Cross the Danube, Time Travel in Style: Budapest Like Never Before

Budapest is a gorgeous city, bisected by the River Danube, that is steeped in history and culture. The Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects the hilly Buda side on the west of the River Danube with the flat Pest side on the east. The Hungarian capital is home to the Hungarian Parliament, the Buda Castle, Europe’s largest thermal baths, ruin bars, and much more. You can embark on a free walking tour around Budapest or hop on board a river cruise to ensure you see everything that both sides of the river have to offer. This article will help you see Budapest like never before, with eight interesting things to do on both sides of the River Danube. Relax At Széchenyi Baths The Széchenyi Baths are the largest thermal baths in Europe and the most popular (and most expensive) in Budapest. The water, filling both indoor and outdoor pools, comes from two thermal springs. Locals and tourists can explore the lane pool, the leisure pool (with a mini whirlpool), the thermal pool, the medicinal pool, and the plunge pools, saunas, and steam rooms. It also has a bar and restaurant with a stunning outdoor terrace. On Saturday nights, the Széchenyi Baths host a ‘Sparty’, a pool party with DJs, alcoholic drinks, and light shows. Take A Tour Of Hungary’s Parliament Building The Hungarian Parliament building, constructed in the late 1800s when Hungary was joint head of a huge European empire, is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. You can take a tour of the 691-room building, which is home to Hungarian Crown Jewels, guarded by Hungarian soldiers bearing sabres. Party At Szimpla Kert Szimpla Kert is Budapest’s original ruin bar, with a program of DJs and live acts. The open courtyard and labyrinth of rooms are decorated with eclectic furniture, edgy artwork, and fairy lights. Just be prepared to pay more for your drinks, as it’s a tourist hotspot. If partying isn’t your thing, or you need a hangover cure, head to Szimpla Farmers Market on a Sunday between 9am and 2pm. A range of gourmet food producers set up in the courtyard amid live music. Make The Journey To Buda Castle By Funicular Buda Castle and its green-coloured cupola stands tall on top of Castle Hill. The former royal palace is home to the National Gallery, the Széchényi Library, and the Budapest History Museum, so it’s definitely worth making it to the top of the hill. Whilst you can get to the top of Castle Hill by walking or taking public transport, we recommend taking the 19th-century funicular from Adam Clarke Square. During the short ride, you will get amazing views of the River Danube, the Fisherman’s Bastion, Margaret Island, and much more. The funicular departs every 10 minutes and costs just £10.50 for an adult return ticket and £4.20 for a children’s ticket (ages 3 to 14). (Image Source: Buda Castle) Cruise Along The River Danube The best way to see Budapest is from the River Danube. There are a plethora of day, sunset, and evening river cruises that allow tourists to see the city’s top attractions and architectural delights from boats, historic paddle steamers, and even floating buses. Some sightseeing cruises include onboard drinks and meals. See The Views From Fisherman’s Bastion You can enjoy a fantastic view of the River Danube and the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill. However, it is also a history lesson, remembering the days when a fish market was here, and the menfolk would bring up their catch from the river below. Architect Frigyes Schulek erected the Fisherman’s Bastion as an afterthought after spending decades reconfiguring the nearby Matthias Church in medieval style. Take A Quiet Moment At The Shoes On The Danube Bank The 60 old-fashioned bronze shoes on the bank of the River Danube are a memorial and monument to the 3,500 Hungarian Jews who were instructed to remove their shoes before being shot by members of Hungary’s Fascist Arrow Cross Party towards the end of World War 2. It’s an important and poignant part of history, highlighting the sheer brutality of the Holocaust in Hungary . Not far from the Hungarian Parliament, in the very spot where they were shot, you can take a moment of silence for the victims, many of whom were children. (Image Source: Talking Statues) Marvel At St Stephen’s Basilica St Stephens Basilica, the largest church in Budapest, boasts a 96-metre-high dome lined inside with ornate religious reliefs and is home to Hungary’s most sacred treasure, the mummified right hand of the nation’s founder, St Stephen. In addition, you can take the lift and some winding steps up to the cupola for stunning 360 views of the entire city . Ready To See Budapest Like Never Before? These eight interesting things to do in Budapest allow you to enjoy the capital by day and night. By day, you can explore historical monuments such as the bronze shoes on the Danube bank or take a tour of the Hungarian Parliament building. By night, you can see the city’s lights from a river cruise, attend a Sparty, or grab a drink at Szimpla Kert. The role of heat tracing in the industrial sector Why Violet Glass is the Best Choice for Natural Products Chromex Marketing: An Email Marketing Firm Quietly Dominating Ecommerce