So where to go to discover the most outstanding features of the "pearl of Eastern Europe" in two days?
Matthias Church on the Buda bank, one of the must-see attractions in Budapest - Photo: thewanderingstardust
According to tourists, to visit the two cities of Buda and Pest in Budapest, which are separated on both sides of the Danube River and connected by many bridges, visitors can use the subway, walk or take a boat.
* First day in Buda cityThe tour, built on a hill on the west bank of the Danube, will start at 9 a.m. and will end atMatthias Churchover 700 years old, splendid with brilliant golden tiled roofs and majestic bell tower reaching straight to the sky.
A corner of Matthias Church on the Buda bank - Photo: retrofm
Hungarians call this the Assumption Church of Budavar and for tourists, this is an indispensable destination on their journey to Budapest.
The Matthias Church has been rebuilt several times and has been the site of coronations for several Hungarian leaders. The surroundings are lightened by street performers.
* After feasting your eyes and meditating at Matthias Church, come tofishermen's strongholdnot far away. According to the locals, this is one of the seven architectural wonders of Hungary. From the balustrades of the city walls, visitors can easily admire the Danube river like a silk ribbon below...
* Tarnok Cafe - Restaurantwith a bright orange lobby nestled between two souvenir shops is where visitors can spare no expense for lunch. In a warmly decorated space with thick wooden furniture, enjoying the famous Hungarian beef soup, the country's signature mixed vegetables will bring many interesting feelings.
Tarnok cafe facade - Photo: panoramio
During your rest stop here, you can explore unforgettable Hungarian desserts before embarking on the afternoon tour.
* 3pm is the best time to gostrolling around Buda's old town. Visitors will feel time pass by so quickly when walking in the quiet area around Buda Castle, the former royal palace.
Touring Buda's old town by horse-drawn carriage - Photo: fanshare
The lobby of the National Library in Buda Castle - Photo: wiki
Inside the castle, you can admire the best of Hungarian art in the National Gallery, while intrepid visitors can explore the labyrinth of city catacombs in the castle basement.
* You still have time to get through the steps ofGellert Hill200m high, with a panoramic view to see the whole of Budapest at sunset, to admire Castle Hill, the beautiful mansions reflecting on the slowly flowing Danube River...
Buda Castle sparkles at night in Buda - Photo: paramio Dinner will bring a special impression to visitors when coming toMarvanymenyasszony restaurantat 6 Marvany Street. Here, visitors can enjoy Hungarian cuisine infused with folk dances performed by a band and dancers right next door.
The atmosphere was so intimate that many tourists volunteered to dance with the dancers!
* For tourists who want to learnnightlife in Budapest, the pubs in the old buildings, ruins from many decades ago will bring many unforgettable attractions for the short time in the journey to discover Hungary.
Folk dance at a restaurant in Budapest - Photo: google
At the end of narrow alleys, many residents live crowded in old buildings that are often abandoned. However, it is also here that a spacious social atmosphere is filled with art galleries, film screenings or concerts mixed with performing arts...
According to locals, it is here that they find happiness in everyday life, even if only for a moment.
* Since 2002,Szimpla Kert old housing areaThe Jewish quarter is one of the most iconic places for Hungarian youth.
Here, old apartments have been converted into many cafes. The building's corridors have become auditoriums for musical performances. The courtyard is a gathering place for young people and sometimes an open-air theater. Every Sunday, this area becomes a farmers' market.
An old building in the Szimpla area - Photo: wiki
*The city of Pest on the east bank of the Danube Riveris the destination for the remaining day in Budapest. The journey starts at 8am and heads straight to the ancient but no less majestic synagogue located in the old ghetto of Budapest, in the Erzsebetvaros neighborhood.
There are about 100,000 Jews living in Budapest. The Great Synagogue is also the largest synagogue in Europe with 3,000 seats.
Great Synagogue - Photo: singolo
* After admiring the magnificent interior of the cathedral, visitors can stroll to Raoul Wallenberg Park cemetery located in the backyard, wheretree of life(metal weeping willow), a memorial to the 600,000 Hungarian Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II.
The tree of life in the cemetery of the great synagogue - Photo: gibsonchop
* Hungarian Parliament Buildingin the Kossuth Lajos square area is the next destination. This is a tourist attraction that any tourist to Budapest wants to visit even if it costs an entrance fee. Passing through one of the 27 doors, the first image is the majestic guards and looking up a little, you will see the majestic 96m high dome of the building.
Once you have climbed the 96 steps, you will begin your exploration of the 696 rooms here, admiring the golden windows shining in the sunlight. The perfect balance of beauty inside and outside of this neoclassical parliament building will make you not want to leave...
Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest - Photo: mostbeautifulplacesintheworld
* The meeting point at 11am will be the areaCentral Market Hallon Vamhaz Avenue, Budapest’s oldest and largest indoor market. Here your senses will be awakened by the myriad of colours and smells of the clean and orderly stalls.
In the halo of sunlight shining through the giant stained-glass windows surrounding the market, you will be dazzled by the stalls selling fresh products from all over Hungary, from spices, nuts, dried fruits, typical Hungarian wines and spirits to countless famous specialties of this country such as chili sausage, foie gras, duck liver...
On the second floor of the market are souvenir shops with mountains of colorful art and souvenirs to choose from! You can relax at the stalls in the market before preparing to "sweep" the stalls again!
Central Market Hall in Budapest - Photo: panoramio*
After shopping to your heart's content, you should experience atSzechenyi outdoor thermal bathsLocated on Allatkerti Avenue, in the Szechenyi Spa in the city park, this is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe and according to tourists, if you have not set foot here, you can say you have not been to Budapest!
The spa baths (mineral baths) and 21 pools with an average temperature of 21-78 degrees Celsius at Spa Szechenyi welcome thousands of visitors every week and are bustling with visitors all year round.
The outdoor mineral baths in the Szechenyi Spa complex are the largest and most famous in Budapest - Photo: bathsbudapest
Besides the outdoor and indoor mineral baths, there are cold water pools, bubble pools, wave pools, saunas, sunbathing areas and even massage and beauty services... Every Saturday night in the summer, this place becomes more bustling and sparkling with underwater dance performances supported by special lighting effects.
In over 100 years of existence, at least 100 million visitors have come to Szechenyi Spa...
* House of TerrorNow a war crimes museum, it can also be an option for an afternoon visit after rejuvenating yourself at the Szechenyi thermal springs.
During World War II, this building was the headquarters of the Nazi secret police in Hungary and from 1945-1956 was used as a security agency specializing in interrogating criminals. The four floors of the building display torture instruments. Interrogation rooms, cramped cells, along with many photos, films, documents... also help you make interesting discoveries.
Museum of Terror - Photo: thefabweb
* Your last night in Budapest will be more memorable when the cruise takes youdown the Danubeto see a romantic and magical Budapest in the lights.
Take a boat ride on the Danube River to fully experience the beauty of Budapest - Photo: fotopedia
And in just one hour on the Danube, you will be able to capture Budapest's turbulent past and peaceful present through the image of the Chain Bridge with its 300-year-old architectural masterpiece, Buda Castle, Hungary's Statue of Liberty on top of Gellert Hill, and the majestic Parliament building... glowing at night.
The beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube River flowing through Budapest has also been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
