Budapest, Hungary (Part 2)

Day one: Vaci Street, Pub Crawl/Ruin Bars
Day two: St. Stephen’s Basilica, Parliament Tour, Danube, Walking Tour, Blue Rose (Dinner)
Day three: Széchany Thermal Bath, Agriculture Museum, Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes Square, Timewheel, Andrassy Avenue, House of Terror, Budapest eye, Hostel Friends in Jewish Quarter/Ruin Bars
Day four: Bonnie, Dohány Street Synagogue, Fisherman’s Bastion, Chain Bridge, Parliament
Day five: Budapest Central Market

Day three: Széchany Thermal Bath, Agriculture Museum, Vajdahunyad Castle, Heroes Square, Timewheel, Andrassy Avenue, House of Terror, Budapest eye, Hostel Friends in Jewish Quarter/Ruin Bars

I woke up fairly early on day three to head to the Széchany Thermal Bath. With all my planning, I managed to forget a bathing suit AND didn’t bring my towel so it ended up being fairly expensive. I stayed for about 4 hours and met two women who had just come from Prague and mistook me for someone they met on their plane. They gave me some suggestions for things to do in Prague and I gave them some suggestions for things to do in Budapest.

Cost: 5400 huf (admission) + 5000 huf (rental)

After cleaning up at the Baths, I went to the Agriculture Museum and Vajdahunyad Castle. I recommend just doing the castle if you decide to go. Also, take a wander around the castle grounds! I stopped for lunch at the Anonymous Bar and got the Hungarian Lasagna. You know when you’re expecting one thing and the food is something else but you were looking forward to what you thought it was and then you’re just disappointed? That’s how I felt about my Hungarian Lasagna but I was so hungry I gobbled it up!

Cost: 2100 huf (combined admission for museum and castle)

Heroes Square was just down the street from the museum and castle so that was my next stop. I have to say: carrying around a camera and a tripod makes me a magnet for people wanting their picture taken! I think every stop in Budapest at least one person asked me to take their photo “because I look like I take good photos”. I have to chuckle at that!

I then walked to the park where the Timewheel (Atlas Obscura find) is but unfortunately it was under construction.

I then wandered along Andrassy Avenue, where I stumbled across the House of Terror (which was on my list of things to do but not on that day). I got there about an hour before the museum closed and the teller recommended I needed at least two hours but did I still want to buy a ticket (which I thought was very nice of her to let me know). I figured the museum was going to be information boards and I’m a quick reader so I decided to go in. In hindsight, I should have listened to the teller because the museum is filled with videos rather than information boards. I highly recommend this one.

Cost: 3000 huf

I stumbled across the Budapest Eye on my way back to the hostel during sunset, snapped a few photos and this was my favourite one.

At the hostel, I was talking to some people and we all decided to go out for a drink and check out the Ruin Bars. One of the girls had lived in Budapest a number of years ago and gave us a bit of a tour of the Jewish Quarter.

Day four:  Bonnie, Dohány Street Synagogue, Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, Chain Bridge, Parliament

I woke up and went in search of breakfast. I stopped at Bonnie (very close to my hostel) and across the street a movie was being filmed! I asked security about it but they either don’t know or can’t tell you what movie it’s for so I just watched from a distance.

My first stop of the day was the Dohány Street Synagogue. Included in the admission price is a tour of the synagogue (in numerous languages) and the museum. The price is fairly steep but the synagogue is beautiful.

Cost: 4000 huf

I was feeling a lot sicker this day so I went back to the hostel for a nap and then spent the evening taking pictures. Some of my favourites from the trip were taken this day! I stopped at the Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge, Danube, and Parliament.

Day five:  Budapest Central Market

I woke up and then spent the rest of the day sleeping in the hostel. My cold was full-fledged and I could hardly get out of bed! I only left the hostel to grab lunch (at the Central Market) and dinner (at Hummus Bar). I wanted to go to Géllert Hill but all in all saw so much while I was there and had a great time. I’ll just have to go back to see what I missed, bummer!