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Sightseeing in Budapest
This is a direct continuation of this post. See also the video above :).
In the morning (25 July 2017) we set off from Ljubljana straight to Budapest. On arrival we went to the hostel we had booked in advance (hostel information) and then went sightseeing. After walking through a few atmospheric streets – in the video from 0:19 (passing the impressive building of the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest), we headed up Gellért Hill – a 235-metre hill with, among other things, the 19th-century Austrian Citadel and the Liberty Statue , erected in 1947 to commemorate the Soviet liberation of Hungary in the Second World War. From the top you can admire a nice panorama of the part of the city along the Danube.
Our second day in Budapest (26 July 2017) was mainly about getting to know the area around our hostel – in the video from 1:20. Among other places, we went to Orczy-kert park by the National University of Public Service.
We saw the most on the third day (27 July 2017) – in the video from 1:42. After checking out of the hostel, we decided to leave some of our luggage in a locker at the station for the whole day, so we were carrying much less weight. First we went to Heroes’ Square, where the most important feature is the Millennium Monument. Right next to it is Vajdahunyad Castle, which was our main goal. Its construction (late 19th and early 20th century) is also linked to the celebrations of the thousandth anniversary of the Hungarian state. It looks very nice both outside and inside – a place worth visiting.
After a ride on the oldest metro line in Budapest (M1), it was time for the city’s best-known sights – in the video from 2:43. Among other things, we saw Buda Castle and the Parliament. You can ride up to the castle in a funicular car. It wasn’t cheap (current prices here), and there was quite a long queue, so walking is even quicker :). Nearby it’s also worth going to the square by Matthias Church, where you’ll find the Fisherman’s Bastion.
At the end of the day we ended up on Margaret Island – in the video from 4:01. By chance we came across a big-screen broadcast of the Greece – Hungary water polo semi-final at the World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. Loads of people had gathered to watch Hungary win 7:5. In the end their team finished second at the tournament, and Croatia won. After the match we picked up our things from the station and went to catch our coach to Poland.
Sightseeing map
Our hostel
At the time it was one of the cheapest options in Budapest. The tower block is probably a student dormitory that was converted into a hostel. The standard is very basic, but good enough for two nights. We got a room on the top floor, which the lift didn’t reach. The terrace was closed too, which was a shame – there would have been a nice view of the city. A plus is the fridge in the room (the kitchen was a few floors down). Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi signal didn’t reach us (two rooms along there would have been internet, but they wouldn’t give us different keys). We arrived at the hostel a few hours before check-in, but there was no problem leaving our things in storage. Not wanting to waste time, we went sightseeing.
- Name – City Hostel Pest 35.
- Address – 1083 Budapest, Tömő utca 35-37, Hungary
- Price in 2017 – 13,900 HUF (about €42) for 2 nights for 2 people (about €10 per person per night)
