Having not long returned from travelling across the beautiful and fascinating country of Jordan the travel bug was still very much alive and kicking in my system, looking over photos of my adventures my feet started to feel itchy again, then hearing George Ezra singing Budapest on the radio in the background, I talked myself into thinking this must be a sign and should go on a short city break and started planning my trip to Budapest!
After a quick google search i had found return flights for £59 with Wizz air, leaving Luton at 08.30 and return leaving Budapest at 17.30. A lovely looking studio apartment for 2 nights (Dohany luxury by STN) on booking.com for £75. Most cities have some sort of tourist travel card now so after a search I found the Budapest card. This comes in 24 -120-hour cards, and includes lots of main attractions including walking tours, river cruise, museums, thermal baths, all public transport and a lot of discounts on other stuff. I got the 48hr card and that was £48/53 euro. It lasts a full 48hrs eg 2pm to 2pm as well so you don’t lose half a day here or there, I opted to pick my card up from the airport so I could start using public transport as soon as I hit Budapest.
I arrived at Luton airport, one of my least favoured London airports on a dark Sunday morning in October. After clearing security and an overpriced mediocre breakfast i was on my two and a half hours flight to Budapest, I walked out of Budapest airport into a lovely sunny and warm autumn day and headed towards the Ibis Styles hotel across the road and to the right to collect my Budapest card which come with a handy pocket sized map with a directory of attractions that where numbered on the map and shows which is included with the card and discounts on some other attractions and food. A quick 3-minute walk and I’m back at the terminal and the 100E bus stop, you can pay by contactless on the bus. The 100E is not included with the Budapest card but it was only 2500 huf (£5.75/6.50 Euro) I settled down for the journey into the city, by the door was a poster advertising the Budapest Go App which i downloaded. It’s a live app so you can buy tickets on the go or search for a route from where you are and it will give you some options of public transport, there is also a link to the Budapest card website with info and options to buy online as well. The bus to the city took about thirty minutes and entering the city the buildings have real a Grande feel about them, almost from another time with stonework, carvings and ornate iron balconies. I got off at Astoria in the middle of a very busy crossroads and a good place for onward transport. I was an hour or so early for my check in time of 3pm so I put my bag in one of the many luggage storage places for 5 euro and started to wander towards the river. I arrived at the river by Elizabeth bridge after a 10-minute walk and headed to my right towards Chain bridge. From here you’ll see Buda castle up on the hill on the other side. I reached chain bridge, important for being the first permanent bridge to join Buda and Pest. From the bridge there are some great views of the city’s landmarks and once across, it is busy, this is where you decide how to get to the castle district. Walking the winding hill? Stairs? Funicular? or the castle bus? I didn’t fancy the climb so i got on the Budapest castle bus which is included in Budapest card or 6000huf 15 euro/£13/$17. The castle bus has 4 stops, and your given a small map showing the route and information for each stop. There is lots more to discover at each point apart from the main attractions, there are places to eat and drink with langos and chimney cakes readily available, most places here only accepted card payments. Don’t miss out on the lovely little places tucked away from the main event, because there is so many by just wandering from the main route a little.
The main attractions on the route are-
Stop 1- Matthias church and its colourful patterned roof and intricate spires and the silver-grey domes of fisherman’s bastion with amazing views here over the river, Pest and the parliament building.
Stop 2- Buda tower and the castle wall looking out over views of Buda
Stop 3- Royal palace, National gallery, Library and History Museum
Stop4- Castle Garden bazaar with views over the river and pest and a park with gardens fountains and artwork on display,
Everything at all 4 stops is included in Budapest card, I’d say half a day to a full day here!
Feeling a little exhausted after an early start and already a lot of walking i thought I’d go for public transport to get to my accommodation and used the Budapest Go app. I got my bag from luggage storage and followed the self check in instructions for my stay at Dohany Luxury by STN which i found on booking.com. The building is across the road from Dohany St Synagogue and very close to Astoria, when booking the photos made the place look good but wow it has been beautifully renovated to a very high standard, exceptionally clean with everything you could possibly need. Very helpful host and all at a very reasonable price, I couldn’t recommend this place enough, what a find!!
After a shower i ventured out to find food and went to a place id seen earlier in the day called Hungarian Hell’s Kitchen, a traditional Hungarian restaurant with a lovely setting and live music being played. I went for Goulash soup and double glad i did! The smell, the flavour and the softest beef, this has to be tried and I followed up with a chicken dish with potatoes. After i finished I had my first encounter with palinka, I went for cherry and was encouraged to drink like a Hungarian and knock it back, after the feeling of pouring liquid fire down my throat i was then told that this is “powerful stuff” and being homemade it can be anywhere from 40% to plus 80% ABV!! You,ve been warned ha-ha. Feeling full, tired and with the warmth of palinka still coursing through my veins i walked back to my apartment, at nearly midnight there was still a lot of life in the city for a Sunday night.