Two Day Visit Itinerary for Budapest

As our apartments are located undoubtedly central, you can reach many of the main attractions very easily.

Day 1

Take a walk along Váci street, this is the main pedestrian and shopping street in Budapest. It is one block away from Katona Apartments.

Great Market Hall, Photo: Virág

At the southern end of Váci street you will easily find the Great Market Hall. It is open from 6am Monday to Saturday but is closed on Sundays and bank holidays. It is definitely worth going there in the morning as you can have a Hungarian breakfast on the first floor.

Fruits and vegetables in the Great Market Hall, Photo: Virág

Craft Products on the first floor of the Great Market Hall, Photo: Virág

 

If you cross the Liberty bridge (Szabadság híd), either on foot or take tram 47 or 49 (one stop), you will reach the Buda side of the Danube. Here, at the foot of the Gellért Hill you will come accross the Cave Church.

 

Szabadság híd (Liberty Bridge) Photo: Miroslav Petrasko http://www.hdrshooter.com

 

 

Entrance of the Cave Church, Photo: Virág

If you are tired:

Opposite the Cave Church you will find the Art Nouveau style Gellért hotel, here you can relax in the lovely thermal baths.

Lobby of Gellért Bath, Photo: Miroslav Petrasko http://www.hdrshooter.com

 

To get back to your apartment from the Gellért baths take Metro Line 4 from Gellért tér to Kálvin tér. Our apartments are a 5-10 minute walk away from Kálvin tér.

If you haven’t run out of energy

…and the weather is nice, you can walk up Gellért hill to the Citadel where you will see the Statue of Liberty and can admire the amazing views of the city.

Admiring the view from Gellért hill, Photo: Virág

 

On the top of Gellért hill, Photo: Virág

If you walk down the hill on the other side, to reach Elizabeth bridge Erzsébet-híd), you will find the 500 year old Rudas Baths. Here you can take a dip and relax after all that walking.

To get back to your apartment from Rudas Baths cross the Elizabeth bridge and in 10 minutes you will be back in Katona Apartments.

For the evening:

The Budapest Eye Ferris wheel is available in spring, summer and autumn and only a 5 minute walk from the apartment.

A 3 minute walk from the Ferris wheel is Saint Stephan’s Basilica. This is the most important church building in Hungary and also the third highest church in Hungary.

Basilica in the background, photo: my cousin, Mészöly Nóra

 

A gendarme close to Basilica, Photo: my friend, Bús Mónika

From the Basilica, within 15 minutes, you can walk to the Parliament building, one of Europe’s oldest legislative buildings with its Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube.

Parliament, Photo: Miroslav Petrasko http://www.hdrshooter.com

 

Further onto the River bank you can find the Shoes on the Danube memorial honouring the Jews killed in WWII.

Shoes on the Danube Memorial, Photo: Virag

Take a walk back to Katona Apartments along the bank of the Danube and admire the stunning view. (About 20 minutes from the memorial). You can also take tram No. 2 to Erzsébet Bridge.

Day 2

To start the day cross the Chain Bridge and walk up the Castle Hill (about 30 minute walk from the apartment). Alternatively, you can also take the Funicular Railway or if you prefer public transport look for the bus No. 16 on Erzsébet Square.

Chain Bridge and the Royal Castle Photo by my cousin, Mészöly Nóra

 

View to the Danube, Photo: my friend, Bús Mónika

Once at the top of the hill you can visit the Royal Castle (from the outside), Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and take a rest in the charming Ruszwurm Café (7, Szentháromság Street).

Fisherman’s Bastion Photo: Virag

If you take bus No.16 back to Erzsébet Square you can catch the Metro Line 1 to Hősök tere. Getting off here will bring you to Heroes Square where you can see its iconic statue complex.

Heroes Square, Photo: Sergey Melkonov, Flickr

 

Close to Heroes Square (5 minute walk) is Vajdahunyad Castle where you can take a romantic walk around the grounds and take in the various architecture. Round the corner from the castle is Széchenyi Baths, one of the largest spa complexes in Europe with a variety of indoor and outdoor pools.

Fresco on the ceiling of Széchenyi Baths, photo: Virág

To head back to the apartment from here take Metro Line 1 until Vörösmarty Square (terminal). From there, Katona Apartments can be reached within 5 minutes. We suggest you walk along Váci street.

For the Evening

You can take a nice walk in the Jewish Quarter (5 minute walk from Katona Apartments): Here you can view the Great Synagogue (from the outside) and explore this area to find the famous ruin pubs. You may also want to pay a visit to Gozsdu Court with its many cafés, restaurants, galleries and shops all within one complex.

During your check in we will be glad to show you all these sights on a map. We can also lend you a Lonely Planet Budapest guide to use during your stay.

Two days are not enough for Budapest, in this short time, you only just scratch the surface. You will definitely want to come back again one day. : )

info@katonaapartments.hu

http://www.katonaapartments.hu

About the authors: Virág and János

Virág, a native of Budapest, and János, who’s been living in the city since 1997 are real fans of the capital of Hungary and try to awake the enthusiasm of others. They are dedicated to helping tourists to make most out of their stay.

Here you can read more about them: http://katonaapartments.hu/

What (not) to bring with you for your Budapest stay

As Budapest is a metropolis and we are located in the city center, everything can be bought in the vicinity of our apartments, that a European city can offer you. So don’t worry if you leave anything at home.

Although here are some suggestions that you should not forget about.

What to bring

Swimsuits  Budapest is the city of thermal baths. It would be a big mistake not to visit at least one because of lack of swim suits. In case you forget them at home, you can buy them in a clothes store. The closest ones are about 5-8 blocks away from our apartments.

In winter time a bathrobe may come handy if you visit Széchenyi Bath, as it has outside pools as well operating all year round. It’s real fun to walk in the snow bare feet and then soak in the hot thermal water. With a bathrobe the chilled ones will feel more comfortable.

To avoid blisters on your feet, bring sneakers with you. Our former guest, Rachael from UK and many others can confirm, that flip flops are not the best choice for those who come to explore Budapest on foot. Avoid blisters!

If you are a student, bring your international student card with you. You get discounts on hop on hop off sightseeing buses, museums and other sights.

For European Union citizens above the age of 65 public transport is free. Don’t forget to bring your ID card or passport with you. The controllers will ask for it on trams, buses and metro.

Tram 49 crossing the river Danube on Liberty Bridge, Photo: Virág

What not to bring

We provide all these items to you during your stay:
shower gel, liquid soap, washing powder and softener, towel (one for each), coffee, tea, salt, sugar, map of the city center, Lonely Planet Budapest guide book, wall outlet adapters for our guests arriving from overseas.

For families with little children we offer free items but please inform us in advance if you need any of these: cot, baby bath, high chair, plastic plates, spoons and cups, tiny night light, toys and books.

Enjoy your stay in our awesome city.

Contact us:

http://katonaapartments.hu/

info@katonaapartments.hu

 

About the authors: Virág and János

Virág, a native of Budapest, and János, who’s been living in the city since 1997 are real fans of the capital of Hungary and try to awake the enthusiasm of others. They are dedicated to helping tourists to make most out of their stay.

Here you can read more about them: http://katonaapartments.hu/