Is
Budapest worth visiting? That's one question that's a bit hard to answer. While it's an important city considering that it's the capital of Hungary, it's also not exactly that popular compared to the likes of Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and more. Why exert any effort to travel to Budapest when you can just go to these more famous and similarly beautiful European capital cities? Well, perhaps it's because the Hungarian capital has a lot to offer too. There's the grandeur of the city, its fascinating history, its delectable cuisine, and more.
A Highly Underrated Destination
In the whole grand scheme of things, Budapest is a fairly underrated city. This isn't to say that no one knows about it. It's the capital city of Hungary, after all. The place still gets its fair share of tourists. But compared to other European capital cities, Budapest is virtually unknown. Lifestyle magazines and
travel inspo Instagram accounts alike mostly focus on the likes of Rome, Paris, and London than Budapest. In turn, there's less (though this isn't to say there are few) to know about the city. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing because this gives travelers a chance to discover Budapest on their own.
A Serene Capital City
Truth be told, Budapest's own underrated reputation is to its own benefit. While its popularity may pale in comparison to other European cities out there, this essentially makes the places a lot less crowded. Don't get it twisted though: the city still gets pretty crowded. There are tons of people who visit and have even
moved to Budapest in the past few years alone. But compared to other cities, which have populations (and tourism) that are in the millions, Budapest is less busy and less crowded. This gives you more space and freedom to explore the city on your own time and pace.
Discover Hungary's History and Heritage
Seeing as Budapest is Hungary's capital city, it's also the home of the country's history and heritage. Many of the most exciting places to see here offer a glimpse of what Hungary is all about. Right off the bat, there's the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building, the city's crowning glory. It's such an architectural man-made marvel that it's almost weird that it's used for parliament. And many of the country's laws have been made here. Buda Castle, on the other hand, is the former royal palace of Hungary. It once housed the country's royal family and other members of the nobility.
See The Most Stunning Architecture
Budapest doesn't get enough credit as such a grand and opulent city. It's such a big city that it's famously made up of two parts, Buda & Pest. Separated by the massive Danube River, the place is just as majestic as the likes of Paris, Madrid, and Rome. Not even a single
day in Budapest would be enough to truly explore and get to know the city. Do you think 24 hours is enough to check out its stunning castles, fascinating ruins, beautiful parks, and more? Of course, not! Get to know Budapest's grandiosity by staying here for more than just a day!
Visit The Castles and Churches
As with any other noteworthy European city, Budapest boasts its own collection of breathtaking castles and churches. And trust that the ones here do not disappoint! You probably already know about (the aforementioned) Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle, right? The city has a lot more than them! There's the Fisherman's Bastion, for example, which is a Medieval structure within Buda Castle. Not only does it show off such fascinating architecture, but the views from up here are incredible too. Vajdahunyad Castle, on the other hand, is a refined structure that you'd swear you've already seen in a
Disney movie.
Try Hungarian Cuisine
Where else could enjoy the most delicious Hungarian cuisine than in the capital city of Hungary? Budapest may not be a food capital, but that doesn't mean there aren't any good places to eat here. There are tons of
fine restaurants in Budapest, a good number of which serve authentic Hungarian cuisine. For example, Rosenstein Restaurant is beloved by locals and tourists alike. From their soups to their seafood, this is undoubtedly one of the best places to try a Hungarian dish, especially if it's your first time. Café Kör, on the other hand, offers a more relaxed cafe ambiance with its traditional cuisine.
Experience Budapest's Iconic Thermal Baths
Perhaps among the most unique and noteworthy things about Budapest are its thermal baths. Specifically, the iconic
Szechenyi Thermal Bath. This is the ultimate go-to when you want to take the quintessential thermal bath experience in the Hungarian capital. It's a big bath, almost like a public pool, but set within a palace-like structure. The water is always hot, no matter the time of the year, and the grandeur of the place will blow you away. It's even become one of the most famous events places in the city. You can expect the biggest pool parties here!
It's Affordable!
Arguably the best and the most surprising reason why you should visit Budapest is that it's actually an affordable city. Some would even go so far as to say it's cheap here! While the quality of life certainly isn't cheap, the prices are definitely low. For example, you may spend at least €5.00 for an ice cream cone in a different city, but here in Budapest, they only cost around €1.00 to €2.00. And considering that Budapest is a capital city—akin to the likes of Paris, Rome, and London which are notoriously expensive cities—its affordability is definitely noteworthy!
There are many reasons to visit Budapest. Just because it's not as popular of a destination as many other European cities out there, it doesn't mean that there's nothing to see and do here. You'd be surprised at how exciting Budapest really is!
