What are your "must sees" in Budapest?

Old Dec 4th, 2007, 12:16 PM
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What are your "must sees" in Budapest?

We will be in Budapest for a short weekend and would like to know what your "must sees" are so we can potentially copy them!!! So far this is what I've collected on my own:

- Central Market Hall
- Vaci Street
- Vörösmarty Square (Christmas market this weekend)
- Hero's Square (ice skating rink in the city park behind Hero's Square)
- Opera House (not sure if we'll have time to see a performance)
- St. Stephen's
- Chain Bridge
- House of Terror (I think it's free for students on Sundays!)
- Matthias Church
- Fisherman's Bastion
- Széchenyi Spa

So this is a long list, but if there is anything that you aren't seeing that you love about Budapest please let me know. We have seen quite a few museums lately and would like to take a short break from them. We aren't "foodies" as I've read so many of you are. We just want to enjoy the city but also feel like we've seen as much as we can in our 2.5 days.

Thanks everyone!
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 01:40 PM
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I would suggest a tour of the Parliament Building. Yes, you do have a lot on your list, and you probably won't have time to do it all.

Of those you mention, I enjoyed Vaci Ucta, Hero's Square, St. Stephen's, Mattais Church and Fisherman's Bastion. Highly recommend the House of Terror. Don't forget to pick up an audio guide! I didn't see them and felt like I missed some good information.

I'd get one of those Streetwise laminated maps and see where the sites are located. That would be a good starting place.

Where will you stay? Buda or Pest?

Hope this helps! Have a great trip!

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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 01:42 PM
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Meant to add Dahony St. Synagogue and related memorials. Stunning.
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 01:48 PM
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Hi, girls,

i like your list, but you might like to add any of the museums, especially if going in the winter as they are

warm
free
have great cafes.

We particularly liked Lizst's house - it's not very well set out IMO but DOES have Beethoven's piano, which is surprisingly small and fragile. I stood looking at it for ages, just imagining Ludwig hammering away on it.

Do try to get to the opera-the theatre is beautiful, the tickets cheap, and the performance we saw was first class.


again if travelling in winter, bare [or is it bear?] in mind that public buildings are very well heated and have [generally] free cloakrooms. the trick is to wear a thick coat with lighter clothes underneath.

when are you going? [your post implies very soon]

good luck,

regards, ann
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 02:48 PM
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We spent five nights in Budapest. Based on our trip, I think your list is a good one.

Parliament is worth an hour or so but we wasted a long time in line for tickets only to be told they were sold out for that day. Tour groups appear to get preferance so try to have your admission arrangements made in advance.

If you are ever going to visit an Opera House, this is the one to see. We went and were glad we did.

Do the Spa. Or will it be too cold.

Don't overlook St. Stephen's. It is very impressive. A good restaurant nearby is TG - Tom George.

Check out the public areas of the Four Seasons Hotel

Save time for a treat at Gerbeauds.

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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 03:51 PM
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Listz Academy (Zeneakademia), but you can only go in when there's a concert.
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 03:52 PM
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Listz Academy (Zeneakademia), but you can only go in when there's a concert.

Gresham Hotel
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 03:52 PM
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For just a weekend, I would recommend Parliament, Great Synagogue, Opera House, Mattyas Church. I wanted to go to the Basilica but we missed it. You can arrange tours of Parliament in advance. It is spectacular.

We plan to return and see all we missed in the 3-1/2 days we were there!

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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 03:59 PM
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Check the hours for the Central Market Hall when you arrive. It closes early on Saturday and is not open on Sunday (or holidays). We were in Budapest for 4 days. Our first day we took a city tour. The tour we took had stops at Gellert Hill, Fishermans Bastion and Hero's Square. After the tour we took public transportation to places not included in the tour. We had a Budapest Card so transportation was included as well as museum discounts etc. The tram that runs along the river on the Pest side (I think its #2) is also a great way to see some of the sites.
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 04:05 PM
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GBC wrote: "Save time for a treat at Gerbeauds."

I think there are better options. I like the Central Coffee House. You actually see some Hungarians there.

If you want to splurge a little (i.e. pay Western European prices) the newly refurbished New York Coffee House is a beautiful room, and the style of the establishment is very enjoyable -- snooty without the snootiness.
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 05:31 PM
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Go to the top of Gellert Hill in the evening for a great view of the river, with the bridges lit up.

Make sure that you make at least one journey on Metro line 1 (it runs from Vörösmarty ter to Heroes Square and the Széchenyi baths, so it fits into your programme).
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Old Dec 4th, 2007, 08:14 PM
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Add MAK (the Applied Arts Museum), and the Hungarian House of Wine.

Forget Gerbeaud - overpriced. I like the Central, but watch out for waiters trying to cheat you - insist on a printed bill. Also try the open-faced sandwiches at Duran for lunch.
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Old Dec 5th, 2007, 01:43 AM
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Lucy, thank you for adding Parliament. It was on my maybe list, but it may have to be on the must list. I'll try to squeeze it in. We are staying on the Buda side at the Carlton Hotel. I got a great rate for it and I figured it wasn't too far located. The House of Terror was sort of on the maybe list as well, so seeing it for free on Sunday will now be a must. I'll be sure to ask for an audio guide.

AnnHig, thanks or your input as well. Do you know if you can still get tickets for a performance at the Opera House if the online ticketing says that it's sold out.

Keep the suggestions coming!
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Old Dec 5th, 2007, 04:45 AM
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Terror House- DEFINITELY- http://www2.terrorhaza.hu/

Vasarely Museum
http://www.vasarely.tvn.hu/

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Old Dec 5th, 2007, 09:39 AM
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Hi, girls,

we bought our tickets through the official web-site at www.jegymester.hu.

i suppose that if they say they have sold out, you could try one of the on-line ticket agencies or at the ticket office when you get there for any returns. i suspect that tour companies block book and then have clients pull out at the last moment.

good luck,

regards ,ann
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Old Dec 5th, 2007, 10:15 AM
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OOOOO....lots of good responses. I've made a list of things that I did not have on my itinerary and I'm going to look them up to see if they are of interest to us. Thanks so much for all the great suggestions. You guys are the greatest!

For the Central Market Hall we only have Friday to do it since Saturday we plan on going straight to the spas and then lunch in Hero's Square area. It closes at 2 on Saturdays and is completely closed on Sundays. Should we try to squeeze it in on Friday before 6pm? We arrive around 2pm and I was planning on doing Castle Hill Friday afternoon since it's the closest to our hotel. If we missed the Market would be be kicking ourselves later?
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Old Dec 5th, 2007, 10:25 AM
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GillsinEurope wrote: "If we missed the Market would be be kicking ourselves later?"

I would! But I like food.
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