Hungary - Budapest

On Easter 2017 instead of going to Poland, we decided to go to Hungary to see Budapest and Balaton surroundings. From Munich it's about 7 hours drive, but it took us a little more because of huge queues in gas stations to buy Hungarian Vignette. We arrived about 4 in the afternoon, and immediately, went for sightseeing. We didn't have any precise plan how to sightsee Budapest, just some points on map. We've spent 3 days in Budapest, and last day near Balaton.

Budapest (wikiopen in new window) Capital and biggest city of Hungary. First settlement in this place was from 4th century BC Celtic Aquincum, that became roman, bulgarian, and finally hungarian tribes conquered it. City was officially created 17 November 1873 from Buda, Obuda and Pest.

Calvinist Church
Calvinist Church

Sightseeing bus
Sightseeing bus

Hungarian Prime Minister - Viktor Orban
Hungarian Prime Minister - Viktor Orban

Parliament from Fisherman's Bastion
Parliament from Fisherman's Bastion

Museum of Ethnography, next to Parliament
Museum of Ethnography, next to Parliament

Parliament
Parliament

Parliament - main hall
Parliament - main hall

Parliament - assembly hall of the House of Magnates
Parliament - assembly hall of the House of Magnates

Parliament
Parliament

Parliament - Cigar Stand
Parliament - Cigar Stand

Parliament Museum with red star removed from its top in 1990
Parliament Museum with red star removed from its top in 1990

Shoes on the Danube Bank
Shoes on the Danube Bank

Chain Bridge
Chain Bridge

Buda Castle
Buda Castle

Hungarian beer in bar next to way to Castle
Hungarian beer in bar next to way to Castle

Turul - mythological bird of prey, hungarian national symbol
Turul - mythological bird of prey, hungarian national symbol
Turulopen in new window - mythological bird of prey, hungarian national symbol

Sunset over Buda from Castle
Sunset over Buda from Castle

View on the Danube river and Citadel from Castle
View on the Danube river and Citadel from Castle

Matthias Church
Matthias Church

Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion

Vörösmarty Square
Vörösmarty Square

Vörösmarty Square - Hungarian national food
Vörösmarty Square - Hungarian national food

Vörösmarty Square - Fair
Vörösmarty Square - Fair

St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen's Basilica

Gelarto Rosa Ice Creams
Gelarto Rosa Ice Creams

Hungarian State Opera House
Hungarian State Opera House

Metro M1
Metro M1

Heroes' Square
Heroes' Square

Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad Castle

Vajdahunyad Castle - Easter Market
Vajdahunyad Castle - Easter Market

Lángos - a deep fried yeast pie. Something what you definitely need to try,om nom nom :)
Lángos - a deep fried yeast pie. Something what you definitely need to try,om nom nom :)

Vajdahunyad Castle - Easter Market
Vajdahunyad Castle - Easter Market

Anonymous Statueopen in new window

Storks
Storks

Zoo
Zoo

Ferences kolostor
Ferences kolostor

Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert

Szimpla Kert
Szimpla Kert

Karavan - best burgers in the city
Karavan - best burgers in the city

Gellért Thermal Bath
Gellért Thermal Bath

Gellért Thermal Bath
Gellért Thermal Bath

Gellért Thermal Bath
Gellért Thermal Bath

View from Hegyestű cliffs
View from Hegyestű cliffs

Hegyestű Geological Site
Hegyestű Geological Site

Tapolca Lake Cave
Tapolca Lake Cave

Castle of Szigliget
Castle of Szigliget

We had quite short trip - only 4 days with going there and back to Munich, and we were not able to see everything that we wanted. But even with such limited time, I believe we were able to see most of major places in Budapest. Hungary looks like modern country, that is changing a lot. Before trip I was informed that foreign languages might be a problem, but we found that english and german are popular languages, especially among young people. We also learned that at least close to Balaton lake there is problem with using cards to pay - ATMs are only in bigger towns, and even in our hotel they didn't accept cards, although in many places they accept EUR, but not coins, and in return they give Forints. Overall Hungary is beautiful country, with prices that are still good, and great wine.

Last Updated:
Contributors: Jacek Głogosz