Spring destination: Budapest, the city of art and architecture

Budapest should undoubtedly be on your bucket list this spring. One of the most dynamic cities in Europe, Budapest enchants its visitors with cozy streets, elegant boulevards and Art Noveau buildings. 

The banks of the Danube river are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/400), so you really should not miss having a long walk alongside it. Also, Budapest is famous worldwide for the natural thermal baths, for the crazy nightlife and club scene, as well as for the beautiful statues spread around the streets. 

Here are some of the main tourist attractions you should not miss when in Budapest:

Castle Hill neighborhood 

High above the city rises this beautiful neighborhood, with buildings dating back to the 15th century. This is where you may visit some top attractions of Budapest, such as Matthias Church (Mátyás templom), Fishermen’s Bastion (Halászbástya), built in the late 19th century, with its beautiful white towers in the Romanesque style,  Buda Castle, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, as well as the highly appreciated Hungarian National Gallery - a must see for every art lover. 

St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica, the largest church in Budapest, is named in honor of Stephen, the first king of Hungary, whose mummified right hand can be seen here. The dome of St. Stephen's, having 96 meters, offers 360-degree views of Budapest. 

Parliament Building

The iconic building of the Hungarian Parliament, built in 1902, is the largest one in Hungary and the third largest parliament building in the world. The beauty of this Neo-Gothic building is mostly noticeable from the other bank of the Danube river. For a thorough visit, choose one of the daily tours (https://www.jegymester.hu/).

Millennium Memorial

This memorial has been erected in 1900. The centerpiece of the memorial is a column having  the statue of Archangel Gabriel holding the Holy Crown of Hungary on top. There are also seven statues of the soldiers who led the Hungarian tribes into the Carpathian Basin by the end of the 9th century. 

Shoes on the Danube Bank Holocaust Monument

This memorial placed on the Danube riverbank, created in 2005 by Gyula Pauer and Can Togay, commemorates the thousands of citizens of Budapest (mainly Jewish) who were killed by the fascist Arrow Cross Party in 1944.  The victims were shot on the riverbank and, just before being shot, they were forced to take off their clothes and shoes, hence the idea of this memorial.

Where to eat in Budapest

For a delicious breakfast in Budapest, head to Budapest Bistro (https://www.budapest-bistro.hu/en/), a cozy restaurant close to the Parliament. If you get there for lunch, do not miss their legendary Goulash soup.

For a romantic dinner, try the amazing dishes served at Il Terzo Cerchio  restaurant (http://www.ilterzocerchio.hu/en/), a great Italian restaurant that will surely not disappoint you.

Where to stay in Budapest

Both hotels I have stayed at in Budapest proved to be great choices. Eurostars Budapest Center (https://www.eurostarsbudapestcenter.com/) is an elegant hotel, opened in 2010 and situated close to major attractions of Budapest, such as the National Museum or the Great Synagogue. 

For a more modern approach, choose Hotel Museum Budapest, also placed in the heart of the city (http://www.museumhotelbudapest.com).