Budapest, Hungary

Best Places to Stay

• **Luxury**: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Aria Hotel Budapest, Mandarin Oriental
• **Mid-range**: Hotel Moment Budapest, Boscolo Budapest Hotel, Hotel Zenit Budapest
• **Budget**: Maverick Hostel, Funzel Hostel, Hostel One Budapest

Best Places to Eat

• **Fine Dining**: Onyx, Costes, Borkonyha
• **Traditional Hungarian**: Gesztenyés Két Csésze, Haltnadrág, Macesz Bistro
• **Ruin Bars**: Szimpla Kert, Instant-Fogas, Mazel Tov
• **Street Food**: Lángos (fried dough), Kürtőskalács (chimney cake), Töltött káposzta (stuffed cabbage)
• **Markets**: Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok)

Best Sites to Visit

• **Buda Side**: Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Gellért Hill
• **Pest Side**: Hungarian Parliament Building, St. Stephen's Basilica, Andrássy Avenue
• **Bridges**: Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge, Liberty Bridge
• **Thermal Baths**: Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Gellért Thermal Bath, Rudas Baths
• **Islands**: Margaret Island, Óbuda Island

Sample 2-3 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Buda Castle & Hills

• Morning: Buda Castle complex (Royal Palace, Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest History Museum)
• Afternoon: Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, panoramic views over Pest
• Evening: Gellért Hill (Citadella, Liberty Statue), dinner in Buda with city views

Day 2: Parliament & Pest Highlights

• Morning: Hungarian Parliament Building (guided tour, book in advance)
• Afternoon: St. Stephen's Basilica (dome walk), Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square
• Evening: Relax in Széchenyi Thermal Bath (open at night), dinner in Jewish Quarter

Day 3: Baths & Local Life

• Morning: Gellért Thermal Bath (Art Nouveau setting), or Rudas Baths for traditional experience
• Afternoon: Great Market Hall (lunch, souvenirs, paprika), Váci Street shopping
• Alternative: Margaret Island (palatine chapel, musical fountain, jogging track)
• Evening: Ruin bar hopping (start with Szimpla Kert), try pálinka (fruit brandy)

*Note: Get a Budapest Card for public transport and bath discounts. Many thermal baths have mixed-gender days; check schedules. Try goulash and lángos.*