3-5 days
on foot/Budapest Card
architecture/night life/Christmas market/
I tried to join a walking tour but I cannot find the group even though I'm arrived. The daytime is shorter in winter and it starts getting dark at 4pm. It's nice because Budapest is famous of its night life *Not only the pub crawl, but also its night view LOL
#Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) built in 1897, which is the most beautiful of all Budapest market halls. You can get all sorts of goods on the 3 floors of the Great Market Hall of Budapest: fresh food, Hungarian food like paprika and even various souvenirs. You can try Hungarian snacks like Langos at the upper floor food stands and eateries. I was quite surprised with their Christmas decoration, which make it look like a shopping mall than a market. It's better to visit between 10 am-12 pm or 2 pm-4 pm and be aware that it closes on every Sunday.
#Fashion Street
Located in the heart of Budapest, Fashion Street is Central Europe's most prestigious shopping and lifestyle destination for Ladies & Gents. Most importantly, there are many souvenir shops and exchange shops nearby. Be aware that Hungarian Forint (HUF) is the local currency here, instead of Euro. Shops accepted Euro usually charge a higher rate, like 1 EUR to 270 HUF. However, the normal exchange rate currently is 1 EUR to 305 HUF but some exchange shops charge commission for each transaction. - 2017
#Vörösmarty Square
City center and hub of Budapest! It was named after the renowned Hungarian poet Mihály Vörösmarty, whose statue can be seen in the middle of the square. It is the biggest Christmas market here and with variety of shops here. I like some of the innovative and creative items like tea products make people feel relieved.
#Szabadság Square Szabadság Square (Szabadság tér) has one of the loveliest parks in downtown Budapest. The square is surrounded by some beautiful and significant buildings, including the U.S. Embassy. Opposite the Embassy is the former Stock Exchange, home to the Hungarian Public Television (MTV) for decades. The Hungarian National Bank, the central bank of Hungary (founded in 1924), is also located here. It's also a way walking to parliament from Vörösmarty Square. The area is calm and less tourists, you could bring books and coffees to spend a relaxing afternoon here.
probably one of those buildings mentioned above hahah
The Parliament of Hungary is the world's third largest Parliament building. You have to book a tour in advance if you want to know more the background and history here. Guided tours of the Parliament are available when the National Assembly is not in session. The tour takes about 45 minutes, covering the main entrance stairs and hall, one of the lobbies, the old House of Lords and the Hungarian Crown Jewels.
The Parliament building is just over 100 years old and represents an example of Neo-Gothic architecture. The square where the Hungarian Parliament stands was named after Lajos Kossuth, a Hungarian lawyer, journalist, politician and Governor-President of Hungary in 1849. It was dark when I'm arrived (it's like 5pm only) But their Christmas decorations are awesome, especially the lighting!
#Szechenyi Chain Bridge
The whole Budapest area is divided to Pest and Buda, which the Chain Bridge was the first permanent stone-bridge connecting these two areas. It is one of the symbolic buildings of Budapest, the most widely known bridge of the Hungarian capital. To be honest, the bridges all look the same but the most crowded one you saw would be Chain Bridge haha.
I would strongly recommended to have a walk near the river Danube! The night view of Budapest, especially the Chain Bridge is marvelous! (I can't think of other words to describe hahahah) I like how Budapest has its historical buildings and the modern architecture in one view.
