Budapest: Buda Castle Cave Tour
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Budapest is one of Europe’s most fascinating capitals and this guide will take you through a three-day itinerary to discover a city that beautifully blends imperial history, Art Nouveau architecture, spa culture and vibrant contemporary life. The itinerary brings together what to see in Budapest in 3 days and is designed to optimise travel and ensure that you visit the most significant sights, alternating between historical monuments, cultural experiences and moments of relaxation in the famous thermal baths.
The day starts early at Buda Castle, which can be reached by the characteristic funicular railway (built in 1870) from Clark Ádám Square. The castle complex, the historical residence of Hungarian kings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses three main museums: the Budapest History Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Széchényi Library. We recommend spending at least two hours touring the castle and its Baroque gardens.
Continue on foot to Matthias Church, a jewel of Hungarian Gothic architecture with its characteristic coloured tiled roof. Inside, don’t miss the Chapel of Our Lady and the original 19th-century frescoes. Adjacent to the church, the Fishermen’s Bastion offers the best panoramic views of the Parliament and the Danube. Its neo-Gothic style and seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes that founded Hungary.
For lunch, stop at Café Ruszwurm, a historic pastry shop from 1827, famous for its Dobos cake.
In the afternoon, after a short walk through the castle quarter, head to the Gellért Baths, an Art Nouveau masterpiece from 1918, where you can relax in thermal pools decorated with columns, mosaics and original stained glass windows. The day ends on Gellért Hill, reached by a short (but steep) walk or by bus. Besides the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of liberation from Nazism, the hill offers a Habsburg-era Citadel and a spectacular view of the illuminated city.
The morning is dedicated to The Parliament of Budapest, the third largest in the world. The guided tour (to be booked weeks in advance) will take you through monumental staircases, gilded halls and allow you to admire the Crown of St Stephen, symbol of the Hungarian nation. The neo-Gothic building, with its 691 rooms and 268 metres in length, is an architectural masterpiece that is majestically reflected in the Danube.
A few steps away is St Stephen’s Basilica, the most important Catholic church in Hungary. Don’t miss the relic of the mummified right hand of Hungary’s first king and the climb up the dome for a 360° view of the city.
Walking down the prestigious Andrássy Avenue, Hungary’s equivalent of the Champs-Élysées, admire the 19th-century aristocratic palaces until you reach the House of Terror. This touching museum, housed in the former headquarters of the secret police, documents the horrors of the fascist and communist regimes. The tour takes about 2 hours.
Continue to theState Opera House, a recently restored neo-Renaissance jewel, and the Great Synagogue, the largest in Europe and the centre of Budapest’s vibrant Jewish community. The moving Garden of Memories in the synagogue courtyard is also worth a visit.
The evening is dedicated to exploring the Jewish Quarter, now the centre of the city’s nightlife. Dine in one of the area’s trendy restaurants and finish off in the famous ruin bars, venues carved out of abandoned buildings and decorated in a vintage-eclectic style. The Szimpla Kert, the first and most famous, is an experience not to be missed.
Start the day at the Great Covered Market, a beautiful Art Nouveau building from 1897. On the ground floor you will find stalls selling cured meats, vegetables and the famous Hungarian paprika, while on the first floor you can sample traditional dishes such as goulash or langos. It is the perfect place to buy gastronomic souvenirs.
Walk north along the Danube, stopping at the poignant Shoes on the Danube Bank, 60 pairs of iron shoes commemorating Jews shot on the river by the Nazis. You then reach Margaret Island, a 2.5 km park filled with flower gardens, medieval ruins, a musical fountain and jogging and cycling tracks.
The afternoon is spent at the majestic Széchenyi Baths, Europe’s largest thermal complex with 18 pools. Located in Városliget Park, these neo-Baroque-style baths are famous for the locals’ water chess games. In the park, you can also visit Vajdahunyad Castle, an eclectic building reproducing different Hungarian architectural styles.
The evening culminates with a sunset cruise on the Danube (duration 1 hour), when the monuments light up to create an unforgettable spectacle. For dinner, choose one of the traditional restaurants in the Liszt Ferenc tér area, where you can enjoy Hungarian cuisine accompanied by live Gypsy music.
If you plan to travel by public transport and visit several of the city’s museums and attractions, consider buying the Budapest Card, the city’s official tourist pass, available in different denominations according to duration, from 24 to 120 hours. It includes free public transport,free entry to more than 30 museums, including the Budapest History Museum and the House of Terror, and discounts of up to 50 per cent on main attractions, spas, restaurants and guided tours. The card also offers two free walking tours of the historical centre (in English). For this itinerary, the 72-hour card is the cheapest option.
The Belváros district is the optimal choice for this itinerary. Located in the heart of Pest, between the Danube and Andrássy Avenue, this elegant neighbourhood offers the perfect balance of comfort and atmosphere. From here you can walk to most of Pest’s attractions, while Buda is easily accessible by public transport. The area is full of hotels of all categories, from luxury boutique hotels to tourist flats, as well as countless restaurants, historic cafés and shops. The area is particularly safe and well lit at night.
Good alternatives are District VI (Opera area), ideal for lovers of cultural life and elegant nightlife, or the Jewish Quarter for those seeking a younger, more alternative atmosphere. Both areas maintain an excellent central location and are well connected with the public transport network.
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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