tbsdebbie

We are headed to Budapest and Prague in February. Have an itinerary for Budapest. Was hoping anyone who has been there could give me thoughts on days activities. Evenings- concert, dinner, or rest. If you have other night activities, feel free to add suggestions.

Sunday looks like a lot, we have no problem dropping places if needed. Just want to have a list of places to see in day order so we use our time as wisely as possible.

Sat, 2/16
Arrive in Budapest around 12:00pm. Taking train to hotel.
Hero's Square
House of Terror (10am-7:30pm)

Sun, 2/17
Funicular (7:30am-10:30pm)
Castle area
National Gallery (10am-6pm)
Matyas Church (1-5pm)
Fisherman's Bastion
Cave Church
Gellert Monument
Citadel

Mon, 2/18
Central Market (6am-5pm)
Vaci Utca
Great Synagogue (10am-3pm)
Inner City Parish Church (11am-7pm)

Tues, 2/19
Parliament Tour (10am- already booked)
St. Stephens (10am-2pm)
National Museum (10-am-6pm)

Here are a few things I hope to fit in:
Liszt Museum
Szechneji Bath
Statue Park ?

Wed, 2/20- Train to Prague

Thanks for your thoughts! Prague days will be next.

Debbie

gregeva1

OK..here's a thought, on Sat when you arrive and you are at heroes square you can walk down about 3 blocks and go to the Szechenyi baths... THe House of Terror is a few metro stops from Heroes Square so that could be doable. Sunday....that's a lot to do. I would take the funicular up to the Castle,walk around the Castle area, go to the National Gallery and then to Matyas Templom and Fisherman's Bastion. The cave church and Gellert Monument are far enough that you might want to cab it..it might be too much to do all in 1 day, I would have slow it down and have a coffee near the Bastion( there's a great pastry shop near there). MOnday's itinerary is good...start at the great hall and move north on Vaci utca, stop at the Inner City Church and then go over to the Synangogue...you might have time today to go to the Liszt museum (if it's open) or even on Tuesday those day's arent so hectic...maybe move Gellert and Cave church to the end of either Monday or Tuesday... Have a great time and hope that this information is helpful.

Saira

I would recommend the Ruszwurm Pastry House up in the Var area, not so far from the Matyas Church.
http://www.ruszwurm.hu/flash/angol.html
Also, I would take some time enjoying the architecture on Andrassy Ut.
One of my best memories of Budapest is going to see the Nutcracker at the OperaHaz. http://www.opera.hu/index_e.php?lang...odule=main_eng

You can go to Gerbeaud in Vorosmarty Ter (Vaci Utca takes you there), but I thought it was too touristy (and not very well heated in the freezing few days before Christmas 2007). http://www.gerbeaud.hu/gerbeaud_v2/e_index.php?id=1

I loved the Inner City Parish Church at the foot of the Elizabeth Bridge, and Sziklatemplom (Cave Church), Gellert Hill are lovely.

The Szechenyi Bath is very cool as a late night experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:S...nyiAussen2.JPG

You have a ? after Statue Park. I would highly recommend it. Are you driving? It is very close.
Also, I wonder if you have time to walk around a bit in Buda, particularly in Taban and Rose Hill. Truly a lovely part of Budapest.

I wish you had time to see Szentendre. Only 20 minutes by car from Budapest, and such a charming town.

Enjoy!

tbsdebbie

Thanks for the replies. I checked the bath website and it lists Szechenyi open until 10pm each night. That is good.I definitely want to visit.

Thanks for the suggestions on Sunday. Figured it was too much, but now we have a "just in case" list also.

Definitely looking to go to the opera one night.

Wrote down the coffee house suggestions. Will use those!

Any suggestions on dinner. We never do anything real fancy. In fact we prefer to go were the locals go. Most of our best experiences have been to follow the locals.

Thanks again!

gregeva1

I loved Duran for cool sandwiches there are many locations. (www.duran.hu) and I used this guide when I was there 2 years ago for restaurant suggestions.

www.chew.hu

Here's their current favorites list:

http://www.chew.hu/top33.html

MMiles1964

My son and I will be in Budapest with you at the same time! It is almost like serendipity that I read your post - it offers some great ideas. But can anyone suggest some of the better bath houses (to heal an old dad;'s arthritis). Also, while we both travel a great deal, I have found the declining dollar a real "downer" - is BudaPest still a relative bargain or will it hurt as much as Paris this past summer? Thanks for your replies!

Kellye

My daughter and I were in Budapest this summer and thought the prices were reasonable. No worse than any major US city. It is beautiful there. I hope you enjoy it.

tbsdebbie

Are you just visiting Budapest or any other city/country?

Here is my plan of financial attack when outside the US. Know the amount of money I want to spend while in a city. Change into country's currency. Spend as though I lived there. With that philosophy, we have enjoyed spending and buying almost like normal.

I thought my daughter was going to croak when she saved $100 and exchanged it in London three years ago for 48 pounds! It only hurt for the first few hours, then we quit thinking about how much it cost in $ and only thought about if we had enough in pounds.

As my husband says, I look forward to helping the economy of Budapest

lostinplace

Last fall, Prague and Budapest were about as expensive as in the US.

Beer in Prague cost less than back home. Dinner in Budapest was less expensive than most major cities we have visited in Europe, and often had live entertainment.

allank_1960

Hello MMiles I am Hungarian living in Sydney now and often travelling back to the old country. As far as bathhouses go I can recommend you Gellert bath in Budapest which is just near the Cave Church. If you have time to travel to Lake Balaton I recommend Heviz. Have a great time in Hungary , just email me if you got anymore question about Budapest or Hungary Allan
<http://www.karpati.us>

Zeus

Beer in Prague costs SIGNIFICANTLY less in Prague than the U.S. We were buying half liter mugs for less than $3.00 back in December. On the other hand, my daughter's little itty bitty glass of Coke cost close to $5.00, without any free refills.

I like your itinerary, but I think you can see all of Castle Hill in less than a day.

May I suggest that you buy an All Day Pass for the transport system in Budapest. You can then cross the river and ride the #2 tram along the Danube thus getting a nice tour of the major sights. We rode up and down the riverside a couple times just to warm ourselves up on a very very cold day. The entire route is only about 15 minutes from end to end. Be sure you have the transport pass easily accessible at all times because the transport police can be real SOB's.

shangrila

MM... sure the declining dollar hurts, but you can cut costs gratly my improvising. One of my favoirte things to do is go to the castle district hit the mini market, buy some fresh bread, some cheese and a tomo or 2 and sit on the bench and watch the city go by. Killing 2 birds with one stone, cheap lunch and culture all in one. The price of the above should set you back about $5 depending on the cheese you select. Don't forget your pocket knife. gt;

mimix3

If you are looking for a nice cheap and EXCELLENT cafe. I would suggest the Budapest Blue. It's located at Blaha Lujza ter. Behind the Corvin supermarket/shopping centre. It's on the side street on the left. It's small and they have great prices and the food is delicious. I lived in Budapest in 2007. My husband and I went there everyday he had a day off work. Enjoy your trip. It's very nice. And like someone else said..make sure you have your transport pass because the ticket police are a PITA

tbsdebbie

Thanks for the restaurant suggestion. Collecting them on a list!