1. Not Spending Enough Time on the Buda Side
Touring around the Castle District is normally at the top of everyone’s list. And I agree–this is one of Budapest’s must-see attractions! Buda Castle’s courtyard is ornate, the panoramic view from Savoy Terrace is spectacular, and Fisherman’s Bastion is straight out of a fairytale! After making this loop, people normally head back across the Chain Bridge to continue sightseeing in Pest.
But once you check those landmarks off from your list, there’s still more to see. The Buda side is known for being calmer and more luxe than Pest. It’s not so much about doing as it is about enjoying.
Bartok Béla Boulevard
You could spend your entire Budapest weekend hopping between hip cafes and trendy restaurants on this wide and walkable street. Stop for a peach-thyme lemonade at Béla Bar or a DJ set at Szpot. In the evening, do a wine tasting at Palack or grab dinner at (tapas spot)
Szell Kálman Tér
This transport hub has a cluster of buzzing restaurants, like Asian fusion 101 Bistro or Italian darling, Giulia Pasta Club. I’d come here just for one of the best bakeries in Budapest, Nor/Ma Grand, which opens onto Millenaris Park (great place to hang especially in the summer when Zsiráf Bar has its open air parties!).
Normafa
A 20-minute bus ride up into the Buda hills puts you high above the city. Spend hours walking easy forest paths, stopping for classic Hungarian snacks at the hilltop food stands, or going airborne in the chairlift.
2. Not Properly Validating Public Transportation Tickets
It hurts my heart to see tourists get fined the 25,000 HUF (~$70) on public transportation, especially since it’s so avoidable! I mainly see this happen on the trams when tourists buy a single ticket, but forget to stamp it. You must stamp your ticket before riding for it to be valid! I’ve never seen a ticket controller let someone go without a fine, even if the visitor didn’t know about stamping.
The Budapest Card acts as your public transportation ticket, which is handy!
Some of the trams have older mechanisms, where you need to insert the ticket and then pull the handle towards yourself. If you’re using the Budapest Go app instead of a physical ticket, you must scan the QR code on the outside before boarding.
Note: If you have a larger, rectangular ticket (like a 24/48/72 hour pass, for example), you do not need to stamp it. It is automatically valid from time of purchase. Just show it to the ticket controller if they ask.
3. Only Trying Hungarian Food at the Central Market Hall
I can see why the Central Market Hall is a popular tourist attraction–its soaring ceilings and colorful rows of vendors make it a beautiful space! The second floor is lined with Hungarian food stalls, which always bursting with customers. But this part of the market quickly gets overcrowded and, quite frankly, is overpriced.
If you’re ready to try lángos (fried flatbread), töltött kaposzta (stuffed cabbage), gulyás (a paprika-based beef stew), or more, then I’d suggest skipping the market and going to one of these Hungarian restaurants instead!
You can also try classic Hungarian food and wine through activities–here are some popular ones:
- 8-flight Hungarian wine tasting
- Hungarian wine tasting with charcuterie
- Chimney cake making class
- Foodie walking tour
4. Not Bringing Your Own Things to the Budapest Thermal Baths
Budapest is known as the City of Baths, thanks to its extensive underground network of healing thermal waters. Visiting these heated pools is the perfect way to schedule in some relaxation to your busy Budapest itinerary. But some items are required for entry and use of the baths, namely: a swimsuit and flip-flops. A towel is required for sauna use, and a swim cap is required if you want to swim laps.
Take it from someone who forgot a pair of flip-flops herself and had to buy them on-site: the bath gift shops are not cheap! If you’re missing anything for your bath experience, pop by a Euro store before your bath visit and save yourself the headache!
Budapest Baths
5. Not Exploring More of Hungary
Budapest can be hard to leave (I should know–I stayed there over seven years, ha), but there’s so much to explore in the rest of Hungary, too! If you’re taking a longer vacation, or if you’re returning to Budapest for another go, why not switch up your city break for a Budapest day trip?
Szentendre
This cute and colorful medieval town is only 40 minutes north of Budapest by public transport. You will have to buy an extension public transportation ticket since it’s outside the city limits of Budapest. Or, you can take a boat tour up there! Szentendre is known for being an artist’s village, and you can wind through the cobblestone streets while looking into countless galleries. Don’t forget to stop for a lángos and enjoy it by the riverside!
Etyek
I’m convinced this is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to Budapest daytrips. Only a 40-ish minute taxi ride south of Budapest (which becomes very affordable when you split with friends; or you can take a half-day tour), Etyek is all about the wine. You can spend an entire day tasting through the town, splitting your time between the elite wineries like Etyeki Kuria and mom-and-pop wine cellars on the hill below. It’s the perfect way to get acquainted with Hungarian wine!
Lake Balaton
As the largest lake in Central Europe, Balaton is called the “Sea of Hungary”, and Hungarians flock there every summer. And who doesn’t love a good swim? Each of the different towns dotted around the lake will give you a different experience. Step into the history of old-world holidaymakers in Balatonfüred, go wine tasting in the “Tuscany of Hungary” (Badacsony), be surrounded by lavender on the Tihany peninsula, or party the night away in Siófok.
I hope these tips will help you avoid any pitfalls and have even more fun in Budapest! Enjoy!
Xx Denae
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