Aktivitäten in  Budapest

Originally three distinct cities— Buda and Óbuda, and Pest on the other side of the Danube River—Budapest is the elegant and historic capital of Hungary, famous for its steaming thermal baths, savory goulash stews, and iconic sights like the lion-guarded Chain Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament building, and panoramic Castle Hill.

Don't see any turnstyles in the metro station? Don't assume you can ride for free; tickets are frequently checked by hand at the exit. And when hitting the baths, do remember to bring your own towel and sandals. Those that arrive empty handed are often made to purchase an exorbitant entry package that includes a paper-thin cloth.

Yes, you may only be scratching the surface, but three days in Budapest is enough to tackle the major sights. Plan a walk up Castle Hill to see the Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle, take a dip in one of the city’s historic bathhouses such as Széchenyi Baths, and visit the ornate Dohany Street Synagogue.

Lukas and Rudas bathhouses offer late-night opening hours on weekends, letting you squeeze in a soak before bedtime. And don’t be sure to miss the city’s romkocsma, or ruin bars—originally makeshift pubs and dance clubs created in derelict buildings and disused factories, they are now quirky and vibrant tourist hotspots.

Hungary was under Ottoman occupation for 150 years, and hilly Buda formed its cultural and administrative center. Don’t miss traces of Ottoman heritage, including the city’s oldest bathhouse—16th-century Kiraly Bath—and a serene hilltop shrine and fascinating museum both dedicated to a Turkish-born Sufi dervish, Gul Baba.

Hungarian is spoken in Budapest—not a Slavic language, as is often thought, but one actually related to Finnish. While English is undersood within popular tourist areas, you’ll do well to memorize a few basic words and greetings, like szia (hello or goodbye), köszönöm (thank you), and bocsánat (I’m sorry).