The Only Budapest Guide for First-Timers You’ll Need
Our Budapest guide for first-time visitors will provide you with all necessary data regarding the things you should bear in mind before heading on your journey to Hungary. In the following paragraphs, we’ll not only list the most notable destinations in the city, but we’ll also mention a few facts about the capital. You’ll find a few tips and tricks that will make your trip much easier and even more fascinating. And now, without further ado, let’s jump straight into today’s topic.
A Virtual Budapest Guide for All New Travelers
Budapest is the capital of Hungary, and it’s also one of the top ten largest cities in Europe. The Hungarian capital is a favored destination by millions of tourists due to the fact that it has many prominent destinations. What’s more, the city’s climate is quite lovely allowing pedestrians to walk around the large streets no matter what the season is. In the following paragraphs of our Budapest guide for first-time visitors, we’ll list several useful tips. If you’ve been to another foreign country before, you probably know the fundamental rules every tourist must follow.
- Learn the most common phrases in the respective language.
- Make a list of the most popular destinations.
- Bring enough money and all your necessary documents.
- Get familiar with public transport availability beforehand.
The rules listed above are quite basic and will surely help you find the destinations you’re looking for. However, if you wish to make your visit to Budapest even better, we advise you to continue reading the following sections. Below, we’ll deliver further information about the city we believe will be incredibly helpful for first-timers.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Budapest?
Depending on your preferences, some months may not be ideal for you to take a trip to Budapest. Even though the city welcomes thousands of tourists throughout the whole year, during some months the number of visitors increases immensely. That happens in the weeks before a grand holiday, such as Christmas or Easter. The city has huge Christmas markets that attract many people annually.
On Easter, the city is even more beautiful with its vividly green parks and gardens. Summer is another season that’s quite busy, and the streets are filled with curious explorers determined to see every little part of the capital. That being said, we will advise you to visit Budapest in the autumn since September, October, and November are the months when the city is a bit quieter. Notwithstanding, if you like huge crowds, you may consider visiting Budapest in the summer or spring.
How to Travel in Budapest?
In our list of Basic Rules to Follow When Going to an Unknown City, we’ve mentioned the importance of public transport availability. If you choose to travel around the city relying on taxies, you may end up spending all your cash on car drives. To avoid such expenses, you can make use of the public transport services available in Budapest. Luckily, there are four metro lines, three tram lines, bus lines, trolley lines, and boat services.
Taking this into consideration, we can conclude that exploring Budapest is not a complicated task. The fair ticket prices make it possible for anyone to utilize these services and reach all desired destinations. What’s more, tourists can buy a 24-hour travel card that includes numerous discounts, such as free entry for the Lukács Thermal Bath, different walk tours, and free entries for various exhibitions and museums.
Additionally, anyone who buys the card will have the opportunity to use unlimited public transport services. The price of the card in question is approximately $18 per day. Alternatively, if you’ve planned to stay in the city for more than one day, it’s best to get the three-day card, which will cost you $36. Please, keep in mind that if you use public transport without a ticket, you may get a penalty fee.
Where to Go in Budapest?
It’s hardly surprising that one of the biggest cities in Europe is home to myriads of lovely destinations. Whether you’re interested in the city’s culture, cuisine, or history, you’ll definitely find the perfect site for you. Budapest is known for its thermal springs, so there are many spa centers in the city. Along with it, there are many other attractions tourists find engaging.
- Church of Our Lady
- The National Gallery
- The Castle Bazaar and Royal Gardens
- Thermal baths
- City Park
- The Budapest Zoo
- The Chain Bridge
- Andrassy Avenue
- The National Opera House
- The Great Synagogue
What to Eat in Budapest?
Once you visit Budapest, you’ll notice that the city offers hundreds of meals from the most popular food chains in the world. Almost every shopping mall has a number of fast-food chains and popular cafes, such as Starbucks and Costa. Nevertheless, most people who visit the city for the first time are curious to find out more about traditional Hungarian cuisine.
Fortunately, there are myriads of places that serve well-known dishes among locals. One of the most popular delicacies is the so-called goulash, which is basically stew consisting of meat and lots of spices. The traditional bean soup made from beans, tomatoes, vegetables, cream, and sausages is known as Jókai Soup.
One of the most popular deserts in Hungary are the pancakes that, unlike the American fluffy and thick pancakes, are super thin. They can be served with jam or chocolate. Kifli are traditional Hungarian rolls made mainly from flour and yeast. They are quite common in Central Europe and are offered in different forms and tastes. In bakeries, you’ll find plain kifli with powdered sugar and sesame seeds, or such filled in with plum jam, for instance. The options are numerous, and you’ll definitely be able to find the right meal for you.
