Budapest

Last week, my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to have some time to go visit Budapest in Hungary. As I’m still on my job hunt and he had a reading week, it made sense to get some travel time in. 

One of my big goals for this year is taking time to travel. I didn’t really travel during my undergrad. First of all, I wasn’t interested in studying abroad. Second of all, travelling overseas from Canada is incredibly expensive. That fact paired with working year-round made it basically inaccessible. 

Travelling from the United Kingdom, however, is incredibly accessible. The cost of my flight to Hungary, accommodations for five nights in Budapest, and the train from London to the airport and back were less than it would cost for me to fly from P.E.I. to Ontario (!!!)

February falls in Budapest’s off-season, so there weren’t as many tourists around. This meant cheaper prices and more of an authentic experience (in my opinion). While in Budapest, we stayed in an Airbnb right by the Jewish Quarter on the Pest side of the city (Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube, only joined together in the late 1800s. Buda is much more residential, while Pest is where most tourists go). 

If I sat and wrote a full post about my experience visiting Hungary, you would be reading for hours. Instead, I’m going to keep it as short and sweet as I can. Without further ado, here are my…

House of Terror

On our first day, we went to the House of Terror Museum, which was top on my list of things to do. Created in the early 2000s, the Museum presents two horrifically dark periods of Hungarian history. It’s located on in the building that once housed the headquarters for the Arrow Cross Party (the Hungarian Nazis) and the State Protection Authority (the secret police of the People’s Republic of Hungary from 1945 to 1956). 

Many people were interrogated, tortured, and killed in the building, and the Museum stands as a memorial to those individuals. I have to admit I was shocked by how little I knew about the history of Hungary and the disturbing hardships that many citizens faced.

For those who are easily unsettled, I probably wouldn’t recommend the Museum. It’s a place you’ll leave feeling very heavy. But personally, I found that the context provided by the visit helped me to develop a realistic view of a city and country that have both been shaped by a complicated history.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

We also visited St. Stephen’s Basilica on our first day. The Basilica, named in honour of Hungary’s first King, Saint Stephen, is the largest church in Budapest. The outside is just as beautiful as the inside, and the natural light on the day of our visit complemented both.

The church also houses the mummified right hand of Saint Stephen, referred to as the Holy Right Hand. Every year in August the hand is brought out to lead the parade on Saint Stephen’s Day. 

Dohány Street Synagogue

Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and it was one of the most stunning buildings I’ve ever been to. We were given a guided tour of the synagogue with a congregation member which was incredibly informative. We also had access to the Hungarian Jewish Museum and an in-depth exhibit about the Budapest Ghetto.

Fisherman’s Bastion

Fisherman’s Bastion is on the Buda side of the city. It’s the spot you see everyone posting their Instagram photos from. The views of the Pest side of the city are stunning, especially during golden hour. Fisherman’s Bastion was built as a viewing terrace to celebrate the 1000th birthday of the Hungarian State between 1895 and 1902. The architect who designed it was inspired by the Romanesque and Gothic architectural details found in Hungary. In the photo I’ve posted below, you can see the Hungarian Parliament Building illuminated by the sunlight.

Public Transportation 

I love Budapest’s public transportation!! Aside from having the oldest electrified underground railway system in continental Europe, the orange street cars are SO aesthetically pleasing. Very Wes Anderson-esque. 

Eats

As far as eating goes, Hungary is home to many carbohydrates which is absolutely fine by me. I was able to try things like lángos (fried dough with sour cream and grated cheese on top), chimney cakes (a sweet, cake-like bread that’s baked on a spit with a crispy outside and soft interior), and pork stew served with dumplings.

I also found a great spot called arán bakery that served me one of the most indulgent baked goods I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating:  a peanut butter and jelly croissant muffin.