As usual which city you will like better comes down to your style of travel. Are you someone who likes to walk and explore, or do you want things a bit closer together, given you more time to lounge around? How important is food to you? These are the attributes I will be dissecting. I may go a little deeper than usual while digging into these two places, because I loved both cities immensely and want to give them the description they deserve.

Prague or Budapest is not an easy choice. Both cities do have a similar feel. More similar than say Prague or Sicily or Budapest and Tokyo (clearly). The people and atmosphere are very much alike. That is not to say there are not stark differences between the two cities. Once you scratch the surface of both you will find each has a unique feel and culture. Yes, the people are similar (IE grumpy), the food has some similarities, but after you stay awhile you will most likely have an entirely different experience in both areas.

Some may say, why not hit both in one trip? Certainly, you could try to take a 5-hour train ride to one from the other. I do not think that does either Prague or Budapest justice. Both cities deserve at least a week to explore. There is a lot of depth to each, plenty of nooks and crannies to discover. That is difficult to do unless you spend a significant amount of time in either (relatively speaking). Below I will analyze Prague vs. Budapest in terms of food, history, things to do/attractions, beauty, and walkability. I will also highlight some negatives one may have about both cities. Here is how I view Prague vs. Budapest. As always, this is my opinion, your experience may have differed, and I would love to hear about it.

Prague vs. Budapest: Food and Alcohol

I had to include alcohol in this section because both the Czech Republic and Hungary have something to be proud of in terms of drinking. When looking at the food both countries sport heavy dishes, with a big emphasis on meats. Still, I do not think the eating experiences were identical. More similar than other parts of the continent, but not the same by any means.

Prague, first and foremost, had great beer. Pilsner Urquell is found all over the country, I would not be surprised if you could get it at a daycare. When deciding between Prague and Budapest, if beer drinking was your only criteria, I would certainly say Prague. Prague also had Absinthe, which until recently was illegal in the United States. I loved the Absinthe bars in Prague and “wasted” many an afternoon in these establishments.

Since there is more to life than just beer, let us talk about some of the foods. The one that stands out the most in Prague was the giant pork knuckle, it was enough for a family of four or two highly intoxicated people. The meal is just a delicious hunk of pork on the bone. Another dish Svíčková or beef with dumplings was also a staple. Well dumplings with everything and they were tasty. Meats and dumpling, dumplings and meat, I do not recall eating anything that swam (well I had duck once).

Then there is the Trdelnik, a sugary, cinnamon dessert street food that plagued the area. Plagued in the best sense of the word. I loved these snacks. They were very inexpensive and everywhere. I would say that for the most part, Prague had a lot of good pastries and bakeries.

My problem with the food of Prague was there was nothing screaming …this is a dish from Prague. Certainly, they have a style of eating that is different. The spices used made every meal feel like the holidays. Still, the cuisine of Prague did not implant its way into my brain.

Budapest Food ….

Budapest food on the other hand did have an impact on me. First, let me touch on the alcohol. I do think it is a tie with Prague in this category. Prague has great beer; Budapest has outstanding wine. Surprisingly good, I did not realize Hungarian wine was so tasty. Both have a lot of strange drinks I would never order in the United States. Pálinka jets its way to the front of my brain, a very strong fruit brandy.

The food is what I loved in Budapest; I mean gain 20lbs loved. First, the sausage. Yes, Prague had sausage, but not as good as Budapest, at least not where I found it. They have a lot of great game meats, deer better than anywhere as well as a lot of specialty dishes. Stuffed cabbage, Fisherman’s soup, Lángos, (a type of pizza, but not really) there were a lot of unique items. Many covered in one or two heavy sauces. Paprika is a staple in Hungarian food, so I hope you like it!

Then we have desserts, the Dobos Torte the best cake in any dimension, layers upon layers of chocolate, caramel, and buttercream. Strudel is also excellent in Budapest, better than that of Germany. Pastries in both countries were excellent, but I give the nod to Budapest. It is also worth mentioning, if you have a hankering for some horse, it is available as well. I wrote more about where to try food in Budapest here.

So, if you haven’t guessed it, in the battle of Prague vs. Budapest, in terms of food Budapest wins hands down. This is not to say you will not eat great in Prague, I just think Budapest outdid it.

Right now, Budapest or Prague: one-point Budapest

Budapest or Prague: Beauty

Prague was the most beautiful city I have ever visited. I guess you can stop reading, since I led with the ending, but it is true. This is to say the tourist areas were the most beautiful, not to say the rest of the city was terrible, some of it was rather nice. I just think a place like the Old Town Square was something out of a TV show. Maybe it is just the fond memories, but I cannot remember a more stunning atmosphere. There are two churches in the square, Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn and St Nicholas church. There is also an art museum and various statues.

This place is even more amazing at night when it is all lit up. I have seen pictures of it at Christmas and it looks outstanding as well. This is the best square I have ever been too in terms of looks. To top it off the Astrological clock is in the Old Town Square, an interesting piece of art that must be seen.

Enough about the square, the city overall is beautiful and has some of the most stunning architecture in the world. The cobblestone streets add to the décor as well as the many churches, especially St. Vitus Cathedral. One cannot forget the Charles Bridge or Prague Castle …I can go on, but this is not only a Prague post! There is another city to consider.

Budapest….

Not to be totally outdone, Budapest is no lightweight either in the beauty department. Looking at the Parliament building all lit up at night is hard to beat. That scene is a postcard picture to mail off to grandma. Then there is Buda castle and Hero Square. Budapest is extraordinarily beautiful in its own right, making this comparison tougher than one would think. It is missing a lot of the old Gothic style because of the relative newness of the buildings. I personally think that takes a bit away from this area. I believe I saw a bit more graffiti and run-down sections to Budapest than Prague as well. Most of the city is very nice, but the Russians were not known for their aesthetics.

I am splitting hairs in terms of beauty when it comes to Budapest or Prague, they are both outstanding. Really comparing the two is like choosing between Scarlett Johansson and Kate Beckinsale (I am not saying which city represents which actress). It is a matter of taste for the individual. Still, I believe most will agree Prague has a clear edge in aesthetics.

Prague or Budapest Beauty, Prague takes this one.

Prague or Budapest: Things to Do

A lot of the things to do in Prague revolve around history. There are a bunch of museums, old churches, and nooks to discover. Prague is an old, untouched city. Museums interest me and there was a wide variety of them. There are bigger museums such as the National Gallery. Then there are the smaller spots like the Museum of Medieval Torture. I really liked that one, which says something about my personality.

The entire city is a museum in a sense. Beautiful statues and old buildings around every corner. Let me not forget the churches, not only are they nice to look at from the outside, but also there is more art inside many of them. All of this with more beer than you can shake a stick at. Then for further things to do in Prague you can get really intoxicated in other ways. Absinthe bars bear repeating yet again. One also cannot forget the lovely cannabis lollipops (the good kind) throughout the city. My day consisted of art, beer, church, absinthe, pot lollipop, nap…and repeat (with heavy meats sprinkled in)! Not a bad way to spend a week and a half.

Budapest…

Although Budapest has ways to get f-d up as well, that does not need to be the focus. It has much of what Prague has, art, museums, and history. Even if these activities are not your cup of tea, there is much more to do in this city. Really, I do not know how one can be bored in Budapest. You can spend a week and not do or see 10% of the attractions.

My favorite activity after walking around the market and eating of course were the thermal baths. For a reasonable price for two people you can spend hours soaking in water with thousands of strangers wearing speedos two sizes too small. I joke, but the baths are awesome. There is a big outdoor spot in the Gellert baths, I soaked there for an hour and it started snowing. In my life I do not think I have ever been more relaxed.

Moving on we have the ruin bars that are sprinkled throughout the city. I loved these as well, old abandoned Soviet Union factories that were turned into bars. Where communism fails, capitalism prevails. This makes the nightlife of Budapest vastly superior to that of Prague. There certainly is a nightlife in Prague, I am not sure it is one where you want to bring your wife or girlfriend if you go as a couple. Overall, the number of things to do in Budapest far exceeded Prague. I was never bored in either city, but Budapest just was superior in that sense.

Prague or Budapest: Things to Do…Budapest.

Budapest or Prague: History

If one is a history lover, both cities have a lot to offer. Still I believe there is one clear winner. Let me start with Prague and explain why I believe it is just superior for someone who likes old things (No, I do not mean Sugardaddies.com). Prague is a city that was somehow untouched in World War 2. Well I believe there was an agreement made with the Nazis to keep it intact. This makes a difference in terms of its historical sites.

Prague is old. The Charles Bridge was built in 663, to give you some idea of how far back it dates. Some of the buildings in the Old town square are from the 1300’s. Yes, maybe not Rome old, but old just the same. This makes the history more real for me. I never have been one for replicas or remakes, I want to see things in their original form. Prague offers this opportunity.

Budapest…

Budapest is another story in terms of history. Even though it too is an old city it was decimated by both the Nazis and communists during World War 2. Over 80% of the city was affected, buildings such as the Parliament and Buda castle among them (To learn more an article is linked here). The city was also looted and burned by soldiers, destroying things that can never be brought back. This makes the area suffer in terms of truly historical monuments.

Much of the historical sites in Budapest were just sad relics from World War 2. The Museum of Terror for example discusses both the communists and the Nazis and the atrocities they committed. Not so gleeful compared to a stroll down the Charles Bridge. Still look hard enough and there are things that remained untouched in this city, you can visit the maze under the Buda castle that housed Dracula’s jail cell. In terms of old history, Prague wins this one.

Prague vs. Budapest: For history buffs go to Prague.

Budapest or Prague: Walkability

This may seem like a strange unit of measure as to whether to visit a city. I did not realize how important walkability was until I went to Positano (read my review here). Exploring a city on foot is my favorite way to kill time. Both cities had their advantages and disadvantages in regard to walkability.

Starting with Prague was it walkable? I would say for the most part yes. That is until you crossed the Charles Bridge. The hills were fairly bad near the Prague castle making walking a bit more difficult. The cobblestones also did not help, they look beautiful but can be hell on your feet if you wear the wrong shoes.

One more slight negative about Prague’s walkability, is that at times it felt like a maze. More than once I was hungry and lost. GPS helps, but most of the time it did not know where the hell I was. The main areas are easy to navigate, some of the side streets can be tricky.

This is not to say there are not positive aspects of Prague’s walkability. What I did like was the city had a lot of nooks and crannies to explore. Little side streets that brought you to a church or tower. That is an incredibly fun way to travel. Really, getting lost in a side street is not so bad if it is in a beautiful city with great beer such as Prague.

Budapest…

Budapest was much easier to navigate than Prague. I really do not think I got lost once in this city, and I walked all day. The city is also (for the most part) much flatter than Prague. Although the area near Buda Castle is full of hills. Once again there is always something to walk to, but you really do not need a destination. Andrássy út is stunning, it is worth just strolling it for an hour or two.

If there is any negative about Budapest’s walkability it is that in some cases it feels spread out. The city just is bigger than Prague in terms of size and population. Prague was very compact, most of the major places you will want to see are close to each other. Budapest had things sprinkled all over the city. Still this was not enough for me to penalize Budapest too badly.

In terms of Walkability Prague vs Budapest: Budapest by a foot.

Some Negatives About Each City

I am writing this only to be more helpful for my Budapest or Prague inquiry. I loved both cities immensely, so this is more of a nitpick than a bash. If I had to pick one or two things about Prague I did not like, I would say at the top of the list is it is slightly touristy. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, therefore it will attract a lot of Mildred’s from Arkansas. Mildred’s (and all Americans wearing T-Shirts and Fanny packs) attract selfie stick and magnet sellers to name a few. The Charles Bridge was beautiful, but also had a lot of the things I hate about travel. From the statue guy to the bad guitarist trying to get change. It is almost better to walk it at night to get a picture without the crowded tourist feel.

Tourism also attracts scams, taxi drivers will overcharge as they love to do, in both cities, but Prague is a bit worse. I have also heard about people being tricked when ordering meat from an outside vender, given 4 pounds of ham and charged a ridiculous amount. That did not happen to me, but I was warned about it.

Budapest…

My only real complain about Budapest was, as mentioned earlier, it felt big taking more time to get around. I loved how walkable it was, but sometimes you just want to get to your destination. Taxis helped, but it is very big, so you need to a lot more time exploring the city. Note, once again be careful of taxis they are known to rip tourists off here as well.

I want to add that neither city had people that I would consider warm and fuzzy. Italy, Greece, Croatia, these countries had some of the friendliest people in the world. Budapest and Prague not so much. Having said this, Prague maybe had a few more bright smiles than Budapest in terms of friendliness. Both cities are not known for their people’s warm demeanor.

Budapest or Prague: Which Would I Choose?

As mention, I do not think you will go wrong with either city. Walking into Prague is like walking into a fairytale, everyone needs to see Prague once in this lifetime. Budapest is also beautiful in its own right, but it is bigger with much more to do. It has a newer feel than Prague, and maybe a bit less magical. The food is better in Budapest and it is easier to get around.

My pick when it comes to Budapest vs. Prague is Budapest. Besides all the things mentioned, something about the city just felt right. I talk about cities having their own energy to them, and Budapest had a great one. It was a city I just connected with; it is hard to put into words why. In all my travel, I do not think I have ever felt more relaxed than when visiting Budapest.

I understand the Prague argument, the city is amazing also. I felt that Budapest had more meat to it (metaphorically and literally). These days I can run through Prague in about four days, leaving the rest of the week to drink beer and relax. Not a bad thing, but I like to always have something else to do. Budapest provided that depth of entertainment to me. One note, if you ask me which city I would visit, Prague or Budapest during Christmas, I will change my answer to Prague. The city is a haven for Christmas nuts and cannot be beat during the holiday season. I am going more on research than experience, but it is my two cents from what I have read.

So To Recap My Winner Budapest vs. Prague: Budapest

Conclusion: Prague or Budapest

I think I gave a fairly good overview of these two cities and my reasoning for picking Budapest as the one I would go to first. Really, questions like these are the definition of first world problems, which is great. I miss both places for various reasons and will see both again in this lifetime. Hell, I may even move to one or the other one day. Whichever you ultimately decide on, it is almost a certainty that you will have a good time. As mentioned earlier, this is my opinion having been to both cities. Take it for what it is worth, really the only way to know for sure is to plan two trips.

The post Prague or Budapest: Which to Visit? appeared first on Man in Flight.

Budapest was one of those places that I looked at and thought, I could live here. I know that might just be vacation talk, but my memories are so fond that I still feel this way. The food, the culture, the nightlife, everything just came together. There was a relaxing energy of which I do not find very often. It is rare that I am ever that laidback and comfortable in any atmosphere, especially considering there was so much to do that one could run around all day.

Maybe the reason I love Budapest, Hungary so much was I had low expectations. It never really comes up as a “must visit” when people talk about world cities or even cities in Europe. When I was presented with the idea, I was a little hesitant, I mean…no red sauce or fresh fish of the Mediterranean? I will be the first to admit that I was wrong… I love Budapest, below is my Budapest review and what I think you should see and know. As a side, I put a small table toward the bottom of this post if you just want to skip to the highlights.

The Food of Budapest

I do not think I could say I love Budapest if I did not love the food. Hungarian food is certainly heavy, consisting of meats and stews. Sausage was its own food group in this country; I ate it daily. Whether it was a food cart or a little shop, hardy food was on every menu. Let me list out some of the more popular foods and where to eat in Budapest. The food is one of the many reasons I love Budapest. First the places to eat:

Central Market Hall

No Budapest review would be complete without mentioning the Central Market Hall. This should be your first stop after dropping off your luggage. The Central Market hall is a staple, you may eat here daily. The first floor is a market where you can sample a variety of foods, it is a place where people shop for their restaurant or home. I tried various chocolates, a hell of a lot of strudel and some meats. This was the first place where I tried horse. The lady was not too happy when I winced at its gamey taste.

The second floor of the food market is really where the action is. By action I mean cluster F*. It took me a minute to warm up to this market due to the crowds. The table situation is similar to the Thunderdome; it is like a game of musical chairs… 20 tables for 100 people. This is not fine dining by any means, but it did give me a great opportunity to sample many of the classics like Chicken Paprika, Hungarian Goulash, and Stuffed Cabbage. After one gets used to the sheer craziness of it all, you will love it. We spent every day here, at least once if not multiple times.

Tip: Go to the Central Market at off times to avoid the crowds

Borkonyha Winekitchen Restaurant 

Maybe you want something a little more refined, like a (relatively inexpensive) Michelin star restaurant. I would certainly say that Borkonyha Winekitchen Restaurant is a must try. You know a place is good when you are still thinking about the bread years later. The menu changes daily, but it is laid out like a tasting menu. There was a venison dish that I would kill for as well as some of the best wines available. One note, due to the virus that shall not be named…the place is closed, but they are directing their patrons to a pop-up location right down the road, using their same cooking staff. Check their website for more details here.

Café Gerbeaud

This is a highly rated restaurant in Budapest that has been around for over 162 years. It was right outside our hotel; I was a bit worried it would be a tourist trap. I can say with certainty that it is not; the food was outstanding. Just walking into this restaurant, you notice how beautiful it is. The decorations make you feel as if you are walking into Downton Abbey with the lavish chandeliers and artwork.

The food was spectacular, I ordered a schnitzel which I can say was the best schnitzel I ever had. I never authored any books on schnitzel, but I know good food. The Dobos Torte was also amazing, but I am not sure how one could mess up this cake. Everything exceeded my expectations; I would say Cafe’ Gerbeaud is a must visit.

I had so many other stops to share, but most of them did not make it through the last couple of months. Therefore, I will just point you toward some of the food you should be eating, and you can shift through what is left open.

Sausage

As mention a stable in my diet and what I would eat on a nightly basis. Sausage to the people of Budapest is like tofu to a vegan. I had it a number of times, but my best advice to you is if you come across a stand where meat is cooking and they have buns, make it a point to eat what they are serving.

Hungarian goulash

Like pasta in Rome or crickets in Thailand, you must eat Hungarian goulash when in Budapest. It is the national dish. I had this on multiple occasions, it is perfect on a colder day. You can find it all over the city, people seem to like Gettó Gulyás… if you are trying it, might as well find the best.

Strudel

People tend to think of strudel as a German dish, I found the strudel in Budapest to be better than Munich. My advice is to go to the before mentioned Central market, walk around the first floor and hit as many places as you can until they kick you out.

Alcohol of Budapest

I love Budapest alcohol, with one exception. I was expecting to adore the beer in this city, it is closely tied to Prague so I figured it would be just as good. I was a little disappointed in the beer, but other alcohol made up for it. Below is what to drink when visiting Budapest. If you are non-drinking you can skip this part of the Budapest review.

Wine

Unexpectedly good is the way I will describe the wine in Budapest. I would never have thought I would like the wine so much here. In my humble opinion it is second only to Italy, which was surprising. In lieu of beer I recommend getting a nice red, it is cheap in this country and goes great with sausage.

Unicum

This is a thick almost liquorish tasting drink native to Hungary. It has over 40 spices in it and is extremely bitter. Recently I ran through half a bottle that was in my personal bar. This is something I have only seen in this country, I am sure you can get it someplace else if you search, but it is better to go to the source. My first time having this drink it was paired with a nice beer at around 11:00 am (see above), great way to start the day. Unicum is the national drink of Hungary, so it deserves at least a taste.

Palinka

Sheer poison…. I mean great, absolutely great! Palinka is a fruit brandy that is like none other I have ever tasted. I drink American brandy on a regular basis, but Palinka can wipe you out fairly quickly. It is an acquired taste, which I am still acquiring. Try it at least once if you visit Budapest.

Mulled Wine

Nothing better on a cold night than a glass of warm mulled wine. Especially when they pour a shot of whiskey in it. This was a staple in my diet, especially when walking Váci street. Keep your eyes out for the stands outside of the restaurants (avoid the food at these restaurants). Grab one and move on.

Things to Do in Budapest

Budapest has a lot to see in between eating sausage and drinking wine. There are a couple of things that you must see because you are in the city. Then there are things that I find highly recommended. The city feels big but is extremely walkable. If you are there for a week, I would recommend seeing two things a day. Below some are more reasons why I love Budapest.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

No European trip report would be complete without mentioning an old Catholic church, this Budapest review is no different. Knock this one out early, it is located in a very convenient area, at least is was for us, not too far from Váci street (maybe 10 minutes). It is a beautiful structure completed in 1905 (not as old as many churches sprinkled through Europe), and is certainly worth seeing. The church adds to the atmosphere, I loved drinking a nice cocktail in one of the many cafes right outside this structure.

Váci street

Just like every European city has a bunch of old churches, every European city has its own touristy street. If you want to get hustled by restaurant workers who will push you to try their subpar food, this is the street for you. Still, there was something I loved about this street, maybe it was the previously mentioned mulled wine. Definitely worth the walk, because it is well free.

Quick Tip: There is an Ice bar at the end of Váci street (or beginning) which I recommend. Why not freeze yourself for 20-minutes while drinking two free drinks included with the entry fee.

Parliament Building

Ok, I have a confession, I did not enter this building. We tried twice, but both times there was some weird Hungarian event going on. I did go on the outside throughout the trip, I will pretend that this is the best part of the area. To me this is one of those check the boxes places, certainly worth going to after or before stuffing your face.

Buda Castle

This is a big area so dedicate some time to it. Located on the Buda side of the Danube, this complex has some of the best views in the city. You can either climb a ton of stairs to get up there or take the Buda Hill Funicular, which is quicker and easier. There are museums and restaurants scattered throughout the location; this is the one section I would recommend a half a day for. Especially considering you will want to visit this next spot

Buda Castle Labyrinth

Right near the Buda castle, are the Buda Castle Labyrinths (obviously). They are a bit hard to find but worth the effort. I think these labyrinths are one of the more underrated things in this city. It is just fun exploring in the pitch black (be careful if you have little kids). One of the coolest historical aspects of these labyrinths is that it was the prison of the real Dracula, where he spent 10 years. Go into this castle and see if you could make it ten years in this cell.

Thermal Baths

The thermal baths that are spread throughout Budapest were another highlight of our trip. At present time, the idea of sharing warm water with hundreds of strangers may seem a bit risky. Combined that with the unfortunate idea of seeing all those European speedos. Still I loved the baths. There are many located in the city, one of the bigger ones is the Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is located more toward Hero’s square. It is the most popular, mainly an outside bath.

The one we went to most is the GELLÉRT Baths (which is open currently). The architecture was beautiful here, located inside the Hotel Gellért the location is very accessible. The cost is also good for what you get, for two people and a cabin it is about 35 euro. The baths are great way to help you digest a heavy meal after hitting the central market (Which is right across the bridge). Thermal baths are certainly a huge factor in why I love Budapest so much!

Stroll the Andrassy Út

We walked this from end to end and back again, there is a lot to see on this street. While Váci street is a bit touristy, the Andrassy Út is more of a classic. It is filled with higher end shops, great architecture, and is a UNESCO Heritage Site. You will find there are several great cafe’s serving fish stew or goulash. This is also where the famed Opera house is located. Make it all the way to the end and you will discover more beautiful things to see.

Ruin Bars

Thank god for capitalism! Years of communism created a slew of crumbling, abandon factories and buildings throughout the city. In the early 2000s many of these were transformed into bars where European hipsters like to hang out. The best and most popular ruin bar is Szimpla Kert, if you only hit one make sure it is this one.

Funny thing about Szimpla Kert, we went at three different times and had three incredibly unique experiences. The first time was on a Sunday afternoon, it was mainly a market, but it did have a couple of places to get drinks. Early in the night around 8 or 9, the sausage was flowing, more people, more of a bar atmosphere. We finally went back around midnight, it was like a rave, packed full of heavily intoxicated people. Maybe the last one is not ideal for this environment, but hopefully you are reading this in the distant future when Covid-19 is a bad dream. The ruins bars are just one of the many reasons I love Budapest.

The Dark History of Budapest

Any Budapest review should mention the history of this city. Budapest has unfortunately been occupied by both the Nazis and the soviets after World War 2. To make matters worse the city was leveled during the war as well, unlike Prague that was kept relatively intact. I love Budapest, I hate to think it has such a terrible past. There are a number of places to visit that discuss this in more detail, none better than the first one:

The House of Terror

Personally, although a fitting name, I feel it does not do it a historical justice. This is a museum that describes the horrors of communist Russia as well as the terrible things the Nazis/sympathizers did. To me it is a must stop for everyone entering the city, it reinforces how disgusting both fascist and communism are. Although the description of what the Nazis did was terrible, what the Russians did was worse…if you can believe this. Maybe stop by this museum before preaching a move toward communism in any country.

Shoes on the Danube Bank

One of the more heartbreaking things I have encountered when traveling. Walking along the Danube you may come across a group of shoes on the shore. If you did not stop and read or know any better, you may be confused by what you are looking at. It is a memorial for Jews that were killed by the Arrow Cross Party (Nazi copycats) during World War 2. This is a newer memorial that was erected in 2005. It is another reminder of the difficult periods this city has seen.

Heroes’ Square

Not all the history of Budapest is meant to depress you. Heroes’ Square may feel like it is a bit out of the way (at least from the Danube), but it is worth a visit. There is a lot around it such as the Museum of Fine Arts and Széchenyi Thermal Bath. The square itself is decorated with a complex featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders. Certainly, worth visiting, but if you are coming from the Danube, take a cab or enjoy a huge walk down Andrassy Út.

Crowds and Atmosphere

I should mention in my Budapest review the crowds of the area. Is Budapest touristy? A bit yes, but not as bad as other places I have visited. Rome and Prague to name two. We went in October which had almost perfect weather. It was a bit chilly at night, but overall better than the heat of August. The tourist attractions like Buda castle and certainly Váci street get very crowded at times, but still not unbearable. Both remind you that you are in a tourist destination. As mentioned, the Central Market also was a mad house, especially on the second floor. That was due to the influx of locals as well as tourists.

The thing that makes this city stand out is its beauty. There is a great mix of Eclectic and Gothic styles of architecture that gives it that old, but not ancient look. The city itself was for the most part clean, although I did see a decent amount of graffiti. The buildings were huge and awe inspiring, seeing the parliament building lite up at night is something to be experienced in person.

Truth be told, sometimes the energy of a city just hits you right. That is the way I felt about Budapest. I never felt out of place, it was foreign but familiar. Everything in the city melted my stress away, it is hard to put down in words, but this is why I love Budapest so much.

Day Trips from Budapest

I love Budapest, I cannot see why anyone would leave, but you may feel differently. If you must leave Budapest there are a few options to visit other places. Probably the one I have heard most people doing is to Vienna. To get to Vienna you will need to make your way to the Railjet high-speed train located in the Budapest Keleti train station. The trip takes about 2.5 hours.

Another popular option is to go to Prague from Budapest. Once again you will go to Budapest-Keleti train station, although now you will be sitting on the train for over five hours. It may be best to turn this into an overnight trip.

If you are feeling particularly ambitious you can also take a bus to Slovakia, this will take you about 3.5 hours. For all of you who always dreamed about visiting Slovakia.

You can also consider a cruise package down the Danube that hits multiple cities, including Vienna and Prague. Personally, these do not float my boat (pun intended). I hate being on an itinerary when travelling. Plus, there is too much temptation to eat on the ship, which kills the point of travel for me…but to each his own.

Quick Recap

Other Tips About Budapest …

1. The people are not very warm and cuddly. I am not sure if any eastern Europeans are, and the fine people of Budapest will reinforce this attitude. You may experience some yelling, but that is only if they cannot hear you. I explained more about that in this post here.
2. The City felt safe when I was there. Of course, still always know where you are going. My traveling partner got lost and ended up on a slightly shadier side of town. Overall, like always just keep your head up. One major crime in Budapest and all of Europe is pickpocketing! Use precaution and spread your money out!
3. Bring Good Shoes, one of the reasons why I love Budapest so much is how walkable it is. The city is clean and there seems to be a little shop around every corner. You should be logging over 30K steps daily so bring the right gear! Just walk around you will see why I love Budapest so much
4. Although part of the European union, the country still has its own currency, which is the Forints. You can use Euros in most places, but it is probably wise to carry some local currency just in case you run into a burley sausage vendor.
5. As always, watch out for cab drivers, keep an eye on the meter, they have been known to overcharge.
6. The People of Budapest hated communism so much they put a statue of Reagan up not too far from the Parliament Building. Americans please take note.

Conclusion: Why I love Budapest

This concludes my Budapest review. Yes, I love Budapest. The feel of the city makes me think back to it constantly. It is a place with so much to do you never feel bored, yet you always feel relaxed. If you love history, art, great food you need to add Budapest to your travel wish list (read mine here). I love Budapest so much it is a place I can see myself getting a little house and just enjoying life for the rest of my days. Certainly, a place I need to revisit.

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