Budapest, Hungary

In March I took a girls trip to Budapest, Hungary. The capital city of Hungary is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Danube” for its location right on the river and its hilly, stunning panoramic views.

Fun Facts:

Budapest is actually a merger of two cities, Buda and Pest. Separated by the Danube River, they were joined together in 1873.
Hungarian is the national language of Hungary and it is notoriously difficult to learn, with its 44 letters and 14 vowels.
Hungarian Forint (HUF) is their currency, with 1 Hungarian Forint equaling .0027 USD.
The national dish of Hungary is Goulash and in general Hungarian cuisine is known for its spicy and hearty soups. Paprika is also an important spice.
Hungary is well-known for its thermal and mineral water sources. Budapest specifically lies on a geological fault line, which causes more than 100 thermal springs to bubble to the surface. The city’s thermal lakes and baths attract thousands of tourists to the country every year (including us!).

We had a great time and really loved the city. There was so much to do and see, it was very easy to get around, and it was very affordable. I’d recommend spending a long weekend in Budapest!

As always, my recommendations for Budapest are below:

Places to Stay

We stayed in the Jewish Quarter and thought it had a great central location close to nightlife.

Places to eat

Cookie Beacon Brunch
- Try their famous cookies and enjoy their unique brunch menu
Mozel Tov
- Awesome interior and fun sharing plates
Tokio
- Delicious Asian fusion restaurant
Twentysix
- Stunning inside, greenery, lights, etc.

Things to do

City Highlights Evening Cruise with Welcome Drink
Szechenyi Baths Thermal Baths
Go out at Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar
- Abandoned buildings are renovated and turned into bars in Budapest, called “Ruin Bars.” They’re now an integral part of Budapest’s nightlife.
Try a Chimney Cake (KÜRTŐSKALÁCS)
- This pastry is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often dusted with sugar, cinnamon, or cocoa.

Things to see