20-05-18

Budapest, Hungary / 3 nights

Currently on a 6 hour train from Budapest to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Ben has just been so kind to inform me that there are 35 stops on this train….I think I would have rather not knowing that because now it does feel like quite a mission trying to make it fly by. Thankfully I have enough time to try and pass that I can use this opportunity to write you a post about our time in Budapest.

As soon as we arrived in Budapest I could tell it was different to the past two cities we had been to (Prague and Vienna) It is much less built up with cliff sides that are oozing foliage and an abundance of shades of green. It made it feel like a town you’d visit on your typical coastal holiday in Spain. It was nice to feel like you had some more breathing space then in the typical city life.

Our hotel, City Pilvax, was perfect for our needs. Located right in the inner city it had a great buzz of nightlife as well as people busy brunching on their weekend mornings. Our main need with our hotels are that they are a comfortable, safe place to sleep. This accommodation fit the bill perfectly and was made even more convenient by the price.

The highlight of our trip would have to be going over to the Buda side of Budapest.

Side note: did you actually know that once upon a time, half of the city was called Buda and the other Pest. Once they built a bridge over the river it became Budapest! Sincerely thought my Dad was pulling my leg but Wiki says it’s true!

Buda is where all the foliage cliffs are and in my eyes the prettier side of the city. If you get there by crossing over the Chain Bridge you get a great view of the city on both sides plus it’s the closest bridge to Parliament. Probably their most famous looking building.

Once you’re in Buda you can climb no more than 500 steps and reach the most amazing view point of the city. If you go right over to the bottom of the cliffs you can’t miss it, there are many different stairways that lead you to the same point. It is here where you will find the best view you’ll ever find of Budapest. You could easily spend hours up here, away from the hustle and bustle the city creates. I make this one of your must dos if you are going to Budapest.

Lastly I would recommend a visit to Varosliget Park. It’s the largest park to the city, home to their zoo and many lakes which provide great pedalo potential. More importantly it is also where you can find the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. One of the most iconic spots of Budapest, one of which you have probably seen in many wanderlust travel pictures on your social media timelines.

Although it did appear very much how I did not expect it; surrounded by a building and high walls and only accessible if you pay for a ticket, it still is worth the visit. You can pop into the entrance and get a good glimpse through a window pane, unfortunately this does not give you the picturesque moment you see online- see below. Although it does make you feel glad you aren’t partaking in the sharing of bodily fluids (apologies for the gross explanation but it’s what everyone else is thinking)

The most confusing thing about Budapest is the currency and I still didn’t manage to get my head around it. €1 is 300 Forint. This meant our bill at dinner was coming to 8 grand! 8,000! Which was only €26 but still felt reluctant handing over money that is more than my piggy bank has ever seen.

All in all, Budapest really is as beautiful as everyone says and really sets itself apart from other major cities. If you’re looking for a city break with a difference, Budapest is your next destination.

Back to current time and I have to say, I really hoped that one of our trains would be like this and all my travel dreams have come true. We are literally in a compartment like the ones in Harry Potter – minus the choc frogs. Got this real comfy head rest set up going on which Ben has had no trouble snoozing on. Not that that is any measure of a comfy seat as I swear he could fall asleep on a bed of nails.

Peace and love,

Yasmin x