Ever since I returned home from my trip to Budapest, the city has stayed on my mind. This has partially been because of the infectious buzz of the place, but also because of the unforgettable experiences that came together to create a city break packed with excitement, rich cultural history, and chimney cake. Lots of chimney cake.
So if you’re thinking about planning your very own trip to the Hungarian capital, you’re in the right place! Here, I’ve put together a helpful guide to some of my favourite locations and activities that’ll spice up your trip more than a steaming plate of chicken paprikash.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
I heard a lot of noise and hype surrounding the Széchenyi Thermal Baths before I went to Budapest, so I was fully ready to go and be disappointed by the latest underwhelming, overhyped holiday attraction. But what I actually found was something that completely delivered on every rave review I’d read. The architecture? Mesmerising; baroque; timeless and perfect for Budapest. The baths? Easily the most fun I had on the entire trip.
Stepping into one pool was like stepping into a bath you’ve run at just the right temperature and completely clean, with ultrapure water processed by modern cleaning systems. Stepping into another was a little more serious – it was for the serious swimmers out there who want to eat up length after length and was a perfect challenge. Stepping into the last outdoor pool was nothing short of absolute carnage.
Numerous water features in various shapes and sizes adorn the pool, while its centre is home to the wildest, most chaotic lazy river I’ve experienced, so much so that I refuse to call it a lazy river. This was a CRAZY river. The current sped up to a rapid speed that moved its occupants like clothes in a laundry machine, while the odd person gripped onto the exit for dear life as they fought for a freedom that would never come. Needless to say, that me and my friends has so much fun here that we spent a good 5 hours overall checking out the various indoor and outdoor facilities, punctuated with periodic returns to the crazy river.
Hungarian National Gallery
You don’t need to be an art lover to have an unforgettable experience browsing the very best of Hungarian art. You can find the Hungarian National Gallery atop the imposing Castle Bled, which also delivers some of the very best views of the city, from the famous parliament building to St Stephen’s Basilica and Budapest’s three major bridges.
But anyway, inside the gallery, you’ll be immediately treated to several colossal works of art that depict historic battles, like The Recapture of Buda Castle, after which you’ll go down a rabbit hole, exploring Hungarian history, like the country’s unification with Austria in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its contentious relationship with Turkey, or the Ottoman Empire at the time.
History aside, your eyes will marvel at some of the masterpieces on display, like Picnic in May and Lady in Violet, though my personal favourite was Virrasztas by Laszlo Pataky.
Central Market Hall
If you’re hungry, or on the lookout for a place that feels a bit less like a honeypot and more authentic, then you’ll relish a trip to Central Market Hall. One of Budapest’s most eye-catching buildings, it’s pretty hard to miss.
Fortunately, the dazzling looks extend to the building’s interior, which is a wide-open traditional market space, with high ceilings that reach almost 100ft tall. It’s usually full to the brim with locals and tourists alike, who are perusing locally sourced fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish, not to mention the delicious authentic cuisine you can find on the first floor, like goulash, langos, and chicken paprikash.
Closing Thoughts
Budapest really is one of the best places to travel to in Europe. I was totally shocked by just how much fun I had in all three of these locations, which all carried their own unique buzz, whether we’re talking about the classical architecture and ultrapure water of the thermal baths, the wide variety of art on display and the sense of rich cultural history at the Hungarian National Gallery, or the intense hustle and bustle at the central market hall. So if you’re heading to Budapest, be sure to check out these places!