’t go on either, but I had the schedules and watched one group traipse past me in Rome last summer… 🙂
In Rome, our tour guide was arrested by the tourist police because free walking tours aren’t allowed. It was too bad, I had wanted a guided tour of the Vatican!
@ Freya: Yeah, Budapest does deserve a second (or third) visit from us 😀
I have been to Budapest once and besides the walking tour I did not do very much either. The walking tour gives you a pretty good idea of the city although I missed the ruin bars and cannot remember seeing any street musicians either. Well, I definitely have to return one day for a proper visit.
@ Chanelle: Traveling solo is <3. Depends on when you'd like to visit, of course. Personally, I would choose either spring or fall.
Such an incredible Budapest travel you have. I just wish I can also travel solo like you do.By the way,what time of the year is the best to visit Hungary?
@ Marisol: I never got to try out their thermal baths 🙁 And I didn’t have any massage when I was in Europe too. It was just too expensive. How can I pay 50 euros when I know that back in the Philippines it’s only $5? haha Next time, I would really go caving, and also go on a river cruise along the Danube.
Hi Aleah,
I wish there will be no more heartbreak for your ever!
It’s great you got to do the walking tour – made you cover as much as you can in so short a time.
I enjoyed Budapest and wish to go back. I loved the Castle Hill and Citadel areas, and the spa/baths at Gellert Hotel. It was so dirt cheap way back them (1999) and I was having spa treatment everyday (my friends told me that it has quarupled since then.) I also enjoyed the day trip to Szentendre on the Danube bend. It’s only less than an hour train ride from the city and I recommend it. It’s an artists’ colony and is very charming.
Didn’t know about Ruin Bar. Will make sure to check that next time.
@ Frugal Expat: I’m sure you’d love Budapest!
@ Mike: I always stop to listen to street musicians. It’s very romantic hehe
That is such an awesome picture you painted of stopping to listen to the street musician, Aleah. I would absolutely like to try a ruin bar for the nostalgia and it sounds like tradition too! 🙂
Thanks for sharing..
This place to visit is in my bucket list too..
@ Michele: It’s unique to Budapest too. You would love it!
Ruin Bars is certainly an interesting term. I think I’d like to visit one. I’ve never been to Budapest but would like to at some point.
@ Christine: Yeah, it’s a really old and lovely city. Wish I had done more than the walking tour, but…no regrets haha
I agree, sometimes it’s hard to keep coming up with itinerary plans on your own, especially if you’ve been traveling non-stop. You just got to play it easy even when the guilt of non-productivity threatens. I don’t think a free walking tour is lazy at all. Usually that requires a bit of research and reservation. It’s still planning. Budapest is supposed to be an old city with lots of historical architecture. I’d probably just wander through the streets and markets.
@ Leigh: The poor guide in Rome was also surprised. He didn’t know the authorities were cracking down on free tours. We were worried, too, that we’d get arrested as well. I guess they’re trying to make sure people get the accredited tour guides who pay the Vatican for a license to take people there.
Good to know about the walking tours and you are so right about bringing history alive. I wonder why Italy bans them. I haven’t been to any countries in Eastern Europe and really look forward to exploring Budapest sometime in the near future.
@ Bianca: Oooo, make sure to put it in your schedule! You won’t regret it, Budapest is so worth it.
Beautiful! Budapest has been on my list for sometime now. Just hope I can fit it in early next year.
@ Erica: I’m sure you will enjoy Budapest!
@ Franca: I agree! I wish we had that here in the Philippines.
I loved Budapest so much and I wish there were more places like the “ruin bars” in every city I go to because I simply love them.
All three of these sound wonderful! I love the idea of the ruin bars. Someday when I make it to Budapest I will have to explore them. Thanks for sharing!
@ Cat: Haven’t gone to the Terror Museum. Sounds interesting though!
@ Photo Cache: I tried to join one in the Vatican, but our guide was arrested. Seems like it’s forbidden there LOL
I do hope you find another opportunity to go back there so you can create new memories of the city.
Hooray for cities with free walking tour. Free walking tour is actually what I google first when I plan on visiting a new city. Except that I haven’t actually joined one, pity.
My family and I are going on a cruise and ending up in Budapest. I went several years ago and loved the city, particularly the ruin bars and the Terror Museum.
@ Cathy: Ooo, you’re going back in winter! I’m sure there will be so many Christmas markets there!
@ Gran Canaria: It seems you had much less time than I did. Budapest is definitely worth a return visit.
I certainly understand how heartbreak can interfere with our enjoyment of many wonderful things. About Budapest — I’m so lucky to be going back there in December. Had my first visit in March and fell in love with the city. Much more to see and do, including the baths! I hadn’t heard of the ruin bars. I’ll try to check one out.
Went very briefly as a stopover before covering a CL match in Slovakia. Whoever did my travel planning may have saved money. But it was an eight-hour train journey from Budapest to my final destination. Still I had some time to experience a spa and enjoy some fine food. Would love to go back to discover it even more.