Vienna or Budapest?
 

Hi, all,
This may be a stupid question but I need help deciding where to go next year.
We are in our 60's and couple years ago went to Prague and just loved the history and the architecture.
We want to go to Munich and either Budapest or Vienna.
Any thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks for your help.
Evelyn

Vienna was more important as an imperial capital and therefore has more to offer in terms of museums and history.

I've been to both. Some would say the greatest similarity is that they are both located on the same river!

Vienna seems "more imperial" on the outside and I would agree that the museums in Vienna might be of greater interest.

But, frankly, you aren't helping much because you say nothing of your own interests and simply give your age. You may find Budapest far more interesting but how are we to know that?

Sorry, if this pisses you off but give us some help here.

Historically, Vienna is more important and is also closer to Munich. Haven't been to Budapest but from what I've seen, they're probably comparable architecturally. Vienna has some world-class museums.

Been to Vienna 4 times ..last time just a few months ago.

Budapest twice

Since you mention you only have time for one other place..
then do Vienna.

But make sure you see the major places in Vienna.

Do all of Hofburg Palace Complex and the Natural History Museum next door and across from here the Musem of Art History..very lovely inside the buildings.

also:
Parliament Buildings
City Hall
University
Votiv Church
Volk Gardens
Burgtheatre..across from City Hall

of course you cannot miss St.Stephen Cathedral

St. Charles Square and Church with the two oblelisks in front

and then make sure to see Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens.

This will give you a little start.

Oh yes next to the Opera House is the Sacre Hotel that serves the famous Chocoltae Sacre Torte.

I enjoyed both very much. I would not describe them as comparable architecturally (or otherwise).

I agree with Dukey - we would need to know more about your interests to respond.

jmvp gave you a nice little outline.

You would go too far wrong no matter which place you chose.

Been to both several time and like them almost equally.

If you want a list of places to see in Budapest , let me know.

well... budapest has amazing thermal water baths and gand public pools. so for me, the water is a tie-breaker!

btw-- if you go to budapest, we absolutely loved hotel victoria. full view of the parliament, river and bridge... and good price. fond memories.

Without giving the whys, I liked Budapest better than Vienna.

Budapest is post-communism in the process of being shined up...beautiful decay and lower prices, but with that seriousness and underlying poverty that comes with being an ex-soviet country. The museums and sites are not that memorable. It's more about atmosphere and the lovely people you will meet. Remember most people earn about €100 a week, with €200 being a senior position wage. They use a currency called the HUF.

Vienna is perfect, well run, shiny, higher prices, but breathtakingly beautiful and elegant. Comparable with London with galleries, treasures, sites and history.

So it depends on what you want. Prague is sort of a combo of both cities put together.

I agree with choosing Vienna , the former Capital of the Austro Hungarian Empire has a lot to offer including a magnificent gothic cathedral and great cafes.
I would leave Budapest as a must for next visit, Speaking of cafes do not miss Ruszwurm the oldest coffee house reputation has refused to finish in 200 years of existence.
It us tiny and long ago was favored by the Empress Zizi.

If architecture lights your candle: I find Vienna somewhat sterile in appearance. Yes, lots of classically designed buildings (columns, intricate carvings atop, etc). But a lot of sameness. Budapest has those also, but also lots of Art Deco buildings. A local told me that 10,000 multi-story buildings were erected in the 1890s. My impression was that no two were the same.

When we visited the first time, I expected Budapest (due to my upbringing during the cold war) to be grey, black and white. When we crested a hill leading down into the Budapest valley, it was in Technicolor!!! Nice town.

I've also been to both--and liked both--but for different reasons.

Jmvp provided an excellent outline of Vienna, and without knowing your interests (please report back, it helps), here are some of Budapest's highlights:

*Parliament--an absolutely stunning building, and second largest Parliament building in Europe (after London)
*Fisherman's Bastion
*Matthias Church
*The Chain Bridge (almost Brooklyn Bridge-like--it was the first permanent bridge to link Buda and Pest)
*St. Stephen's Church
*Heroes Square--which has a beautiful park behind it
*Dohany Synagogue: This area was extremely moving and they have a Holocaust Memorial courtyard nearby
*Hungarian National Gallery: the art is focused on Hungarian artists, so not as well-known, but it is nice to see a different perspective beyond those well-known
*Citadella
*Liberation Monument (near the Citadella) which was a monument erected by the Soviets' liberation of Hungary from the Nazi's--also the only Soviet monument still within the city's city limits (the remaining have been removed to a park just outside the city)

Now, not knowing your budget, one thing to keep in mind, I found Vienna to be incredibly expensive and Budapest to be much more budget-friendly. You may get lucky and find excellent meals at very cheap prices. Also, if you're a wine drinker, I found their wines remarkable.

The people are friendly and they appreciate any attempt at speaking Hungarian. The only phrase I knew was "thank you" and one store clerk got excited and asked if I spoke Hungarian. We conversed for about five minutes all because she appreciated my attempt. But, I should mention that the Viennese really are just as friendly as well!

Please report back with your interests, that will give us more of an idea of how to direct you to the best destination for you.

Nice outline for Budapest Travel_Nerd !

I could add a few extra but thereis no need to.

Okay just one !!

You could to to the Great Market Hall on the Pest side of the Liberty Bridge...market is great but the building is better !! :)

Thank you for your advice. I do appreciate it.
Our interests are: museums, architecture, history, and food.
Thx.
Evelyn

I'd give the nod to Vienna for museums and to Budapest for architecture and food.

Vienna has some wild architecture, good food (try http://www.stomach.at/en/), the Heurige for snacks and wine, the nearby hills if one needs a rest from the city, and far more art than Budapest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...th/4186910508/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622927111169

Vienna by far.

I have been in both cities, and Vienna is by far the winner.
Vienna has the Glamour of an Imperial City as it was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It has incredible Palaces, Museums, Restaurants, and ofcourse Cafés. Its Architecture is stunning, and it is a very well organized and clean City. Budapest on the other hand is beautiful, but it is stuck in the Soviet Era. The old buildings are roten, the streets smell really bad (toilet smell) and its inhabitants are not as "shinny" as the Austrians. The Language is really difficult, since it is not European and this will make your trip even worse. I choose Vienna, but Budapest is beautiful too.

Wow, PetrosB3, that was certainly NOT my experience of Budapest! (I'm not questioning your experience -- just noting that my experience was different.)

I enjoyed both cities very much. Vienna is my second favorite city in Europe (next to Paris). I would choose Vienna.