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Budapest is filled with incredible architecture, gorgeous castles, delicious food, plenty of thermal bathhouses, and cheap shopping. All this makes Budapest one of my favorite cities in Europe.
Here's how to spend 4 magical days in Budapest
Most of the attractions are bunched up together, making it easy to see the city in just a few days. We arrived in Budapest Sunday late afternoon, so we walked around Deak Ferenc street and did some shopping.
We did some shopping. The prices are so much cheaper than in Israel, so we had some fun in H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, COS, Lush (A great soup and creams store), and more.
Highly recommended to do so at night! The parliament, Buda Castle, and Fisherman's Bastion are all lit up. The boat tour is 25 euros (100 shekels), and it includes an hour and a half boat tour around the Danube river, a guide about the history of Budapest, and champagne/beer/soft drink for your choosing.
On the side of the hotel (D8, intercontinental, and the four seasons) that is the side of Pest. The other side of the bridge is Buda.
Once you get to the Chain Bridge, you make a right and continue walking straight on the river. as you walk on the river towards the parliament you can see the shoe memorial in memory of the Jews that were murdered and bodies were dropped in the river in 1944-1945.
Inspired by the British parliament building, with gothic, baroque and Renaissance elements it's the 3rd largest Parliament in Europe.
Entrance Fee: 2,200 Forint (7 USD).
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-18:00.
Saturday-Sunday 8:00-16:00.
Guards ceremony: Every round hour, there's a guard change ceremony at the entrance.
We took a bus (7,15 or M2) 10-minute bus ride. or a 12-minute walk. It is one of Budapest's greatest landmarks, built in 1906 and took 50 years to build. The design was based on drawings by Jozsef Hild.
Entrance Fee: Free, but it’s customary to pay 200 Forint. (0.6 USD)
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00
Saturday 9:00-13:00, Sunday 13:00-17:00
Mr. Funk
4-minute walk from St. Stephan Basilica there is Mr. Funk donuts! Highly recommend they have unique donuts!!!!
This is one of the best views in Budapest. Buda Castle is Budapest's historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings. It was first completed in 1265, but the massive Baroque palace today occupying most of the site was built between 1749 and 1769. The complex in the past was referred to as either the Royal Palace or the Royal Castle.
The museum also has a small collection of works by big-name artists like Raphael, El Greco, Frans Hals, and Monet.
Entrance Fee: 1,800 Forint (6 USD).
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Supposedly named for the fishermen responsible for defending this stretch of the bank against invaders in the Middle Ages. This beautiful spot you can not miss makes you feel like a princess in a castle with a gorgeous view of Pest.
Entrance Fee: Free.
Opening hours: All day.
The church of the Assumption of the Buda castle is a Roman Catholic church located in the Holy Trinity Square in front of the Fisherman's Bastion at the heart of Buda's Castle District. It was Originally built in 1255 it is a beautiful church with a gorgeous roof with many colors.
Entrance fee: 1,500 forint (5 USD)
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00.
Saturday 9:00-13:00, Sunday 13:00-17:00
The largest synagogue in Europe (2nd to largest in the world!!) This synagogue is mind-blowing. It's a unique synagogue.
Entrance fee: 4,000 Forint (12 USD) and includes a free tour that I highly recommend.
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:00-16:00.
Friday 10:00-14:00
We woke up and took the M1 To Széchenyi fürdő (It's a 10-minute ride)
This castle is located in the City Park of Budapest. It is a copy of Hunyad Castle, known as Corvin Castle, in Hunedoara, Romania. It was built in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition, which celebrated the 1,000 years of Hungary since the Hungarian Conquest of the Carpathian Basin in 895.
Entrance Fee: 1,100 Forint. (3.5 USD).
If you want to have lunch this is a great place with good food and a beautiful view of the castle.
This is the city's largest square, noted for its iconic Millennium monument with statues featuring the seven chieftains of the Magyars and other influential Hungarian national leaders. The square is surrounded by museums and monuments and is not far from Vajdahunyad castle and Szechenyi Baths.
The first 19th-century thermal bath in Budapest. It is one of the largest public baths in Europe and resembles a neo-Baroque palace rather than a bath. 1,700 Forint includes an entrance and a locker big enough to fit a big backpack, coats, and everything. Take your time to relax and enjoy all these pools.
Before our trip to Budapest, I didn't know how beautiful this city was, but it captured my heart, and I hope it'll capture yours!