What to see in Budapest in two days, with a quick itinerary covering historical sites, downtown streets and a typical dinner in the heart of the city. More travel tips on what to see, where to eat and where to sleep.

Could a weekend be enough to visit Budapest? The answer is yes! There capital of Hungary in fact it is perfect for a hit and run weekend, since, while it is quite extensive, the main attractions are quite concentrated. Furthermore the low cost airlines they often have flights at a very advantageous price to this capital. A good reason to leave immediately!

So backpack and let's go for a quick tour in Budapest, without spending too much and visiting all major attractions of the city.

What are the 15 things not to miss in Budapest? You will soon find out.

First let's make a small premise: the city of Budapest is divided in two by the Danube, which is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga. In the past it separated two large cities, Buda And Pest, united today.

The banks are connected by large bridges, which connect the ancient royal seat, an elegant residential area Buda, and the economic and commercial heart, Pest.

In 1849 the famous was inaugurated Chain Bridge on the Danube and in 1873 the definitive union of Buda and Pest took place, which gave birth to Budapest, the second most important city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The northern part where the Varhegy Hill (Castle District) stands is the oldest and most historically significant part of the whole of Budapest.

There currency official and the Hungarian forint but generally all clubs and restaurants and shops accept euros so you won't even need to change currency.

Here are the main attractions not to be missed in Budapest:

• Buda Castle, Royal Palace
• Fishermen's Bastion
• Matthias Church
• Chain Bridge
• Stephen's Basilica
• Central Market
• Vaci Utca, the shopping street
• Budapest synagogue
• Parliament
• Heroes Square
• Vajdahunyad Castle
• Városliget Park
• Gerbeaud pastry shop
• New York Café
• Széchenyi baths
• Ruin bar

October weekend in Budapest: 15 things not to miss – 1st day

Assuming you arrive in the city on a Friday afternoon, leave your bags at the hotel and head out right away for a ride downtown. During this half day we recommend that you visit the Buda hill where the Buda Castle (Royal Palace), Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church.

To get to the Collins in Buda you have to go through the center. An opportunity to take a look at the life of the city.

Proceeding towards the Ponte delle Catene you can stop at the beautiful basilica of Santo Stefano, (admission is free) and then head to the pedestrian shopping street, Vaci Utca.

If you walk all the way you will also come across a Ferris wheel, the Budapest Eye, in Deak Ferenc square, from which you can enjoy an excellent view of the city. Cost about 13.00 euros.

October weekend in Budapest: 15 things not to miss

As we said before to reach Buda you cross the Chain bridge, one of the oldest in the city. You can also cross it on foot or by bicycle as there is a special carriageway for pedestrians and bicycles.

Symbol of the city also known as Royal Palace, the Buda Castle will surprise you with its majestic beauty. Declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been residence of the Hungarian sovereigns for over 700 years.

Today it is home to cultural institutions and several museums, such as the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the Széchenyi National Library.

The hill of the Buda Castle, is the place where the city was founded.

We recommend that you visit the Castle in the afternoon, even better at sunset, as the view of the Danube is truly remarkable.

With a thousand lights and twilight, the famous blue hour that photographers like so much, you will have a breathtaking view of the city and the majestic Parliament of Budapest.

From the Castle you will then easily reach the Matthias Church and the Fishermen's Bastion, the point from where you can best see the size of the Parliament and the beautiful panorama.

There Matthias Church it is a beautiful sacred building in late Gothic style which is over 700 years old of history during which it was the scene of numerous coronations and two royal weddings.

Once you have taken the usual photos, you will now be rather tired and you should go back to Pest for dinner.

October weekend in Budapest: 15 things not to miss

Where to dine in Budapest

There are many typical places and for all budgets. The area of ​​the Jewish quarter is perhaps the one with the most typical places.

However, we can recommend the Frici Papa, a typical Hungarian restaurant, also frequented by locals, excellent in quality and cheap. However, remember that it is closed on Sundays. The Goulash traditional is great.

Or another nice little restaurant with a retro and particular style is the Jet Gulyas, which is always located in the Jewish quarter. Here you can enjoy typical Hungarian cuisine, in a soft, nice and welcoming environment, with moderate prices. You should book if you want to find a place.

For one more dinner easy otherwise you can opt for this small and cozy bistro, "In Legvidamabb Barakk ”. In the central area near the famous ruin bar Szimpla Kert , this place offers good beer, a delicious apple pie with cream and typical dishes served in pretty pans that make you hungry just looking at them! All at reasonable prices.

October weekend in Budapest: 15 things not to miss – 2nd day

After a hearty breakfast, it's time to go out and weather permitting, we recommend you rent bikes, by conveniently downloading the Mol bubi bikesharing app.

Download the app on your mobile phone, register (take your time at the hotel) and pay a minimum for the duration of the chosen service. Once credited with your smartphone, scan your chosen bike in the countless stations scattered around the city.

Now head to the Jewish quarter where the beautiful stands Synagogue.

On the back stands the monument in memory of the holocaust.

Near the Synagogue, in Rumbach Sebestyén street, you will discover a series of buildings that have become a reference for lovers of street art.

It starts with a sumptuous portrait of Empress Elizabeth which welcomes you to the district that takes the name of Erzsébetváros, the “city of Elizabeth”, after this sovereign belonging to the Habsburg royal family.

Not far away, a large mural celebrates the famous victory of the Hungarian national football team over England in 1953. Across the street, a huge Rubik's cube reminds us that 20 moves are enough to solve the puzzle. As the Hungarian inventor, Ernő Rubik, explains to the reader: "There is always a solution, and not just one".

Then head to another tourist destination, the Heroes' square, and then go to the neighbor Varosliget park, one of the main and most popular green areas in the city of Budapest.

The Heroes' square is one of the most important squares in Budapest. Its statues commemorate the leaders of the seven founding tribes of Hungary.

Located in the less central end of Andrassy ut, the most important artery of the city, the Heroes' Square forms, together with this street, an important architectural complex, now World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The most representative building of Heroes' Square is the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the best museums in Budapest.

After taking the photos, head to the adjacent Varosliget park which takes on magnificent colors in autumn. Inside the park you will find various places of interest, like the zoo, a small amusement park, the famous ones Széchenyi thermal baths and the Vajdahunyad Castle.

The Széchenyi Thermal Baths are one of the largest spa complexes in Europe have 15 swimming pools, 3 large free areas and 12 smaller ones inside. In these areas there are also saunas and various massage rooms. Cost of admission about € 17. Allow yourself the option to enter the thermal baths if it rains and you don't know what to do.

Take your bikes and return to the center where we advise you to warm up in the Gerbeaud pastry shop, the most famous in Hungary. Here you can enjoy a simple hot chocolate with cream or a tasty one brunch in Hungarian style.

Or you can grab a great piece of chocolate cake at the Majestic New York Café, one of the most important and luxurious cafes in Budapest, del Boscolo Budapest, Autograph Collection.

At this point you can stay in the center area and with the bikes head towards the bank of the Danube where the majestic one rises Budapest Parliament. A sumptuous and beautiful building overlooking the Pest side of the Danube.

Its sumptuousness is a concrete demonstration of the economic power of Hungary, between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. To visit it internally, the cost of the ticket is about € 9 and can be booked online.

Just before the Parliament, which can be easily reached thanks to the cycle paths, you will come across a very touching bronze art installation: “Shoes on the bank of the Danube”.

The work depicts many pairs of shoes of women, men and children, left in a disorderly way on the river bank. It recalls the massacre of Jewish citizens During the Second World War. The Jews were made to strip on the bank so that their bodies would then fall into the river, hiding the atrocity.

One last step you have to do at central market of Budapest. A very touristic market indeed, but it is worth the visit. On the second floor there are souvenir stalls and restaurants to eat. On the ground floor there are stalls selling meat and cold cuts, vegetables and fruit.

Where to sleep in Budapest for a weekend

Sleeping in Budapest is relatively cheap compared to hotel and apartment rates in most European capitals.

There city ​​is divided into various sectors and districts each of which has its own nerve center. The Jewish quarter of Budapest is located in Pest, in the 7th district. There Great Synagogue it is the heart of the Jewish quarter of Budapest and the largest in Europe.

Right in front of the Great Synagogue of Budapest is located the Hotel Memories ****, with breakfast included. This hotel is in a great location strategic and central, very convenient a stone's throw from the pedestrian area.

The hotel is also clean, with comfortable and quiet rooms. Many of which are on the ground floor.

There breakfast is very filling: there is everything especially for those who love a savory breakfast.

The extra thing this hotel offers is that all day long in the breakfast room you can drink for free coffee, tea, milk, juices, water and there is always something to eat like pretzels or sweets. In addition to 2 free bottles of water in the minibar in the room.

The hotel also has one small Spa with whirlpool and a small gym, which can be used free of charge. Then just outside the hotel there is the parking for bike for hire. In short, a quality-price ratio that we definitely recommend.

What to eat in Budapest

There traditional cuisine of Budapest is certainly not light, in fact it is based on meat, potatoes, onions, spices and paprika, but it should definitely be tasted.

The famous Goulash, the symbol dish, is a stew of beef, peppers and potatoes in tomato and paprika sauce, basic ingredients that can never be missing even if there is no one alike to another, because everyone cooks it in a different variant. It is served with some pasta dumplings very special, instead of the classic bread. Very good.

THE sweets then they are the flagship of the kitchen. Among all there are the warm and fragrant ones kurtoskalacs. Also called fireplace cake, they are an all-Hungarian specialty, a kind of brioches roll cooked "on a spit" and then garnished with almonds, vanilla, cinnamon or chocolate chips. A delicious break that you absolutely must not miss!

What to do in the evening in Budapest – the Ruin bars

THE ruin pub they are a fairly recent gimmick and are now an essential and distinctive part of the Budapest scene. Indeed, they are the reason why many people decide to visit the city.

These are disused premises converted into pubs.

They are trendy and open spaces that often become privileged points for young aspiring artists who want to show off their talent. This modern mix in which culture and entertainment go hand in hand represents the heart and soul of the ruin pubs in Budapest. And don't be fooled by the word "ruin".

The Szimpla ruin bar for example it was one of the first to open its doors. The interiors seem to have been taken from a second-hand shop selling old toys, bicycles and all kinds of junk, even including Russian cars, and the overall effect is complemented by the work of local artists. Sunday the Szimpla also becomes a very popular farmers' market, much loved by customers for the particular environment that is created there.

Budapest is a very beautiful city that is worth visiting even just for a weekend!

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