Amanda PhillipsTrip to Budapest
A trip to Budapest is perfect for those spontaneous last minute city breaks with friends or loved ones. It is a city filled with culture, history and a whole host of things to do! Budapest is split into two parts with the hilly ‘Buda’ to the West and the flat plain ‘Pest’ to the East, only being separated by the long windy trail of the Danube River in between. There is no shortage of things to do or see on a trip here and we have highlighted some of our favourites!
Amazing views over the Danube River
The vibrant scenes of Vorosmarty Square
Sail the Danube Bend
The Danube bend, just to the north of the capital, is ideal for a day trip. Named after the sharp turn between the cities of Esztergom and Szentendre, where the river turns and faces back toward Budapest. The magnificent landscape which you will take in while on a boat ride down this river, is second to none. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and sample some of these sights, with the must-see towns of Szentendre, Esztergom and Visegrad being the top places of interest.
Castle Hill, Buda
Recognized as a World Heritage Site, Castle Hill is a place where you can spend all day exploring and still not see everything! The best option when visiting is to take things at your own pace as you walk through the cobbled streets taking in the stunning Gothic Arches and eighteenth-century Baroque houses on your way. If you do not have time to see everything during your visit, the sites of Trinity Square, Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion are the most popular.
Memento Park
Situated 13km southwest of Deak Square in Buda, this open-air museum park displays 42 pieces of art from the Communist era between 1945-1989. Statues of famous personalities from the labour movement , soldiers and the Red Army including; Lenin, Marx and Captain Ostapenko also feature highly in this field of world-renowned statues.
Parliament Tour
Taking inspiration from Westminster Palace for the exterior and a Renaissance and Baroque interior design, this parliament building took thousands of people hundreds of years to complete. A tour around here features 691 stunning tapestry-like painted rooms with an exceptional amount of detail included on everything inside and outside of the building.
Gellert Baths
As early as 1934, the city of Budapest was given the accredited ‘Spa City’ and now the city has grown and grown to become one of the most popular cities to visit for thermal baths and spa’s. The Gellert Baths is at the top of everyone’s list as it’s decorated with a wealth of original Art Nouveau furnishings, artistic mosaics, stained glass windows and sculptures, this spa oozes culture and grandeur unlike any other.
Now you know what there is to do when you visit Budapest, but what can you expect?
If you are looking for some sun during your time here then August is the best time to visit with temperatures hitting the highs of 36 degrees! The coldest times of the year here are between December and February with temperatures as low as 3 degrees but the Christmas markets and stalls that line the streets during this time will take your mind off the cooler climate!
For the price conscious amongst us, the average cost for a hotel room in the centre of the capital range at around £62 with the price of a return airfare to the UK averaging at around £140. So a trip here will certainly not break the bank!
Let Barrhead Travel take you on your dream trip of a lifetime!