A Weekend in Budapest, Hungary

• Central Market Hall: Must experience in Budapest! This was a great way to dive into the Hungarian culture and cuisines that Budapest has to offer. It’s a large market with many vendors selling fresh produce and street food, with each level somewhat segmented by what they’re selling. It’s the largest market where many local vendors and customers get groceries. It's an amazing way to see the day-to-day life and culture in Budapest, but to have a less overwhelming experience, I’d recommend going later in the day when the morning rush has died down.

• St Stephen’s Basilica, or Szent István Bazilika: It is one of my favorite places in the city. It’s a great landmark to use as a reference point, since it’s centrally located, and there are gems located all around the area.

• Szechenyi Spa Baths, or a less famous alternative, Gellert Baths: This was the number one recommendation when traveling to Budapest. We didn’t experience the spa baths at Szechenyi during the day, since we opted to go for the Spart experience, but regardless of when you choose to go — it’s a must do!

• Hungarian Parliament, Országház and Kossuth Lajos Square, also known as Liberty Square: Similar to the Basilica, but a little further from the center of the city, it was a great spot to walk around and take in the Gothic-revival architecture that Budapest has to offer.

• Fishermanʼs Bastion: This is the fortress that overlooks Buda Castle, which is one of the many historical landmarks on the opposite side of the Danube river. The views of the city across the river were unbeatable; you have to pay for a ticket to access the top level of Fisherman’s Bastion, but the fee of $3.50 is absolutely worth it. The lower level is free so be sure to admire Matthias church on the way, which is a view in itself.

• Várkerület or the Buda Castle District: The other side of the Danube is a day in itself. District one is filled with historical landmarks and architecture that showcases so much of Budapest’s history. When planning your visit to Budapest, make sure to differentiate Buda Castle from Buda Castle District, as Buda Castle is just one spot within the Buda Castle District.

• Castle Hill: Half of the landmarks are located at the top of Castle Hill, while the other half is at the bottom, which consists of a steep walk-through winding neighborhood. It can get confusing, so if you are coming from the other side of the river, I would recommend getting dropped off at the top of Castle Hill and making your way down.

• Karavan Street Food: An outdoor “food court” filled with vendors selling dishes out of trucks or carts in the same neighborhood as the ruin bars, also known as the seventh district. Great area for not only grabbing a bite but also checking out the local vendors selling.

Nightlife

• Ruin Bars Budapest: My favorite was Szimpla Kert, but there is a long list to explore! The ruin bars are a group of abandoned buildings turned into pubs that have become the heart of nightlife in Budapest. You can find pub crawls that will ensure you get to experience as many of the stops as possible. I loved Mazel Tov and Szimpla Kert from personal experience.

• Sparty at Szechenyi: My friends and I still talk about Sparty to this day, an entire two years after we all studied abroad together. As a disclaimer, we were in our early twenties and all about experiencing each city’s nightlife scene to its full potential. It was extremely fun but definitely an experience I would recommend to anyone looking for a night out that resembles a college party rather than a classy cocktail bar.

Lunch & dinner:

• Spiler Original: Authentic Hungarian cuisine served in a bistro that also turns into a bar and nightlife hotspot. We did not check it out at night, but the food was amazing and the location was unbeatable. It’s also in the center of the seventh district; we walked from Karavan and it took less than five minutes to get to Spiler. We found so many cute vendors for jewelry and tchotchkes in between both as we waited for our reservation time.

Breakfast & brunch:

• Cookie Beacon: Great brunch spot near the Basilica and Elizabeth Square, where the Ferris Wheel of Budapest can be found. Tables cannot be reserved ahead of time, but the line moves quickly, especially if you’re with another person — have one save a table while another waits in line to order.

Quick bites & dessert:

• Gelato Rosa: Gelato shaped like a rose, located right outside of the Basilica and in the center of the city. I recommend making a quick stop as a break from sightseeing — great for an Instagrammable treat!

Dinner:

• Twenty Six: A must-try in Budapest, this Mediterranean-inspired cuisine dining experience in a multi-story restaurant transformed into a garden. Amazing ambiance with delicious food, great service and entertainment that made dinner into an experience. In the middle of our meal, there was a drum performance that engaged and entertained everyone dining. Located in the heart of Budapest, only a 10-minute walk from the Ferris Wheel of Budapest.

Lunch & quick bites:

• Elysée Bistro: This French and Hungarian bistro, with outdoor seating facing the House of Parliament, Országház, is located on the perimeter of Kossuth Lajos Square. Warm up with their Hungarian Goulash — gulyás — after walking around Gothic-revival-style landmarks.