About Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary and is split into two by the river Danube. Once the joint capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it is now one of the main transport centres in Europe. The hilly Buda side has the castle and thermal springs, whereas Pest is flatter and the transport hub. The city is renowned for its architecture and history and because of this, it is a popular destination for movie makers from around the world.
Getting to Budapest
Arriving on the Edinburgh flight into Budapest Ferenc Liszt airport after a 3-hour uneventful flight, the owner of the Airbnb was waiting to give me a lift into town.
Home – Airbnb style
The airport is about 30 minutes from the city centre (20 km). His English was good fortunately as my Hungarian was limited to ‘goulash’ (gulyas) and ‘bulls’ blood’ (Egri Bikaver).
The apartment was clean and comfortable on Rose street in the 7th district, close by the centre and the tourist area.
As it was late afternoon, I decided to go to Andrassy street which was only about 50 metres away. It is wide as a Parisian boulevard and is one of the city’s main streets. Turning left, it was only a 20-minute walk to Hero’s square. An impressive space flanked by two museums. The Kunsthalle exhibiting contemporary art on the left and the Hall of Art on the right.
Behind the square was the city park with a boating lake and ice rink. The nearest metro is Hosok Tere on line M1.
Walking down Dozsa Gyorgy, towards Keleti station, the area seemed to be mostly commercial and residential, so it was back on the metro back at Hosok Tere and an 8-minute ride to Octogon where hopefully there would be a busy bar or restaurant.
A 6-minute walk away from the metro was Café Vian at Liszt Ferenc Square. A bright welcoming place with a large terrace and patio area. The bistro is one of 3 in Pest. The others are at the Basilica and Gozsdu Yard.
All the bistros have a lunch menu for each day, 2 courses for 1460 Ft (4.50€), dessert is an extra 410Ft (1.20€). However tonight I chose breaded slices of pork loin with homemade chips 32090 Ft (9.50€). After a beer, or two, it was a 15-minute walk back to Andrassy street, past the House of Terror, then to the apartment.
The next day, the plan was a circular sightseeing route from the apartment to the Danube and along to Margaret Island, over the bridge to Buda and the Castle Hill.
The next morning, I headed the opposite way towards Podmaniczky street on the way to take a look at Nyugati station.
Nyugati station ticket hall
It has not changed much in decades and is still the main station for Euro city trains to Prague and Bratislava.
From there it was onwards to the banks of the Danube. After a 15-minute walk, I arrived at Kossuth Lajos Square outside the magnificent Parliament building designed in the Neo Gothic style. You can take a 45-minute guided tour which includes Hungarian crown and coronation regalia.
Walking another 30 minutes to Margaret Bridge and onto Margaret Island.
The island is popular with both locals and tourists. It has a running track, cycle paths and a small sports complex. There are also cafes and boat trips, the musical fountain ‘performs’ each day to classical music! The water tower has a lookout floor for a panoramic view of the city.
I stopped off at Harmas Bufe café for a beer, situated in woodland near the centre of the island, then retraced my steps back to the bridge and turned right over to the Buda side of the Danube.
Walking past the river boats and up the hill and winding streets towards the castle.
Turul Bird Statue at the entrance to the Castle District
The castle district includes the Sandor Palace (the official residence of the President), open to the public on selected weekends and Szent Gyorgy Square. There are various concerts held here throughout the year and the Wine Festival. Details of all events are available at the tourist office at 7 locations and the airport.
There is a funicular railway back down to the riverside from the castle bringing you back to the Chain Bridge. It runs every 10 minutes and saves you a lot of steps on a hot day.
The Szechenyi (Chain) Bridge was the first permanent bridge across the Danube between the Castle in Buda and Szechenyi Istvan Square. When you walk across, you realise how wide the river is. There are river cruise boats moored on the far side and the impressive Gresham Palace hotel straight ahead.
It was quite a long walk and I had to be at the Kiosk at Marcius 15 just down the riverside about 15 minutes away. A good place for a late lunch and to plan the next leg of my trip to Warsaw.
After chicken paprika 3850 Ft (10.80€) and an Edelweiss Buza 950Ft (2.70€), it was an afternoon and evening of catching up.
The trip back to the airport the next day was by metro line 3 to Kobanya Kispest then change to the 200E bus to the airport.