Our trip to Budapest was simply stunning. I mentioned it briefly before, but Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen.
We stayed for 7 days and left feeling like there was still so much more to do and see.
Since these Budapest posts are going to be pretty photo heavy, I’ll try not to be too long-winded; I’ll just let the city speak for itself.
Parliament Building
An iconic building for Budapest that is most impressive when viewed from the Buda side of the city.
City Park
A great place to relax in the shade and enjoy a picnic. There are flea markets and regularly scheduled activities throughout the year, so check to calendar of events.
Hero’s Square
This monument is located at the far end of the city park.
Castle Hill
The views of Pest from atop Castle Hill are remarkable. Beautiful by day and magical by night.
Be sure to take in the view over a drink from one of the cafes along the Fisherman’s Bastion.
I had so much fun walking around the Castle Hill with one of my students and his family. The little boy from my class was so excited to share what he knew about his hometown and his parents made excellent tour guides.
On our last night in Budapest, Sebastian and I went back to the top of Castle Hill to watch the sun set and the Indian Moon rise over Pest. Wine and cake certainly made the evening even more sweet.
The Citadel
Another fantastic view can be taken in from the Citadel, also on the Buda side of Budapest.
On our last day in the city, Sebastian and I hiked up to the citadel. We were hot and sweaty by the time we reached the top, but the view was well worth the extra exertion.
The pretty and ornate building at the end of the bridge is the market hall.
Margaret Island
The island between Buda and Pest provides the perfect location for all sorts of activities. From swimming pools to football fields, fountains to flower gardens, there is a lot to do on this tiny little island.
Market Hall
I’ll write a bit more about the market hall in my Budapest food post, but the beautiful architecture of this building is the perfect setting for the beautiful produce and textiles within.
Budapest Activities
The sights were great, but the activities we took part in are the most memorable.
House of Terror
Although not a happy place, this museum was absolutely eye-opening to the painful Hungarian history. The museum is now housed in a building that was used as a prison, interrogation center and execution facility by both the fascist and communist regimes. 
The promise of the building is that it is now used to honor the men, women and children who were murdered by the two terrorizing regimes.
Walking Tours
Budapest is the perfect city for a walking tour. There are many organizations that offer tours, but Sebastian organized his own Jewish walking tour using a guide he found online. We were channeling my good friend Kim by taking a lot of fun photos at each stop along the tour.
Thermal Caves
One of the activities that was sadly left uncrossed from my wish list was a visit to the famous thermal spas in Budapest. Although we didn’t make it to the spas, we did see some of the wonderful caves below the city that were formed from the thermal springs. These photos were taken in the very dark caves with my phone, so please excuse the poor quality. If you ever visit Budapest, I would highly recommend visiting one of the 3 caves which are open to the public.
Night Cruise on the Danube
Budapest is stunning, especially by night when the sights are reflected in the water of the Danube. There are some very luxurious (and pricy) night cruises available, but we went on the free ride that came with our bus ticket. Not the most comfortable boat, but it was all about the city anyways.
Castle Hill from the Danube.
The Parliament building.
I still have so much more to share, but will leave you right here. It is really lovely to relive this fantastic vacation two weeks after returning to Bonn. I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have!
Until next time!
Eating Abroad
