Day 1 - 18 Oct 2021
Content: l arrived in Budapest airport around 11pm and I decided that the best way to get to the city centre would to take a taxi. Even though it was getting late there were many taxis and Bolt cars (there's no Uber in Budapest but you can use the Bolt app).
Content: I booked the hotel Mera which is situated right in the centre of Budapest (only 5-10 minutes from the parliament). I was pleasantly surprised by this hotel! The staff were very welcoming, friendly and helpful, and the hotel was very clean and modern.
Day 2 - 19 Oct 2021
Content: I started the day with a delicious cup of coffee and some pastries at a local coffee shop! It's only 5 minutes walk from Mera hotel. The coffees and pastries were very reasonable and delicious! Honestly it was one of the best coffees I had in Budapest :)
Content: At 10am I joined a free walking tour on the square by the Hungarian parliament. I would definitely recommend doing a walking tour, it's the best way to see the city and the tour guide (most of the times it's a local) has so much knowledge about the city. It was 2 hours long and We visited the main sights in the lipotvaros and belvaros district. I loved the history behind the small statues around the city - look out for them they are everywhere!
Content: The walking tour ends near the big market hall in Budapest, it's a great place to buy a souvenir or something to eat.
Content: The market hall is a great place to try the traditional Apple strudel!
Content: After a break at the hotel I decided to visit St Stephan's Basilica (only 5 minutes walk from the hotel).
Content: I bought a ticket to climb up the basilica to see the amazing view over the city. I recommend getting there just before sunset for an even better experience!
Day 3 - 20 Oct 2021
Content: This morning I decided to get up very early to see the sunrise over the city! The fisherman's bastion is the best place to see the sunrise in Budapest in my opinion! I got a Bolt car from the hotel (15 minutes). The early alarm paid off - the view was beautiful & hardly anyone was there.
Content: I spent the morning walking around this side of the city, I went around the castle and Matthias church.
Content: After all that sightseeing I enjoyed a delicious brunch from café Zileat. It's located at the bottom of the castle near the Danube. Beautiful interior and yummy food.
Content: Walking back to the other side of the river towards the city centre. Great place to see the Hungarian parliament!
Content: Beautiful restaurant and seriously good food! Keep in mind that it’s busy and that you should reserve!
Day 4 - 21 Oct 2021
Content: I started the day with some breakfast in a local bakery/coffee shop. The pastries were delicious, they were so good I went back the next day!
Content: I decided to visit the public library which is said to have a beautiful interior. I loved the architecture but the library was full of students studying and I did feel like the tourists were bothering them! Anyway, it's a unique place that's worth a visit.
Content: Brunch at Budapest baristas! Great coffee and yummy food. The prices were very reasonable. Vegetarian and vegan options.
Content: The Hungarian parliament is a key part of any trip to Budapest! I loved photographing the intricate architecture of the building. You can enter the parliament (you have to buy tickets) but I decided just to admire the outside.
Content: The next stop was the Varosliget park. I took a Bolt car there as it is quite far from the centre, you can also get the metro (there is a station in the park). This park has so much to offer! There's the castle and the famous thermal baths.
Day 5 - 22 Oct 2021
Content: I went back to the coffee shop from yesterday and had a very nice breakfast again.
Content: Check out time! Today I was leaving Budapest to go to Bratislava by train so I had to pack my things and leave the hotel. Very sad to leave this beautiful hotel! The train station is only 15 minutes walk from the hotel.
Content: I bought my ticket at the station (roughly 15€ Budapest - Bratislava).
Day 5 - 22 Oct 2021
Content: Arrived in Bratislava, Slovakia! I got an Uber from the train station (roughly 6€ to the hotel).
Content: I booked a hotel right in the historical centre of Bratislava. I had an amazing view from my bedroom window, you can even see the castle! The hotel was a very good price (I paid 55€ for 2 people per night, this includes breakfast). The breakfast was delicious and had many options. The staff were nice and helpful.
Content: The hotel staff recommended this local restaurant which is a 5 minute walk from the hotel. I was so surprised by the interior, it really is amazing and nothing like what you would expect! It used to be an old opera hall but it’s now a lively local restaurant. The food was delicious and the prices were crazy affordable!!
Day 6 - 23 Oct 2021
Content: Breakfast is included at the Beigli hotel and I really enjoyed all that they had to offer. There is seating area inside and outside in a courtyard looking over the famous old town entrance.
Content: I visited the presidential palace (where the current president lives) and the beautiful gardens behind it. A great place to relax!
Content: Right next to the gardens was this great little coffee shop, the coffee was amazing!
Content: A nice restaurant/café great for a quick bite or a drink! We had the pumpkin risotto.
Content: There is a nice walk around the Danube river. Don’t forget to marvel at the UFO tower! You can go up the tower to get a great view of the city, there is even a restaurant up there.
Day 7 - 24 Oct 2021
Content: I started the day by visiting the old town hall which has a great view point and a museum about the towns history. The view point over the city is a must!
Content: A must see in Bratislava!
Content: There are lots of hidden passages ways around the city!
Content: Coffee time!
Content: I did another free walking tour, this one starts at 15:30 on the main square. I would definitely recommend these tours, you learn so much and you get to visit all the main sights. At the end if you are happy with the tour you can tip the tour guide.
Content: Back to my favorite restaurant for the last night in Bratislava!
Day 8 - 25 Oct 2021
Content: I caught a flixbus from Bratislava back to Budapest airport (roughly 15€) and I got a flight back home! I hope that you enjoyed this travel guide! Don’t hesitate to ask any questions :)