We left Vienna for Budapest on July 8th. When we got off our train, we instantly felt the heat! It was like 35C plus humidity. It felt even hotter for us with our big packs on our backs, our day pack on our front and then being crammed into a city bus that was overflowing with people - an experience I won't forget!
Remember how I said I loved Prague in a previous post? Well, add Budapest to the list of my all-time favourite cities. Budapest is gorgeous and I can't wait to return. The more I explored Budapest, the more I fell in love with the city.
Budapest is actually divided into 2 regions: Buda and Pest. The west bank of the Danube is Buda (and is quite hilly) and the east bank is Pest (which is flat). Our hostel was located on the Pest side.
We did a lot of walking in Budapest on July 9th in the 40C plus humidity weather. So much so that I began to develop what I self-diagnosed as a heat rash on my legs. Upon further googling, it seems that it could have been photodermatitis as well. Oh well, it's practically gone now :) I'd post a photo, but it was gross looking!
We started off the day by going to Heroes Square to see the Hosok Tere (Millenium Monument). Near the square, we visited the city park which had an art museum, art palace, Vajdahunyd Castle (which is really a building located on an artifical lake...doesn't look like much of a castle). We also walked by the Széchenyi Bath - Hungary is known for their thermal baths and on my next visit to Budapest, I'm having a spa day.
We then headed to Margareta Island, an oasis between Buda and Pest, on the river Danube. It's a huge park with beautiful fountains, flowers, trees, a mini zoo and 2 large pools. We enjoyed our walk on the island as there were plenty of trees that provided a welcome relief from the sun.
As morning turned into afternoon, the sun only got hotter! With sweat beads rolling from our foreheads, we made our way over to the Buda side of town - steep hills & hot heat.
We ascended up a steep hill and many steps to reach Fisherman's Bastion, which is a monument located on Castle Hill. Also on Castle Hill was Buda Castle - wow! Beautiful! From Castle Hill, we had breath taking views of Parliament (gothic style building completed in 1902), the Danube, the bridges which connect Buda and Pest and the Pest side of town.
After taking in all the beautiful scenery, we walked along the Danube and headed back towards the Pest side. We walked by the famous food market (it was after 3pm so it was closed) and through the centre of town which had many shops and restaurants. After exploring the city for over 10 hours by foot, we were exhausted and were looking forward to a cold shower and sleep.
Budapest was a beautiful city and I hope you guys all have a chance to go there one day! You won't regret it!
Next stop - Munich, Germany!
Remember how I said I loved Prague in a previous post? Well, add Budapest to the list of my all-time favourite cities. Budapest is gorgeous and I can't wait to return. The more I explored Budapest, the more I fell in love with the city.
Budapest is actually divided into 2 regions: Buda and Pest. The west bank of the Danube is Buda (and is quite hilly) and the east bank is Pest (which is flat). Our hostel was located on the Pest side.
We did a lot of walking in Budapest on July 9th in the 40C plus humidity weather. So much so that I began to develop what I self-diagnosed as a heat rash on my legs. Upon further googling, it seems that it could have been photodermatitis as well. Oh well, it's practically gone now :) I'd post a photo, but it was gross looking!
We started off the day by going to Heroes Square to see the Hosok Tere (Millenium Monument). Near the square, we visited the city park which had an art museum, art palace, Vajdahunyd Castle (which is really a building located on an artifical lake...doesn't look like much of a castle). We also walked by the Széchenyi Bath - Hungary is known for their thermal baths and on my next visit to Budapest, I'm having a spa day.
Heroes Square
City Park
Széchenyi Bath
We then headed to Margareta Island, an oasis between Buda and Pest, on the river Danube. It's a huge park with beautiful fountains, flowers, trees, a mini zoo and 2 large pools. We enjoyed our walk on the island as there were plenty of trees that provided a welcome relief from the sun.
This fountain on Margereta Island was well used. Kids and adults alike played in the water to cool down from the beating sun.
As morning turned into afternoon, the sun only got hotter! With sweat beads rolling from our foreheads, we made our way over to the Buda side of town - steep hills & hot heat.
We ascended up a steep hill and many steps to reach Fisherman's Bastion, which is a monument located on Castle Hill. Also on Castle Hill was Buda Castle - wow! Beautiful! From Castle Hill, we had breath taking views of Parliament (gothic style building completed in 1902), the Danube, the bridges which connect Buda and Pest and the Pest side of town.
Church at Fisherman's Bastion
Fisherman's Bastion
View of Parliament from Fisherman's Bastion
Enjoying the scenery!
Buda Castle
Buda Castle
More views of Pest from Fisherman's Bastion
Views of Buda, the Danube and Pest from Fisherman's Bastion
After taking in all the beautiful scenery, we walked along the Danube and headed back towards the Pest side. We walked by the famous food market (it was after 3pm so it was closed) and through the centre of town which had many shops and restaurants. After exploring the city for over 10 hours by foot, we were exhausted and were looking forward to a cold shower and sleep.
Budapest was a beautiful city and I hope you guys all have a chance to go there one day! You won't regret it!
Next stop - Munich, Germany!
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