Overview Hotels Things to Do Restaurants Nightlife Itineraries Facts Explore Travel

The Perfect Long Weekend in Budapest

Description:

A long weekend in Budapest is perfect to get a taste of all this fabulous city has to offer. Taking in the Great Synagogue, Jewish Quarter, Parliament/Ethnography museum, Opera House, City Park and Castle District with dining/cafe suggestions all along the way!

user rating

Author: Jennifer

Day 1 - Budapest

Begin your day at the Great Synagogue close to the Astoria Metro station (on the M2 or red line). Guided tours last about 50 minutes and leave on the half-hour. They are available in a large number of languages. This is, at times, a crap-shoot as to the quality of the guide you receive, if looking for an outstanding guide in English, ask if Illdiko is guiding. Tip generously. Your ticket is also valid for entry to the adjacent Jewish Museum. This museum needs to be updated a bit but is eminently worth viewing. While undergoing refurbishment, the overwhelming majority of artifacts on display here (including some of the oldest Jewish Hungarian religious artifacts in existence) went missing without a trace. They were later recovered unharmed in a tiny Romanian village. Their route there to this day remains a mystery. There is also a room detailing the horrors of the Holocaust in Hungary. Walking down Dob u. you will come to a memorial statue and plaque decicated to Karl Lutz, the Swiss Vice-Consul during the Second World War who, like Wallenberg, saved the lives of tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews. For these actions, Lutz was reprimanded by Switzerland and eventually forced to leave the Foreign Service. His contributions only came to be recognized years after the end of the war, formally being recognized by Yad Vashem in 1964. Nearby, there are also two other Synagogues and a combined ticket/tour is available for those interested. The Rumbach Synagogue, just around the corner, maintains a shabby-chic façade and a gorgeous albeit somewhat decrepit interior. Furher down on Kazinczy u. there is a “compound” including an Orthodox Synagogue, kosher butcher, and a kosher restaurant. The people working here are rather insular and not always friendly to tourists, but it is worth asking if you can go in and see the synagogue. Entry is based on a donation to the synagogue of 800 forints. Note that there is not always someone here who speaks any English. Stop and get a light lunch or a coffee and pastry in class nearby at the Astoria Hotel’s restaurant Mirror (set lunch menus, 2500 forints, about 10 euros) or do like the locals and head to the Kadar Etkezde, something akin to a cafeteria. Kadar has quite a following but is worth checking out if you can get a table. Walk back down to Vaci St, the main pedestrian area of Budapest. Do some light shopping for souvenirs, t-shirts, etc. and walk back on the Corso, taking in gorgeous views of the Castle District Skyline. Continue on toward the Central Market Hall. This is a good place to pick up some fruit for your room or some foie gras (goose liver) for lucky friends back home. Grab a bite to eat or a drink upstairs from the food vendors or head back to your hotel for a light rest. Your first evening in Budapest should be a fabulous night out on the town. Have your concierge make reservations for you at Bouchon or Café Kor (if you can get a table)! Head back to the Corso and take Tram #2 for a spectacular view of the skyline at night, winding past the Parliament.

1

+36 1 266 0479 (Budapest Touris Information)

Karma Café & Restaurant

Location:

view in google maps
Liszt Ferenc tér
1222 Budapest, Hungary

Phone:

36 1 413 6764

After breakfast at your hotel, head to the Parliament. It is extremely important to arrange tickets ahead of your visit, as they make it rather difficult to secure a visit. Another good time to employ your concierge. Tours in English are typically at 10, 12, and 2 and are free for EU citizens. While in the area, it is worthwhile ducking into the Museum of Ethnography. This area is mainly banks and businesses, catch tram 74 back to Andrassy and walk to Liszt Ferenc Square. This remains a hot-spot to “see-and-be-seen”, lunch specials about here, Karma is a cut above the rest, Menza is quite fine as well. Walk down Andrassy to the Opera House and purchase tickets for a tour, daily at 3 and 4 in numerous languages. In high season, it is advisable to arrive early as there is exceptionally high demand, with good reason. Tours here are of a high-quality and given by young, well-heeled Hungarians. Stop for a coffee at one of the numerous cafes which dot Hajos Street (just behind the opera) and avoid the notorious Muvesz (across from the opera). It is overrun with tourists and has, perhaps, the most atrocious service in the entire city. Head back to your hotel for a rest and head out for a fancy evening (with reservations) at Lou Lou. Or dine in old-world elegance at the Central Kavehaz Café. Head back to Liszt Square for drinks at Incognito or, for those more into a local scene, head to Nagymezo St. and grab a spot at one of the many cafes, Mai Mano is as good as it gets.

1

Opera House

user rating

expert pick

Location:

view in google maps
Andrássy út 22
1061 Budapest, Hungary

Phone:

+36 1 353 0170

Location:

view in google maps
Klauzál Square 1-2
7th District
1072 Budapest, Hungary

Contact · Privacy · Terms