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Hungary
Budapest
Our next stop on our first round through Europe was the great capital cities of Buda and Pest – otherwise known as Budapest! In the past it was three separate cities but they eventually merged together to form this city we know today. As soon as we arrived and got settled, we took to the streets to explore as much as we could. We stayed near the old town and I would recommend any other visitors to do the same as everything is walkable and nearby.
The city’s character can be found in its architecture, history and its people. As the country’s capital, Budapest is where it is at; the hustle and bustle of the city is well and alive as the streets buzz with life. Walking by the river is a great way to spend some time and see the full scale of the area – as it is easy to get a false sense of the city’s size in its dense alleyways surrounded by its tall, towering buildings. This was our favourite part by the way; exploring the streets of old town with beautiful murals to be seen here and there and architecture for the eyes.
The City
The city center definitely exudes class and wealth with its ornamental buildings all around to be appreciated. Walking through its crowded streets, I could feel the deep rich history within its walls. However, this is not the city’s only redeeming quality; its rich cultures can be seen through the great big places of worship built all around the city. The cathedrals and the synagogues form an iconic part of the sky line.
“With the old comes the new”
Despite its appearance and old aura, much of the city is relatively new as a lot was rebuilt during the aftermath of World War II. We also noticed many of the country’s younger population flocking to this city as a place for opportunity. Another refreshing trait I really liked about the city was the frequency and amount of new, modern murals all over the walls through the streets of Budapest. Art seems to be well- appreciated and can be consistently seen throughout the city from old to new.
Budapest Recommendations
Cafe Muse – is smack down in the center area right at the busy tourist walking streets. Its location is convenient. Better yet, the interior has a nice, fancy yet comfortable vibe. The service is top notch with plenty of seating available. It is a bit more expensive but the quality is there – it can also be quite a bit busy as it is popular with both regulars and tourists alike. Check this cafe out if you’re looking for a place to sit and relax amidst the hustle and bustle of Budapest.
La Sera Cafe – If you’re looking for less noise, and more of a local, family-owned shop, this is it. La Sera Cafe is an unassuming cafe in the middle of a main road of the city. It is a bit out of the city center but it is still on the way towards other tourist attractions. We made our way to the Museum of Fine Arts through peaceful neighborhoods and found this hidden gem. The owner is super nice and the coffee is great. Better yet are the desserts available for purchase – we were told she makes it herself and her cakes are to die for. The space is small, but it is not busy at all. Its a great spot for a quiet afternoon coffee with cake.
Szépművészeti Múzeum – The Budapest Museum of Fine Arts is definitely worth a visit. It is a bit out of the town center but it is just a metro away – or a nice thirty minute walk through quiet yet beautiful neighborhoods. Here, you will find an extensive collection of fine arts mostly concentrating on European artists throughout the ages. One could find works from pre-renaissance, golden age and even modern art. We spent our whole afternoon here exploring its halls. It was relatively quiet and peaceful and we were able to really enjoy it. If you’re an art enthusiast, give this place a visit.
Klauzal Ter – A nice local market warehouse that houses local produce, local products and makers. There is also a nice grocery store in here – this is where we spent most of our food shopping during our stay in Budapest as its central location proves it to be very convenient. Its still hidden away so it is also relatively quiet and not as busy. Some great quality local stuff can be seen here and I’d recommend a quick visit if you’re in the area.
Buda Castle– Learn all about the history of the city by visiting the Buda Castle. Walk through its grounds and enjoy a quiet peaceful time away from the crowds and from the noise. We found the information bulletin boards to be extremely useful and interesting. It was great to learn about the city openly and learn all about the grounds we were stepping on. If you’re not interested in that, the castle also provides a very nice view of the city especially at the top.
Szépművészeti Múzeum – Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts
As avid fans of the fine arts, we were delighted to see that Budapest having a collection of their own. We decided to invest one full day of our time here exploring its halls and rooms. The collection and the building are both impressive. I would highly recommend to fellow art enthusiasts a visit of this fine establishment.
One of the highlights of the museum were the way it was all organized. Every room was easily and visibly labeled so it was very easy to navigate through. Even though there are dozens of rooms we never truly felt lost – especially with the map provided to us. This is a rare feature in a museum so big as other museums that are even bigger and busier can feel like a total maze even with a map provided.
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