Paris Of The East: Budapest

Budapest is commonly known as the Paris of the East. Budapest is a very beautiful city and has always been attractive for visitors from all over the world. But why?

What's not to love Budapest?? 

What was it about Budapest that I loved so much? 




Before my trip to Budapest, I planned to met one of my Hungarian friend. She reminded me that Budapest is wild and crazy (in a good way). I was so excited and I felt I can't wait to go there. As I arrived in Budapest, I took a bus from the airport to my hostel. Soon I surprised when I saw so many old buildings in Budapest. At that point, it was like my first love to Budapest!! 😍😍




Budapest is one of the prettiest city in the world. From its delicious food, to its rich history, to its amazing architecture, and to its nightlife. You just can’t compare it to any other city.

 

Easy to say, but not easy to explain. 😗


 

1. Partying in Budapest is WILD..

 

For me, partying while traveling can not be combined. Because in my opinion the next day you want to explore the city, you got tired from the night before. But it was totally worthed to party in Budapest after all. And maybe one thing you can't resist is cheap beer. Even cheaper than Bavaria.

My friend from Poland recommend us to go to Szimpla Kert. It is a ruin pub full of locals and tourists. It has outdoor and indoor area. It's a huge ruin pub maybe one of the biggest in Budapest. It's like a maze filled with worn-out furnitures and junks. We decided to sit on a bathtub converted into a couch. We smoked shisha on the first floor. It was nice but weird thing is they also sell carrots for snacks.

There are a lot of alternative and mainstream party place, clubs, and spa party throughout Budapest. Each has different theme and atmosphere.😳




2. Breathtaking Danube View.

Okay so I googled this. Why Budapest architecture is so beautiful? Much of the buildings in Budapest were built in the late 1800s. So many of these old beautiful buildings remain to this day.

Me and my friends spent so much time sitting by the river. We were so relaxed because of beautiful scenery from bridges and buildings along the Danube river. Budapest really brings it at night. The chain bridge lights with Buda Castle and Hungarian Parliament in the background are magical. They are also beautiful during the day but even more so at night with the night lights shining on it. 😎




My favorite view is on the way to Parliament Building on Pest side. Because we can see the chain bridge with Buda castle and the Fisherman's Bastion as the background. But you can simply wander around because each of every spot along the river has different view. Night or day, dusk or dawn, just take a breath and enjoy the view! 

3. Buda Or Pest?

One of the nicest experience in Budapest is walking across The Széchenyi Chain Bridge at dusk on the evening. Then walking up to the Buda Castle and you will have the best panoramic view of Budapest. Another walk by the river to Parliament building through The Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial is also scenic. Fisherman's Bastion or St. Stephen's Basilica? You can't compare! When you visit Budapest, you have to go to these places. If you missed this, then you never been here. Trust me! Both Buda and Pest, they are both beautiful.💙




4. Nice coffee shops. Why not?

It was late at night, and raining. So we decided to try one of the coffee shop on our way back to hostel. There was a nicely decorated cafe called Fahéj Galeria Café. We rushed into the cafe to shelter from the rain. Some hot chocolate, and berry mocktail accompanied us throughout the night. We waited until the rain had stopped. No regret to have visited this cafe.




Make no mistake, coffee shop for breakfast is also a great idea. We went to coffee shops every morning. The Italian coffee shop called Cafe Torino perhaps has the best panini for breakfast in Budapest. It is next to the Italian embassy. You can choose where to have your breakfast. Either outside or in the basement. I also recommend Barista Budapest. They also have breakfast menu. Two of their best breakfast combo are capucinno and bagel. Afterall me and my friend Florian agreed that they have very good coffee. These are 2 good places to start your day in Budapest.😋




5. Don't forget to buy souvenirs!










From postcard, key chain, magnet, T-shirt, to paprika! All of these you can find in Nagy Vásárcsarnok (Central Market). If you compare the price to shops in the city center, here you can find everything relatively cheaper. You may also bargain. Maybe you got the price reduced if you're lucky.




On the second floor you will also find some traditional Hungarian food. Don't forget to grab lángos, chicken paprikash or goulash there. Hungarians' favorite street food certainly hits the spot. And here in the central market, you can try almost every Hungarian food. 😍