Budapest – a symphony of architecture and culinary delights

Introduction

Starting the day with a delicious breakfast, strolling leisurely through the streets while exploring an interesting city on foot, enjoying traditional food, and simply spending some quality time with the girls – that’s my idea of a perfect weekend with my best friends. This time, we chose the beautiful city of Budapest in Hungary, one of the many destinations we enjoy exploring together on our regular city trips.

Why Budapest? The city is known for its impressive architecture, diverse culinary offerings, and rich cultural scene. I'd love to take you along and share some tips on what you absolutely shouldn’t miss when visiting Budapest.

Arrival

We took a direct EasyJet flight from Basel to Budapest, with a flight time of approximately 1.5 hours. Since we arrived relatively late in the evening, we opted to take a taxi straight to the city center. The ride costs around 15,000 to 20,000 forints, which is quite affordable for a 40-minute journey. That’s why I would choose this option again next time.

Stow Your Bags

When traveling to a city, it can be very convenient to have a place to store your luggage. If you are staying in a hotel, this is often not a problem, as you can usually leave your bags at reception. However, if you prefer to stay on vacation rentals like I do, it can be a bit more complicated. In Budapest, we were flying home in the evening and didn’t want to carry our luggage around all day. That’s when we discovered the service Stow Your Bags. The process was very simple, and I would do it this way again.

Chain Bridge

The Chain Bridge, known in Hungarian as Széchenyi lánchíd, is one of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks. It majestically spans the Danube River, connecting the two districts of Buda and Pest. A walk across the Chain Bridge is almost a must when visiting the city.

You can easily combine this walk with a visit to the Castle District, as the Chain Bridge leads directly to the historic funicular, which takes you up to Castle Hill. From there, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the city and the river.

The architecture of the bridge is truly striking: It is an impressive suspension bridge with two massive pillars that resemble triumphal arches. The elegant chains and the stone lion statues at the bridgeheads give it a classic, monumental charm, reminiscent of its opening in 1849. The Chain Bridge not only symbolizes the unification of Buda and Pest but also represents Hungary’s transition into the modern era.

Fisherman's Bastion & Matthias Church

The Halászbástya or Fisherman's Bastion is one of the best-known historical monuments in Budapest, located near the Buda Castle. 

The elegant white towers and walls of the bastion evoke medieval architecture, yet they are much younger. It was built between 1895 and 1902 in the Neo-Romanesque and Neo-Gothic styles. The bastion was constructed to commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the founding of Hungary. In the Middle Ages, this location was where the fishermen of Budapest defended the city.

The bastion consists of seven large towers, symbolizing the seven Magyar tribes. These towers are connected by balconies and staircases.

Matthias Church is a Roman Catholic church located right next to the Fisherman's Bastion. Its main facade is richly adorned with impressive architectural details that showcase the remarkable craftsmanship of the builders.

A famous legend associated with Matthias Church tells of a mystical raven. According to the legend, during the construction of the church in the 13th century, a raven brought a precious ring to one of the workers. This ring had previously been stolen from the Prince of Buda by a raven. The bird's return of the ring was interpreted as a divine sign of protection for the church under construction. Since then, the raven has been considered a symbol of good fortune and blessing for Matthias Church.

Buda Castle

The Buda Castle, in Hungarian Budavári Palota, majestically crowns the historic Castle Hill and stands as a true architectural masterpiece. Even from a distance, its impressive facade captivates visitors. The castle once served as the residence of the Apostolic Kings of Hungary and embodies the rich history and culture of the country.

Due to its location, Buda Castle is not only the highest building in Budapest but also the largest in the country. From here, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Danube River. Since 1987, the castle has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highlighting its historical and cultural significance.

Today, Buda Castle houses several museums, including the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, offering visitors fascinating insights into Hungarian art and history. A visit to Buda Castle is therefore a must for architecture and history enthusiasts, as well as for anyone wishing to experience the essence of Budapest.

St. Stephen's Basilica

The St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) is one of the most impressive landmarks in Budapest and a must-visit for every traveler. It is in the heart of the city and was built in a neoclassical style between 1851 and 1905. The dome reaches a height of 96 meters, making it the second tallest building in the city.

Inside the basilica, you'll find magnificent mosaics and intricate statues. In addition to regular services, concerts and festive events are held here. During our visit, entrance to the church was free because a mass was taking place, and we were able to listen for a while, which added to the experience. The view from the dome offers breathtaking panoramas of Budapest, especially at sunset.

I had booked tickets in advance through GetYourGuide, which provided access to the terrace of the dome, the viewpoint that offers stunning views of the city. However, I had to exchange them for the original tickets at the official ticket office, located directly to the right of the church, across the street.

Visiting St. Stephen's Basilica is an unforgettable experience and a highlight of any trip to Budapest!

Cruise on the Danube

A cruise on the Danube offers a wonderful opportunity to discover the sights from a new perspective and take stunning photos. On board, you can enjoy the view from the open deck while a welcome drink is served. The audio guide, which can be easily accessed on your own smartphone, provides interesting information about the various landmarks. However, you should bring your own headphones. The cruise lasts about an hour. We booked our tour effortlessly through GetYourGuide.

Parliament building

Impressive is almost an understatement: The Parliament building in Budapest is a magnificent Neo-Gothic structure, characterized by its intricate details and stunning spires, making it one of the city's most important landmarks. Its grandeur and architectural beauty attract visitors from around the world, and it's no surprise that it is also one of the most popular photo spots in Budapest. However, capturing this impressive building in a single photograph proved to be a challenge due to its sheer size and grandeur.

We would have loved to tour the opulent interior, which is adorned with exquisite artworks and lavish decorations, as part of a guided tour. Unfortunately, these tours were booked out well in advance. So, if you're interested in experiencing this architectural gem up close, it’s best to secure your tickets from home to ensure you don’t miss out.

Shoes on the Danube Bank

Sixty pairs of cast-iron shoes serve as a poignant reminder of the victims of the Holocaust. Often, entire groups of people were lined up on the riverbank and shot into the Danube. The memorial is accessible at all times and is located in close proximity to the Parliament. The inscription on the plaque is written in Hungarian, English, and Hebrew.

Heroes Square

Heroes Square, known as 'Hősök tere' in Hungarian, is one of the most significant squares in Budapest. It is in the northeastern part of Pest and honors the heroes and historical figures who played a crucial role in Hungary's history. The centerpiece of the square is the Millennium Monument, which features a central column topped by the Archangel Gabriel holding the Holy Crown of St. Stephen – the symbol of the Hungarian state. At the base of the column are statues of the leaders of the seven Magyar tribes who led the Magyars into the region. These figures symbolize the unification of the tribes and the founding of the Hungarian nation. 

Unfortunately, the statue was covered for renovations during our visit, so I couldn’t take a photo. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the walk that led us to the square.

Madame Tussauds

Who isn’t familiar with Madame Tussauds wax museum? I must admit, visiting this museum wasn’t on my to-do list, not even in Budapest. But one day, we had terrible weather, and just as it started pouring rain, we happened to pass by. So, we spontaneously decided to check it out. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.

I quickly booked the tickets via GetYourGuide, as they were slightly cheaper than buying them on-site. I had already visited Madame Tussauds in Berlin, but I have to say, I liked the one in Budapest much better.

It wasn’t because of the figures themselves, but more because of how they were presented. I also really loved the building that housed the museum – a beautiful old house with very high ceilings.

That’s why this place is now on my list of recommendations – especially if you need an activity for bad weather.

Our accommodation

Our accommodation was simply wonderful. Since I travelled a lot, I’ve rented numerous apartments, but I can confidently say that this was the most beautiful one I’ve ever stayed in. The apartment belongs to two brothers, Robert and Peter, and is called Basilika. The name speaks for itself, as it is located directly across from the impressive St. Stephen's Basilica.

The location couldn’t be better – it’s the perfect starting point to explore the city, and all the main attractions are within walking distance.

The apartment itself is furnished with great attention to detail, and you immediately notice the hosts' excellent taste. The walls are adorned with stylish pictures featuring themes from film, theater, and music. I was particularly impressed by the high ceilings, which give the space a unique atmosphere. The cozy sitting area is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

I would rent this apartment again anytime I visit Budapest.

Restaurants

There are several restaurants on Castle Hill, but most of them are typical tourist spots and are often overpriced. However, there is a hidden gem just a stone's throw from Fisherman's Bastion: a tiny bakery with only two chairs. It’s called Budavari Retesvar, and while it’s easy to miss, Google Maps will lead you right to it. The highlight there is the wide selection of freshly baked strudels. They are so fresh and delicate that they practically melt in your mouth. A true insider tip – make sure not to miss it!

One wonderful café we discovered by chance was Edison & Jupiter. You can have breakfast there every day until 2 PM. Our meal was exceptionally delicious – you can tell that the ingredients are fresh, and the dish was prepared with great attention to detail.

The second restaurant, perfect for breakfast, was discovered by my friend: Café Franziska. There are two locations – one in Buda and one in Pest. We visited the one in Pest, and it was delicious. You’ll find everything your heart desires for breakfast here.

The third restaurant for breakfast was also fantastic: Circusz. The food was delicious, and the artistic presentation of the dishes was impressive. One small drawback is that you can't make a reservation, so depending on how busy it is, you might have to plan for some waiting time and stand in line outside. But I promise you, it's worth it.

As with every trip, I also do some research in advance about the restaurants I would like to visit. I don’t always plan everything down to the last detail, but I make reservations at the places where I really want to secure a spot. While browsing the restaurants in Budapest from home, Mazel Tov caught my eye right away. Fortunately, I was able to reserve a table, as the restaurant is often booked well in advance – and now I understand why: it was simply delicious! Mazel Tov was my absolute favorite restaurant in Budapest, and I highly recommend that you check it out. The restaurant is in the Jewish Quarter and offers Mediterranean and fusion cuisine from the Middle East. The dishes are not kosher but are prepared according to the principles of modern Israeli cuisine in the spirit of openness.

Another fantastic restaurant in Budapest is Twentysix. It was recommended to us by a local, and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is an urban oasis where nature meets gastronomy – while you're seated indoors, it feels like being in a botanical garden. Making a reservation in advance is highly recommended here as well.

Closing words

Budapest is a fascinating city that captivates with its exciting charm. Countless experiences await you here! The variety of restaurants, from traditional Hungarian cuisine to international gastronomy, is impressive.

For a city trip, I can wholeheartedly recommend Budapest. The city offers a vibrant nightlife that particularly appeals to younger visitors, as well as a rich history and culture. Whether you’re interested in historical landmarks, looking for the best shopping spots, or simply want to enjoy a lively evening at a bar – Budapest has something for everyone!