In this post, Lea’s guide to Budapest, we have asked our friend to tell us a bit of the city from her point of view.
Introducing Lea
She’s a young aspiring stylist from Slovenia. In her free time, she’s a dedicated world nomad. That’s why, despite her young age, she has traveled worldwide and seen places like Dubai, the Maldives, and Europe.
So, let’s begin with an interview, shall we? Well, firstly, no good discussion begins without good old-fashioned coffee. Surprisingly enough, she wants us to make her Turkish coffee. Well, if you have seen enough of the world, you know there aren’t just cappuccinos there, right?
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Charming vibes 4U: We want to know why you love traveling.
Lea: It’s like food for my soul. Indeed, I want to travel as often as possible. For instance, my hobbies and traveling enable me to be more motivated in life at work. More importantly, they offer me a new view of life. And that’s very important.
Charming vibes 4U: We couldn’t agree more!
Charming vibes 4U: How do you travel?
Lea: Well, firstly, I like traveling by plane. It’s the quickest and often the most economical way.
Charming vibes 4u: One, two, three, …
Lea: Two months minimum, in advance (laughing).
Furthermore, I have to confess that I usually book flights via Skyscanner. However, I never reserve the first offer. Instead, I do comprehensive research. For instance, I compare different departure dates from other airports and choose the most valuable option. I always search for the best value between the price, quality, and personal needs. In addition, I have to admit that I am very cozy. Therefore, I would like to spend more on the tickets if fewer stops and planes depart from nearby airports.
Secondly, I always use a car when I visit nearby countries (like Italy, Austria, or Hungary). That’s the best option for me.
Charming vibes 4U: Well, that leads us to our second question. How do you book a room? And where, of course.
Lea: I like using Booking.com when reserving a room, apartment, or hotel. Firstly, because it is easy to use. You have to find a destination, and you have thousands of solutions on your screen in seconds. And there’s even more if you book regularly, you get the special Genius rewards. So you can save even more. More importantly, you have to consider that the prices vary from one day to another. Therefore, you should check the prices for at least a few days and then book your deal. You never know what might happen in a few days, right? In any case, I strongly recommend booking the offers with the free cancelation option.
Finally, the last time I visited the city, I decided to book accommodation in Kiraly Street (Gozsdu Court Hotel), the city’s center. Therefore, you can go anywhere on foot from there.
Charming vibes 4U: So, why have you decided to go to Budapest in the first place?
Lea: Firstly, I have to confess; I am the type of person who loves the heat and the sun. That’s why I didn’t consider attending Budapest until the last year. However, the COVID situation changed my mind. I could either stay home or travel somewhere with minor restrictions possible. So, that’s why I decided to visit it. It is not a long way. It takes only four hours to drive. And if you book the apartment in the center (Pest), you can freely discover its major attractions on foot.
Charming vibes 4U: We came to to-do and to see things. What are your recommendations?
Lea: I have made plans according to my wishes and needs. Furthermore, I must confess that I wasn’t long enough to discover all the sights. That’s why I am going to name only the memorable ones.
The first one, The Shoes on the Danube Bank, is worth visiting, especially if you know history. Between 1944 and 1945, the Arrow Cross militiamen harshly prosecuted the Jews. Firstly, they gathered them on the banks of the Danube and forced them to take off their shoes before shooting them. In the end, the bodies fell into the river, which swept them away. In short, 60 pairs of iron shoes are pointed towards the river next to the parliament building.
So, this leads me to make a second site, The Hungarian parliament, perhaps the most famous one, and worth visiting.
Fashion Street: Is Budapest good for shopping? My answer is definitely yes. And it is cheaper than most of the European capitals. So, if you are a shopaholic too, this is the place to go!
Kiraly Street: It is a lively street in the city’s center with numerous bars and restaurants. It would help if you visited it in the evening when it becomes alive.
St. Stephen basilica: This catholic cathedral, named after the first king Stephen, is truly a work of art and therefore I strongly recommend you visit it.
The Liberty bridge, or a green bridge, was built as part of the Millennium World Exhibition in art nouveau design at the end of the 19th century. Simply spectacular!
Note: If you’d like to know more about Budapest’s major attraction, please read our related article.
Market Hall: It is the city’s largest and most beautiful market hall.
Street food Karavan: You can taste anything, from traditional local cuisine to fashionable international dishes. So, if you are hungry, hop on to this place. You won’t regret it!
Zoo cafe: This is a hospitable place where you can interact with animals (lizards, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) while drinking your preferred cocktails. Itas one of the most memorable experiences, and therefore, I would sincerely recommend it.
Note: A Budapest Card covers access.
For me, Szimpla Kert is Budapest’s best bustling ruin bar, with a vibrant atmosphere. For instance, you can drink a beer or a coffee in the bathtub while doing the people-watching. During the day, people usually sell their stuff there. However, the place turns into a bustling nightclub in the evening. The waiting line is long but worth waiting for. In my opinion, this place is a must-visit.
The Museum of Sweets and Selfies is for younger generations who love taking selfies—Hence, like me! Haha.
Furthermore, this brand new museum awaits guests on three floors and more than 1,000 square meters with a giant ball pit and a unique bubble pool bar unlike anywhere else! Hence, like me! Haha.
And lastly, if you love Christmas Markets, Budapest is an excellent place to visit.
Charming Vibes 4u: So, you’ve been there twice in a single year!
Lea: That’s right! I told you I loved the city very much.
Charming vibes 4u: Now, the crucial part. The food! What do you recommend?
Lea: Over there, you will find a mix of everything from everywhere. Are you a vegan? Do you love Chinese, Vietnamese, or Mediterranean food? No problem, they have you covered.
Local street food like langos or kurtos is everywhere. However, the most famous one is, of course, goulash. You will find the cheapest local cuisine on the second floor of the market hall. However, I believe you will eat the best local food for a reasonable price in Street Food Karavan. That’s my preferred choice. But I enjoy eating good old traditional dishes.
Note: If you want to learn more about Hungarian cuisine in the city, please read our article about must-try food in Budapest.
Charming vibes 4u: What about the public transport? And would you recommend renting a car?
Lea: Well, I don’t have any experience renting a car, because I have booked a room in the center. But the public transport is very well organized, and buying a ticket should be no problem. Yeah, I know. I am wise beyond my age (laugh).
Charming vibes 4u: how long would you recommend visitors stay there?
Lea: Humm. At least three days, I should say. It all depends on your desires. In any case, I recommend visiting it during the spring or summer, when the weather is warmer. In the winter, it can get genuinely freezing there. But Christmas time has its charm. Therefore I strongly recommend it too.
Lea’s guide to Budapest – final thoughts
Charming vibes 4u: We came to an end. Finally! (laugh). Please share with us your overall feeling.
Lea: It is a unique city in every way. As a devoted shopaholic, I was stunned that most shops open only at eleven o’clock. But fortunately, I got used to it very quickly. There’s namely an excellent side to it. You have more time to discover the city. You can freely explore it on foot if you live in the center. But even when I felt a bit tired, public transport (buses, metro) on every corner and even taxis weren’t too expensive. Ultimately, I loved it the most because the city was alive and kicking. So, you can do something extraordinary for your soul from the early morning to late at night.
Charming vibes 4u: Thank you very much for all the information. I hope to catch up with you when you return from the Maldives.
Lea: Haha. Or from Tokyo or Rio. Anyhow, it was my pleasure. Ciao.
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Photo source: @_ultraforma_