Budapest

Must see and do:

• visit Jewish Quarter
• Bronze shoes among the Danube
• Fisherman’s Bastion
• Thermal hot springs
• Margaretha Island

Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, with a lot of history. The Danube river splits Budapest into two parts, Buda and Pest. They are connected with bridges and a famous one, the Chain Bridge.

Travel from airport to city
from the airport we have taken bus number 100E do Deak Ference Ter. from here it was only a 4 minutes walk to our hotel. Price of the bus was €3 per person, taxi is also an option which costs around 27 euro. I visited Budapest in 2020 so prices can be changed in the meantime.

Where to stay
Arcadia hotel Budapest is a perfect location with many bars and restaurants close by in the Jewish Quarter.

Jewish Quarter
If you can you must visit the Jewish Quarter. Our hotel was close to the Synagoge. We went on a guided tour through the Jewish Quarter. You can’t imagine the terrible things which happened here during World War II. Our visit started at the 2nd largest Synagogue in the world. There is a memorial garden with beautiful art to remember all who lost their lives. The Jewish Quarter was fenced for the rest of the city and called the ghetto. Nowadays the Jewish Quarter is very hip and trendy with nice ruin bars, street art and the best food and drinks.

Bronze shoes along the Danube
You can make a long walk along the waterfront, but you can do some parts by tram if you want to. We went towards the parliaments building and searched along the waterfront to find the bronze shoes. Some people lay flowers among or in the shoes. So many people have lost their lives here during the war. They had to take off their shoes and were executed and fell into the river. Since 2005 this monument of shoes has been put along the river to remember them.

Fisherman’s Bastion
We visited the Fisherman’s Bastion in the evening for some nice pictures. It was a bit foggy, but still a nice view over the Danube and the magnificent sights along the river.

Thermal hot springs
There are many hot springs throughout the city. We went to the Szechenyi bath, it’s large and has multiple baths. When you enter the spa it feels like you moved a century back in time. The changing rooms are vintage. I think this impressed me most. Further it’s really old and I am curious how hygienic it is. Many people are here for making pictures, not really for a day relaxing in a spa. I would suggest to pick a smaller, less famous one, where it’s not so crowded. Sorry to be so honest, I just expected more of it. To be surrounded by a Neo-Baroque palace is unique though.

Margaretha Island
We went for a walk around the island. many people were running, cycling or just enjoying some time off in the park. Did you hear of the Sziget festival? It’s on this Island in the summer, the island of freedom.

Food and drinks
New York cafe
This old elegant coffee house is taking you back to 1894 where politicians, artists and journalists meet each other. Currently it’s a real tourist attraction, but it’s beatiful from the inside so worth the wait. Make a reservation that will make your waiting in line shorter. When you are waiting on your coffee or tea keep looking around and also look up to the paintings on the ceilings and the chandeliers. Don’t expect a quick and cheap coffee you pay for the experience so let yourself be immersed in it.
Address: Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 9-11, 1073

Dobos Cake
A typical Hungary chocolat cake with layers you have to try.

Mazel Tov
From the outside you don’t expect at all where you will walk into. The garden brings you to an oasis. You can have a lunch or drink and really have a small get away with friends or family.
address: 1073 BUDAPEST, AKÁCFA UTCA 47