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Budapest: The "Paris of the East" - Or Is It?
They call it the "Paris of the East," but for me, Budapest is simply Budapest! A stunning city boasting magnificent, ancient Roman buildings, thousand-year-old churches, and the graceful Danube River, which elegantly divides the city into hilly Buda and flat Pest. While it might not always be top-of-mind when planning a European adventure, Budapest deserves WAY more attention! It's incredibly affordable, boasts a fantastic public transportation system, and – most importantly – is overflowing with breathtaking sights perfect for those Insta-worthy moments (like me 😄).Must-See Spots for Your First Budapest Trip
(After your 2nd or 3rd visit, just wander – Budapest is beautiful from every angle, every street, every bridge! Hehe)- Fisherman's Bastion
- Matthias Church
- Hungarian Parliament Building
- New York Cafe (allegedly the most beautiful café in the world!)
- Széchenyi Chain Bridge
- Buda Castle
- Liberty Bridge
- Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath
- Museum of Fine Arts
- St. Stephen's Basilica
- Heroes' Square
Insider Tips You Won't Find Everywhere Else!
- Parliament Perfection: The BEST view for a full frontal shot of the Hungarian Parliament Building is from across the river! Take the train to Batthyány tér station. The view right next to the building is cute, but you'll only get a partial shot.
- Sunrise at Fisherman's Bastion: I visited in winter, so sunrise was late. To enjoy the quiet beauty of Budapest, I went to Fisherman's Bastion at dawn. Not only did I get amazing photos without anyone in them, but I also didn't have to buy a ticket because the ticket checkers weren't there yet! 😂 (It's free to take pictures from below, but you have to pay to go up to the towers like in my photos).
- Skip the New York Cafe Queue: Want to experience New York Café without the 1-2 hour wait? Go right when it opens! The first day, the line was hundreds of people long, but we went the next morning (our Airbnb was a 5-minute walk – lucky us!), and walked right in.
- Buda Castle Viewpoint: There's a famous spot at Buda Castle for a stunning view of the Chain Bridge and the Danube. I can't describe exactly where, but I'll comment with details on a photo later so you can find it! Kaka. Since the castle's on a high hill, there's a funicular (which costs money!), but one time I found a lift in a building that looked like a museum. If you can't find the lift (and don't want to pay for the funicular), you can always take the stairs – a little tiring, but worth it! 😂
- Liberty Bridge Magic: The iconic green Liberty Bridge has a fantastic photo op from Gellert Hill. Wait for a yellow tram to cross while you're filming a video. It's gorgeous!
- Harry Potter Library: The Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library is one of the most beautiful libraries I've ever visited (it feels like being in a Harry Potter film!). Students come to study, and visitors can buy tickets to explore, but remember to be quiet!
- Thermal Bath Savings: Budapest has tons of thermal baths. If you just want to soak and don't need fancy photos, choose local spots for better prices. If you go to Széchenyi Thermal Bath (like me), just buy one ticket with a changing room, and then basic tickets with cabins. You'll save a lot! 😀
- St. Stephen's Basilica Views: St. Stephen's Basilica has incredible panoramic city views from the top. I didn't check the hours and arrived too late (winter closing times are earlier!), so I missed out. Double-check before you go to avoid my mistake!
- Tram #2 Scenic Route: Tram #2 is Budapest's most scenic tram line, passing almost all the city's highlights. Hop on, enjoy the ride, hop off at a beautiful spot for photos, and then catch the next tram!
- Buda vs. Pest Planning: Since Budapest is divided into Buda and Pest, plan your itinerary accordingly. Spend one day exploring Buda and another exploring Pest to avoid wasting time traveling back and forth. Airbnb in Budapest is super cheap! I rented a whole 2-bedroom apartment with a living room and kitchen in the center for only 40 euros/4 people/night – an unbelievable price you'd never find in Paris or Amsterdam!
Foodie Finds: Where to Eat in Budapest!
Besides the beautiful sights, I also love Budapest for its delicious and affordable (Vietnamese!) food. Here are a few places I tried and recommend if you're looking for somewhere to eat:- Bibimbap Korean Restaurant: A Korean restaurant with a diverse menu, from basic dishes to BBQ.
- Pho 'n Go: Quite good Vietnamese pho. It's small but the service is friendly.
- Quán Nón: A Vietnamese restaurant near the center with a varied and consistently good menu. I think there are 2 branches.
- Paprika Vendégló: Delicious Hungarian food that I found affordable (I don't usually like Western food, so the fact that I enjoyed this place means it's good! Kaka).
- New York Café: Besides coffee, this supposedly most beautiful café in the world also serves food and pastries, but it wasn't really my thing. Prices are higher than other places in Budapest, but reasonable for such a luxurious and beautiful place.
