St. Stephen’s Day Celebrations (August 20th only!) This is the biggest holiday of the year in Hungary.

Downtown on the Pest side, go to the town square area and watch folk dancers and visit the vendors selling traditional Hungarian crafts and foods. There is also a large market on the Buda side of the river (opposite from where we are staying) with stages and live music which might be a more local scene even.

The evening firework celebrations are all along the Danube and can be seen from just about anywhere. If you will be in Budapest on this date, and want to enjoy them from a rooftop restaurant or bar, we suggest you make reservations as soon as possible; Otherwise, just grab some wine or beers and enjoy from the top of the Buda Castle, or from along the river across from the Parliament building on the Buda side.

The Budapest Parliament is Hungary’s most iconic building. It is currently the world’s third largest parliament building (after the Romanian and Argentinian Parliaments); it has 691 rooms and measures 268 meters long by 118 wide, and its cupola reaches 96 meters in height. Sara’s Mézes Nagypapa (maternal grandfather) actually worked in this building as a member of parliament from 1948-1949!

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Budapest has become known for its unique ruin bars. These bars originally sprouted from the ruins of abandoned factories and buildings and were converted into bars and nightclubs. Szimpla Kert was the first of its kind, and is the most well-known one.

This is one of our favourite ways to see new cities. Scooters are plentiful and can be used for relatively cheap with day/hour packages. The two main companies are Lime and Tier.

Budapest has many thermal baths around the city. They are a labyrinth of hot and cold pools, saunas, and steam rooms. The biggest, most famous, and only one on the Pest side is the Szechenyi baths.

Other baths on the Buda side include Gellért, and Rudas.

The House of Terror is a museum located at Andrássy Avenue 60 in Budapest, Hungary. It contains exhibits related to the fascist and communist regimes in 20th-century Hungary and is also a memorial to the victims of these regimes, including those detained, interrogated, tortured, or killed in the building.

The building in Budapest which presently functions as the House of Terror museum served as headquarters for the State Security Authority (political police) of the Communist regime which controlled Hungary until 1989. Sara’s Pandy Nagypapa (paternal grandfather) was held here in basement jail cells for seven months in 1947 while awaiting trial with scores of others, all victims of a political witch-hunt driven by fabricated accusations of treason.

St. Stephens’s Basilica represents the third largest church in Hungary. Many sculptors have contributed to the inner decoration of St. Stephen’s Basilica: more than 50 different types of marble were used to shape a number of sculptures.

Just like the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Basilica is one of the tallest buildings of Budapest with its 96 meters. Back in the days this equality symbolized the same importance of the laical and spiritual power within the city.

St. Stephen Basilica was built in Neo-Classical style, and the church has a Greek cross ground plan. The facade is characterized by its two large bell towers. In the southern tower there is the largest bell of Hungary. The two towers feature six bells all together: five are located on the north side bell, while the largest bell is located in the southern tower.

This bell is used about twice a year: on August 20th, on the church consecration day, and on December 31st. Visitors can access the dome by elevators or by climbing 364 steps and enjoy a wonderful view of Budapest.

A UNESCO World Heritage site!

Heroes Square is one of the major squares in Budapest, Hungary, noted for its iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders, as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes, often erroneously referred as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The square lies at the outbound end of Andrássy Avenue next to City Park. It hosts the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Art. The square has played an important part in contemporary Hungarian history and has been a host to many political events.

Its history makes it the oldest locale in Budapest, it’s a survivor of more than 30 sieges, its views don’t need Instagram filters to look good, and its sheer bounty of important landmarks has earned it coveted UNESCO status. No wonder the Buda Castle District ranks high on visitors’ lists. From the Hungarian National Gallery ito the Matthias Church, the Castle Hill Funicular to the sweet treats of Ruszwurm, these nine attractions should have you well on your way to exploring Budapest’s old heart. Wear the most comfortable shoes you’ve packed – there’s a lot of cobblestoned strolling ahead.

The Royal Palace

Exploring the Buda Castle District? It only makes sense to begin with the namesake Royal Palace. Though the first palace in the area was established as far back as the mid-13th century, thanks to dozens of ensuing sieges, battles, and wars, the structure that stands today is a more modern specimen, with most reconstruction having taken place after WWII. Still, its neoclassical good looks endow it with old-fashioned grandiosity.

Hungarian National Gallery

Once you’ve marvelled at its façade, head indoors: the Royal Palace also happens to host several of the city’s premier cultural institutions. The most expansive of the lot is the Hungarian National Gallery, which encompasses four floors and traces Hungarian art history from medieval bas-reliefs up to 20th century abstract paintings.

The Castle Museum

Inspired by Ottoman takeovers? Interested in ancient architecture? Dizzied by dynastic history? Just next door to the Hungarian National Gallery is the Castle Museum (one of several divisions of the Budapest History Museum). After you’ve gotten your artistic fill, it’s the best way to quickly brush up on 1,000 years of the Hungarian capital’s history.

Changing Of The Guards Ceremony

Odds are that, while wandering the Buda Castle District, you’ll likely catch sight of the Changing of the Guards ceremony – during daytime, it’s held every hour in front of the presidential Sándor Palace. Unlike the pomp of, say, Buckingham Palace, this ceremony happens within feet of local visitors, who can trail after the nattily dressed troops as they circle the grounds and salute with their immaculate choreography.

The Fisherman’s Bastion

Given its height above the Danube, the Fisherman’s Bastion doesn’t allow for much fishing (the name honours the medieval guild of the fishermen, which historically protected this stretch of the district). But you will be able to drink in those city views. Perched on the edge of the castle fortifications and overlooking the picturesque Pest cityscape, it’s a travel photographer’s dream.

The Matthias Church

It may not quite match the gilded opulence of St Stephen’s Basilica across town, but the Matthias Church in the Buda Castle District is no less worthy an ecclesiastical stop. Having gone through many renovations – it was even used as a mosque during the Ottoman era – the structure is now famed for its Gothic elegance, colourful roof tiles, and the Art Nouveau frescoes and mosaics within.

The Castle Hill Funicular

It was its defensive, hilltop position that made the Buda Castle District popular amongst the city’s early settlers – but it’s that same hilltop vantage that makes it a sweaty undertaking for today’s travellers. Luckily, there’s the Castle Hill Funicular, which offers a quick trip to the summit and back for the weary-legged (and excellent views besides).

Ruszwurm

Time for a sugar hit? For the weary sightseer, it’s lucky that Ruszwurm is but a short shuffle from the district’s most popular sights. This old world pastry shop has been a local favourite since 1827, and cakes like the cloudlike, utterly decadent Ruszwurm Torte keep them coming back.

Faust Wine Cellar

After you’ve washed down your cake with a coffee, finish up your explorations with something a bit harder. Though unknown to many foreign visitors, Hungary produces a huge range of truly exceptional vintages. And while local grape varieties like Hárslevelű and Kékfrankos may leave visitors guessing, the Faust Wine Cellar offers tutored tastings for those looking to revise. It shouldn’t prove too taxing.