annhig

Bill and I went to Budapest for a few days between Christmas and New year a few years ago and though we didn't love it as much as we had Prague which we had visited the year before, we loved the galleries and museums, the opera, and yes even some of the food especially the soups. We also went to a fantastic Hungarian music evening in a theatre when was completely hidden behind one of those anonymous doors that they specialise in. I wouldn't rush back but I certainly didn't dislike it.

Michael

It depends what you expected and are looking for. I agree that the National Gallery was not very interesting. On the other hand, the museum of ethnography behind the parliament building and the decorative arts museum were worth a visit. In addition, the city offers a lot of visuals by just walking around some of the neighborhoods: https://flic.kr/s/aHskDQ8rCm

HappyTrvlr

Budapest, a grand old city still recovering from years under a repressive Communist regime. Give her some slack.

StCirq

OK, it wasn't ALL bad...................and the synagogue was beautiful and incredibly moving.

Christina

I don't think what the OP wrote was nonsense at all. I felt the same way (minus the burger fat but it's been a long time).

Now I just went for one day so I thought perhaps I missed something that would be evident as I've seen a lot of people on Fodors say how great it is and how much time they spent there, days on end. I was glad I saw it but had no desire to spend more time there or ever go back. And I did see the highlights. I just thought the whole city was kind of depressing and grim. and the food was not very good, either, of course, but that's a matter of taste. It is a nice view down to the river from that church up on the hill, sure. And I DID have a local expert giving the day tour I took, I don't think having a grand past and interesting history means a city is pleasant to visit today, those are two different things.

thursdaysd

I have visited Budapest four times and would be happy to go back. My only complaint is that so many other people are now visiting (probably off river cruises) compared to my first visit in 2004.

So not all the buildings are pristine? I found the mixture of decrepit and restored interesting, just as I did in Sicily. I certainly didn't consider it particularly dirty. Plus I am a big Art Nouveau fan, and there is plenty of AN to enjoy.

So the people don't smile at strangers like Americans? Tough, they don't smile like Americans in a number of countries, it's a cultural difference.

So you don't care for the country's politicians? Do you really only visit countries whose politics match yours? How about where you live?

I agree that the art and history museums aren't great, but there is so much else to see.

For several of my posts on Budapest, with pix, see:

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/tag/budapest/

bdokeefe

Ditto, we've been there twice and found it very interesting and REAL. We always felt safe walking around, great public transportation, plenty of sites to see if you like history and architecture. Vienna, to us, is an over-prettified wedding cake of a city, that seems to exist for tourist.

To each his own, we'll be back.

helen63

I just booked 8 days trip to Budapest in mid December, and decided to read about the city on my favorite site....

I will be honest, I am very surprised about all these less than exciting reviews, but I guess we will find out for ourselves shortly.

However, I cannot believe the city with such rich history and cultural heritage may be boring.

Architecture, various thermal bath houses, opera (seem on renovation though), operetta theater, world class musical halls, Roma gypsy music, Jewish history, X-mas markets for the season, ruin bars, coffee houses, and even several Michelin restaurants (bad food???)

Does not seem boring at all... Well, I hope I am not proven wrong.

fourfortravel

"Vienna, to us, is an over-prettified wedding cake of a city, that seems to exist for tourist."

I must write that six years in as a resident, my adopted hometown of Vienna is more than a fancy cake, if you leave the tourist area.

helen63, the OP has posted once, never to return. Who knows what might have prompted their statement? We have been to Budapest several times (it's just "down the road") and have mostly enjoyed how the city has changed since our first visit. Yes, the heavily promoted areas are crowded with tourists, but few such destinations are not. No doubt you'll find everything you described in your holiday. Enjoy!

rideronthestrom123

It's sad to read that you disappointed by Budapest. Budapest is a very beautiful city with it's own unique atmosphere. Just give Budapest a chance

VonVan

We also loved BudaPest on our short, 3 night visit, perhaps because it is different from other European capitals.
The Shoes on the Danube is one of the most moving memorials I've seen:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoes_on_the_Danube_Bank

jannad

My bf and I spent two weeks in Budapest last year, and knew a little about its history and hardships. He is in the entertainment business and so we met up and coming musicians and artists and enjoyed the Hungarian passion and sense of humor, and authentic Hungarian food.. Maybe travelers should try to mingle with a little younger age group or something? I loved the buildings and boulevards even tho they were not our main interest. We were just in Paris and experienced indifferent bordering on hostile service in various venues, so maybe that approach is just European.

MmePerdu

oh, yes, that must be it. But being so old I'll certainly forget by the time I get back.

janisj

>>We were just in Paris and experienced indifferent bordering on hostile service in various venues, so maybe that approach is just European.<<

I've never experienced hostile service in Paris. Just professional/businesslike. Maybe you prefer "hi, my name is Tiffany and I'll be you server - giggle"

helen63

Thank you, Fourfortravel!

I hope so

kja

@ helen63: I often think that cities are a lot like people -- if you are willing to accept them for what they are and see past a flaw or two, you can find a great deal worth knowing. And just like people, not all matches work. I know that some people have not been enamored of Budapest, including several who posted on this thread, but please take heart in all of us who said that we found much to enjoy there. It seems to me that you have identified some of the city's treasures, and I hope you have no reason to regret your choice. And if you do find that you are bored, well, you can always take a day trip or two!

kerouac

I far prefer Budapest to Prague. One funny thing is that both cities (and also Bucharest) often stand in for Paris in lower budget movies. The bourgeois districts have enough simili-Haussmann architecture to create an illusion and there are also enough cobbled streets to pretend to be Montmartre of the Latin Quarter in Paris. I spot the "fraud" in a blink of the eye -- wrong window sills, incorrect sidewalk slabs, different streetlights... but I'm sure that 95% of spectators (even among the French) are fooled.

willit

I'm not wildly keen on the currant politics in Hungary, but I rather liked Budapest. I thought that although much of it needed rebuilding after the war, it retains its grandeur of the old Hapsburg empire.
I didn't find people unfriendly, I didn't get an impression of grime or burger fat.

I'm not sure I would go back - I think that we saw everything we wanted to, but I'm very glad I visited.
Photos from 2012 Here

WeisserTee

Prague also stood in for Zurich in at least one of the Bourne movies.

I am not a fan of Budapest either. A short visit was more than enough. To each his own. I love Brussels and Milan, many people don't. I don't find San Francisco appealing at all yet many think it's fabulous.

jannad

>>I've never experienced hostile service in Paris. Just professional/businesslike. Maybe you prefer "hi, my name is Tiffany and I'll be you server - giggle" <<

Interesting assumptions there. I commented on mainly indifferent service, not as offputting as the orig poster had, but still existing. I must have hit a nerve with the age suggestion though, and I'm gonna stand on that and suggest that travelers make more effort to interact with ordinary people. We have experienced some glitches and problems while on the road, and don't for a minute think bad service or dirt on a building represents people's hearts.