Travel can mean so many things to different people. Some people travel to have once in a lifetime adventures, others prefer doing it long term, hopping from one country to another, and there are some who opt for staying in a holiday resort, and embrace the true meaning of restful days. For me, the meaning of travel has changed quite a lot over the years. I used to prefer travelling to far away countries, spending two or three weeks taking in as much as I can from the country I’m visiting. Nowadays, I’d rather prefer going for a few days, stay in one place and experience it. No more ticking off lists, running around trying to see as much as I can. My ideal holidays are now just walking around a place, and experiencing what it has to offer.

One of the most beautiful cities that I’ve been to lately, and which surprised me with all the things that it had to offer, was Budapest. We went a few years ago for a couple of days, and I still look back at that mini holiday as one of the best I’ve had in years. So here’s my take on the things that you can do if you decide to visit.

Markets and the famous Ruin bars

We went in December, so there were various Christmas markets set up all around the city. The two biggest Christmas markets are the one in Vörösmarty Square and another one in front of St Stephen’s Basilica, where they actually use the facade of the church to project colourful designs and Christmas greetings.

However, if you’re not there during Christmas, don’t fret – the city still has way too much to offer. One of the best markets for food, is Karavan, the place for Hungarian street food. So make sure to try the lángos from one of the food trucks, which is a very popular street food, and can be eaten on the go. If you’re more into traditional markets, head to the Central Market Hall, which is right next to the river, and wander around the local vendor stalls, for some Hungarian paprika and more street food.

One of my favourite spots in the city, which happens to be a few blocks down from Karavan, is the Szimpla Kert, the oldest ruin bar in Budapest. It’s located in the Jewish quarter, and it has a very vibrant atmosphere during the evenings. To my surprise, it was also open on Sunday morning, set up in a totally different way. The set up provided a space for local vendors to sell their produce, and the visitors could explore the various rooms, listen to live music and eat some of the delicious local food. It’s difficult to put into words the experience of this place, but it feels like a place run by the community, for the community.

Bookshops

As a lover of bookshops, I try to find a good one in every city I visit. In Budapest, the one that you must pay a visit to, is Massolit. This is a gem in the centre of Budapest, incorporating a bookshop and a coffee shop, a garden, and comfy chairs to read, drink tea and eat some good cake. It’s not a big place, making the space more intimate and quiet.

Another gem in Budapest, was the restaurant KönyvBár. Their speciality is bringing books to life through their flavours and menus. Every few months they change the book and create a new menu based on the story. When we went, the menu was based on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Apart from the set menu, they also provide a menu a la carte, which is what I opted for, and their pavlova was to die for!

Walking around the city

Ultimately, you can only experience a city by walking around, soaking it all in and every once in a while, stopping to appreciate the views. We stayed on the Pest side, in the Jewish quarter to be exact, which is more vibrant as there are more restaurants and bars. The Buda side is a bit quieter. You can head to this side for a climb to the Citadel and see the whole city, walk to the Fisherman’s bastion and marvel at the architecture in the Castle District. The Pest side also has a lot to offer in terms of views, and if you feel like walking a little bit more, you can reach Heroes’ Square and wander around the park just behind it.

You can also see the city via a boat tour. I suggest you take the tour just before sunset, so that you can see the city in daylight at the start of the tour, and all lit up by the end of the tour. On this boat trip, you can get a good glimpse of the majestic Hungarian parliament, which is sitting right at the river’s edge.

When walking around, you can also see the various Jewish memorials, such as the Shoes on the Danube bank and a Memorial for the Victims of the German Occupation, located at the Liberty Square Garden.

Overall, Budapest is a city that you can revisit multiple times, and have a different experience each time. Be it experiencing different seasons, visiting different places, or just the general vibe of the city, it’s one place that I will definitely wish to go again.